Opinion ID: 2074116
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: john b. schneider case.

Text: Schneider was injured on January 15, 1943, while employed by the Burlington railroad in Nebraska. This is another situation where the record is so confused with contradictory affidavits and depositions in connection with Schneider's statement that it would be difficult to determine with any degree of certainty whether there was any solicitation. The first time Schneider claims to have met respondent was when the latter came to the hospital with William Barnett to see him. The next time he saw him was about three months afterward, when respondent came to his home with Pete Grandmougin. Respondent had handled cases satisfactorily for both Barnett and Grandmougin. He claims that respondent tried to get his case on the second call; that he did not sign any contract then, but after a couple of days respondent called again and he signed a contract (petitioner's exhibit Z-73); and that Grandmougin was with respondent when he came the last time. Schneider was cross-examined with reference to a deposition given May 25, 1943, in another matter and admitted giving the following testimony therein: That he had a daughter living in Minneapolis and through the information [given by his daughter] I have been told about Mr. Tautges and Mr. Rerat. To the question, Did anyone ever come to see you here in Lincoln, after you got hurt, about bringing a suit against the railroad company in this case? he answered No. When the following question was put to him: Q. Then this question and answer were put and made: `Did anybody ever come out to the hospital to see you about a lawsuit?' and you answered, `No.' That question was put to you, and that answer was made by you, is that correct? he replied: A. That may be. It must be correct if that's written down that way. It appears here that the Schneiders and the Grandmougins lived about two and one-half blocks apart in Lincoln, and their daughters attended high school together. Grandmougin claims that after Schneider left the hospital Schneider discussed his injuries with him and asked him to get in touch with respondent, who had handled cases for both Barnett and Grandmougin. Grandmougin notified respondent, who interviewed Schneider the next time he was in Lincoln. He employed respondent, and the action resulted in a verdict of $16,500 for Schneider. Respondent testified that the first time he talked with Schneider the latter told him that he and Grandmougin were good friends; that he had asked Grandmougin to contact respondent; that they were longtime neighbors. He said on cross-examination that the Schneider, Curran, Heller, and Ireland cases were referred to him by Grandmougin. The referee considered the testimony of Schneider such that it was impossible to give credence to it on account of so much contradiction, and found no solicitation in this case. We believe here that it would be impossible in the confused state of the record to overrule the findings of the referee.