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D’Amore & Associates has represented a number of clients whose stories were widely covered by the press. The following is a list of excerpts from press releases about the cases:

Lawsuit filed on behalf of the family of a local nursing home resident, who passed away as a result of injuries she sustained when dropped by nursing home personnel during a transfer. December 13, 2007

Construction worker killed on the job site; worker crushed when a large drill rig spun, crushing his head between machine and concrete wall. Family files suit. February 11, 2005

Drivers file class action complaint against auto insurers after their insurers refused to pay policy benefits. According to Tom D’Amore: “Some insurance companies take advantage of vulnerable, injured people. Denying them medical coverage they have paid for is wrong. Denying appropriate medical care to increase their exorbitant corporate profits rather than pay the injured the benefits they paid for in their policy is particularly despicable.” October 1, 1999

Lawsuit filed against auto insurer for refusal to pay medical treatment benefits as outlined in the policy. Plaintiff was rear-ended at high speed by distracted driver talking on cell phone. October 7, 1999

December 13, 2007

PRESS CONFERENCE announcing a lawsuit filed in Multnomah County Circuit Court today on behalf of the family of a nursing home resident who died as a result of injuries sustained after she was dropped by nursing home personnel and then left in her bed for more than five days without receiving medical care.

According to the legal complaint that was filed, the resident was being transferred from her electric wheelchair into her bed via an electric sling called a “Hoyer Lift.” As the resident was being lifted, she was violently dropped to the floor because nursing home staff failed to fasten straps around her. Both femurs were snapped into pieces.

The nursing home refused to take the resident to the hospital to treat her injuries. Though she cried in pain, the attendants lifted her into her bed using bed sheets and gave her a pain killer. For days she complained about being dropped, cried in pain, and begged for doctors, but was merely given more pain-killer. According to investigation reports, one nursing home nursing aide told her that she had not been dropped, but rather must have “had a bad dream.”

Finally, more than five days after the fall, the nursing home phoned for an ambulance. The resident was transported to the emergency room, where x-rays revealed that her femurs had been shattered. ER doctors rushed her into surgery, but she died several hours later.

“I’ve represented many families of nursing home patients over the years, and the negligence displayed by this particular facility is particularly horrific. They were the ones that caused the terrible injuries, and yet they refused to get her medical help. This woman was 60 years old, had a family who loved her and who she loved, and yet her pleas for medical attention were ignored. It is unconscionable when the most vulnerable of our society – the disabled and sick – are treated with disregard. The nursing home did not even have the decency to contact her family.”

The nursing home was fined $3,000 as a result of the State of Oregon’s investigation. A Multnomah County prosecuting attorney is investigating criminal charges against the facility and its staff.

February 11, 2005

PRESS CONFERENCE announcing details of a lawsuit filed in the tragic death of veteran construction worker, killed while working on a construction site.

According to the complaint, the worker was crushed to death while on a walkway placed behind the counter-weight of a large, pivoting drill rig. The walkway was a designated route for workers to move within the construction site.

The worker was on the walkway when the counterbalance to the large drill rig swiveled suddenly, pinning his head between the counterbalance weight and a concrete wall adjacent to the site.

No fence or barrier had been placed between the counterbalance and the adjacent concrete wall to protect workers, nor were workers warned about the danger of the unguarded “pinch point” between the wall and the rotating counterbalance – both required by law.

“Because contractors on this project failed to undertake legally required safety precautions to protect their workers, an avoidable tragedy happened,” stated Portand attorney Tom D’Amore. OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Agency) issued a safety-violations citation.

D’Amore cites a growing number of needless deaths and serious injuries in Oregon due to a bottom-line practice of ‘stacking trades.’ According to D’Amore, “In order to cut costs, contractors will bring in workers to work on different construction tasks at the same time in a confined space. In my experience, such deaths are the result of placing profit over human life.” D’Amore and Associates represents seriously injured workers and their families as well as the families of those who die as a result of negligence. Return to Top

October 1, 1999

Press release excerpts – Class Action Announced
PORTLAND – Today, customers of two giant insurance companies, announce they have filed class-action law suits against those companies, citing a litany of consumer grievances – including fraud. The class action lawsuits could affect tens of thousands of Oregonians who have been similarly victimized in the past 6 years.

Under Oregon law, all drivers must be insured. The policies you buy must include Personal Injury Protection (or, as this appears on your insurance cards, PIP coverage). Should you be injured in an auto accident, your PIP coverage is supposed to cover 100% of your necessary medical treatment, up to the limits of the policy.

According to D’Amore, “Some insurance companies take advantage of vulnerable, injured people. Denying them medical coverage they need and have paid for is wrong. Denying appropriate medical care to increase the insuranc companies exorbitant corporate profits is particularly despicable.

Not only are customers left holding the bills, they often receive letters from these insurance companies urging their policyholders not to pay their doctors or medical providers. Return to Top

October 7, 1999

Press release excerpts
A lawsuit against a major auto insurer was filed in court. The suit alleges that the auto insurer violated Oregon law by not paying for medical treatment as agreed upon in their policies.

The class representative in the lawsuit sustained serious back injury due when his car was rear-ended by another earlier this year.

At this point, the insurance company has paid nothing on the plaintiff’s policy. Interestingly, the victim has had several policies with the insurance company though the years, covering several vehicles, his home, etc.

According to attorney Tom D’Amore “insurance companies should provide the benefits they promise when they sell the policy.” Return to Top

The personal injury attorneys at D’Amore & Associates have successfully represented personal injury clients and their families throughout Oregon, Washington and California. We represent cases in metropolitan Portland and Seattle, and the cities of Vancouver, Bend, Redmond, LaPine, Camas, Longview, Spokane, Salem, Lake Oswego, West Linn, Eugene, Clackamas, Beaverton, Hillsboro, Gresham, Medford, Roseburg, Grants Pass, Seaside, Coos Bay, Astoria, Lincoln City, Tacoma and the Tri-City area of Richland, Kennewick, and Pasco.

Legal information contained in this site should not be construed to be formal legal advice, nor should the “contact us” information be interpreted as an attorney-client relationship. Case results will vary, dependent upon the facts of each individual case. D'Amore & Associates does not offer a guarantee of positive case results. All potential clients are urged to make an independent evaluation of any personal injury lawyer under consideration. We urge potential clients to review our website, our experience and credentials.