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Oregon and Washington Wrongful Death Lawyer

If you’ve lost a family member due to another person’s recklessness or negligence, you may pursue a wrongful death lawsuit. After the loss of a loved one, the team at Eder Sturm Eder is here to help.

Oregon's Experts in Wrongful Death

Eder Sturm Eder handles wrongful death cases in Washington and Oregon. Our dedicated team serves clients with the compassion and understanding necessary after suffering such a terrible loss. We act as your personal representatives in pursuit of medical and funeral expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.

Wrongful death cases can come about due to many circumstances: a fatal accident involving a motor vehicle, a construction mishap, a slip-and-fall, and so on. In pursuit of a full, fair wrongful death settlement, we do more than hold the responsible parties accountable; we act with compassion and integrity to honor your grief, as well as the memory of your loved one.

While no amount of money can ever fully offset your loss, filing a wrongful death lawsuit allows you to claim damages for funeral expenses, medical bills, loss of companionship, loss of services, and the decedent’s loss of income. In cases involving egregious negligence, punitive damages may also be awarded.

Speak to an Oregon/Washington Wrongful Death Lawyer

Meet the Portland Metro Wrongful Death Lawyers, Eder Sturm Eder

Wrongful death lawsuits require specialized expertise to meet the requirements of proof under the law. If you feel that a loved one died due to a person or entity’s negligence, it’s important to speak with an expert attorney right away to determine the best legal path forward.

Our team promises you will receive the following from us:

Extensive Experience - With more than 2,100 jury trials under our belts, the Eder Sturm Eder law firm has the experience and expertise to represent you and your deceased loved one’s best interests with tenacity and compassion. We are on your side during this difficult time.

Clear Communication - The legal world can be very confusing when it’s not your day-to-day reality. Our team communicates clearly and consistently to keep you informed every step of the way during the litigation or trial process. We understand how overwhelming all of the jargon can be, so we strive for simplified language to help remove any confusion.

Excellent Results - With a carefully crafted strategy to meet your unique needs, our attorneys work tenaciously to achieve the best possible legal outcome for your situation. Whether it’s negotiating a settlement or representing you at trial, we go to bat for you.

Connect with a wrongful death lawyer for a free consultation.

What is “Wrongful Death?”

A wrongful death occurs when a person’s death is the result of another person or entity’s negligence. Motor vehicle accidents, medical errors, and other events can result in the death of a loved one; in such instances, a wrongful death may have occurred.

In a wrongful death civil lawsuit, the burden of proof is less than in a criminal case, but the plaintiff’s side must do the proving. The legal team will need to show the court three key things:

  1. The accused person or entity behaved with negligence or committed an intentionally harmful act.
  2. This negligence or intentional wrongdoing caused a person’s death.
  3. The person’s death resulted in emotional and financial damages to the estate or the loved ones who remain.

If you believe you have a wrongful death case to pursue, contact an Eder Sturm Eder attorney.

Wrongful Death FAQs

Common questions about wrongful death cases in Oregon

Wrongful death claims are civil cases, not criminal. However, one incident could lead to both a criminal charge and a civil claim. For example, a drunk driver who causes a fatal crash may face both a civil claim from the victim’s family and criminal charges from the district attorney’s office. Or a dog owner who provokes their dog to be aggressive may face both civil and criminal charges if the dog attacks and kills someone. One significant difference in a civil case compared to a criminal one is the burden of proof. In a civil wrongful death lawsuit, the plaintiff must show a “preponderance of evidence” to support a successful claim. That is, they need to prove that the defendant is more likely than not responsible for the death. In a criminal case, on the other hand, the prosecutor must prove their case “beyond a reasonable doubt.” It carries a much higher burden of proof because the potential legal sentencing consequences are so much greater. When jail time and loss of freedom are on the line, it’s crucial to have a higher burden of proof.
There are many situations that could trigger a family to pursue a wrongful death case. Here are some common ones: - Car Accidents - Animal Attacks - Construction Site Accidents - Defective Products - Medical Errors and Malpractice - Failure to Warn, Some cases may involve an intentional act, such as assault or murder. In these situations, there will likely be criminal charges, too. Other cases involve negligence or recklessness rather than intentional harm. For example, if a construction company fails to use sufficient signage to warn workers and others of potential hazards, they may be held liable due to this negligence, even though they didn’t intend to harm anyone.
Since the victim in these cases is deceased, another person must bring forth the claim. Typically, states allow a spouse, child, parent, sibling, or a representative of the decedent’s estate to file a claim. If the deceased person could have filed a personal injury lawsuit if they’d survived, there’s a good chance a wrongful death suit is appropriate. Consult with an attorney to determine whether or not you have the legal standing to sue for wrongful death compensation.
There is no one-size-fits-all resolution in these lawsuits. The Eder Sturm Eder team looks at each case carefully to determine the right strategy to bring the best results possible. There are many variables to factor in when discussing a settlement or when the courts determine culpability and potential compensation.
Your case’s unique circumstances will determine the likely forms of compensation in a successful resolution. Here are the most common types of compensation: - Accident-related medical expenses for the deceased person before they died - Funeral expenses - Emotional pain and suffering the decedent experienced while alive as a result of the accident - Loss of the deceased person’s income - Loss of the deceased person’s services to the household - Loss of companionship - Loss of inheritance the decedent would have left to their family in their time Speak with an attorney to learn more about what to expect for your situation.
Many wrongful death cases reach a settlement without needing to go to trial, but each case needs its own plan and strategy. The wrongful death attorneys at Eder Sturm Eder carefully consider all the options when representing a case for a family or an estate. If we can reach an appropriate settlement and spare you the cost and heartache of a trial, we will. But if we need to go to trial, you can rest assured that we will be at your side every step of the way.
Each case will have its own unique parameters for time and resources needed to get an appropriate resolution. Many attorneys take wrongful death cases on a contingency basis, so you only pay if they get you a settlement. Others will have different payment expectations. Be sure to talk through all of the financial details when choosing a lawyer to represent you.

WHO WE ARE

We are dedicated, consistent, driven personal injury attorneys.

We are trial attorneys first and foremost and we are eager to tell your story. We work tirelessly to help you reach the best possible legal outcome.

EDER STURM EDER

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Consistent.
Driven.

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WHAT WE DO

We use our experience and expertise to help injured clients maximize their financial recovery.

We accomplish this through our knowledge of the legal system, insurance defense strategies, vehicle code, and understanding of medical treatments, procedures, and diagnoses. We combine this knowledge with years of courtroom experience.

OUR APPROACH

Unlike many firms, we build every case like it's going to trial.

We know the extra effort will make the case stronger in terms of settlement or trial. Let us narrate your story, set your case up for success, and be your ferocious advocate throughout your case.

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