It is even worse if someone’s wrongdoing caused the death. When this happens, it is recommended to call Portland wrongful death attorneys to file a lawsuit. But there are common misconceptions about these cases that we outline below.

It Is Only About Money

It is true that a wrongful death lawsuit’s main purpose is to obtain compensation for your loss. But of course, money cannot make up for losing your loved one. Punishing the negligent party for your loss is a way to tell society that engaging in negligent acts that kill someone is unacceptable. If the negligent party has to pay you $1 million or their insurance company does, this sends a signal to the negligent party and others in society.
The money itself should be considered a financial recovery for your loss because you have been deprived of your loved one’s love, support, and guidance. You also have lost their future earnings, benefits, inheritance, and other monetary benefits. So, it is not greedy to take this money; it is compensation for financial losses you experienced because of the person’s negligent act. Portland wrongful death attorneys serve an important role in obtaining financial justice for people.

There Is Always A Criminal Case
There could be a criminal case against the negligent party. For example, if a drunk driver killed your father in a crosswalk, there would likely be an involuntary manslaughter case against the negligent party. But this is not always true. There can be a negligent act and no criminal case, but you still can file a wrongful death lawsuit against the person. A wrongful death action is a civil case, while the other is a criminal matter.

The Insurance Company Will Offer Enough Money

Insurance companies may act nice to you, but if they represent the negligent person, it’s all about the money to them and they want to pay you as little as possible. If you are contacted by their insurance company, they will probably offer you a small amount for funeral costs and medical bills in the hopes that you are naïve enough to take it. Most people who are not lawyers don’t know what a wrongful death case is worth. Depending on the degree of negligence and the earning power of the deceased, the case could be worth millions.

You Don’t Need A Lawyer

On the contrary, you almost always need Portland wrongful death attorneys for this type of case. You need an experienced lawyer who has handled many wrongful death cases before. The attorney must know the applicable Oregon laws and also can work with you compassionately in one of the most difficult times of your life.

You also have only three years to file a wrongful death case in Oregon, so you should contact a wrongful death attorney promptly before the statute of limitations runs out.