On a Rule 7.08 motion, the court approved a global settlement of a minor's personal injury action arising from a restaurant accident causing serious hand and wrist injuries.
The court approved payment of certain third-party expenses and the mother's separate legal account, but refused on the existing record to approve the plaintiff counsel's claimed fees and disbursements because the material was deficient and lacked the information necessary to assess reasonableness.
Emphasizing the court's protective role for minors, the judge rejected the litigation guardian's preference for a lump-sum payment at age 18 and held that the bulk of the minor's recovery should be placed in a structured settlement, with the balance paid into court for future expenses such as tutoring.
Further submissions on counsel fees were invited by a fixed deadline.
