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Medical mistakes and negligence can lead to significant injury, disability, and a lifetime of challenges for victims. Unfortunately, medical malpractice claims can be incredibly challenging, particularly when going up against insurance companies or medical agencies with deep pockets.
At Paulson Coletti Trial Attorneys PC, our Portland medical malpractice lawyers are here to level the playing field. We have extensive experience representing clients who were injured as a result of medical malpractice and have the resources to take on even the largest corporate institutions and win. While not every bad outcome is a result of medical negligence, far too many are completely preventable, and many are a direct failure to prioritize patient safety. This includes complications from complex procedures like robotic-assisted cardiac surgeries, where a Portland cardiac robotic surgery malpractice lawyer can provide critical guidance. Our Portland personal injury team will fully investigate every aspect of your claim, work closely with trusted medical professionals, and help you recover the compensation you need.
We understand the complexities of cases involving brain hypoxia and compartment syndrome. If you or a loved one have been injured in a medical setting in Oregon, please, contact Paulson Coletti Trial Attorneys PC today at 503-226-6361 for a free consultation.
Paulson Coletti Trial Attorneys PC was named to the list of “Best Law Firms” by U.S. News in the practice area of medical malpractice law – plaintiffs. Jane Paulson was named Best Lawyer of the Year in Medical Malpractice for plaintiffs’ law in 2020 and 2024. At Paulson Coletti Trial Attorneys PC, we know medical malpractice and are confident in our ability to secure results, even in situations involving delayed American Medical Response lawsuits or delayed diagnosis of fetal distress. We are also experienced in handling cases arising from emergency room errors and complications like epidural abscess or epidural hematoma. If you or a loved one has suffered from this condition, a Portland Epidural Bleeding Lawyer at our firm can help you understand your legal options.
Over the course of our practice, we have recovered millions of dollars for victims of medical negligence, including:
Wondering if you or a loved one have a medical malpractice claim? We are proud to represent clients in Portland and throughout Oregon who have been harmed by negligent healthcare professionals. Our goal is to secure the most favorable result possible for cases we truly believe in.
Medical malpractice cases can involve a range of issues, from surgical errors to misdiagnosis or mistakes in the diagnosis of cancer, such as breast cancer or skin cancer, like basal cell carcinoma or melanoma. If you or a loved one has experienced any of these problems, it’s crucial to seek legal counsel immediately.
A Clark County diesel mechanic was months away from completing 30 years of service when a medical emergency changed everything. The infection, a spinal epidural abscess, can rapidly compress the spinal cord and requires prompt treatment. He arrived at the emergency department by ambulance with new-onset paralysis beginning at the T7 level of his spine. An emergency physician recognized an acute neurological decline and ordered imaging. Delays followed when hospital staff were unable to determine whether the spinal cord stimulator was MRI-compatible. The issue was not escalated. No device representative was contacted. Staff waited for authorization from an out-of-town physician while the patient remained in the emergency department. No spine surgeon or neurosurgeon was consulted despite available coverage. The patient remained in the emergency department for nearly 17 hours as his paralysis progressed. When imaging was performed, it focused on the wrong region of the spine and did not identify the condition. He was later transferred, where imaging confirmed a spinal epidural abscess compressing the spinal cord. Surgery occurred more than 27 hours after arrival; by then, the injury was permanent. The delay resulted in lasting neurological damage and limited mobility. He attempted to return to work, but complications forced him to stop. This case reflects a critical failure in emergency care. Known signs of neurological decline were identified but not acted upon with urgency. Delays in imaging, consultation, and escalation allowed a treatable condition to progress. When timely intervention is required, inaction leads to permanent harm. At Paulson Coletti, we pursue these cases because delays in emergency care have consequences that cannot be undone; a Portland jury agreed, returning a verdict of $10 million.
Portland Medical Malpractice: Spinal Abscess
Medical malpractice is a type of personal injury claim that arises from negligence by a healthcare provider. When examining medical malpractice, we have to look at the legal term “medical standard of care,” which we want to define before we look at the elements of negligence related to these claims. It’s important to understand that failures in this standard can lead to serious consequences, such as those seen in cases of heart attack misdiagnosis or even during seemingly routine orthopedic surgery. Similarly, negligent hospital security can also result in significant injuries, as highlighted in our Hospital Security Negligence page.
Briefly explained, the medical standard of care revolves around looking at the facts of the current case and examining how a theoretical similarly trained medical professional in a similar type of environment would have reacted in a similar situation. That was a lot of the word “similar,” but it is important to understand that this is what a medical malpractice claim will hinge on. Unfortunately, breaches in this standard can also lead to hospital infections.
Now, let’s look at how this would apply to the four elements of negligence:
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.
Yes, you have a general time limit of 2 years file a medical malpractice claim in Oregon under ORS 12.110(4). This time limit starts from the date the injury or illness is first discovered or from when the injury or illness reasonably should have been discovered. This is particularly important in cases where the full impact of a medical error, such as a failure to diagnose bladder cancer, may not be immediately apparent.
There is also an overall “statute of repose” in place for Oregon medical malpractice claims of five years from the date the medical malpractice occurred. This means that regardless of when a person discovers that medical malpractice happened, the claim must be filed within five years, or they will be unable to pursue the case. This underscores the need to act promptly if you suspect medical negligence, such as a failure to diagnose cancer.
While the statute of limitations sets clear deadlines for filing a medical malpractice claim, there are important exceptions that may apply depending on the circumstances of your case. Below are two key examples:
There are exceptions to this broader 5-year deadline, including if the defendant used fraud, deceit, or misleading representation to cover up the medical malpractice. In these situations, the typical two-year deadline will start ticking when the fraud or deceit is discovered, and there will not be an overall five-year deadline.
Lastly, if the medical malpractice victim is under the age of 18 or has some sort of disabling mental condition that prevents them from comprehending their rights at the time the malpractice occurred, the statute of limitations will be paused for up to five years or from one year after the person turns 18 or one year after their mental disability ends, whichever timeframe expires first.
If you believe your case may fall under one of these exceptions, or if you have questions about how the statute of limitations applies to your situation, we strongly encourage you to contact our Portland medical malpractice lawyers. Our team can help you understand your rights, evaluate the specifics of your case, and determine the best course of action moving forward.
“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.”
There are various types of evidence that could be used to prove that medical malpractice has occurred. We want to preface this by saying that proving medical malpractice is challenging due to the level of expertise required to examine the evidence and then provide testimony to insurance carriers or personal injury juries.
First and foremost, an attorney working with a medical malpractice victim will want to enlist assistance from trusted medical professionals who can examine all the medical records as well as the patient. A qualified medical professional will have to provide testimony explaining why they believe medical malpractice has occurred. Any expert medical witness will need to have experience in the particular field related to the malpractice that has occurred.
Not only will medical records related to the error be examined, but so will a person’s medical records related to the treatment that they have to undergo to fix the error or to treat a chronic condition caused by the error. For example, if you are seeking assistance with an orthopedic surgery mistake or a brachial plexus injury, an attorney and medical professional would review the full scope of your medical history.
Various parties may be held liable after a medical error occurs. This includes, but is not limited to, the following:
The first individual(s) examined for liability after a medical malpractice claim will be the provider in question. It is important to remember that it is not just doctors or surgeons who could be held responsible for medical malpractice. Other medical professionals can also be held liable, including nurses, physician assistants, chiropractors, optometrists, physical therapists, dentists, pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and more.
If you have suffered an injury due to a caput succedaneum or Erb’s palsy, these professionals may be part of the team that caused or contributed to your injury. For instance, a negligent vacuum extraction during childbirth could lead to serious injuries such as Klumpke’s palsy, and the medical provider who performed the procedure could be held responsible for the injury.
Aside from the medical provider, there are certainly other parties that could be held liable. If the medical provider works directly for a hospital or health care providing agency, then that other entity may also hold liability for the actions of their employee. This theory of vicarious liability will be reinforced if the agency or hospital had knowledge that the medical provider in question was unsafe. This could be established by looking at previous complaints or mistakes that the medical provider has made and whether or not the agency took steps to remedy the situation.
However, not every hospital or medical providing agency will be held liable for the actions of those who work under their roof. In many cases, doctors or other medical professionals are not direct employees of the agency, in which case, their liability may be limited. For example, a radiation injury caused during a diagnostic procedure could lead to a complex case where the hospital’s liability is scrutinized.
Medical malpractice claims involve several elements that should be carefully evaluated by an experienced attorney.
Every year, hundreds of Americans are killed because of the negligence of the medical professionals with whom they entrust their health and wellness. At Paulson Coletti Trial Attorneys PC, we are passionate about fighting for justice on behalf of these individuals. We stand up for our clients, hear their stories, protect their rights, and fight for them.
This commitment extends to ensuring proper care for individuals in all medical settings, including hospice facilities. If you have concerns about the quality of care a loved one received in hospice and suspect negligence or malpractice, we encourage you to learn more on our dedicated Hospice Care Malpractice in Portland page.
It is in your best interest to speak with a Portland medical malpractice attorney at our firm if this has happened to you. You can discuss your case with our team, learn your legal options, and take steps toward action. Our lawyers have more than a century of combined experience. We understand medical malpractice laws and can provide you with strong counsel and professional advocacy.
If you are a veteran who has suffered misdiagnosis or injury at the hands of a negligent medical professional at a VA hospital, we can help you as well. Our Portland VA medical malpractice attorney is prepared to fight for a fair resolution to your case. Conditions such as spinal abscess or sepsis and septic shock could be particularly serious for veterans who may already face health challenges.
If you’re dealing with complications after a medical mistake, such as vacuum extraction injuries, it’s important to consult an experienced attorney who can guide you through the legal process and help you achieve a fair resolution.
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There are 16 licensed hospitals that serve the three counties that make up the Portland area, Clackamas, Multnomah, and Washington Counties. While most patients are admitted and treated without incident, incidents involving medical negligence can occur at any healthcare facility at any time.
| Hospital | Address | City | County | License Number |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kaiser Sunnyside Medical Center | 10180 SE Sunnyside Road | Clackamas | Clackamas | 14-1073 |
| Providence Milwaukie Hospital | 10150 SE 32nd Avenue | Milwaukie | Clackamas | 14-1430 |
| Providence Willamette Falls Medical Center | 1500 Division Street | Oregon City | Clackamas | 14-1471 |
| Adventist Health Portland | 10123 SE Market Street | Portland | Multnomah | 14-1127 |
| Legacy Emanuel Medical Center | 2801 N Gantenbein Avenue | Portland | Multnomah | 14-0056 |
| Legacy Good Samaritan Medical Center | 1015 NW 22nd Avenue, W121 | Portland | Multnomah | 14-0027 |
| Legacy Mount Hood Medical Center | 24800 SE Stark Street | Gresham | Multnomah | 14-1337 |
| OHSU Hospital and Clinics | 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road | Portland | Multnomah | 14-1008 |
| Providence Portland Medical Center | 4805 NE Glisan Street | Portland | Multnomah | 14-0012 |
| Shriners Hospital for Children – Portland | 3101 SW Sam Jackson Park Road | Portland | Multnomah | 14-0073 |
| Vibra Specialty Hospital of Portland | 10300 NE Hancock Street | Portland | Multnomah | 14-1465 |
| Cedar Hills Hospital | 10300 SW Eastridge Street | Portland | Washington | 14-1468 |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital – Westside | 2875 NW Stucki Ave | Hillsboro | Washington | 14-1472 |
| Legacy Meridian Park Medical Center | 19300 SW 65th Avenue | Tualatin | Washington | 14-1336 |
| Providence St. Vincent Medical Center | 9205 SW Barnes Road | Portland | Washington | 14-0912 |
| Tuality Healthcare | 335 SE 8th Avenue | Hillsboro | Washington | 14-0095 |
The information provided below is for information only and should not be taken as legal advice.
Medical malpractice claims are extremely complex, typically involving several elements that should be thoroughly evaluated by an attorney experienced in these types of claims.
Medical malpractice claims allege professional negligence by either act or omission. This means that some medical malpractice claims arise from a mistaken action, while others arise from a healthcare provider’s failure to do what they were supposed to do. Take, for example, a surgical error compared to a failure to diagnose. With the former, the surgeon actively makes a mistake during surgery that causes injury or death to the patient. With the latter, the doctor is making a mistake by omission in failing to diagnose a condition, such as prostate cancer. In these cases, a Portland Failure to Diagnose Prostate Cancer Attorney can help determine where care went wrong and whether legal action is appropriate.
There are many types of medical malpractice claims, but they all have in common the allegation that a healthcare provider failed to provide treatment at the accepted standard of care, resulting in injury or death to the patient.This is different from an adverse event. Every procedure carries a certain degree of risk and medical experts are not able to guarantee positive results. When a procedure goes south or a doctor delays making an accurate diagnosis, it may not be grounds for a medical malpractice claim. This goes back to the accepted standard of care criteria. A doctor may perform a heart surgery to the best of his or her ability and at the accepted medical standard and it still may go poorly. Only an experienced medical malpractice attorney can evaluate your situation to determine if medical negligence was a factor.
Below are examples of common types of medical malpractice claims. This is not an exhaustive list of medical errors.
Wrong Site Surgery – Performing the right procedure on the wrong body partAffording a Medical Malpractice Lawyer in Portland. Individuals who experience an injury or illness caused by the negligence of a medical professional in Oregon often wonder whether or not they will be able to afford an attorney to help with their case. The answer is, yes, they can afford an injury attorney. At Paulson Coletti Trial Attorneys PC, we handle Portland medical malpractice claims on a contingency fee basis. This means clients never have to worry about upfront or out-of-pocket costs related to their case, and they will only pay legal fees after we successfully recover the compensation they are entitled to. If we do not win the case, then the client will pay zero legal fees.
If you or somebody you love has been injured due to the careless or negligent actions of a medical professional in the Portland area, reach out to an attorney immediately. At Paulson Coletti Trial Attorneys PC, we have extensive experience handling complex medical mistakes cases, and we know what it takes to help clients recover compensation for their losses. We will not hesitate to take your claim to trial if needed. When you need a Portland medical malpractice lawyer, call our expert team at 503-226-6361 for a free consultation.
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.
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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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A Portland medical malpractice lawyer can help determine whether your injury meets Oregon’s four legal elements: duty, breach, causation, and damages. A doctor-patient relationship establishes a duty, and a breach occurs when treatment falls below the accepted standard of care, as measured by how a similarly trained professional would have responded. If that breach directly caused harm, a valid claim may exist.
Yes, surviving family members may have legal options when a loved one dies because of a preventable medical error. Every year, hundreds of Americans are killed by the negligence of medical professionals entrusted with their care. At Paulson Coletti Trial Attorneys PC, we are passionate about pursuing accountability on behalf of grieving families.
Contact an experienced attorney as soon as possible if you suspect medical negligence. Our team will review your medical records, evaluate the circumstances of your treatment, and work with trusted medical professionals to determine whether the standard of care was violated. Acting quickly helps preserve evidence, since Oregon generally requires claims to be filed within two years of discovering the injury.
Nearly all medical malpractice cases rely on expert medical testimony. Because these claims hinge on the standard of care, a qualified medical professional with experience in the relevant field must review the records and testify as to whether malpractice occurred. This testimony is essential for settlement negotiations and personal injury juries.
Yes, a hospital or medical agency can be held liable for a doctor’s mistake under the theory of vicarious liability, particularly if the provider is a direct employee. This liability may be reinforced when the agency knew of prior complaints and failed to act. Liability may be limited when the provider is not a direct employee.
The length of a medical malpractice case varies based on its complexity and whether it settles or proceeds to trial. These claims require an extensive investigation and expert review before moving forward. Our Portland medical malpractice lawyers prepare every case as if it is going to trial, which can affect the timeline.
You do not need to know who is responsible before contacting a lawyer. Our team will fully investigate every aspect of your claim to identify which medical provider, agency, or hospital may be liable. Doctors, nurses, physician assistants, and other medical staff can all share responsibility for a medical error.
Hiring a Portland medical malpractice lawyer at Paulson Coletti Trial Attorneys PC costs nothing upfront. We handle medical malpractice claims on a contingency fee basis, meaning clients only pay legal fees after we successfully recover the compensation they are entitled to. If we do not win, you owe no attorney’s fees.
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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