Happy Valley PERSONAL
INJURY LAWYER

Representing injured Victims 
In Happy Valley and Throughout All Of Oregon

An accident might only take a second, but the repercussions can last for years. Many personal injury victims immediately require expensive medical care, including surgery or rehabilitation. At the same time, many of them are so badly injured they can’t even think about returning to work. This is the perfect storm for financial and emotional stress.

Helpfully, those hurt in accidents might bring a personal injury claim. At Johnston Law Firm, P.C., our attorneys have the skills needed to hold liable parties accountable and seek maximum compensation. This is a challenging process for those hoping to handle their claim on their own. Contact our law firm today to speak with one of our Happy Valley personal injury lawyers.

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We Handle a Full
Range of Personal Injury Claims

Accidents can happen anywhere in Happy Valley. Some people are hurt stepping into a grocery store or while visiting a friend. Others are injured out on the road, when they are hit or forced off the highway by dangerous drivers. The facts of each case are unique. But the law is the same. If someone negligently or recklessly harmed you, we can sue.

At Johnston Law Firm, our team has tackled many of the most difficult personal injury cases:

• Motor vehicle wrecks which injured motorists, pedestrians, motorcyclists, and bicyclists. A dangerous or negligent driver might strike you because they were distracted, intoxicated, or for some other reason.
• Premises liability accidents, where a visitor is hurt by a defect or hazard on the property. A property owner owes certain duties to keep a property safe, but negligent maintenance might lead to tragedy.
• Slip and falls, which send pedestrians tumbling and can cause serious head or back injuries.
• Product liability cases, where people are hurt by a defectively designed or manufactured product.
• Medical malpractice incidents, in which medical providers fail to follow the correct standard of care. Many patients are harmed by diagnostic errors, surgical mistakes, medication errors, and other mix-ups.
• Wrongful death resulting from an accident. Oregon law gives certain family members the right to seek compensation following the death of a loved one.

Personal Injury Claims

Oregon law allows accident victims to make a claim for damages when they are injured. These claims are complicated. Often, we begin by submitting a claim to the defendant’s insurer. We might also need to file a lawsuit.

Personal injury claims have certain elements:

• Demand for damages. We can request compensation from the defendant for all economic losses, such as lost income or the cost of your medical care, as well as for non-economic damages like pain and suffering.
• Negotiation and mediation. Few defendants agree to our initial demand, so we might engage in negotiation. Mediation is a process of meeting with an impartial mediator to discuss the case.
• Settlement. If the defendant agrees to our demands, we can draft a settlement agreement. The settlement will state how much compensation the defendant is paying you.
• Discovery. If we must go to trial, we engage in discovery. This is the process of uncovering facts about the case and can involve depositions under oath.
• Judgment. At trial, a judge hands down a verdict assigning fault for the accident and how much a victim receives. Most of our clients settle for a fair amount so trial is unnecessary, but our lawyers are always prepared to head into court, if needed.

Don’t miss out on these common personal injury mistakes.

Get the legal counsel you need to guide you through the process of filing an injury claim.

The Role of
Insurance Companies

Most of our personal injury cases involve negotiating with the defendant’s insurer. For example, a business should have liability insurance, and a homeowner might have a homeowner’s policy. Motorists usually have whatever insurance is required by the state of Oregon.

Negotiating without the benefit of a lawyer often leads to smaller settlements. Few victims really understand how to value a claim, and insurers take advantage of that fact. Insurance companies have grown large by aggressively negotiating with an eye toward their bottom line and avoiding the payment of fair settlements. You benefit from having our experienced team all focused on receiving a settlement that works for you.

Personal Injury (FAQS)

The personal injury claims process is confusing, and many accident victims have questions about how to proceed. We have provided answers to the most common questions below.