Portland cop sues woman, 76, for $2m after he fell down steps of her home while performing welfare check that ended in her hospitalization

Published: 15:49, 14 August 2026 | Updated: 15:54, 14 August 2026 A veteran Portland police officer has sued a 76-year-old woman for $2 million after he fell down her front steps during a welfare check. Officer Bradley Jett claimed he suffered potentially career-ending injuries when a door handle came loose at Rosemary Southwood's home in Southeast Portland on March 18, 2025. Emergency personnel had already taken Southwood away when Jett attempted to close and lock her front door, according to a lawsuit obtained by OregonLive. The handle suddenly detached, allegedly causing Jett to lose his balance and tumble down approximately six concrete steps. Jett broke one finger, dislocated two others and injured his head, arm and shoulder, the lawsuit alleged. He was also left with reduced movement and grip strength in his hand and suffered an aggravation of post-traumatic stress disorder developed during his years in law enforcement, the suit claimed. Jett, who has served with the Portland Police Bureau for 17 years, went on leave around six months after the fall, according to state law enforcement records reviewed by OregonLive. The lawsuit described his disability as prolonged and said it remained unclear whether he would be able to return to policing. Portland Police Officer Bradley Jett is suing homeowner Rosemary Southwood, 76, for $2 million after allegedly suffering potentially career-ending injuries in the fall Jett accused Southwood of failing to maintain a safe entrance because the concrete staircase did not have handrails on either side. The lawsuit alleged the staircase violated Portland code, which requires handrails on outdoor staircases with more than three steps. Southwood installed black handrails on both sides of the staircase the following month as part of a broader renovation of the home, according to the complaint. The lawsuit was filed Monday in Multnomah County Circuit Court. Jett's attorney, Kirk Mylander, told OregonLive that the workers' compensation system did not adequately cover the officer's losses, including lost earnings and non-economic damages. Mylander also cited a recent Oregon Supreme Court decision that he believed improved the prospects of injured police officers pursuing claims against third parties. Police officers rarely sue members of the public over injuries suffered while on duty. In one exception, Portland officer Fred Wiechmann sued the city and its insurer for $1 million in 2024 after a suspect driving a stolen vehicle ran him over and broke his leg. The Southeast Portland home where Officer Bradley Jett allegedly fell down approximately six concrete steps during a welfare check in March 2025 Wiechmann accused the defendants of refusing to pay underinsured motorist benefits, but the lawsuit was dismissed months later for reasons that were not explained in court records. Public payroll records show Jett has earned six figures during his career. He received $146,304 in the 2021-22 fiscal year, including $105,307 in regular pay, according to a City of Portland wage report. The circumstances that prompted the welfare check and the reason Southwood was taken to the hospital have not been disclosed. The Daily Mail has contacted Southwood, Mylander and the Portland Police Bureau for comment.