Ross Law's $4 million Recovery is a powerful reminder: when the state fails to protect children, it can and must be held responsible.

4 Million RECOVERY Highlights Inhumane Treatment iN OYA’s Maclaren Youth Facility

Earlier this year Ross Law and Jeremiah Ross recovered a record $4 million from the Oregon Youth Authority (OYA) on behalf of the Estate of a young man tragically died by suicide following his confinement in MacLaren Youth Correctional Facility’s infamous Intervention Unit—a 1950s-era isolation building long referred to as the “dungeon.”

Through the thousands of records and witness testimony it was discovered that that instead of receiving the mental health care he desperately needed, the young man was repeatedly placed in filthy, degrading isolation cells. These inhumane conditions worsened his mental health, and shortly after his release, he tragically took his own life. His family hired Jeremiah Ross to hold OYA accountable—and the state paid a record settlement.

A Pattern of Abuse and Neglect

Unfortunately, this tragic case is not an isolated incident. For decades, courts, lawmakers, and youth advocates have criticized Oregon’s use of solitary confinement against children. In fact, a federal judge ruled back in 1985 that the state’s isolation practices amounted to cruel and unusual punishment.

Yet even today, OYA continues to use the old Intervention Unit when its new, rebranded “Safety Intervention Unit” fills up. Despite this rebrainding- according to Oregonlive, youth spend far more time in isolation than children in other states, and Latino and Black youth are often confined for longer periods.

Why This Matters for Oregon Families

Isolation and inhumane treatment can devastate young people, especially those already struggling with trauma or mental health challenges. Acute mental health symptoms from bipolar disorder, schizoaffective disorder, depression, and anxiety are often amplified. Instead of being rehabilitated, these children often leave custody worse off than when they entered.

At Ross Law LLC, we know the harm OYA’s practices can cause. We have represented children and families whose lives have been shattered by unlawful restraint, isolation, and abuse in state facilities. We fight to hold the state accountable when it violates the rights of the very youth it is supposed to protect.

Protecting Your Child’s Rights

If your child has suffered abuse, neglect, or harmful isolation while in OYA custody, you don’t have to face the system alone. Legal action can not only bring justice for your family but also push Oregon to finally make meaningful reforms. Proof of this push for meaningful reform is from Oregonlive’s recent article, which again mentions Ross Law’s record recovery from OYA.

<div style="border: 2px solid #2c3e50; padding: 20px; border-radius: 12px; background-color: #f8f9fa; margin-top: 20px;"> <h3 style="margin-top:0; color:#2c3e50;">📞 Contact Ross Law LLC Today</h3> <p>If your child has been harmed while in OYA custody, call <strong>(503) 224-1658</strong> or reach out through our <a href="/contact" style="color:#0056b3; font-weight:bold;">contact page</a> to schedule a free, confidential consultation.</p> <p style="margin-bottom:0;"><strong>We are here to fight for your child’s rights and your family’s future.</strong></p> </div>

Dangerous Semi-Trucks in Portland – Understanding Oregon Wrongful Death Claims

As reported by Oregonlive, a devastating crash in Portland’s Lloyd District early Sunday morning left one pedestrian dead and another seriously injured after being struck by a tractor-trailer. The collision occurred near Northeast Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Northeast Holladay Street around 2:45 a.m., according to Portland Police.

Witnesses reported that the tractor-trailer driver did not stop after the crash. One witness followed the truck for miles until officers pulled it over on Oregon 224 near Clackamas. Investigators have not yet confirmed whether the driver was aware of the collision. Unfortunately, this is all too common. The families of the person who was killed now must deal with the grief of losing a loved one while also trying to navigate the various legal issues to hold the truck driver and the company employing them accountable.

Wrongful Death Lawsuits in Oregon

When a loved one is killed due to someone else’s negligence, Oregon law allows surviving family members to file a wrongful death lawsuit. These claims hold negligent drivers, trucking companies, and other responsible parties accountable while seeking financial recovery for the family.

A Portland wrongful death lawyer can help families recover damages for:

• Medical bills related to the fatal injury

• Funeral and burial expenses

• Lost financial support and income

• Loss of love, companionship, and care

• The pain and suffering the victim endured before death

The surviving pedestrian who was hospitalized may also bring a Portland personal injury claim to recover damages for medical costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Wrongful death suits in Oregon can be challenging because of the legal cap of $500,000 for the non-monetary losses such as loss of society and companionship.

Why Trucking Accident Cases Are Different

Trucking accidents often involve more than just the driver. Trucking companies, contractors, and even vehicle maintenance providers may share liability. A skilled Oregon trucking accident attorney investigates all possible causes—including driver fatigue, failure to follow safety regulations, and company negligence—to ensure victims and families receive maximum compensation.

Holding Negligent Drivers and Companies Accountable

Commercial truck drivers and trucking companies have a duty to operate safely—especially in pedestrian-heavy areas like Portland’s Lloyd District. When they fail, the consequences can be life-altering. Wrongful death and personal injury lawsuits not only provide justice for victims and families but also help improve public safety by holding negligent parties accountable.

Jeremiah Ross is an experienced Portland personal injury attorney and wrongful death lawyer have represented families throughout Oregon who lost loved ones in tragic accidents. We fight to secure full and fair compensation while guiding families through the legal process with compassion and care.

📞 Contact a Portland Wrongful Death Lawyer Today

If your family has suffered the loss of a loved one in a pedestrian accident or trucking collision, you do not have to go through this alone. Call Ross Law PDX today for a free consultation with an experienced wrongful death lawyer in Portland. We are here to protect your rights and pursue justice for your family.

👉 Free Consultation
📞 Call us at (503) 224-1658.
💻 Or reach out through our online contact form.

Jeremiah Ross Featured in SuperLawyers Magazine

Jeremiah Ross was featured in the 2025 Oregon SuperLawyers Magazine. Jeremiah Ross was listed as a top Oregon lawyer who represents persons who have been injured or killed as a result of the negligent or intentional acts of others.

More Survivors of OYA Abuse Come Forward and File Lawsuits Against The State of Oregon

Three newly filed lawsuits are shedding more light on a horrifying pattern of sexual abuse committed against children in Oregon’s youth correctional facilities. Filed in Multnomah County Circuit Court, the lawsuits accuse three former Oregon Youth Authority (OYA) employees of sexually abusing incarcerated youth at Hillcrest Youth Correctional Facility in Salem and Oak Creek Youth Correctional Facility in Albany.

These cases are the latest in a growing number of lawsuits that reveal how the State of Oregon repeatedly failed to protect the children in its custody.

The Allegations

• Scott J. Scrabeck, a corrections officer, is accused of sexually abusing three teenage girls between 1999 and 2008. The abuse allegedly included groping, forcing the girls to touch him, and masturbating while watching them shower. One survivor reported that the abuse occurred “dozens” of times. Despite multiple incidents, Scrabeck remained employed until 2023.

• Alex Blevins, a group life coordinator at Oak Creek, allegedly sexually abused a 16-year-old girl approximately ten times between 2009 and 2011. Although the victim reported the abuse to the Oregon State Police in 2011, there is no record of meaningful action being taken. Blevins was not fired until 2014 after additional complaints from coworkers.

• Robert L. Blacksmith, a former staffer at Hillcrest, is accused of groping and sexually assaulting a 15-year-old boy in a blind spot near the isolation room between 2001 and 2002. The suit claims Blacksmith used his authority to intimidate the victim into silence. Blacksmith was later convicted in a separate child sex abuse case and sentenced to over 15 years in prison.

The lawsuits allege sexual battery, civil rights violations, and negligence and seek over $25 million in damages.

A Pattern of Abuse and Institutional Failure

These new filings come alongside a fifth lawsuit against the state involving Dr. Edward Gary Edwards, the former chief medical officer at MacLaren Youth Correctional Facility. Edwards is accused of sexually abusing at least 51 boys during his decades-long tenure. The total claims in those lawsuits now exceed $250 million.

These cases show a devastating pattern: repeated abuse by state employees, ignored or concealed reports, and a failure to remove predators from positions of authority. Even when complaints were raised, the institutions responsible for protecting these children often looked the other way.

The growing number of lawsuits has prompted the Marion County District Attorney to convene a grand jury to investigate the conditions at MacLaren and how complaints of abuse have been handled.

Our Commitment to Survivors

At Ross Law, we believe every child has the right to safety, dignity, and justice—especially those in state custody. These brave survivors stepping forward are exposing not just individual predators but also the systemic negligence of the institutions that protected them.

Attorney Jeremiah Ross is committed to holding state agencies and public officials accountable when they fail to protect vulnerable children. We stand with survivors, and we will continue to fight for justice on their behalf.

If you or someone you know experienced sexual abuse in state custody, contact Ross Law at 503.224.1658 for a confidential, no-cost consultation. We are here to listen. We are here to help.

Failure to Provide A Nursing Home Resident Medication Leads to Brain Injury and Death – $12 Million Lawsuit Filed

The Lund Report recently reported on the $12 million lawsuit that Ross Law filed in Multnomah County Circuit Court. The lawsuit alleges that severe negligence at a senior living and memory care center, Ackerly at Reed’s Crossing, caused a 71-year-old man to suffer permanent brain damage, which ultimately led to his death. The estate of Larry Pederson is seeking more than $12 million from The Ackerly at Reed’s Crossing and its parent company, Seattle-based Leisure Care.

Pederson moved into The Ackerly on July 2, 2024, with assurances that the facility would manage his complex medication regimen—a critical component of his care. Just three days later, he was found unresponsive and was hospitalized with severe brain damage caused by an apparent seizure. Medical staff found no trace of any of his essential medications in his system, including two powerful anti-seizure drugs: Levetiracetam (Keppra) and Divalproex.

The suit alleges that Pederson never received a single dose of his medications during his first three days at the facility. Even more troubling, staff allegedly failed to perform wellness checks, and no one informed hospital personnel of the missed medications, delaying critical medical care.

Ackerly management reportedly self-disclosed the incident to Oregon’s Adult Protective Services days later, admitting that Pederson’s medications—including Lacosamide and others—were never entered into their medication system. By then, the damage had already been done.

The brain injury Pederson suffered triggered a cascade of devastating effects. The lawsuit describes a heartbreaking decline: physical weakness, cognitive impairment, impaired speech, incontinence, tremors, and a severe loss of independence. He died on February 23, 2025—just eight months after entering the facility.

Portland Personal Injury Attorney Jeremiah Ross, representing Pederson’s estate. Ross contends that the facility’s failure to administer medication as promised directly led to the seizure that caused Pederson’s irreversible injuries and early death.

This case shines a stark light on the dangers vulnerable seniors face when facilities fail to uphold basic standards of care. When families entrust their loved ones to a memory care facility, especially one offering medication management services, they have every right to expect competence, diligence, and above all, safety. Tragically, Larry Pederson received none of those—and needlessly died as a result..

Ross Law continues to advocate for families who suffer when corporate or governmental systems break down, ensuring all that who are responsible are held accountable. If you know a senior citizen or vulnerable person that has been injured, neglected, physically abused, sexually assaulted, or killed due to the failures of a care facility, memory care facility, residential care facility, then please call 503.224.1658 to speak with Ross Law to discuss your options.

Trying to Find the Light. Oregon Pays $4.95 Million in Devastating Child Abuse Involving The State's Inaction.

This case is one of the most harrowing child abuse tragedies in Oregon’s recent history — a gut-wrenching example of how systemic failures can allow horrific abuse to continue in plain sight, despite repeated warnings and desperate cries for help.

Three young siblings — just 5, 5, and 7 years old when the nightmare began — were subjected to five years of relentless torture by their great-aunt, Merlinda Avalos. They were starved, beaten, humiliated, and isolated, forced to sleep naked on bare mattresses in the cold, urinate in plastic bottles, wear urine-soaked clothes to school, and suffer abuse so cruel it defies belief: mouths duct-taped shut, tacks taped to bunk beds to prevent them from moving, shot in the back with a BB gun. A child was so afraid of her abuser finding out she changed into clean clothes at school, she would break down in tears.

Over the course of those five years, teachers, neighbors, and counselors made at least 20 reports to Oregon’s Department of Human Services Child Abuse Screening Hotline and to 911. These were not vague suspicions — they included reports of visible bruises, starvation, children locked outside in the rain, and terrifying first-hand disclosures from the children themselves.

Again and again, DHS CPS failed. Caseworkers dismissed the complaints as “unfounded.” They failed to follow their own policies. They didn’t take photos of injuries, failed to seek medical evaluations, and shockingly included Avalos — the known abuser — in a so-called “safety plan.” The reports were ignored. The children were left to suffer.

Finally, in April 2018, police intervened after one child made yet another disclosure. Investigators found extensive evidence of abuse, and Avalos was arrested and later sentenced to more than 12 years in prison. But by then, the damage was already done.

In 2024, nearly six years after being removed from Avalos’ home, the State of Oregon agreed to pay $4.95 million to the three children — a rare acknowledgment of responsibility in a case where the state’s inaction was both devastating and inexcusable.

But the tragedy did not end there.

Shortly after learning of the settlement, the eldest child — now 18 years old — died by suicide. His death is a painful reminder that trauma does not end when abuse stops. It lingers, destroys, and too often, claims lives long after the fact and has a rippling affect on those that were close to him..

This incredible $4,950,000 settlement— while significant — is overshadowed by the irreversible toll this abuse has taken. No amount of money can restore what these children lost: their safety, their childhood, and their brother.

Yet even in the face of such overwhelming tragedy, there was a hard-fought measure of justice. Attorneys Jeremiah V. Ross and two other lawyers refused to let the state walk away from its responsibility. They battled against dismissal, navigated complex legal barriers, and ultimately held DHS accountable for failing to act when it mattered most.

While nothing can undo what happened, we hope this outcome will not only provide some stability for the surviving siblings, but also serve as a call to action: Oregon must do better.

No child should have to suffer this way. No system should ever ignore this much pain. And no survivor should have to fight this hard for justice.

If you or a loved one has been harmed by child abuse or by government failure to protect, Ross Law and Oregon Attorney Jeremiah V. Ross will stand with you. We will listen. We will fight. And we will not let tragedy be ignored.

How Much Time Do You Have to File a Lawsuit in an Oregon Child Abuse Case?

At Ross Law, we are committed to holding abusers — and those who enable abuse — accountable. Many of our clients are survivors of childhood abuse, and we understand that the trauma caused by abuse can take years, even decades, to fully process and connect to the lifelong harm it caused. Fortunately, Oregon law (ORS 12.117) recognizes this reality and gives survivors meaningful time to come forward and pursue justice in civil court.

Under Oregon law, survivors of child abuse have until age 40 to file a lawsuit against their abuser or anyone who knowingly allowed, encouraged, or permitted the abuse to happen. If the survivor did not discover — and reasonably could not have discovered — the connection between the abuse and their injury until later in life, then the survivor has five years from the date of discovery to file a claim. The law applies whichever period is longer.

Importantly, this rule applies regardless of other time limits found in Oregon’s personal injury statutes. That means even if the general deadline to file a personal injury case has expired, a claim based on child abuse may still be valid if brought under this specific law.

ORS 12.117 defines “child abuse” broadly to include:

• Physical or mental injury caused by intentional cruelty.

• Sexual abuse or exploitation, including rape, incest, sodomy, and using a child in pornography or prostitution.

• Encouraging or allowing a child to be exploited sexually.

This law does not create new causes of action, but it extends the time for survivors to hold abusers and institutions accountable and provide compensation for survivors in Civil court.

At Ross Law PDX, we’ve proudly represented victims of child abuse in seeking compensation and justice for the unimaginable harms they’ve suffered. Ross Law PDX represents children all over the State of Oregon who have suffered abuse while they were students of the abuser, in the legal custody of DHS CPS, OYA, or in Foster Care. Ross Law has also represented children who were abused by their parents, step parent, mother or father. If you or someone you care about is a survivor of abuse, we are here to listen, advise, and fight for your rights. Please call Attorney Jeremiah Ross at 503.224.1658.

Please remember that there may be other statutes and laws, such as the Oregon Tort Claims Act, that are involved when a Statute of Limitations issue is embedded in the case. Please also remember that the law is constantly changing and this blog article may not be up to date. This blog article is not legal advice and refers to the cases and statutes regarding child abuse and the tolling of the statute of limitations in Civil cases.

Concerning Legislation in Salem Will Result in Harm to Children From Unlawful Restraints and Isolation

As reported by Oregonlive, Oregon’s 2025 House Bill 3835 is sparking fierce debate in Salem, with lawmakers, child welfare advocates, and parents deeply divided over its implications for the safety and well-being of the state’s most vulnerable children. At Ross Law, we have represented children in the legal custody of the State of Oregon that were unlawfully restrained in out-of-state facilities or subjected to unsafe treatment. The trauma from untrained and unskilled persons restraining and isolating children for long periods of time can have devastating, long-lasting effects on the child. That is why this legislation is so concerning.

A Dangerous Step Backward for Child Protection

At its core, HB 3835 proposes significant rollbacks to Oregon’s protections for children in care. The bill would narrow the definition of what constitutes abuse when children are restrained, making it easier for staff to physically control kids without triggering investigations. It would also reopen the door for Oregon’s Department of Human Services (DHS) to send foster youth out of state for treatment—despite a documented history of abuse and neglect in such placements.

The proposed changes are not minor tweaks. They would gut key safeguards that prevent vulnerable children from being harmed under the guise of "care." As Disability Rights Oregon aptly put it, HB 3835 is a “blank check” that weakens oversight and makes it “almost impossible to enforce a wide variety of abuse and neglect laws.” The ultimate outcome will be that children are unlawfully restrained and isolated, leading to costly lawsuits against the State and facilities—lawsuits that Ross Law and other Oregon attorneys will bring to hold them accountable. These lawsuits will result in the State of Oregon DHS and CPS and facilities paying significant damages to compensate the children for the harm caused by these unlawful restraints and isolations

The Risk to Children is Real

Ross Law has represented children who were unlawfully restrained, and we know the trauma these practices inflict. Children who have been subjected to unnecessary restraint often suffer lasting physical and psychological harm. That’s why Oregon’s current rules—requiring careful oversight of restraint and seclusion practices—are so critical. They ensure that interventions are truly a last resort, not an easy fallback when staff feel overwhelmed or undertrained.

But HB 3835 threatens to reverse this progress. By loosening definitions of abuse, the bill creates a dangerous gray area where harmful restraint practices could be normalized—and where children may be hurt without accountability.

Out-of-State Placements: A Return to Past Failures

Another deeply troubling aspect of HB 3835 is its push to allow DHS to once again send foster children out of state for care. Oregon previously restricted this practice after horrifying reports of children being mistreated—given drugs like Benadryl as chemical restraints, injured in fights, or assaulted in poorly monitored facilities.

These out of State Facilities have an incentive to pay employees very little and provide little training and supervision in an effort to maximize the profit they receive from each child. When this occurs, children are often subjected to restraint and discipline in an effort to control them with minimal staff being involved. From the facilities’ perspective, it is much easier to isolate and restrain a child rather than spending the time to gain the child’s trust, interact with the child, and work to resolve the issues that are manifesting themselves as behavioral problems.

HB 3835 would allow such placements to resume with little oversight, despite DHS’s own documented failures to protect kids in these settings. Sending children far from their families and communities is not a solution—it is a recipe for more trauma and more lawsuits.

The Push for Change Ignores the Real Problem

Supporters of HB 3835 argue that current laws are too strict and discourage providers from taking on high-needs children. But this argument sidesteps the real issues: a lack of funding for proper training, low pay for frontline staff, and systemic failures within the state’s child welfare system. Loosening protections for kids is not the answer.

As Sen. Sara Gelser Blouin, a longtime champion for children’s rights, has warned, if this bill passes, “harm will occur to kids.” The stakes could not be higher.

Ross Law: Defending Children’s Rights

At Ross Law, we believe that every child deserves safety, dignity, and proper care. We have fought for compensation for children who have been unlawfully restrained and abused—and we stand ready to do so again. Laws like HB 3835 would make it harder to hold bad actors accountable and protect vulnerable kids from harm.

Children in Oregon’s care system have already endured too much. We must not allow the state to retreat from its responsibility to keep them safe. Instead of rolling back protections, Oregon should invest in better training, higher pay, and real reform—not dangerous shortcuts that put children at risk.

If you or someone you know has been abused, neglected, unlawfully restrained, or subjected to isolation while you were in foster care or in custody of the State of Oregon then please call Jeremiah Ross at 503.224.1658 to discuss your options. Please remember that there are time limitations and notices that may be required to be sent out so it is best to contact an Attorney with experience in suing Oregon’s DHS and Oregons CPS immediately.