Portland driver will receive $3.6 million after suffering traumatic brain injury while driving over pothole

Key Points:

• Gillian Conroy, a Portland woman who suffered a life-altering brain injury after driving over a pothole in 2022, secured a $3.6 million settlement, likely the largest in Portland's history related to injuries from uneven pavement.
• The pothole formed after internet provider Astound Broadband and Timber State Drilling & Construction cut into the roadway and patched it with asphalt, which deteriorated within three weeks; under the settlement, Astound Broadband will pay $1.5 million and Timber State $2.1 million.
• The pothole was reported to the city two days before Conroy's accident, falling within the city's 30-day response window for repairs; the city is not contributing to the settlement.
• Conroy’s injuries include traumatic brain injury, tinnitus, a torn rotator cuff, and various cuts and bruises, with medical bills and future expenses estimated at over $500,000, plus $2 million in lost earnings.
• The settlement ended a trial scheduled for May in Multnomah County Circuit Court, and legal experts note this payout surpasses previous city settlements related to road conditions, highlighting ongoing issues with Portland’s road maintenance funding.