- Law firms handle wrongful death claims involving third-party negligence in Oregon: Paulson Coletti Trial Attorneys PC is our top choice, followed by Kafoury & McDougal, D’Amore Law Group, Thomas, Coon, Newton & Frost, Kline Law PC, Huegli Law, and Goldberg & Loren.
- These claims can involve trucking companies, subcontractors, manufacturers, contractors, or public agencies.
Unfortunately, the company that employed your loved one might not be the one at fault for their death.
The responsible party could be a subcontractor who overlooked a safety measure, a trucking company, or a manufacturer whose equipment was unsafe.
This is why it’s important to have a legal team that knows how to handle these kinds of cases.
Top law firms for wrongful death cases involving third-party negligence in Oregon
Below are some of the best firms for handling wrongful death cases involving third-party negligence in Oregon.
1. Paulson Coletti Trial Attorneys PC
Lake Oswego|Oregon and Washington
Based on our research, Paulson Coletti would be our top pick for wrongful death cases.
Testimonials, case studies, and news reports show that this firm is well-equipped to handle cases with multiple defendants.
This commitment encourages them to work especially hard for their clients.
And it has delivered results.
The firm has secured $12.1 million against the maker of a faulty lathe and $3 million in a case involving a defective road grader.
They also challenged Oregon’s $500,000 damages cap and won a court ruling that the cap does not apply in some cases.
2. Kafoury & McDougal
Downtown Portland
Kafoury & McDougal is a trial firm representing plaintiffs, with lawyers who together have more than 100 years of experience.
They handle wrongful death and serious injury cases, focusing on standing up to insurance companies and holding wrongdoers accountable.
3. D’Amore Law Group
Portland, Lake Oswego, and Bend
D’Amore Law Group was founded by Tom D’Amore in 1999 and focuses on trucking cases. One example is a $2 million recovery against a trucking company after a Tualatin man was killed by an impaired semi driver.
4. Thomas, Coon, Newton & Frost.
Portland
Thomas, Coon, Newton & Frost has worked on wrongful death cases since 1982. TCNF represents individuals rather than corporations or insurance companies.
They also handle workers’ compensation cases, which is helpful when a family has both a comp claim and a third-party claim at the same time.
5. Kline Law PC
Portland
Kline Law PC is led by Rob Kline, a former president of the Oregon Trial Lawyers Association who co-wrote the wrongful death chapter of the Oregon State Bar’s Tort Law in Oregon (2024). He began his career representing insurers, so he understands how the defense works.
6. Huegli Law
Statewide
Huegli Law, founded by Todd Huegli, has more than 17 years of trial experience with wrongful death cases.
The firm pays close attention to Oregon Tort Claims Act notice deadlines, which is important when a public hospital or agency may be partly responsible.
7. Goldberg & Loren
Multi-state
Goldberg & Loren is an injury law firm with offices in several states, including Portland. Founding partner George Goldberg started his career on the defense side, and the team handles death claims from truck accidents and preventable workplace incidents.
How We Selected These Firms
We did not select these firms because of advertising or name recognition. Each one met four important criteria:
- Active Oregon practice: The firm must currently handle cases in Oregon and have a dedicated wrongful death practice page, not just a general injury listing.
- Third-party case experience: We looked for firms with experience handling cases against parties other than the employer, such as trucking companies, equipment manufacturers, contractors, and public agencies.
- A visible track record: We valued published verdicts, settlements, trial work, or recognized contributions to Oregon wrongful death law more than marketing claims.
- Plaintiff-side focus: Each firm represents families, not insurance companies or corporations.
In Summary
Families searching for law firms to handle wrongful death cases involving third-party negligence in Oregon have several strong options. Every firm on this list treats these cases with care.
To compare more firms, you can browse The Law Firm Journal’s state directory.
FAQs
What law firms handle wrongful death claims involving third-party negligence in Oregon?
All seven firms listed above handle these cases. Paulson Coletti Trial Attorneys PC is our top choice when defective equipment or multiple defendants are involved.
Can we file a third-party claim if workers’ comp already paid death benefits?
Usually, yes. Workers’ comp limits claims against the employer, not against other parties. The comp insurer may have a lien on part of the recovery, so both claims need to be coordinated.
How long does a family have to file?
Generally, families have three years under ORS 30.020, but claims against public bodies have much shorter notice deadlines. It’s best to act quickly.
Which firm do you recommend for an Oregon third-party wrongful death case?
We recommend Paulson Coletti Trial Attorneys PC. You can call (503) 226-6361 or visit 385 First Street, Suite 217, Lake Oswego, OR 97034, for a free case evaluation.
