With teens, summertime and alcohol never mixes well. In my twenty years of representing injured Oregonians (and 18 in Washington!) this dangerous mix often results in complicated legal claims for negligence involving a homeowners policy of insurance. A correct interpretation is often times a must to tie in a minor’s use of alcohol and the tolerance of adult parents in allowing the parties to take place.

I have handled a student death swimming in the ocean, a young woman’s fall off a cliff, a swimming pool near death and many deadly car crashes were alcohol and speeding have created many bitter experiences for the parents of these tragic victims.

Several months ago I settled an injury case, a tragic, one of a young immigrant boy who died needlessly despite there being a defibrillator in the school. While I can’t by the confidentiality laws discuss the wrongful death case in depth the basic facts were the teachers at the school could have saved the client’s life had they had adequate staff supervising the client on the school grounds and used a defibrillator which was on the school premises. During the case I talked with several school districts and discovered that defibrillators were not in fact the norm but thankfully things are now changed and Oregon’s new law will require a defibrillator in buildings larger than 50,000 square feet where 25 or more people gather on a normal business. Far too late for my client’s beloved lost son but perhaps the law will save another young life from being snuffed out much much far too early.

Each fall season, people get serious injuries like; fractured hip, broken arm or broken leg. This is because the home owner either doesn’t understand or care that it is their responsibility to sweep or rake up leaves on their sidewalk and/or property. It is not the city’s job to clean up these leaves.

Just last weekend a neighbor of mine decided to rake his leaves along with the yard debris into the street. He did this without any concern that this could be a safety hazard for cars and pedestrians. I informed his wife that it was dangerous and unlawful to do such an act. If someone was to receive an injury from his actions, he would be liable and therefore could lose a lot more than just money, but also his home.

When you rake your leaves into the street, it is the same as throwing garbage or other items that could create a safety hazard. Instead of raking them into the street, use a composts or even using the green yard debris barrels we all received from the City of Portland.