Court Opinion

ID: 9542970
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-07 16:40:48.137862+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T15:09:23.144276
License: Public Domain

LORD, Senior Judge,
concurring.
I agree with the result reached by the majority but write separately to express a concern which arises from the particular facts of this case.
The petitioner in name is Betty J. Miller. She is asking this Court to allow her to pay to her attorney, out of her commutation proceeds (not in addition to the claimant’s benefits, as in cases of unreasonable contests of claims), five-percent more than the referee and Board allowed. No opposing argument was presented. Under these circumstances, I would require a statement from Miller that this is her personal request since there is a remote possibility that the request is that of the attorney alone.1 Such a statement would obviate the conflict *159of interest that is, at least, apparent when an attorney seeks to increase his share of his client’s proceeds.

. Of course, I make no accusation against the attorney. My suggestion is out of an abundance of caution and my observations over the years that most people do not want to pay more than it is decided they are required to pay, even though they may have previously agreed to pay a larger amount.