2021 Oregon Revised Statutes
Chapter 031 - Tort Actions
Section 31.260 - Definitions for ORS 31.260 to 31.278.


(1) "Adverse health care incident" means an objective, definable and unanticipated consequence of patient care that is usually preventable and results in the death of or serious physical injury to the patient.
(2) "Health care facility" has the meaning given that term in ORS 442.015.
(3) "Health care provider" means a person practicing within the scope of the person’s license, registration or certification to practice as:
(a) A psychologist under ORS 675.030 to 675.070, 675.085 and 675.090;
(b) An occupational therapist under ORS 675.230 to 675.300;
(c) A physician under ORS 677.100 to 677.228;
(d) An emergency medical services provider under ORS chapter 682;
(e) A podiatric physician and surgeon under ORS 677.820 to 677.840;
(f) A registered nurse under ORS 678.010 to 678.410;
(g) A dentist under ORS chapter 679;
(h) A dental hygienist under ORS 680.040 to 680.100;
(i) A denturist under ORS 680.515 to 680.535;
(j) An audiologist or speech-language pathologist under ORS 681.250 to 681.350;
(k) An optometrist under ORS 683.040 to 683.155 and 683.170 to 683.220;
(L) A chiropractor under ORS 684.040 to 684.105;
(m) A naturopath under ORS 685.060 to 685.110, 685.125 and 685.135;
(n) A massage therapist under ORS 687.011 to 687.250;
(o) A direct entry midwife under ORS 687.405 to 687.495;
(p) A physical therapist under ORS 688.040 to 688.145;
(q) A medical imaging licensee under ORS 688.445 to 688.525;
(r) A pharmacist under ORS 689.151 and 689.225 to 689.285;
(s) A physician assistant under ORS 677.505 to 677.525; or
(t) A professional counselor or marriage and family therapist under ORS 675.715 to 675.835.
(4) "Patient" means the patient or, if the patient is a minor, is deceased or has been medically confirmed by the patient’s treating physician to be incapable of making decisions for purposes of ORS 31.260 to 31.278, the patient’s representative as provided in ORS 31.274. [2013 c.5 §1; 2021 c.97 §4]

Structure 2021 Oregon Revised Statutes

2021 Oregon Revised Statutes

Volume : 01 - Courts, Oregon Rules of Civil Procedure

Chapter 031 - Tort Actions

Section 31.150 - Special motion to strike; when available; burden of proof.

Section 31.152 - Time for filing special motion to strike; discovery; attorney fees.

Section 31.155 - Exempt actions; substantive law not affected.

Section 31.180 - Certain felonious conduct of plaintiff complete defense in tort actions; proof; exceptions.

Section 31.200 - Liability of radio or television station personnel for defamation.

Section 31.210 - When general damages allowed.

Section 31.215 - Publication of correction or retraction upon demand.

Section 31.230 - Wrongful use of civil proceeding; pleading; procedure.

Section 31.250 - Mandatory dispute resolution for certain actions against health practitioners and health care facilities.

Section 31.260 - Definitions for ORS 31.260 to 31.278.

Section 31.262 - Notice of adverse health care incident.

Section 31.264 - Discussion of adverse health care incident; offers of compensation; reporting to commission.

Section 31.266 - Discussion communications; admissibility; disclosure.

Section 31.268 - Mediation.

Section 31.270 - Payment and resolution.

Section 31.272 - Statute of limitations; evidence of offers and payments.

Section 31.274 - Patient representatives.

Section 31.276 - Duties of Oregon Patient Safety Commission; rules.

Section 31.278 - Use of information relating to notice of adverse health care incident.

Section 31.280 - Task Force on Resolution of Adverse Health Care Incidents; rules.

Section 31.300 - Pleading requirements for actions against design professionals.

Section 31.350 - Pleading requirements for actions against real estate licensees.

Section 31.360 - Proof required for claim of economic damages in action arising from injury caused by dog.

Section 31.370 - Presumption of absence of negligence if defendant conducts criminal records check through Department of State Police.

Section 31.555 - Effect of advance payment; payment as satisfaction of judgment.

Section 31.560 - Advance payment for death or personal injury not admission of liability; when advance payment made.

Section 31.580 - Effect of collateral benefits.

Section 31.600 - Contributory negligence not bar to recovery; comparative negligence standard; third party complaints.

Section 31.605 - Special questions to trier of fact; jury not to be informed of settlement.

Section 31.610 - Liability of defendants several only; determination of defendants’ shares of monetary obligation; reallocation of uncollectible obligation; parties exempt from reallocation.

Section 31.620 - Doctrines of last clear chance and implied assumption of risk abolished.

Section 31.700 - Right to include medical expenses paid by parent or conservator in action to recover for damages to child; effect of consent to inclusion.

Section 31.705 - Economic and noneconomic damages separately set forth in verdict; "economic damages" and "noneconomic damages" defined.

Section 31.710 - Limitation on award for noneconomic damages in claim for wrongful death.

Section 31.715 - Limitation on recovery of noneconomic damages arising out of operation of motor vehicle; uninsured plaintiff; plaintiff driving under influence of intoxicants.

Section 31.725 - Pleading punitive damages; motion to amend pleading to assert claim for punitive damages; hearing.

Section 31.730 - Standards for award of punitive damages; required review of award by court; additional reduction of award for remedial measures.

Section 31.735 - Distribution of punitive damages; notice to Department of Justice; order of application.

Section 31.740 - When award of punitive damages against health practitioner prohibited.

Section 31.760 - Evidence of nonuse of safety belt or harness to mitigate damages.

Section 31.770 - Inadmissibility of calculation of future earning potential based on race or ethnicity; jury instruction.

Section 31.800 - Right of contribution among joint tortfeasors; limitations; subrogation of insurer; effect on indemnity right.

Section 31.805 - Basis for proportional shares of tortfeasors.

Section 31.810 - Enforcement of right of contribution; commencement of separate action; barring right of contribution; effect of satisfaction of judgment.

Section 31.815 - Covenant not to sue; effect; notice.