Skip to main content

Oregon law

Wrongful Death Laws in Oregon.

Oregon recognizes a wrongful-death claim when a death is caused by another party’s wrongful act or omission. These cases often require families and personal representatives to analyze liability, damages, and probate coordination together at the very start.

Last verified: 2026-04-17

Guided help

Ask about a wrongful death deadline, right, or next step.

Keep the question grounded in Oregon. FlowLawyers can route you to the statute section, legal aid, attorney search, or a guided workflow when one fits.

Use only the minimum facts needed. This is not legal advice.

Fast paths

The law sections below preserve the citations and source links. Use guided help when you need to move from reading the rule to choosing what to do next.

State law

Statute of Limitations

3 years from date of deathORS § 30.020

Oregon wrongful-death actions generally must be filed within 3 years of the decedent’s death.

State law

Fault & Liability Rules

Modified Comparative Fault (51% Bar)ORS § 31.600

Oregon’s comparative-fault rules still matter in wrongful-death litigation when negligence and shared-fault arguments are in dispute.

State law

Filing Requirements

Personal Representative CoordinationORS § 30.020

Oregon wrongful-death claims are typically brought by the personal representative, so estate administration and wrongful-death planning often need to move together.

State law

Key Oregon Statutes

Wrongful Death ActionORS § 30.020

Oregon’s wrongful-death statute governs who may bring the claim, the time limit, and the categories of damages that may be recovered on behalf of the estate and beneficiaries.

State law

Official Sources

Not Legal Advice

This page summarizes publicly available statutes and rules for informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice, and no attorney-client relationship is created by viewing this content. Laws change — always verify with the primary source or consult a licensed attorney in Oregon.