Seeking Justice for Families Across Oregon and Washington
Losing a loved one because of someone else’s negligence or misconduct is devastating. In these moments, families deserve legal advocates who can handle the complexities of a wrongful death claim with skill, compassion, and unwavering dedication.
At Pacific Cascade Legal, our Portland wrongful death attorneys guide families through the legal process with care and precision. We fight to hold negligent parties accountable and pursue the compensation families need to cover financial losses, secure their future, and achieve a measure of justice.
Why Choose Pacific Cascade Legal
- Compassionate, Strategic Advocacy: We balance sensitivity toward grieving families with the strong legal representation these cases demand.
- Litigation Experience: Our attorneys are prepared to build cases for trial and stand up to powerful defendants and insurers.
- Collaborative Team Approach: We leverage firm-wide experience to address both legal and practical challenges families face after a loss.
- Respected Across Oregon & Washington: Known for ethical representation, community trust, and determined advocacy.
Our Portland wrongful death lawyers are available to discuss your rights and legal options. Call (503) 573-5566 or contact us online to request a consultation.
What Our Clients Say
Families across the Pacific Northwest trust us to stand by them during life’s most difficult times. Our commitment to clear communication, ethical advocacy, and strong results has earned lasting trust.
“Honest and Professional. Amazing firm, professional team. Very honest and helpful.” — Former Client
“Thank you for helping through what was really the hardest time in my life.” — Former Client
“They are incredibly hard-working, knowledgeable, professional, and ethical.” — Former Client
Meet Our Team
Our wrongful death practice is led by experienced attorneys who combine strategic legal insight with a deep sense of responsibility to the families we serve.
- Lewis Landerholm – Founding Partner. Lewis has built Pacific Cascade Legal into a trusted, multidisciplinary law firm known for tackling challenging legal matters with strategic skill and a community-centered approach. His leadership ensures families have access to a coordinated legal team that can handle the complexities of wrongful death litigation while providing steady guidance through emotionally difficult times.
- Will Jones – Partner. Will brings extensive courtroom experience and a sharp analytical mindset to high-stakes civil cases. Known for his creative problem-solving and ease in litigation, he helps develop innovative legal strategies that hold negligent parties accountable and pursue meaningful results for families who have suffered immeasurable loss.
When Wrongful Death Claims Arise
Wrongful death claims can stem from any situation where a person’s death is caused by another party’s negligence, recklessness, or intentional misconduct. These claims are civil actions brought by the deceased person’s estate or family to hold responsible parties accountable and seek financial compensation for the harm caused.
In Oregon, wrongful death can arise from a broad range of incidents, including but not limited to:
- Motor vehicle crashes caused by negligent or impaired drivers.
- Dangerous property conditions that lead to fatal accidents, such as unsafe premises or negligent security.
- Medical negligence, including misdiagnosis, surgical errors, or failures in patient care.
- Workplace accidents caused by unsafe practices or third-party negligence.
- Defective or dangerous products that result in fatal injuries.
Regardless of the circumstances, the central legal question in any wrongful death case is whether another party’s conduct created legal liability for the death. Our attorneys investigate the facts, identify responsible parties, and pursue claims to secure justice and financial recovery for surviving family members.
Understanding Wrongful Death Claims in Oregon
Wrongful death claims are civil lawsuits brought when a person’s death is caused by another party’s negligence, recklessness, or intentional misconduct. Unlike criminal cases, which focus on punishment, wrongful death claims seek financial accountability for the harm suffered by surviving family members and the decedent’s estate.
Who Can File
Under Oregon law (ORS § 30.020), a wrongful death claim must be filed by the personal representative of the deceased person’s estate. The claim is brought on behalf of eligible beneficiaries, which can include a spouse, children, stepchildren, parents, stepparents, or others who would inherit under Oregon’s intestacy laws.
Statute of Limitations
Generally, wrongful death claims in Oregon must be filed within three years of the date of the injury that caused the death (not necessarily the date of death). This timeline can be strictly enforced, making it important to consult an attorney as soon as possible to preserve evidence and avoid losing the right to file.
Legal Standard
To prevail in a wrongful death action, the claimant must show that:
- The defendant owed a duty of care to the decedent;
- The defendant breached that duty through negligence, recklessness, or intentional conduct; and
- That breach caused the death and resulting damages.
These claims can arise from a wide variety of incidents, from motor vehicle crashes to unsafe premises or defective products, but the underlying legal principle is always liability for causing death through wrongful conduct.
Damages in Wrongful Death and Survival Actions
Oregon law allows families to pursue two related but distinct claims after a wrongful death: wrongful death actions and survival actions. Each serves a different purpose and compensates for different types of losses.
Wrongful Death Damages
A wrongful death action seeks to compensate surviving family members for the harm they have suffered because of their loved one’s death. Recoverable damages may include:
- Economic damages, such as funeral and burial expenses, medical bills related to the fatal injury, and the value of lost financial support.
- Non-economic damages, including loss of companionship, care, guidance, and emotional suffering experienced by surviving family members.
- Punitive damages, in limited cases involving extreme or intentional misconduct, to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar acts.
Survival Action Damages
A survival action is brought by the decedent’s estate to recover damages the deceased could have claimed if they had survived. This can include:
- Medical expenses incurred between the injury and death;
- Lost income during that period;
- Pain and suffering experienced before death.
These damages are awarded to the estate and distributed according to the decedent’s will or Oregon intestacy law.
Both types of claims are often pursued together in the same lawsuit. Our attorneys carefully evaluate each case to ensure that every available avenue for recovery is considered, helping families pursue full and fair compensation under Oregon law.
Our Approach to Wrongful Death Cases
Wrongful death claims require both legal skill and deep sensitivity to the needs of grieving families. Our attorneys handle every case with precision and care:
- Initial Consultation & Case Review: We meet with your family to understand the circumstances, explain your legal rights, and outline potential claims.
- Investigation: Our team gathers evidence, consults experts, and reconstructs events to establish fault and build a strong foundation for your case.
- Claim Preparation: We identify all liable parties, calculate damages, and prepare the legal filings needed to pursue your claim.
- Negotiation & Litigation: We pursue fair settlements when possible, but prepare every case as if it will go to trial.
- Resolution & Support: Beyond securing compensation, we help families address the practical challenges that follow a loss.
Portland Wrongful Death FAQ
What types of damages can families recover?
Families may recover both economic damages (medical bills, funeral expenses, lost income) and non-economic damages (loss of companionship, emotional suffering), as well as punitive damages in limited cases.
Do wrongful death cases go to trial?
Many resolve through settlement, but some proceed to trial—especially if liability is disputed or insurers refuse to offer fair compensation. Our attorneys are fully prepared to litigate when necessary.
How is compensation divided among family members?
The court typically determines how damages are distributed based on Oregon statutes and the unique circumstances of each case.
What’s the difference between wrongful death and a criminal case?
A wrongful death claim is a civil lawsuit focused on financial accountability, separate from any criminal charges. A family can bring a wrongful death claim even if no criminal charges are filed.
Speak with a Portland Wrongful Death Attorney
Wrongful death cases are complex, emotional, and time-sensitive. At Pacific Cascade Legal, we provide the legal guidance and support families need to navigate this difficult time.
Call our Portland wrongful death lawyers today or contact us online to schedule a confidential consultation.