Tort Actions

ORS 31.180
Certain felonious conduct of plaintiff complete defense in tort actions

  • proof
  • exceptions

(1)

It is a complete defense in any civil action for personal injury or wrongful death that:

(a)

The person damaged was engaged in conduct at the time that would constitute aggravated murder, murder or a Class A or a Class B felony; and

(b)

The felonious conduct was a substantial factor contributing to the injury or death.

(2)

To establish the defense described in this section, the defendant must prove by a preponderance of the evidence the fact that the person damaged was engaged in conduct that would constitute aggravated murder, murder or a Class A or a Class B felony.

(3)

Nothing in this section affects any right of action under 42 U.S.C. 1983.

(4)

The defense established by this section is not available if the injury or death resulted from a springgun or other device described in ORS 166.320 (Setting springgun or setgun) and the plaintiff establishes by a preponderance of the evidence that the use of the springgun or other device constituted a violation of ORS 166.320 (Setting springgun or setgun).

(5)

The defense established by this section is not available if the injury or death resulted from the use of physical force that was not justifiable under the standards established by ORS 161.195 (“Justification” described) to 161.275 (Entrapment). [Formerly 30.698]
Source

Last accessed
May 30, 2023

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