Johnston v. Georgia-Pacific Corp.

The issue in this workers’ compensation case is whether claimant is entitled to benefits as the wife of decedent, whose death was the result of an accidental injury suffered during the course of his employment. The parties were never formally married, but it is claimed that under the laws of Colorado a valid common-law marriage existed.

Although Oregon does not recognize "common-law marriages,” under certain circumstances a person who had been cohabiting with a deceased worker is allowed to collect compensation. ORS 656.226.1 Kempf v. SAIF, 34 Or App 877, 580 P2d 1032, rev den (1978).

Claimant…