Case ID: misc_97/html/0328-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "Strong, S.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

Matter of the Administration of the Goods, Chattels and Credits Which Were of Warwara Zondto, Deceased.
    (Surrogate’s Court, Suffolk County,
    October, 1916.)
    Executors and administrators — when application for authority to settle death accident claim denied — Surrogate’s Court — evidence.
    An application by an administrator for authority to settle a death accident claim, made through. counsel regularly employed by defendant, will be denied by the surrogate unless the administrator appears for the taking of testimony and for examination.
    
      Application by an administrator to authorize the settlement of a claim against a railroad company.
    Louis Hess, for petitioner.
   Strong, S.

I am asked by an administrator who has received limited letters for the purpose of suing the Long Island railroad for damages for injuries causing the death of decedent, to authorize a settlement with the railroad company in the sum of $167.50. The attorney for the administrator joins in the application and very frankly states that he is under regular employment by the railroad company and that no charge is made for legal services. The letter of counsel will be placed on file. The practice of some corporations in immediately after an accident injecting their claim agents and attorneys into the privacy and sanctity of the home of the injured for the purpose of effecting a quick and advantageous settlement is not to be encouraged. It may be that plaintiff’s case is weak because of contributory negligence or through the lack of witnesses and that a settlement for the amount of funeral expenses is advisable. Where an application of this nature is made in a death accident case through counsel regularly employed by the defendant, irrespective of the question of bona fides, the situation is such that I am unwilling to approve of a settlement without proof of the facts recited. The administrator may appear before me, if he so desires, for the taking of testimony and examination, otherwise the application is denied.

Decreed accordingly.