Hospital Infections in Oregon
Average Settlement: $250,000 - $700,000 | Statute: 2 years from the date the injury is first discovered or should have been discovered
About Hospital Infections
Hospital-acquired infections, also known as nosocomial infections, occur when patients contract infections during the course of receiving treatment in a healthcare facility. These infections are often caused by failures in hygiene protocols, improper sterilization of equipment, or inadequate infection control measures. Hospital infection malpractice cases require demonstrating that the facility deviated from accepted infection prevention standards, directly causing the patient's infection and resulting harm.
Oregon Medical Malpractice Laws
Statute of Limitations
2 years from the date the injury is first discovered or should have been discovered
Damage Cap
$500,000 non-economic damages (exceptions apply for certain claims; the cap has been subject to legal challenges)
Discovery Rule
Oregon applies the discovery rule broadly, beginning the statute when the patient first discovers or should have discovered the injury and its cause, subject to a 5-year statute of repose.
Pre-Filing Requirements
No mandatory pre-filing requirements, but expert testimony is required to establish the standard of care.
Common Examples of Hospital Infections
- •Surgical site infections due to non-sterile operating conditions
- •Central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) from improper catheter insertion or maintenance
- •Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) from prolonged or unnecessary catheter use
- •MRSA or C. difficile infections spread through poor hand hygiene or contaminated surfaces
- •Ventilator-associated pneumonia from inadequate respiratory equipment care
- •Post-operative wound infections caused by failure to administer prophylactic antibiotics
Key Facts
- ✓The CDC estimates that approximately 1 in 31 hospital patients has at least one healthcare-associated infection on any given day
- ✓Hospitals are required to follow evidence-based infection prevention bundles, and failure to do so can constitute negligence
- ✓Infection control committee records, staff training logs, and hand hygiene compliance audits are discoverable evidence in these cases
- ✓Proving causation is often the most challenging element, as defendants may argue the infection would have occurred despite proper precautions
- ✓CMS publicly reports hospital infection rates, and facilities with rates significantly above the national baseline face stronger liability exposure
- ✓Some states have enacted specific hospital infection disclosure laws that require facilities to report infection data, which can be used as evidence
- ✓Oregon's $500,000 non-economic damages cap has faced ongoing constitutional challenges and has exceptions for certain claims.
- ✓The state follows a modified comparative fault system with a 51% bar.
- ✓Oregon does not require pre-suit screening panels or mandatory certificates of merit.
- ✓Punitive damages are available but require clear and convincing evidence of malice or reckless indifference, and 70% of any punitive damages award goes to the state.
Victim of Hospital Infection in Oregon?
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Other Malpractice Types in Oregon
This information is for educational purposes only and is not legal advice. Consult a licensed medical malpractice attorney in Oregon.