Legal Question in Medical Malpractice in Oregon

Re: Medical malpractice suit.

I presume you're saying that the hospital has not filed a responsive pleading within the 30 days they're supposed to. That's not altogether unusual, although I'm a little surprised their lawyers haven't at least contacted you to ask for an extension of time to file that pleading.

When a defendant in a civil suit files a responsive pleading, it doesn't always mean a trial date is set. Depends on the document filed.

Since you're having so much difficulty locating a lawyer to represent you, IF you are lower income, you may qualify to become a client of the Legal Clinic, operated in downtown Portland by the local law school: The Northwestern School of Law of Lewis & Clark College, or Lewis & Clark.

The clinic takes on a variety of types of cases, and generally for little or no cost. Law students handle these cases, but they WORK HARDER than a lot of lawyers do, and the student work is closely supervised by the clinic's staff of lawyers.

Ordinary legal aid won't usually help in situations such as you describe, and even the Clinic may have some issues. Be sure to tell them that you've been REJECTED by three or more private attorneys, if true, as it apparently is.

Best of luck to you,

Sam