Opinion ID: 1405134
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Personal Injury Action for Ms. Freeda Pringle

Text: Ms. Freeda Pringle was involved in an automobile accident and Mr. Barton was retained to represent her interests in a personal injury claim arising from her injuries. Mr. Barton and Ms. Pringle entered into an oral agreement wherein Mr. Barton would retain one-third of anything recovered on behalf of Ms. Pringle, and Ms. Pringle would pay costs and expenses. A settlement was reached with the three insurers involved, totaling $65,000. The first settlement check for $20,000 was deposited into Mr. Barton's IOLTA [1] account on July 25, 2003. The second check, also for $20,000, was deposited into the IOLTA account on August 1, 2003. On September 9, 2003, the final settlement check for $25,000 was deposited into the IOLTA account. In February 2004, Ms. Pringle passed away at ninety-two years of age. The subject of the instant case arises as a result of a dispute over the disbursement of these settlement proceeds.