The court approved the settlement of a motor vehicle accident claim involving a party under disability.
The plaintiff, represented by a litigation guardian, had settled both an accident benefits claim for $500,000 and a tort claim for $390,000.
The primary issue concerned the reasonableness of legal fees charged by plaintiff's counsel under a contingency fee agreement.
The court reduced the combined fees from $295,115 to $211,500, finding that a 35% contingency fee on the accident benefits claim was excessive and not in the best interests of the party under disability.
The court approved 15% of the accident benefits settlement as reasonable fees and directed that remaining funds be placed in a structured settlement.
