Standing Up for Oregonians: A Proud Moment for Tyler Staggs and Our Firm
We are proud to see our partner Tyler Staggs recognized this week in the Portland Business Journal for his work on behalf of seriously injured Oregonians (“Why this Portland attorney took on the insurance industry and the gig economy.”)
Staff reporter Elizabeth Hayes did an outstanding job telling the story. Her reporting was careful, balanced, and deeply professional — exactly the kind of journalism that helps the public understand the real stakes in cases like these.
The article highlights a recent $16 million Multnomah County jury verdict against Instacart involving the tragic death of Portland resident Peter Pellegrin. The case raised an issue that is becoming increasingly important across the country: whether “gig-economy” companies (e.g. Uber, Lyft, DoorDash, Instacart, and Amazon) should be responsible when drivers working on their platforms cause serious harm.
A Multnomah County jury answered that question clearly.
They concluded that companies placing drivers on Oregon roads cannot avoid responsibility simply by labeling those drivers “independent contractors.” We’re making important new law in this area.
A Tough Fight Against Powerful Opponents
Cases like this are never easy.
The corporations involved are enormous and well-funded. They hire experienced national defense firms. They devote enormous resources to these cases.
That is the reality Tyler discussed in the PBJ interview. Insurance companies and major corporations often have every incentive to fight aggressively and for as long as possible. These cases can take years. They require enormous financial investment and thousands of hours of work.
But these cases matter.
When individuals are seriously injured — or when families lose loved ones — someone must be willing to stand up and hold powerful companies accountable.
That is the work our firm was built to do.
Why We Chose This Path
For decades, our lawyers worked inside the insurance industry, fairly defending injury and other claims. That experience gave us an unusually clear view of how these systems work.
Over time, we watched claims decisions become increasingly driven by data models, algorithms, and corporate cost calculations rather than by people and fairness.
When that happens, safety can take a back seat.
Our 2024 decision to represent injured people instead of insurance companies was not made lightly. But we believed our experience could make a meaningful difference for Oregon families facing the toughest moments of their lives.
We believe that now more than ever.
The Importance of Accountability
The law only works when it is enforced.
Corporations respond to incentives. When dangerous conduct or unfair claim practices carry no consequences, they tend to continue.
But when juries hold companies accountable — when courts clarify the law — behavior changes.
That is why cases like the Instacart verdict matter.
They send an unmistakable message: companies that profit from activity on Oregon’s roads must also take responsibility for safety.
That principle is just as important in the insurance context. The Oregon Supreme Court’s Moody decision on insurance bad faith opened the door for meaningful accountability when insurers act in bad faith.
Our firm is proud to be helping develop the law in this area. These cases are still in the early stages, and appellate courts will ultimately provide additional guidance. But the principle is simple: when companies break the rules and people are harmed, there must be consequences.
A Commitment to Oregon’s Future
We know this work will never be easy.
The insurance industry and large technology platforms have enormous resources. They employ sophisticated defense strategies and some of the best lawyers in the country.
But that reality only reinforces why this work matters.
Our firm was built to take on difficult cases. Our lawyers bring decades of experience from the insurance industry itself. We understand the playbook. We understand the strategies. And we understand what it takes to see these cases through and win.
We will continue to fight for seriously injured Oregonians.
We will continue to advocate for laws and court decisions that protect public safety.
And we will continue working to ensure that insurance companies, rideshare and gig-economy platforms, and other large corporations do the right thing and operate responsibly.
Because when companies put profits ahead of safety, the consequences are borne by real people and real families.
Oregonians deserve better.
Web Link: Why this Portland attorney took on the insurance industry and the gig economy – Portland Business Journal
PDF Link: Why this Portland attorney took on the insurance industry and the gig economy