La Pine Woman Killed in Hwy 97 Truck Accident

Date:  May 26, 2012
Location:  Highway 97, La Pine, between Burgess and Rosland Roads
Names:  Cynthia Thorpe, Timothy Delwisch

A La Pine woman was killed as she crossed Highway 97 just after midnight Friday. Deschutes County Sheriff’s deputies are releasing very little information about the accident, though they have named the driver of the pickup truck that hit and killed the pedestrian.

According to a statement from the sheriff’s office, Cynthia Thorpe, 51, of La Pine, was crossing Highway 97 between Burgess and Rosland Roads practically on the stroke of midnight Friday. At 12:01 a.m. Saturday morning, deputies received a report that Thorpe had been struck by a northbound 2001 Ford F-250 pickup being driven by Timothy Delwisch.

When emergency responders arrived on the scene, they found Thorpe lying in the roadway. She was pronounced deceased at the scene.

While no citations have been issued at this time, the report on KTVZ.com says the investigation into the incident is ongoing, and police are asking any witnesses to the accident to come forward.

We extend our heartfelt sympathy to the family and friends of Cynthia Thorpe after this tragic accident. Our thoughts are with you.

Wrongful death claims are allowed by law. ORS 30.010-30.100.

The statute of limitations for a wrongful death claim is tricky. It is “three years after the injury causing the death . . . is discovered or reasonably should have been discovered. . . .”  In other words, it’s not three years from the date of death; it’s three years from the date of the original injury that ultimately caused the death. If a person goes into a coma from a car crash, and dies eight months later, the case will have to be brought within three years from the date of the car crash, not from the date of the death.

Compensation available includes charges for medical expenses; memorial and burial services; compensation for the person’s pain, suffering, disability, and loss of income from the time of the injury through the time of death; financial losses to the person’s family or other heirs; compensation for the loss of companionship and services to the person’s spouse, children, stepchildren, stepparents and parents; and punitive damages may sometimes be available as well.

The law caps the amount of noneconomic damages at $500,000. This does not apply to economic damages, which are not capped.

Worker Injured in Flash Fire in Gresham Accident

Date:  May 7, 2012
Location:  Dea’s In & Out Restaurant, 755 NE Burnside St., Gresham
Name:  Not yet released

A construction worker received serious burns in a flash fire at a Gresham restaurant Monday afternoon, and fire department officials are still trying to determine what caused the lacquer thinner the man was working with to suddenly ignite.

Gresham Fire Department Chief Jason McGowan said his crew received an emergency call just after 3 p.m. Monday, relating to a flash fire at Dea’s In & Out on NE Burnside Road. When they arrived, they discovered that a construction worker, believed to be in his late-30s, had been working with lacquer thinner in the bathroom of the restaurant as part of a remodeling project.

For reasons that have not yet been determined, the thinners ignited, and the man suffered significant burns in the flash fire. He was rushed to Legacy Emanuel Medical Center with serious but non-life threatening injuries, according to the report on KATU.com.

We would like to send our best wishes for a full and speedy recovery to the man who was injured in this accident and hope that he is out of the hospital soon.

Oregon construction sites can be full of hazards to workers, and a construction worker’s job can be extremely dangerous.

Common examples of construction accidents include:

• Loss of limb (hand, finger, foot, leg)
• Brain injuries
• Broken bones
• Burn injuries, including chemical burns
• Electric shock or electrocution
• Internal bleeding
• Spinal cord injuries, including paralysis.

It is important that construction companies are held accountable for unsafe workplace conditions, and that they pay for any negligence. Oregon construction workers who are injured on the job may be compensated for medical bills, physical therapy, time spent out of work, etc., and an Oregon construction accident attorney can help injured parties through the legal process.

 

 

Medical Emergency May Have Caused Accident on Hwy 30

Date:  May 7, 2012
Location:  Highway 30, near milepost 30
Name:  Robert Earl McKinney

Oregon State Police believes a medical emergency may have contributed to a Monday afternoon accident that claimed the life of a St. Helens man. The accident happened on Highway 30, between St. Helens and Columbia City.

The report on KGW.com said a 1990 Chevrolet S10 pickup pulling a small trailer was northbound just after 12 noon, when it left the road onto the right shoulder and went down a 75-foot embankment. An on-duty member of Columbia River Fire & Rescuse saw what happened and immediately phoned 9-1-1.

Even though the truck only sustained minor damage, emergency responders found the driver, Robert McKinney, 52, from St. Helens, unconscious. He was removed from the vehicle and CPR was administered before he was taken to Legacy Good Samaritan Medical Center. Shortly after being admitted, McKinney was pronounced dead.

OSP Trooper Randy Fargher says a preliminary investigation indicates a medical emergency may have taken place just before the crash occurred.

We would like to send our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Robert McKinney at this tragic and difficult time.

When something like this happens, it can hard to determine the reason for the accident. You may be surprised to read this from a personal injury attorney, but it may be nobody’s fault. In legal terms, this is known as an “Act of God,” or an event beyond anyone’s control.

But a personal injury lawyer can help investigate, to help determine if there was a medical problem, an unseen road block, a pedestrian that ran out in front of the car, etc.

Hiring a personal injury lawyer means you will not have to deal with investigation yourself.

Investigation includes:

1. Analyzing police and fire reports, as well as insurance reports
2. Understanding the injuries, including the doctor’s notes and treatment plans
3. Examination of the accident scene, the surrounding circumstance, and even hiring an accident forensics specialist if needed
4. A determination of causality
5. Assessment of all damages, including medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering

If you or a loved one has been in an accident, and you are unsure of the cause or possible liability, call an experienced Portland personal injury lawyer for help – and they can help you understand your legal options. If there’s a question about who’s at fault for an accident, getting bills paid can be delayed and be complicated – so get help today.

Van Driver Dragged Bicyclist 145 Ft. Before Stopping

Date:  May 5, 2012
Location:  Junction Highway 99E and 12th Street, Oregon City
Names:  Rudy D. Dudleston, Peter F. Peterson

When a driver who wondered why his van was handling strangely pulled to the side of the road to find out why, he was told he had been dragging a bicylist under his vehicle for about 145 feet. The van driver is now facing charges, and the bicyclist in seriously injured in OHSU Hospital.

Just before 5 p.m. Saturday, Rudy Dudleston, 22, from Portland, was riding his bike southbound on the east side sidewalk of Highway 99E. As he reached the 12th Street intersection, Dudleston proceeded to cross the junction, using the crosswalk.

At the same time, a 2000 Dodge van being driven by Peter Peterson, 45, from West Linn, was stopped at a red light on 12th Street. Peterson then made a right turn to go north on Highway 99E and struck Dudleston’s bicycle.

Peterson continued on for approximately 145 feet, then noticed his van was not handling properly. When he pulled over to inspect the vehicle, horrified onlookers told him he had been dragging Dudleston, who was still trapped under the van.

Emergency responders found Dudleston had been seriously injured in the crash, and the report on OregonLive.com says OSP officers have cited Peterson for failing to yield to a bicyclist.

We would like to wish Rudy Dudleston a full and speedy recovery from his injuries after this shocking accident.

We hope this accident serves as a reminder to drivers to be careful around Oregon bicyclists.

When a bicyclist gets hit by car, the biker always loses – no matter who was at fault – because cars are so much heavier. As Portland bicycle accident attorneys, we understand the dangers and the consequences of getting hit by a car.

In bicycle accident cases, injuries are often very severe. Even if you were wearing a helmet, make sure you are tested for traumatic brain injury – sometimes these are not immediately apparent until tests have been performed. Seek immediate medical treatment.

What You NEED to Know:

• If you have been hit by a car, you can file a claim with the auto insurance company of the person who hit you.
• The at-fault driver’s insurance should cover all your damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, and even damage to your bicycle.
• Your own Personal Injury Protection (through your own auto insurance) still applies in this type of case, so use your PIP to pay bills until you settle your claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance.
• You have two years (in most cases) to file a claim.
• But in some cases, like if the driver works for the city, state, or county, you could have deadlines as soon as 180 days.
• You should not sign a release with the other insurance company until you are sure you know the extent of your injuries and damages.
• The insurance adjuster is not your friend. His job is to save his company money by paying you as little as possible.
• In most cases, it is a good idea to hire a bicycle accident attorney to protect your rights because insurance company adjusters can be tricky.

If you have more questions about the personal injury process, what to do after being hit by car, or want to speak to an attorney, call 503-222-4411 or visit www.pdxinjurylaw.com.

 

Man Released Fumes into Upstairs of Duplex, Injured 5

Date:  May 2, 2012
Location:  North 2nd and Wyeth Streets, St. Helens
Names:  Patrick Henry Stangis, Chelsea Chapman, Justin Bentz

A St. Helens man is under arrest after police were called to investigate fumes that had been deliberately released inside a duplex. Five people were sickened in the incident and four were subsequently taken to the hospital.

St. Helens Chief of Police Steve Sallé told Koin Local 6 that his department received a call around 5 a.m. Wednesday morning. It’s the third time in the past week officers had been called to the duplex on North 2nd and Wyeth Streets in what Sallé described as an ongoing feud between the ground floor resident, 50-year-old Patrick Stangis, and the people living upstairs.

In this case, Stangis admitted pumping fumes into the upstairs unit’s air vent. He had previously burned hair near another neighbor’s air duct hoping to drive them out of the house.

The five people in the upstairs unit included three young women aged 18, 19 and 20, and two men aged 21 and 22. One of the victims, Chelsea Chapman, said when they noticed the fumes, one of the men, Justin Bentz, phoned the police, but before he could complete the call, he collapsed. In the end, one of the five was treated at the scene and four were taken to a local hospital with headaches, nausea and vomiting. Police believe a combination of paint thinners was used to mimic a nerve agent.

Stangis was arrested and now faces charges of assault, reckless endangerment and menacing.

We would like to wish all five people affected in this disturbing incident a full recovery.

Our Portland product liability attorneys understand the anguish and betrayal you feel when you purchase a product with reasonable expectations, only to be injured in return. We can represent you and navigate all the complexities of the products liability laws to ensure that you and your family receive maximum compensation for your injuries. You may be entitled to damages for:

• Present and future medical bills
• Loss of wages
• Disability
• Disfigurement
• Scarring
• Burns
• Rehabilitation
• Pain and suffering
• Mental anguish
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Impairment

Single-Vehicle Accident Leaves Man Critically Injured

Date:  April 26, 2012
Location:  Highway 97, near Odem Avenue, Terrebonne
Name:  Bryce M. Nedry

A Thursday afternoon single-vehicle rollover accident has left a Madras man in critical condition in a Bend hospital. The accident happened on Highway 97, near Terrebonne.

Oregon State Police say that just before 4 p.m. Thursday afternoon, a man who has been identified as Bryce Nedry, 83, from Madras, was northbound on Highway 97, near Odem Avenue, just outside Terrebonne. For reasons as yet unknown, Nedry’s 1995 Dodge Ram pickup left the highway and rolled before coming to rest in a field.

Nedry was ejected from the vehicle as it rolled, and he received life-threatening injuries, according to the report on KTVZ.com. He was rushed by air ambulance to St. Charles Medical Center in Bend, where he remains in a critical condition.

We would like to send our best wishes for a complete recovery to Bryce Nedry at this worrying time. Our thoughts are also with his family.

Road accidents can be life-changing, and we hope Nedry is able to fully recover soon.

While many single-vehicle accidents seem uncomplicated, there are sometimes other factors to consider. If you have been injured in a single-vehicle accident like the one described here, you may be able to receive compensation in several instances:

1. If poor road conditions, poor signage, or bad traffic control contributed to the accident, there may be a lawsuit available against the city, county, or state. In cases against a public body, you may only have 180 days to file a tort claim notice (in most cases) so act quickly to protect your rights.
2. If the car’s mechanic was negligent in his last repairs, contributing to the accident, there may be a lawsuit available against the mechanic or his business.
3. If the car’s manufacturer was negligent, you may be able to file a product liability suit against them. Car manufacturers have often been held accountable for design defects and manufacturing defects, and these lawsuits help ensure that future drivers are not hurt by negligent safety standards.

If you have been injured in a single-car accident that you believe may not have been your fault, you can call a Portland car accident lawyer for help with your investigation at 503-222-4411. Or you can learn more about filing your own claim by reading the book 7 Common Mistakes That Can Wreck Your Oregon Accident Case.