Case Study: Wrongful Death
Wrongful Death | $500,000 Settlement
Case Facts
A young man died while performing demolition work for homeowners in Southeast Portland. The deceased worker’s wife retained us to investigate and pursue claims against the homeowners, alleging that they failed to warn the worker regarding the job hazards and failed to ensure the worker was sufficiently qualified to perform the work. The owners initially denied the claim and accused our client’s deceased husband of negligence.
DWC Actions
The case was complicated by a lack of witnesses to the incident, as well as an absence of evidence of the deceased worker’s past wages. Nevertheless, DWC attorneys and staff aggressively prosecuted our client’s case, working with construction experts and engaging in multiple mediation sessions.
Key Successes
As the case approached trial, the case settled for $500,000.