Legal resources
Legal Help for Amputees
Limb loss can bring legal questions: an injury claim, a benefits denial, a landlord who won't make a change you need, or planning for the future. Here's where people in Oregon can turn.
Talk With a Peer Visitor →Find the Right Help
You don't need to figure this out alone, and you don't always need to pay a lawyer to get good answers. Start with the line that fits your question.
- A Social Security, SSI, or Oregon Health Plan problem: Oregon Public Benefits Hotline
- Any civil legal problem, if your income is low (Lane County): Lane County Legal Aid
- You're over 60 and need legal help (Lane County): Senior Service Program
- Treated unfairly because of a disability at work, in housing, or in public places: BOLI Civil Rights Division
- A disability rights issue: Disability Rights Oregon
- An injury caused by someone else's negligence: a personal injury attorney
- Wills, trusts, or powers of attorney: an estate planning attorney
- Finding a private lawyer near you: Oregon State Bar Lawyer Referral Service
This page is general information, not legal advice. Last checked: November 2026.
Our partners
Attorneys Who Support Power On
These law offices are Power On partners, businesses that sponsor our work. We list them first as our thank-you. A listing isn't an endorsement or a legal recommendation. Please choose the lawyer who's right for you.
Power On Partner
Injury law
Law Office of Chad Stavley
Portland, OR · Cases across Oregon & Washington
Chad Stavley represents people seriously hurt through someone else's negligence, and amputation injuries are one of his practice areas. He's licensed in Oregon and Washington and takes cases across both states. Initial consultations are free.
Power On Partner
Estate planning
The Law Office of Brian M. Thompson
Eugene, OR · Serving all of Oregon
Brian M. Thompson helps Oregon families with wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and probate. His office is in Eugene, and he makes accommodations, including using technology when that's more convenient for you. Consultations are complimentary.
Free & low-cost help
Public Legal Resources
Lane County Legal Aid (Oregon Law Center)
Serves: Lane County
Free civil legal help for people with low incomes in Lane County. The office most often helps with housing, public benefits, and family law, and takes cases based on its priorities. Call or stop by the Eugene office to apply.
Senior Service Program (Lane County)
Serves: Lane County residents over 60
Legal Aid's Senior Law Service, supported by volunteer attorneys, helps Lane County seniors with civil legal needs. Call an outreach location directly to make an appointment.
Oregon Public Benefits Hotline
Serves: Statewide
Legal aid's statewide line for questions about Social Security, the Oregon Health Plan, SNAP, TANF, and unemployment benefits.
Disability Rights Oregon
Serves: Statewide
Helps with legal issues related to a disability. Request help with its online form. It can't help with Social Security disability applications or appeals (call the Benefits Hotline for those). Its Client Assistance Program helps with problems getting Vocational Rehabilitation services.
BOLI Civil Rights Division
Serves: Statewide
Oregon's civil rights agency. If you're treated unfairly because of a disability at work, when looking for housing, or in public places like stores and restaurants, you can file a complaint. There are time limits for filing, so don't wait.
Oregon State Bar Lawyer Referral Service
Serves: Statewide
Gives you the name of a private lawyer near you. The first consultation is up to 30 minutes for no more than $50. If your income is limited and your case involves family law, criminal defense, or housing, ask about the Modest Means Program, where the consultation is no more than $35.
More free information: OregonLawHelp.org has plain-language guides, including Social Security disability benefits and appeals, and housing protections for people with disabilities. The Northwest ADA Center answers questions about the Americans with Disabilities Act at 1-800-949-4232 (information, not legal advice).
Common Questions
Can I get free legal help in Eugene?
Often, yes. Lane County Legal Aid gives free civil legal help to people with low incomes in Lane County and takes cases based on its priorities. If you're over 60, Legal Aid's Senior Law Service is another option.
Do I need a lawyer to appeal a Social Security disability denial?
You don't have to have one, but you can choose an attorney or another qualified person to represent you. In most cases, a representative can't charge or collect a fee from you without Social Security's written approval. OregonLawHelp explains how to find a disability lawyer in Oregon.
What is a special needs trust?
It's a kind of trust that can hold money for a person with a disability. Social Security generally counts a trust as a resource for SSI, but some trusts, often called special needs trusts, are treated differently (Social Security's guide to trusts). The rules are detailed, so talk with an estate planning attorney before setting one up.
Not Sure Where to Start?
Our certified peer visitors have been where you are, from insurance calls to paperwork to the hard days in between. Talk with someone who gets it.