Opinion ID: 1695245
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: The Cromer Matter

Text: Regarding the second Bar complaint against Gex, filed November 13, 1992, the following facts were found by the Complaint Tribunal in its opinion and judgment issued October 21, 1993. Paul Cromer crushed two fingers on September 27, 1983, while unloading oysters from a transport truck owned by Trinity Transport. Cromer hired Gex to file a claim against Trinity and Kenny May of May's Seafood Dock. The complaint was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi on September 21, 1990. On August 13, 1991, a Minute Entry Order was entered which removed the case from the docket because Gex failed to prosecute the claim. An Order to Show Cause was entered January 22, 1991; yet, as the Mississippi Bar points out, no Scheduling Order was submitted under Rule 6(d). On October 1, 1991, Gex sent Cromer a short letter requesting that Cromer sign a settlement statement and release form so that Gex could settle the claims. Gex represented to Cromer that he settled the claim with the insurance companies for $14,500. Gex would deduct Cromer's medical expenses and Gex's loan and attorney fees leaving Cromer with $9,747. Cromer agreed to settle the claim and returned the statement and release forms to Gex. On November 14, 1991, after receiving no compensation for six weeks, Cromer filed a complaint with the Mississippi Bar primarily asserting that Gex was negligent in handling the case since he would not return phone calls regarding the case. On November 25, 1991, $4,880 was deposited into Cromer's account at Merchants Bank and Trust Company. The record also reflects that Gex loaned Cromer money because settlement of the case was delayed. Gex deposited a check of $136 into Cromer's account, which bounced. Gex deposited advances into Cromer's account on which Cromer wrote checks based on the assumption that the money was in his account. These checks also bounced costing Cromer money for insufficient funds charges. On March 9, 1992, Cromer signed a letter and absolute release form in connection with the legal negligence claim against Gex. The release stated that due to oversight or negligence by Gex an offer of settlement was conveyed to Cromer to which he agreed. Gex failed to conclude the settlement and the statute of limitations expired. The carriers, State Farm and Nationwide, denied the claims.