Opinion ID: 2060466
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Respondent's Personal Crises.

Text: The timing of the settlement offer was inopportune for respondent. In late November 1992, respondent's wife endured a difficult childbirth, which left her bedridden for several months. Respondent offered testimony that from December 1992 until February 1993, his full attention was devoted to caring for his wife and newborn daughter. He was unable to attend to his work and, as a solo practitioner, had not made arrangements for others to cover for his professional duties. His personal problems were compounded by the deterioration of his marriage, which terminated in a divorce and joint custody decree in May 1995. In a letter dated March 11, 1993, the attorney for State Farm notified respondent that the settlement offer would be withdrawn if respondent did not respond within three days. Having received no response during that time, State Farm withdrew the offer.