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Abuse Cases

Suit seeking $24 million details allegations against Oregon child welfare agency: A $24 million lawsuit alleges the Oregon Department of Human Services failed to protect two young sisters by placing a known juvenile sex offender in their foster home. The complaint details horrific physical and sexual abuse, claiming the state agency ignored clear warning signs and systemic safety protocols for vulnerable children.
$24M suit: Oregon moved young sisters into foster home, then sent 13-year-old abuser to live with them: This detailed report outlines a massive lawsuit against Oregon child welfare officials. It alleges that after placing two sisters in a foster home, the state introduced a teenage boy with a history of sexual aggression. The resulting abuse highlights critical failures in the state’s placement and risk assessment procedures.
State moved 2 young sisters into foster home, then sent 13-year-old abuser to live with them: Oregon faces a $24 million claim for allegedly facilitating the sexual abuse of two young sisters. The lawsuit asserts that DHS officials knowingly placed a high-risk juvenile offender in the same foster home as the girls, failing to protect them from a predictable and preventable cycle of physical trauma.
Lawsuit against DHS alleges physical, sexual abuse in a foster home: This legal action targets the Oregon DHS following allegations of severe physical and sexual abuse within a state-sanctioned foster home. The lawsuit contends that the agency was negligent in its oversight and vetting processes, allowing a dangerous environment to persist where children in its care were repeatedly harmed and exploited.
$1.5M lawsuit: DHS placement led to girl’s sex abuse: A $1.5 million lawsuit claims Oregon DHS negligence led to the sexual abuse of a young girl. The filing alleges the agency placed the child in a home with an older youth who had a known history of sexual boundaries issues, failing to implement necessary supervision or safety precautions.
Toddler overdosed on mom’s meth after Oregon DHS left him in her care: A $2.6 million lawsuit alleges Oregon DHS negligence after a toddler suffered a methamphetamine overdose. Despite numerous warnings regarding the mother’s active drug use, the agency reportedly left the child in her care, leading to a near-fatal incident that advocates argue was entirely preventable with proper state intervention.
State pays $1.25 million for death of 15-year-old foster child: Oregon settled for $1.25 million following the tragic death of a 15-year-old girl in state care. The case centered on the agency’s failure to provide appropriate therapeutic placement and medical oversight for a vulnerable youth with complex needs, ultimately resulting in a fatal outcome that sparked calls for reform.
State settles lawsuit involving alleged abuse at county foster home: The state of Oregon reached a settlement regarding allegations of systemic abuse at a specific county foster home. The legal battle highlighted long-term failures in state monitoring and the agency’s repeated refusal to act on complaints from children, emphasizing the ongoing struggle for accountability within the foster care system.
Man, woman who tortured 4-year-old girl get long sentences; suit seeks $15M from DHS: Following the criminal conviction of two individuals for the horrific torture of a child, a $15 million lawsuit has been filed against Oregon DHS. The suit alleges the agency received multiple reports of abuse but failed to intervene, leaving the four-year-old girl to suffer prolonged, “medieval” levels of cruelty.
Oregon teen repeatedly sex-trafficked: How the foster system failed her: This investigation explores how a teenager in the Oregon foster care system was repeatedly sex-trafficked due to agency failures. It details a lack of stable placement and adequate supervision, highlighting how the state’s most vulnerable children can slip through the cracks and into the hands of dangerous predators.
They sued Oregon when kids suffered or died; State attorneys shifted blame to parents: A critical look at Oregon’s legal defense strategies shows state attorneys frequently shifting blame onto biological parents when children are harmed in foster care. This article examines the ethical and legal implications of the state’s aggressive efforts to avoid liability for documented failures within its child welfare department.
Oregon Youth Authority doctor accused of sexual abuse: A doctor at the MacLaren Youth Correctional Facility faces allegations of sexually abusing boys in custody for years. The Oregon Youth Authority is under fire for failing to investigate the physician, who reportedly earned a disturbing nickname among inmates, exposing a systemic failure to protect incarcerated youth from predators.
Oregon youth prison doctor who earned disturbing nickname accused of sex abuse: Detailed allegations against a MacLaren Youth Correctional Facility doctor describe years of sexual misconduct against minors. The lawsuit claims that the Oregon Youth Authority ignored complaints and red flags, allowing the doctor—nicknamed “Dr. Cold Fingers”—to continue treating and allegedly abusing vulnerable boys within the state’s correctional system.
Another lawsuit alleges foster home abuse: A new legal filing adds to the mounting evidence of abuse in Oregon’s foster care network. The lawsuit describes physical and emotional mistreatment of children in a state-monitored home, arguing that DHS consistently prioritizes available bed space over the actual safety and well-being of the children in its custody.
Jury awards teen $1.3M, finds DHS negligent for failing to prevent her sexual abuse: An Oregon jury awarded $1.3 million to a teenager, concluding that DHS was negligent in its duty to protect her. The case proved that the state failed to properly supervise a placement where the teen was sexually assaulted, marking a significant legal victory for victims of institutional negligence.
More abuse alleged at Douglas County foster care home: New reports have surfaced regarding continued abuse at a foster care facility in Douglas County. These allegations suggest a pervasive environment of neglect and violence, raising urgent questions about how local and state authorities monitor these homes and why children remain placed in facilities with histories of complaints.
State agrees to payout in county foster care abuse case: Oregon has agreed to a financial payout to settle a lawsuit involving the abuse of a child in foster care. The settlement reflects the state’s acknowledgement of its failure to ensure a safe environment, though advocates argue that monetary compensation does not address the systemic issues plaguing the department.
St. Helens sexual abuse: Teachers, school, and grooming: A deep dive into sexual misconduct within St. Helens schools reveals a disturbing pattern of grooming by staff members. The report examines institutional failures that allowed predators to target students, detailing the legal and community fallout as victims come forward to hold the school district and individuals accountable.
‘Dr. Cold Fingers’: Oregon youth prison doctor accused of years of sex abuse: This article details the shocking allegations against a MacLaren youth prison doctor. Beyond the physical abuse, the report focuses on the institutional “blind eye” turned by the Oregon Youth Authority, allowing a predator access to incarcerated youth despite repeated warnings and the doctor’s notorious reputation among the boys.
Lawsuit: Oregon Youth Authority MacLaren doctor sexual abuse: A lawsuit filed against the Oregon Youth Authority alleges that a physician at the MacLaren facility engaged in predatory sexual behavior toward minors for years. The suit seeks to hold the state accountable for failing to implement proper reporting structures and for ignoring the safety of those in custody.
Lawyers: Oregon Youth Authority lawsuit sexual abuse MacLaren: Attorneys representing victims of abuse at the MacLaren facility discuss the systemic failures of the Oregon Youth Authority. The lawsuit highlights a lack of oversight and the failure of state officials to protect incarcerated minors from a doctor who allegedly used his position of power to commit sexual crimes.
Crew Janci Lawsuit: Oregon Youth Authority sexual abuse: The law firm Crew Janci has filed a major suit against the Oregon Youth Authority, alleging years of sexual abuse at the MacLaren facility. The firm argues that the state’s negligence allowed a doctor to prey on youth, emphasizing the need for institutional transparency and justice for the victims.
Oregon to pay $5M to children tortured by relative despite repeated complaints: Oregon has agreed to a $5 million settlement for children who were tortured by a relative. Despite numerous reports to child welfare services, the state failed to remove the children from a home where they were subjected to “medieval” torture, including the use of high-voltage shock collars.
Oregon to pay $3M in egregious foster care abuse case: A $3 million payout was authorized by the state to settle a case involving “egregious” abuse within the foster care system. This settlement highlights the extreme physical and psychological harm suffered by children in state-managed homes and the continued legal liability the state faces due to oversight failures.
More sex abuse allegations at MacLaren: The Oregon Youth Authority faces a growing number of sexual abuse allegations at its MacLaren facility. This article covers new claims from former inmates who describe a environment where staff members and medical professionals exploited their power, further tarnishing the reputation of the state’s youth correctional leadership.
10 children on Oregon child welfare agency’s radar have died so far this year: A harrowing statistic reveals that ten children already known to Oregon DHS have died in the early months of the year. The report examines the circumstances of these deaths, pointing to a system overwhelmed by caseloads and failing to provide effective safety nets for children in high-risk environments.
Infant Death in Placement: Infant was removed from a stable home and placed with a grandmother despite reports of addiction problems. Infant died within three days. State settled for $725,000.
Foster Home Sexual Abuse: Young child placed in foster home with an older boy who sexually abused the child. Obtained $420,000.
Failed Removal from Child Neglect: Child Protective Services failed to remove child from biological mother despite close to 20 reports of child neglect. Obtained $300,000 for child.
Childcare Center Abuse: Sisters were sexually abused at a childcare center. Obtained a large six-figure settlement.
Down Syndrome Child Abuse: Represented a child with Down Syndrome sexually abused by a foster boy. Obtained $325,000.
Historic Abuse: Represented an adult abused 20 years earlier by a family member. Obtained a high 6-digit settlement.
Chronic Neglect by Mother: Child was exposed to years of chronic neglect by mother. Despite close to 20 calls to the child protection services hotline about mother’s neglect and abuse of child, ODHS never removed child. Obtained $325,000 settlement for child.
Severe Abuse by Father: Young girl was physically abused and neglected by father – it was so sever that she nearly died. When she was finally brought to the hospital ER, she had multiple fractures and wounds all over her body. Apparently, neighbors, school counselors and even the father’s family members had called the CPS hotline to report abuse, but ODHS failed to remove child. Reached a settlement for approximately $2.4 million dollars for child.
Teen Torture Case: Teen foster girl was physically and mentally abused and locked in a basement for months. DHS ignored red flags. Obtained $1.1 million settlement.

Non-Abuse Cases

Record $3.5 million settlement for Oregon prisoner’s wrongful death: The family of a man who died of a heart attack while incarcerated at an Oregon prison received a record $3.5 million settlement. A prison nurse misread an EKG and ignored classic heart attack symptoms, sending the man back to work in the cafeteria where he died later that day.
$5 million settlement for jail methamphetamine overdose death: A county paid $5 million after a woman died of a methamphetamine overdose in jail. Despite her yelling in agony for 12 hours, staff failed to provide medical intervention or hospitalization, instead mocking her as she lay dying on the cell floor.
Fishing Boat Death: Represented the estate of a man who died at sea due to life raft failure. Obtained nearly 7-digit recovery.
Drunk Driver Catastrophe: Client received catastrophic injuries from a drunk driver. Obtained mid-6-digit settlement from the bar that served the driver.
Wheelchair Injury: Represented a paraplegic client whose wheelchair was struck, breaking his wrist. Obtained a 6-figure settlement.
Car Accident/Back Surgery: Represented a client whose car accident led to back surgery. Obtained a large 6-figure recovery.
Scaffolding Collapse: Recovered close to $400,000 for a client injured when scaffolding collapsed.
Jogger Struck by Bus: 6-figure recovery for a jogger who suffered a concussion after being struck by a bus.
T-Bone Accident Injury: Represented woman involved in a T-bone accident and suffered soft-tissue injury to her back that never fully healed. Received an award of $150,000.

Vehicle Accident Cases in Oregon

Truck Accident: A client was rear-ended by a semi-truck while stopped on the highway. The accident caused severe injuries forcing the client to retire because he was no longer able to physically handle the work. Paul engaged both a local trucking expert who was the former president of the state’s trucking association as well as a vocational economist expert to investigate the case. It was discovered that both the company and driver violated several FMCSA regulations, including failure to properly maintain the truck, failure to train drivers and violation of daily driver hour limits. Ultimately, the case resolved with an undisclosed six figure settlement for the client. See our resource on what to do after a truck accident.
Bicycle Accident: Paul recently had a bike accident case where his client was hit by a car turning left as the client was crossing the intersection from the opposite direction. Sadly, his client suffered a traumatic brain injury and did not remember a single fact from the accident. And the only witness was the driver, who of course claimed client was at fault. But using local and state bike laws, an accident reconstructionist expert, and aggressive cross-examination of the driver, Paul was still able to recreate what happened anyway. He successfully proved the driver was at fault. Paul’s client went from getting nothing to being compensated for her medical costs, property costs and pain and suffering. See our resources on rights bikers have in Oregon.

Negligence Cases in Oregon

Man Scalded By Hot Bath at Hotel: Client was staying at a hotel. He drew a bath and got in. Turned out the water was scalding and he received third degree burns over 70% of his body. Other personal injury attorneys rejected his case, stating that he should have tested the water first. Paul Galm took the case and had the plumbing at hotel inspected. Turned out the hotel had removed a safety device on the water heater to save money, even though it was required by code. Client healed and returned to normal after about a year. The case was settled for six-digits. See our premises liability and negligence resources.
Woman Scarred During Laser Hair Removal: Client received a laser hair removal treatment from a local Oregon business. During the treatment, she was burned by the laser and her burns turned into permanent discoloration and scarring down her leg. The injury attorneys at Paul Galm’s office did extensive research into the rules, regulations and guidelines for the laser hair removal industry and the specific laser equipment used and determined that the laser tech was negligent in her training and use of the laser machine.