Salem Wrongful Death Attorneys
Relentlessly Pursuing Justice for Grieving Families in Albany & Keizer
Losing a loved one is traumatic, especially when a death is caused by negligence. After the sudden loss of a friend or family member, the last thing you should have to deal with is confusing legal jargon, hostile insurance adjusters, or a lowball settlement offer.
At Johnson & Taylor, we understand the life-changing emotional and financial repercussions of losing someone you love. Our wrongful death lawyers provide compassionate support and skilled legal counsel at every stage of the process. Backed by over a decade of experience and more than $50 million recovered for our clients, we maintain a trial-ready posture. We do not settle for lowball offers, and we are prepared to take cases to court against powerful insurers and corporations.
Our attorneys leave no stone unturned in our pursuit of justice to hold the at-fault parties fully responsible. Unlike massive firms that manage cases from out-of-state call centers, we give every case the personalized, non-mill attention it deserves. You receive direct attorney access and hands-on attention. Because our office is located near the courthouse in Salem, we bring a hometown advantage and deep familiarity with local courts and judges.
If you are pursuing a wrongful death claim in Salem, we can fight for your rights while your family focuses on healing. Contact us online to discuss your case. Se habla español.
You're not just a number
Every case represents a person, a family, and a future
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Car Accident Reduced Outstanding Medical Bill Balance
As a result of a car accident, client sustained serious injuries which required costly surgery. Client did not have health insurance to cover additional medical expenses beyond the no-fault provisions of her own policy. Through persuasive negotiations with medical providers, we were able to secure offers from the medical providers to substantially reduce or write-off the outstanding balances to enable payment of all medical bills and compensation to client.
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Bicycle Accident Full Compensation Recovered
Bicyclist vs vehicle collision where client sustained soft tissue injuries. Despite reasonable evidence as to fault, insurance company denied liability and would not offer any compensation to client. We filed a lawsuit and just over two months later the insurance company paid our client’s full demand and attorney fees as well.
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Drunk Driver Accident Secured Maximum Compensation
Two couples riding together in a vehicle were struck on the freeway by a drunk driver. All were badly injured. Able to get maximum compensation for all from the at fault driver and from the bar that over served alcohol, contributing to the driver getting drunk.
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Pedestrian Accident Maximized Available Insurance Coverage
Pedestrian sustained broken bones when struck by a borrowed vehicle in a marked crosswalk. Client had health insurance but no auto insurance. We sought recovery from the insurance company who insured the vehicle AND the insurance company who insured the driver. Client was able to recover a substantial amount of money.
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Bicycle Accident Overcame Liability Challenges
Teenager riding bike in or near a construction zone and hit by a vehicle while riding through a crosswalk. Despite an unfavorable witness and the teenager not wearing a helmet, able to work out a great settlement.
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Rear-End Collision Medical Liens Fully Waived
Rear-end accident victim sustained injuries that persisted for some time and required surgery. Medical costs alone were double the available insurance funds from all applicable insurance policies. We were able to get all medical liens waived and client ended up with a majority of the funds from insurance.
What Is a Wrongful Death Claim?
A wrongful death action is brought when another party’s negligent, reckless, or intentional behavior causes a death to occur. State law defines a “wrongful death” as a fatality caused by the wrongful act or omission of another (ORS § 30.020).
Recoverable Damages in a Wrongful Death Lawsuit
The types of available compensation in a wrongful death claim depend on the circumstances of the case. These claims often involve a combination of economic losses and the emotional and relational harm caused by the death.
Common types of damages in a wrongful death lawsuit may include:
- Funeral and burial costs
- Loss of companionship and guidance
- Medical expenses accrued before death
- Loss of financial support, such as income and benefits
- Loss of services, such as household support and childcare
We can evaluate the full scope of losses by reviewing financial records, consulting with appropriate professionals when needed, and identifying immediate and long-term impacts of the loss. Our attorneys assess every avenue for recovery to build a well-documented case that supports your family’s future stability.
Common Causes of Wrongful Death Actions
A wrongful death can occur in a variety of situations, including:
- Auto accidents
- Truck accidents
- Workplace accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Slip-and-fall accidents
- Drunk driving accidents
- Bike and pedestrian accidents
- Distracted or aggressive driving accidents
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim?
Only certain individuals are entitled to file a wrongful death claim. The action must be brought by the personal representative of the deceased person’s estate on behalf of the surviving family members or beneficiaries. If no will exists or no personal representative is named, the court may appoint one, typically a spouse, child, parent, or other immediate family member.
Because Johnson & Taylor offers personal injury, family law, and estate planning under one roof, overlapping legal needs do not require you to hire a second firm. A fatal accident can trigger a wrongful death claim and complex probate matters.
We help families act quickly by identifying who may have legal standing and gathering critical evidence like medical records, accident reports, and financial documentation. If multiple parties or insurers are involved, we can handle all communications to keep the case focused on accountability.
What Is the Deadline for Filing a Wrongful Death Claim?
The deadline or statute of limitations for filing a wrongful death claim in Oregon is three years from the date of the accident (ORS § 30.020(1)). Failure to file within this timeframe can bar you from seeking damages. We recommend consulting with our attorneys as soon as possible to protect your right to justice and compensation.
What Is the Difference Between Wrongful Death & Survival Actions?
Wrongful death and survival actions are related, but serve different purposes. A wrongful death claim is brought on behalf of surviving family members to compensate for losses experienced as a result of the death, while a survival action is brought on behalf of the estate and addresses the harm the individual suffered before passing.
Survival actions typically involve damages the deceased could have pursued if they had survived, such as pain and suffering endured prior to death and lost wages between the injury and death. These claims are often filed with wrongful death actions and arise from the same incident, such as a car crash, workplace accident, or medical error.
We can explain how these claims work together under state law, calculate potential damages, and coordinate both actions within a single legal strategy. By handling the investigation, evidence, and claim preparation, we aggressively pursue accountability while allowing families to grieve and honor their loved one’s life.
How We Work to Maximize Your Recovery in Wrongful Death Actions
While no amount of money can replace your loved one, pursuing accountability can provide a sense of closure. Our firm refuses to accept lowball offers that fail to reflect the magnitude of your loss.
Backed by an AV Preeminent® rating from Martindale-Hubbell® and hundreds of five-star reviews, our team pursues maximum financial recoveries in several key ways:
Quantifying the True Lifetime Cost of Your Loss
Insurance companies are quick to offer settlements that barely cover outstanding hospital bills and funeral costs. We collaborate with financial analysts to calculate the total lifelong impact of your tragedy and pursue fair compensation.
Identifying Every Liable Party & Insurance Policy
In complex fatal accidents, liability rarely falls on just one person. We dig deeper to uncover third-party liability involving negligent employers, vehicle manufacturers, or alcohol establishments under Oregon’s dram shop laws. Our past results include successfully securing maximum compensation from an at-fault drunk driver and the bar that over-served them.
Addressing Bad-Faith Insurance Tactics
Adjusters may try to use the grieving process against you by pushing for a quick settlement. We can step in to handle negotiations and prevent greedy insurers from taking advantage of your family during this vulnerable time.
Building a Trial-Ready Case from Day One
By preserving physical evidence, securing professional testimony, and building a trial-ready case from the very beginning, we work to eliminate the insurance company’s leverage and force them to the negotiating table.
Contact Our Top-Rated Injury Lawyers for a Free Consultation
Losing a loved one can be heartbreaking, and your family deserves justice. We can investigate the circumstances of the death, identify potential sources of compensation, and stand up to insurance companies focused only on their bottom lines.
Our attorneys work on a contingency fee basis for personal injury cases, meaning you won’t owe any upfront attorney fees until we recover compensation or settle your claim.
Seeking justice after the loss of a loved one can be challenging, but you don’t have to face it alone. Call (971) 318-5516 to schedule a free consultation.
Wrongful Death FAQs
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A successful wrongful death claim often depends on the strength of the evidence connecting another party’s negligence to the death. Important evidence may include accident reports, medical records, witness statements, photographs, video footage, employment records, financial documents, and professional testimony. An attorney can help collect and preserve critical evidence while building a case that demonstrates liability and damages.
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To establish negligence, the surviving family members or estate generally must show that another party owed a duty of care, breached that duty, and caused the death and resulting losses. For example, a driver may be responsible for failing to follow traffic laws, or a property owner may be liable for failing to address a dangerous condition. Each case requires a detailed investigation into the specific circumstances surrounding the death.
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Yes. A person’s financial contributions are only one part of the losses considered in a wrongful death claim. Families may also seek compensation for the loss of companionship, guidance, household services, emotional support, and other meaningful contributions the deceased provided. The value of these losses depends on the unique circumstances of the family and relationship.
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Some wrongful death cases involve more than one potentially responsible party. For example, a fatal vehicle accident may involve a negligent driver, an employer, a vehicle manufacturer, or another third party. Identifying every source of liability can be important to pursuing the full compensation available for your family’s losses.
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Yes. A wrongful death claim is a separate civil action from a criminal prosecution. Even if criminal charges are filed against the responsible party, surviving family members may still have the right to pursue compensation through a civil claim. The outcome of a criminal case does not necessarily determine whether a wrongful death claim can succeed.
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Oregon law, the family relationships, and who is legally entitled to recover damages determine how wrongful death compensation is distributed. The personal representative of the estate typically handles the claim on behalf of eligible beneficiaries. An attorney can help clarify who may be entitled to compensation and how damages may be allocated.
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Insurance companies may offer quick settlements shortly after a fatal accident, but these offers may not reflect the full extent of a family’s losses. Accepting a settlement too soon can limit future recovery options. Before agreeing to any offer, understand the value of the claim and whether the settlement covers all available damages.
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A wrongful death attorney can handle the legal and investigative aspects of the claim while your family focuses on grieving. This may include determining liability, gathering evidence, identifying all responsible parties, calculating damages, communicating with insurers, negotiating settlements, and pursuing litigation when necessary to seek accountability. Our clients consistently note in reviews that our communicative approach allows them to focus on taking care of themselves while we handle the legal complexities.
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“I am very satisfied with the work that Mr. Todd Taylor did regarding my personal injury case. As soon as he starting working my case I was no longer stressing about dealing with insurance companies. He was very good at keeping me informed of what was going on with the insurance company and the progress that was being made.”- Tori A.
We believe the best results come from having the right people beside you from the very beginning. That means taking the time to understand your situation, staying connected throughout your case, and making sure you feel supported every step of the way.