Best Wrongful Death Lawyers in Portland, OR (2026)
To build this evidence-based 2026 list, we weighed Portland wrongful death lawyers' published results and practice focus, alongside client reviews and experience.
Because it focuses on medical malpractice and publishes wrongful death cases, The Law Offices of Patrick L. Block, P.C. leads this list. Before calling, check whether the firm handles deaths involving the kind of care you're concerned about. Find out how fees work and who would review the medical records. If medical care was involved in the death, read the Oregon malpractice guide, then ask an Oregon lawyer which deadline applies.
2.03 Google reviewsRated 2.0 out of 5 on Google from 3 reviews
Best for: Deaths involving medical care
Among the cases The Law Offices of Patrick L. Block, P.C. publishes are an infant's death after misdiagnosed meningitis and a woman's death following a myomectomy. Because the firm focuses on medical malpractice, those fatal medical error cases help explain its place on this list. Among the matters Patrick L. Block handles, he also lists surgical errors and hospital negligence.
Stood out in our review for how much of its work is medical malpractice and the recognition it has earned.
We order firms by how much of their work is medical malpractice, the results they publish, what their clients say, their experience, their standing with the regulator and the recognition they have earned, all from public records and the firms' own sites. How lists are made
5.0160 Google reviewsRated 5.0 out of 5 on Google from 160 reviews
Best for: Families prioritizing clear communication
Since its founding in 1987, Eder Sturm Eder has had a long operating history; its practice includes wrongful death as well as medical malpractice. When clients describe its service, clear updates and compassion come up repeatedly. With 160 reviews behind its 5-star Google rating, those comments have more context than a handful could offer.
Stood out in our review for its years of experience and what its clients say.
We order firms by how much of their work is medical malpractice, the results they publish, what their clients say, their experience, their standing with the regulator and the recognition they have earned, all from public records and the firms' own sites. How lists are made
5.0163 Google reviewsRated 5.0 out of 5 on Google from 163 reviews
Best for: Families seeking accessible counsel
In reviews of Law Offices of Jon Friedman, “Calls, email and texts were returned promptly” captures a theme that comes up repeatedly. When describing support, families also praise the attention and clear explanations. Dating to 1984, the firm has a 5-star Google rating from 163 reviews; its practice areas include medical malpractice and wrongful death, with misdiagnosis discussed on its site.
Stood out in our review for its years of experience and what its clients say.
We order firms by how much of their work is medical malpractice, the results they publish, what their clients say, their experience, their standing with the regulator and the recognition they have earned, all from public records and the firms' own sites. How lists are made
Not sure who to call first?
Tell us what happened. A malpractice lawyer who serves Portland can look at it with you, and it costs nothing.
4.6502 Google reviewsRated 4.6 out of 5 on Google from 502 reviews
Best for: Families considering broader injury counsel
On Goldberg & Loren's site, you'll find discussion of surgical errors and wrongful death, plus medication errors and birth injuries. Founded in 1994, the Portland firm identifies George Goldberg as senior partner, while James Loren is named as founding partner. Although some clients report lengthy cases, others describe feeling supported and kept informed.
Stood out in our review for its years of experience and what its clients say.
We order firms by how much of their work is medical malpractice, the results they publish, what their clients say, their experience, their standing with the regulator and the recognition they have earned, all from public records and the firms' own sites. How lists are made
4.73,941 Google reviewsRated 4.7 out of 5 on Google from 3941 reviews
Best for: Birth injury-related death inquiries
In a published case from 2007, Morgan & Morgan reports a $37.8 million jury award after a delayed C-section left Brendan Dixon with severe brain injury. Rather than a Portland wrongful death verdict, this was a birth injury case in Hillsborough County. With an office in the Portland area, the firm also discusses wrongful death on its site, alongside several kinds of medical error.
Stood out in our review for what its clients say and how much of its work is medical malpractice.
We order firms by how much of their work is medical malpractice, the results they publish, what their clients say, their experience, their standing with the regulator and the recognition they have earned, all from public records and the firms' own sites. How lists are made
First, explain the treatment dates and when your family learned there might have been a medical error. Once discovery occurs, Oregon's medical malpractice clock allows 2 years, with a 5-year outer limit still applying. Ask a lawyer to assess the deadline for the death claim.
Review records and medical issues
When discussing the chart and procedure notes, include any explanation you've received from the hospital. Before proceeding, ask whether the firm needs a medical opinion and how it'll assess the care. An affidavit of merit, a formal medical statement filed to support a claim, isn't required in Oregon.
Decide on representation
While the firm decides whether to take the case, you'll decide whether its approach suits your family. Before signing, read the fee agreement closely. Ask who'll handle the file and pay for records or medical opinions, including who covers the court fees.
Address filing requirements
If the case goes ahead, have the lawyer explain which filing deadline applies and what the complaint (the document that begins the lawsuit) says. When a child is involved, find out how Oregon's limited pause for minors affects that case.
Discuss resolution and trial
Before discussing settlement proposals or a possible trial, ask how the lawyer will handle those conversations and preparations. The wrongful death non-economic damages cap in Oregon is $500,000. Because published verdicts can't predict your family's result, don't rely on them; there's also no fixed case duration to offer here.
Malpractice claims in Portland: the rules that matter
The filing deadline in Oregon
The clock startsWhen you found out, or should have
Time to start a claim2 yearsMiss it and the claim is usually lost.
At the very most5 yearsafter the treatment, with a few exceptions
Limits on damages in Oregon
Pain and sufferingNo cap
All damages togetherNo overall cap
Expert paperworkNo affidavit of merit is required.
A written agreementThe share the lawyer takes, set out before work starts.
If you recover moneyThe agreed share and the case costs come out of it.
If the claim failsNo legal fee on a contingency agreement. Ask about costs.
Under contingency arrangements, which Six listed firms say they offer, the lawyer takes a share of any recovery; a failed claim means no lawyer's fee. A free consultation is offered by all. Expenses are treated separately. Beyond court fees, those expenses can cover the cost of getting records and obtaining medical opinions. Who advances those costs, or owes them if there's no recovery, isn't explained in the firms' stated terms. Before you sign, get those answers in writing. When discussing the lawyer's share, ask how it's calculated and whether expenses are deducted before that calculation or afterward.
A free consultation is available, according to all ten firms on this list. Contingency arrangements are also offered, Six say.
What to bring to your first call
Treatment put in a written timeline, with what your family learned afterward
When treatment happened and the date your loved one died
Who was involved: names of hospitals and doctors, including other clinicians
Records already in your hands, including any procedure notes or delivery notes
Documents showing expenses, whether bills or other paperwork
Messages or letters you've received from the hospital or insurer
What you want to ask about the care, including explanations you've received
Questions to ask a lawyer
1What death claims have you handled involving medical care like this?
2If we proceed, who reviews our medical records and handles our file?
3When does the filing deadline for our family's claim fall?
4Before proceeding, how do you decide if a medical opinion is needed?
5How is your fee calculated if there's money recovered?
6Who pays the case expenses if our claim fails?
7How will we hear updates, and whom should we contact?
8What effect might Oregon's wrongful death damages cap have on this case?
Choosing a Portland lawyer after a death involving medical care
Begin by explaining which care worries you. Because a missed diagnosis raises different questions than a death during anesthesia, ask about the lawyer's experience with that kind of claim. If a published result seems similar, ask them to explain it. Experience with a fatal medical error isn't established by a large accident verdict.
Don't rely on the rating alone. Although reviews of Eder Sturm Eder and Law Offices of Jon Friedman often praise communication, reviews of some other firms are mixed about returning calls. When reading reviews, use them to shape questions rather than decide whether a lawyer can take your case. After your first conversation, who will be contacting you?
Make the first conversation specific
Put the events in date order. After naming the hospital and clinicians involved, explain which parts you still don't understand.
Before proceeding, ask who'll review the chart and whether the claim needs a medical opinion to assess it.
Ask which attorney would handle your file. If there are several firm offices, find out where that attorney works.
Before signing, get the fee agreement. Find out the lawyer's share, then ask what records or medical opinions might cost.
A free consultation is offered, each listed firm says. Although that conversation lets you discuss possible representation, it isn't a commitment by the firm to take your case. With contingency arrangements, which Six also say they offer, the lawyer takes a share of a recovery; if the claim fails, there's no lawyer's fee. Expenses can follow different rules. Discuss those costs separately.
For patients under 18, Oregon's pause is limited: no more than 5 years or beyond 1 year after turning 18, and the 5-year outer limit still applies. Don't assume those rules give a family extra time after a child's death. Ask how they apply to the particular claim.
If someone promises a result, be wary. Ask for clear answers if expenses go unexplained or you're left unsure about who handles the firm's intake. Although Oregon doesn't require an affidavit of merit, that rule alone can't tell you whether the medical care supports your claim. This isn't legal advice, just general information. To learn how the rules apply to you, speak with an Oregon lawyer.
Questions people ask
Which Portland firm has published medical wrongful death cases?
Among the death cases The Law Offices of Patrick L. Block, P.C. publishes are cases involving misdiagnosed meningitis and post-operative care. Alongside another anesthesia negligence death case, Johnston Law Firm, P.C. publishes a wrongful death verdict against The Portland Clinic and an anesthesiologist. Ask the firms about those particular cases. How a new claim will turn out can't be predicted from them.
What is the filing deadline for a death involving medical care in Oregon?
When the injury was or reasonably should have been discovered, Oregon's medical malpractice rule allows 2 years; the outer limit is 5 years after the treatment, omission or operation. Not every wrongful death deadline is necessarily settled by that calculation. After giving an Oregon lawyer the treatment and death dates, ask them to explain how those rules apply to your claim.
Can we speak with a lawyer without paying for the first call?
A free consultation is offered, according to all ten listed firms. Under contingency arrangements, which Six also say they offer, the lawyer takes a share of a recovery; if the claim fails, no lawyer's fee is owed. Before proceeding, ask what's covered in the consultation and how separate case expenses are handled. Agreeing to a free conversation doesn't mean agreeing to represent you.
Does Oregon require an affidavit of merit?
An affidavit of merit, a formal medical statement used to support a claim, isn't required by Oregon law. Whether your case has support is a separate question. Before proceeding, ask whether the lawyer needs a medical opinion to assess the care and its connection to your loved one's death, and how they'll review the chart.
Are wrongful death damages capped in Oregon?
The cap on Oregon's wrongful death non-economic damages remains $500,000. When bills can't measure a loss, such as suffering, these damages cover it. Because personal injury damages have no cap under Oregon law, the two categories shouldn't be treated as interchangeable. Before proceeding, ask an Oregon lawyer how the cap affects the damages that may apply to your family's claim.
How do the rules work if a child died?
If a patient is under 18, Oregon pauses the medical malpractice clock, though not for more than 5 years or beyond 1 year after turning 18. That doesn't remove the 5-year outer limit. After a child's death, those limits don't establish the filing deadline. Rather than assuming the clock is paused, ask an Oregon lawyer to assess the death claim as soon as possible.
How long will a wrongful death case take?
For an Oregon case, there's no fixed duration we can give you. Although reviews of several listed firms describe lengthy cases, another family's experience can't tell you how long yours will take. Before the firm accepts your claim, ask what it needs to review and what might cause delays. When nothing new has happened, find out how the firm will keep you informed.
What should we do before calling a Portland lawyer?
When writing down the treatment dates and date of death, include when your family first learned there might have been an error. Once you've gathered your records and hospital letters, ask a lawyer which other documents they need. During that first conversation, ask whether the firm can assess the deadline and handles cases involving the kind of medical care your loved one received.
Who in the family can bring a claim after a loved one dies?
To find out who may file and what authority they need, you'll need to speak with an Oregon lawyer. Before filing, ask which documents are needed and who can bring the claim. Tell them how you're related to the person who died. Even if you're a close relative, that alone doesn't establish who can bring a claim for your family.
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