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Healthcare has become a heavy topic lately, and while most of us agree that healthcare is important, we may not fully understand the rights and limitations that our healthcare providers must abide by. Specifically, the rights of our children and teens may not be well known. Parents and teens may be unaware of their rights, where the parent’s consent is and is not required, and what Oregon law empowers our teens to handle if they would like to. If you have concerns that your medical rights may have been violated by a provider, you can contact our accomplished Portland medical malpractice attorney at Paulson Coletti Trial Attorneys.
Oregon has very progressive laws that prioritize removing barriers to children’s and teens’ access to healthcare. While they are not able to consent to all healthcare without their parents, they have rights in many crucial areas where they either do not need an adult to facilitate or do not have one they trust to help with the decision.
“Most cases settle, but each of our cases is prepared as if it’s going to trial. The insurance companies know it and so do the defense lawyers defending them. That’s why we get such great results for our clients.”
Informed consent is at the core of ethical care in the United States. The Oregon Board of Medicine also highlights the importance of patients understanding their care options and what will happen during treatment. This facilitates a more open and honest relationship between a patient and their care team, allowing for a higher quality of care.
Teenagers who are 15 and older are eligible to receive medical and dental services. According to ORS 109.640 this may include well visits with the pediatrician, hospital services, routine dental care, or surgical diagnoses and interventions. They may also receive optometric care without parental consent unless it is the first time they are prescribed contact lenses.
At Paulson Coletti, “liberty and justice for all” is more than just a phrase – it is our mandate. Our team of trial lawyers is driven to pursue justice for the injured, ensuring that the responsible parties are held accountable. With a high success rate both in and out of the courtroom, you can trust our Oregon personal injury lawyers to be the legal advocates you need so your voice can be heard.
A child of any age may receive basic reproductive health services in Oregon. These services may include STI testing, contraceptives, or prenatal, postnatal, and delivery care, according to ORS 109.640. However, the statute does set certain limitations to care without the parent’s consent regarding abortions or elective sterilization.
A teenager who is at least 14 may access behavioral health, mental health, or psychiatric care without the consent of their parents. This can include outpatient therapy, medication management services, and substance abuse treatment. However, a psychiatrist is unable to provide methadone treatment for substance abuse. Further, ORS 109.675 requires that the parents be included in, or notified of, treatment before it ends. There are exceptions for emancipated minors, minors who are survivors of sexual abuse by a parent, or if there is a clinical indication against notifying the parent.
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While Oregon does protect the child’s right to access healthcare, it does not guarantee privacy to the minor beyond what is required of HIPAA, which does not protect against disclosing information to a legal guardian. This means that under 109.650 and 109.680, a provider will not be considered in violation of any ethical or moral code by disclosing any diagnoses, treatment, or other medical information to a child’s legal guardian.
In many cases, a provider understands the importance of confidentiality in ensuring that the minor is open about threats to their health or the symptoms they experience. This law allows them to exercise clinical judgment to act in the best interest of the child. There are times when they may determine what a guardian needs to know, and this legislation allows minors and parents to work alongside providers in their community to ensure the safety of their children.
At Paulson Coletti, a local firm based in Oregon, justice is our mission. As experienced trial attorneys, we fight for injury victims across Oregon and Washington, holding negligent parties accountable. With a proven track record in and out of the courtroom, we are dedicated to securing fair compensation for our clients. We take a client-centered approach, focusing on cases we believe in and delivering results that matter. No fees unless we win-because justice should never come with financial risk.
Client Reviews
John and Lisa were extremely helpful with my family as we navigated damages sustained in a tragic car accident. They were very knowledgeable throughout the entire process. Their communication and empathy to our situation was greatly appreciated.
I can’t imagine working our way through the tragedy without them by our side. I would highly recommend Paulson and Coletti!
Working with John was an excellent experience from start to finish. He fought long and hard to secure a fair and just settlement in our case, and his dedication never wavered. John and his staff were consistently considerate, helpful, and communicative throughout the entire process, always taking the time to answer our questions and keep us informed. Given the complicated and sensitive nature of our case, I’m truly grateful we had John in our corner. Thanks to his hard work and expertise, we achieved a better outcome than we could have hoped for.
I had an excellent experience working with Jane and her team on my accident case. From start to finish, their team was professional, responsive, and genuinely cared about getting the best possible outcome for me.
I highly recommend Paulson Coletti Trial Attorneys to anyone who needs legal representation. They made a stressful situation much easier to navigate, and I’m extremely grateful for everything they did for me.
I recently engaged John Coletti to represent me in a challenging legal matter, and I cannot recommend him highly enough. From our initial consultation, it was evident that John possessed an exceptional depth of knowledge, strategic acumen, and unwavering dedication to his clients. He took the time to thoroughly understand the nuances of our case, explaining complex legal concepts in clear, accessible terms while always keeping me informed and involved throughout the process.
John not only delivered outstanding results but also provided compassionate support during what could have been an overwhelming stressful time.
If you’re seeking an attorney who combines professionalism, integrity, and proven success, look no further than John Coletti.
My family is profoundly grateful for his representation.
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This page has been written, edited, and fact-checked by our team of legal writers in accordance with our editorial guidelines. It has been approved by partners Jane Paulson and John Coletti—respected trial attorneys with decades of experience representing personal injury victims.
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