Insurance Defense

Insurers retain us to defend their insureds, individuals and businesses, when they are sued in the courts of Eastern Oregon. We defend drivers, landowners, contractors, ranchers and businesses in injury and property damage cases. The insured is our client, and we report to the carrier as the policy and the carrier’s guidelines require.

We investigate the claim, answer the complaint and defend the case through discovery, motions, mediation and jury trial. We report to the carrier on liability, damages and the likely range of results, and we settle within the authority the carrier gives.

We do not handle coverage disputes between an insurer and its insured.

Services we provide

• Investigation and the answer
• Depositions and experts
• Reports to the carrier
• Mediation, settlement and jury trial

Statutes and rules

• ORS chapter 31, Tort Actionscomparative fault (ORS 31.600) and the rules on damages, which apply on the defense side of the case as on the other.
• ORS 12.110, Limitation of actionsthe two-year limitation on most injury claims, and the first question in any defense.
• Oregon Rules of Civil Procedurethe answer, discovery, the motions, the offer to allow judgment (ORCP 54 E) and trial.