How We Help:
Litigation
Providing free legal advocacy services for people with disabilities though direct client representation and class-action lawsuits
Get answers to questions about the Wyatt B. v Kotek settlement asked during our joint Listening Sessions with ODHS
Wyatt B. v. Kotek
This case is a class action lawsuit filed against the state including Department of Human Services (“DHS”). We decided to file this lawsuit due to DHS’ failure to create a safe foster care system.
Disability Rights Oregon v. Washington County
This case is a lawsuit filed against Washington County and the emergency dispatch agency. We decided to file this lawsuit due to the county sending armed police to mental health emergencies.
J.B. v. Gray et al
This lawsuit was filed on behalf of J.B., a young adult in custody at Coffee Creek Correctional Facility being denied medical treatment and therapy after ongoing sexual abuse at the hand of a prison guard.
Wolfe v. City of Portland
In November 2020, we filed a federal lawsuit on behalf of people with disabilities arguing that law enforcement tactics fail to provide equal access to public demonstrations calling for racial justice.
J.N. v. ODE
This federal class action lawsuit was filed to force the state to play a larger role in making sure that school districts are equipped to support children with disabilities in their classrooms.
C.S. v. ODHS
In April 2017, we filed suit against the Oregon Department of Human Services after the agency implemented across-the-board cuts to in-home care services for adults and children with developmental disabilities.
AOCIL v. ODOT
In 2017, a federal judge approved a landmark settlement agreement—the largest commitment to accessible transportation in state history. We had filed the lawsuit along with eight individuals disabilities and the Association of Oregon Centers for Independent Living.
Lane v. Brown
In 2012, we filed the first U.S. class action lawsuit to challenge sheltered workshops that pay people with intellectual and developmental disabilities less than the minimum wage.
OAC v. Mink
The Ninth Circuit ruled in Oregon Advocacy Center v. Mink that the state psychiatric hospital must accept within seven days people found to not have the mental capacity to stand trial because they are unable to help their attorney defend them in court—what is called "aid and assist."
Staley v. Kitzhaber
In 2000, five individuals with developmental disabilities sued the state for the right to receive services in the community. The lawsuit grew to include more than 3,000 Oregonians as a class action. In less than a year, the state settled. In a decade, the number of individuals signed up for community services “went from zero to 7,000.”