Court Opinion

ID: 9944844
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2024-02-26 18:41:55.27365+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:23:33.988095
License: Public Domain

ON MOTION FOR ALLOWANCE OF ATTORNEYS' FEE
This claim for death benefits was successfully prosecuted by attorneys for claimants. The widow and three minor children are the beneficiaries of the award. The motion states that the attorneys had a contract for a fee of fifty per cent of the amount of recovery. We are called upon to fix the percentage to be allowed as full compensation to attorneys for claimants and the method of payment.
The claim was controverted and claimant's attorneys prosecuted the case before the attorney-referee, the whole commission, the circuit court and this Court. Additional services, within the meaning of Section 6998-32(c) of the Mississippi Code of 1942, were rendered by the attorneys. Said code section also provides, in part, that "in all instances, fees shall be awarded on the basis of fairness to both attorneys and client. Although exceptions may be made in the interest of justice, it shall be deemed conducive to the best interest of all concerned *Page 756 
for the commission to approve contracts for attorney fees voluntarily entered into between attorneys and client, within the limitations hereinabove set out."
(Hn 2) The limitation of twenty-five percent is set by the statute for services before the commission. That limitation is not applicable for the additional services rendered before superior courts. (Hn 3) Where minors are involved, the courts must necessarily determine the fees; and any contract for fees does not bind the minors. We must, therefore, determine the amount of the fees on the basis of fairness to attorney and client. All of the justices are of the opinion that the fee for all services of claimants' attorneys in cases such as this should not exceed one-third of the sum recovered. (Hn 4) We therefore allow as full compensation for all services rendered in this cause by the attorneys for claimants a sum of money equal to thirty-three and one-third per cent (33 1/3%) of all compensation benefits now due and payable, plus a sum of money equal to a partial lump sum settlement of thirty-three and one-third per cent of the present value of all future compensation, said partial lump sum settlement to be determined and computed as provided by Section 6998-19(j), Mississippi Code of 1942, and which shall be deducted from payments last to become due the claimants.
Motion sustained and attorneys' fee fixed at thirty-three and one-third per cent (33 1/3%).
All Justices concur.