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.

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.

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.

Oregon's DHS Disregarding Obligations in Deadly Child Medical Neglect Cases

Oregon lawmakers are pushing back against the Department of Human Services (DHS) Child Protective Services for what they see as a misinterpretation of state law—one that could undermine accountability in the child welfare system. The controversy centers on how DHS determines when to launch a Critical Incident Review (CIR) after a child dies in a household where a prior concern has been reported.

Under Oregon law, a CIR must be conducted when a child dies of suspected abuse or neglect, and the household was previously reported to the state for a suspected abuse concern within the past 12 months. However, Oregon’s DHS has taken a narrower view, saying it only initiates reviews when the initial report met the agency’s own threshold for an "abuse" allegation. Reports that DHS "screens out"—such as those involving children who are sick or lacking emergency contacts—are not counted as abuse concerns, even if they indicate potential risks. DHS’s interpretation permits it to put on legal blinders when addressing its failures to protect medically fragile children.

This interpretation came under fire after DHS failed to conduct a CIR following a child's death in a foster home, despite a prior hotline report about the household. When another child in the same home died a month later, the agency did conduct a review, revealing the earlier case and prompting scrutiny from lawmakers like Sen. Sara Gelser Blouin. She argues that DHS is sidestepping the law’s intent, which is to ensure a review whenever there’s been any prior report of suspected abuse or neglect—whether or not the agency agrees it meets the legal threshold for "abuse."

According to Oregonlive, Gelser Blouin has introduced an amendment to clarify the statute, adding the word “suspected” to make clear that DHS must launch a review whenever there’s a prior report of concern, not just when the agency decides to act on it. The amendment passed the Senate Human Services Committee last week, highlighting the legislature’s frustration with DHS’s approach.

DHS maintains it is following existing protocols and not seeking to reduce the number of reviews. But legislative attorneys disagree, and the proposed amendment underscores the tension between the agency and lawmakers over how Oregon protects vulnerable children.

Senator Blouin’s efforts are critical to ensuring that DHS holds itself accountable, learns from past mistakes, and improves its practices to better protect children. At Ross Law, we are dedicated to helping families when DHS fails in its duty—especially when those failures result in the injury or death of a child. This includes when medically fragile children do not receive the care they need and deserve, and we stand up for families when DHS’s inaction leads to preventable tragedies. If you or someone you know was abused or neglected as a result of Oregon’s DHS’s inaction, please call Oregon lawyer Jeremiah Ross and Ross Law PDX at 503.224.1658 to discuss your options.

Oregon Youth Authority Abuse Claims Prompt Change

Ross Law has fought to achieve civil justice for youth and their families that the Oregon Youth Authority (OYA) has failed. The OYA has been plagued with mismanagement for decades that has resulted in claims of physical abuse, sexual abuse, and neglect of incarcerated youth. To compound the issue, OYA failed to promptly investigate those claims and grievances of incarcerated youth which helped perpetuate the abuse. It appears the Governor is attempting to make change to break the cycle of abuse and mismanaged claims.

According to the Statesman Journal, Katherine O. Berger has been appointed as the new Youth and Family Advocate for the Oregon Youth Authority (OYA), starting May 1—a role created in response to growing concerns about systemic failures within OYA, including lawsuits alleging sexual abuse of youth and a large backlog of unresolved complaints. The position, designed to be independent and overseen by the governor’s office, aims to support youth and their families in navigating the system, raising concerns, and understanding their rights.

The need for stronger oversight became urgent after a January audit revealed that Raymond Byrd, former chief investigator of OYA’s Professional Standards Office (PSO), had failed to review thousands of complaints. His resignation, alongside the firing of former OYA Director Joe O’Leary, underscored the agency’s accountability crisis. Interim Director Jana McLellan proposed the advocate role as part of several reforms following this internal review.

Berger, a longtime youth defense attorney, will regularly visit correctional facilities, meet with youth and families, and report on systemic safety issues. She will deliver a comprehensive report by May 2026 recommending how to establish a permanent advocate role and improve protections for youth reporting abuse. Her appointment signals a shift toward addressing deeply rooted issues in OYA’s handling of youth safety and misconduct complaints.

This is a step in the right direction, and here at Ross Law we hope it will make positive change. However, it will not help those that are already endured sexual abuse, assault, a lack of medical or mental health care while incarcerated at McClaren, OYA Group homes, or other while in the custody of OYA.

If you or someone you know have questions about whether or not you or your family have a claim against OYA please reach out to Ross Law and Jeremiah Ross at 503.224.1658. Please remember that certain time limitations may affect your ability to pursue a claim against the Oregon Youth Authority, so it is best to contact a lawyer sooner rather than later.

Tragic Number of Kids on Oregon DHS's Radar Die in 2025

Over the years, Ross Law has had great success in representing the interests of children who have been harmed, neglected, abused, or killed as a result of Oregon’s DHS and CPS’s failures. Despite holding the State accountable in these cases, it appears the system is still failing too many children.

OregonLive reported that in the first three months of 2025, ten children known to Oregon's Department of Human Services (DHS) died, prompting state investigations. This marks an increase from two deaths during the same period in 2024 and five in 2023. Though none of the children were in foster care, half were involved in active abuse investigations, and the others lived in households that DHS had previously checked on.

The deaths include five infants and toddlers—four of whom may have died due to unsafe sleep conditions while a parent or guardian was under the influence of marijuana—and five adolescents, including four teens who died within six days of each other in mid-February. The teen deaths were unrelated, but the number has raised concern among advocates, as adolescents now make up a larger share of fatalities than in past years.

Ross Law and attorney Jeremah Ross are dedicated to using the civil justice system to hold the State accountable for its failures that result in the tragic death, abuse, or neglect of children. If you or someone you know believe that Oregon’s DHS/CPS failed a child and the child was harmed and killed as a result, then please call 503.224.1658 to speak wth attorney Jeremah Ross.

Please note that all cases are different and that this article is for informational purposes only and is not to be considered legal advice. If you have questions about a potential case against the State of Oregon’s DHS or CPS then please call an attorney and do not rely solely on this post.

Statesman Journal Features Ross Law's $4,000,000 Recovery from OYA for Family

In a landmark settlement reported by The Statesman Journal, the state of Oregon has agreed to pay $4 million to the family of a 20-year-old who died by suicide while on parole with the Oregon Youth Authority (OYA). This significant settlement highlights the concerns about the treatment and supervision of the acutely mentally ill that are in the legal custody of the State of Oregon’s Youth Authority.

The lawsuit alleged that the state's negligence, violations of civil rights, and inadequate mental health care contributed directly to the young man's death. Jeremiah Ross was trusted by the family to obtain justice under these tragic circumstances. The settlement spotlights the need for systemic reforms to prevent similar tragedies in the future. It is Jeremiah Ross’s hope that the State of Oregon has acknowledged the severity of the case and expressed a commitment to improving mental health services within correctional facilities.

This case underscores the critical importance of proper mental health care and oversight in custodial settings, prompting discussions about policy changes and increased funding for mental health initiatives.

For the full article Click: Here.

The Case was Galm v. The State of Oregon (OYA), Et Al, United States District Court for the District of Oregon Case: 3:23-cv-00962.

This is the second time Ross Law and Jeremiah Ross have been featured by the Statesman Journal for representing a family seeking justice on behalf of a relative who tragically committed suicide. Click Here, for the previous article.

If you or someone you know were abused, neglected, sexually assaulted, severely injured, or have endured a tragic loss of a loved one, and believe it is the fault of the Oregon Youth Authority (OYA), Oregon Department of Human Services Child Protective Services (CPS), the Oregon Department of Corrections (DOC), or any local or state law enforcement agency, please call Ross Law at 503.224.1658 to discuss your options.

Please remember that each case is different and although this million-dollar recovery occurred in this case, it may not occur in every case.