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A proven record of verdicts and settlements
Defective products affect thousands of people in the United States every year, from young children to patients and blue-collar workers. Manufacturers, designers, and retailers have a responsibility to make sure their products are reasonably safe for consumer use. Unfortunately, some of these professionals push products onto the shelf without proper safety testing, which puts consumers at risk for severe injury.
When you need a Portland defective product attorney, you can count on our team to help you get through this process. We want to step in and investigate your claim, handle communication with other parties, and work to recover the compensation you are entitled to.
When you sustain an injury caused by the negligent actions of another company or manufacturer, you need to turn to a team with extensive experience handling complex injury claims. At Paulson Coletti Trial Attorneys PC, we have an extensive track record of success in helping clients recover compensation through settlements and jury verdicts.
Voted by US News “Best Law Firms” for product liability litigation, our firm has a thorough understanding of defective product cases and knows how to handle them successfully to benefit our clients and prevent injuries in the future.
Jane Paulson is a Partner with Paulson Coletti Trial Attorneys PC. As an experienced product liability lawyer, she is able to represent victims who have suffered harm in either Oregon or the state of Washington. Jane is actively involved in her local Portland community, at one point serving on the boards of the Campaign for Equal Justice, the PSU Hatfield School of Government’s Center for Women’s Leadership, and Habitat for Humanity Portland/Metro East.
Jane Paulson and fellow Partner John Coletti work together closely on cases, combining their experience so that clients receive the benefit of their shared legal knowledge. You can trust in our legal team to handle every aspect of your case, so you can focus all of your energy on recovering from your injuries.
We have successfully recovered millions of dollars for our product liability clients, including:
The incident occurred at a public park in Portland during a routine outing. A childcare provider set up a portable hammock, a product marketed for general recreational use and sold without meaningful safety warnings. One end of the hammock was attached to a tree and the other to a concrete light post located in the park. The light post was not designed to bear weight. It failed at its base and collapsed, pinning the child beneath it. The child sustained catastrophic injuries, including multiple fractures, severe head and facial trauma, and injuries requiring open-heart surgery. The investigation identified failures by multiple parties. The City was aware that hammocking was a common activity in its parks and that users frequently attached hammocks to light posts. The City also had prior knowledge of unstable light posts and previous incidents involving pole failures. Despite this, no warnings were posted, no safety assessments were conducted, and no measures were taken to prevent foreseeable misuse. The manufacturers and sellers of the hammock also failed to provide adequate warnings. Evidence showed they were aware of prior serious injuries and deaths associated with unsafe hammock setups, yet their product instructions did not warn against attaching hammocks to structures such as light posts or explain the risk of structural failure. The danger was foreseeable, but no meaningful guidance was provided to consumers. When Paulson Coletti became involved, our attorneys and investigators worked with engineers and safety experts to identify how these failures combined to create a preventable hazard. The evidence showed that basic warnings and reasonable safety measures would have prevented this injury. This case reflects a recurring issue in product liability matters involving public spaces: when known risks are ignored by manufacturers and public entities alike, children and families bear the consequences. At Paulson Coletti, we represent families harmed by preventable product defects and failures to warn. These cases are about enforcing safety obligations and holding responsible parties accountable when avoidable dangers cause catastrophic injury.
Portland Product Liability and Public Entity Negligence Involving a Child
If you have been injured by a dangerous product, you will likely benefit from consulting with an experienced defective product lawyer. Filing a claim against a manufacturer or large company can be complex and difficult. Your lawyer will be able to determine who is liable for your injuries, calculate the approximate amount of damages you suffered, and negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf. We are fully prepared to take your case all the way to trial if doing so offers the best chance of securing justice on your behalf.
Our team handles a wide range of types of product liability
claims. If we examine the government website devoted to tracking recalls, we can see that there are a wide range of products that can become defective and cause harm to consumers. This includes, but is not limited to, the following:
This is certainly not a complete list of the types of products that could malfunction and cause harm. If you or a loved one have been injured due to a defective product, we encourage you to reach out to an attorney for assistance with your claim immediately.
Products can become defective in a number of ways. In general, we see three main types of product defects, but these are categories that cover a larger number of issues that can occur.
tested before the product goes into mass manufacturing for consumers. If there is an issue with a product design, such as an incorrect chemical formula or a medication or missing guards for a tool, consumers could sustain injuries, and this type of defect can affect an entire line of the product. Design defects can occur with medical devices, such as knee replacement guides or IVC filters, which are supposed to help patients regain mobility or improve their health. When these devices fail, the consequences can be severe. If you were injured due to a defective knee replacement guide, our team is ready to help.Defective products are capable of causing serious injuries, and with those wounds come significant bills for ongoing medical care and rehabilitation. Our goal is always to secure sufficient compensation to make you as whole as possible after your accident. Depending on the circumstances of your case, you may be awarded some combination of economic, non-economic, and punitive damages.
There is no exact or set amount of compensation paid to product liability victims if their claim is successful. Rather, each particular case must be examined specifically by insurance carriers or a personal injury jury. There are various factors that could influence total settlement or jury verdict amounts, including the following:
If you have any questions about how much your case is worth, we encourage you to speak to your product liability lawyer in Portland who can give you a ballpark understanding of what to expect.
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.
According to ORS § 30.900 et seq., the manufacturer, seller, distributor, or lessor of a dangerously defective product may be liable for injuries, deaths, or property damage caused by the following:
In most cases, the statute of limitations to file a personal injury claim in the state of Oregon is two years from the date of your accident or injury. Cases must usually be filed within ten years after purchasing the product. In a Portland wrongful death lawsuit, a claim must generally be filed within three years of the fatal accident and ten years of the product’s purchase. It’s possible that unique conditions may apply to the statute of limitations in your unique case, so it’s best to seek the assistance of an experienced attorney as soon as possible. They can help you assess your legal options in more specific detail.
Most injury claims involve determining the negligence of an alleged at-fault party. However, product liability claims typically fall under the theory of strict liability. This is a legal concept that holds sellers, distributors, and manufacturers responsible for any injuries caused by a product found to be defective, regardless of whether or not there was any negligence during the design, production, or distribution process of the product.
For a strict liability claim, it will need to be shown that:
Not every product liability claim will be a strict liability case. Some defective product cases may revolve around negligence, which means the victim and their legal team will have to show that the other party was to blame for the defect and the injuries.
Regardless of whether a case revolves around the theory of strict liability or negligence, it is crucial to work with a product liability lawyer in Portland with the resources you need to get through this. Not every attorney has experience handling complex claims against larger companies, but the team at Paulson Coletti Trial Attorneys PC is ready to help.
“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.”
To win a product liability claim in the state of Oregon, your attorney must be prepared to prove:
Your lawyer will additionally need to prove that the product used defective materials, was based on a dangerous design, was manufactured incorrectly, or had inadequate labels and warnings.
Our team at Paulson Coletti has over 100 years of combined legal experience. From defective appliances to auto product liability lawsuits in Portland, we are prepared to take on your case. Our ability to offer clients instructive help and effective advocacy in product liability cases is demonstrated by our track record. Not only is our firm listed in “Best Law Firms” for plaintiffs product liability litigation, Attorney John Coletti is a two-time winner of the Lawyer of the Year award in the Product Liability Litigation category from The Best Lawyers in America®.
At Paulson Coletti Trial Attorneys PC, we understand the challenges victims face in these situations, which is why we handle product liability claims on a contingency fee basis. This means a few things for our clients. First, individuals who come to us for help will not be responsible for paying any upfront costs related to their case. We handle all of that. Additionally, clients will pay no legal fees until after we successfully recover the compensation they are entitled to. The final legal fee will be a previously agreed-upon percentage of that settlement or verdict.
In the event our team is unable to successfully recover compensation, the client will pay no legal fees at all, and they will not have to pay us back for anything already spent on their case.
No Fees Unless We Win
We serve areas across Portland, including but not limited to:
Arlington Heights, Forest Park, Goose Hollow, Hillside, Linnton, Northwest District, Old Town, Pearl District, Downtown, Sylvan – Highlands, Arnold Creek, Ashcreek, Bridlemile, Collins View, Crestwood, Far Southwest, Hayhurst, Hillsdale, Homestead, Marshall Park, Multnomah, South Burlingame, South Portland, Southwest Hills, West Portland Park, Arbor Lodge, Bridgeton, Cathedral Park, East Columbia, Piedmont, Portsmouth, St Johns, University Park, Alameda, Concordia, Eliot, Lloyd District, Cully, Hollywood, Rose City Park, Hazelwood, Parkrose Heights, Pleasant Valley, Woodland Park, Brooklyn, Eastmoreland, Kerns, Laurelhurst, Montavilla, North Tabor, Richmond, Sunnyside, Woodstock.
If you or somebody you care about has been injured due to a defective product anywhere in the Portland area, reach out to an attorney as soon as possible. A product liability lawyer will have the resources and experience you need to get through this process. An attorney can conduct a complete investigation into the incident, handle all communication with insurance carriers and other parties, and negotiate on your behalf.
To learn more about our unique approach, please call our Portland personal injury lawyers to set up a free case evaluation today.
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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