8 SETTLEMENT FOR ACCIDENTS TO AMERICAN SEAMEN

Table 3 below shows for 40 cases the amount of the fee specified in
the contract of retainer in each case, but the net recovery by the
seamen could not be obtained. Some of the cases may be similar
to case No. 182 shown above.

TaBLe 8.—Amount of fee specified by coniract of retainer in 40 cases

Method of settlement

Agreement by attorney:
Case No. 4. oocaonen.
D088 NOP a wsamniwiiniims
S888 NO. cumwnmeswawss
Ja BL —————
Da8e NO. cunusmeeries
Jase NO. ao cova
ion coir nr “mised:
Case No. © ._ ——-Jase
 No. o.oo... _..
2888 NO. .occocuaona-Jase
 No. .._. _.._._.
Case No.  .._ ——
Case No. ws —
Case No.  .... S—
DEEMNO. eens
Jase No. pm
Jase No 2 tm
Case No. ___________..
Case NO. _oooccereeo..
Case NO. « «oom.
Case NO. TY ow ome

Amount

Settlement


Fea

$400. 00
225.00
2, 000. OL
3, 500. 00
125. 00
20 00

$200. 00
112. 50
, 000. 00
2750.00
62. 50
15. 00

5 000. 00
500. 00
, 000. 00
100. 00
* 000. 00
100. 0,
100. 0C
75. 00
250. 00
100. 00
150. OC
7, 600. 00
225. 00
£000. 00

2, 500. 00
250, 00
500, 00
50. 00
2, 500. 00
£0.00
“0, 00
37. 50
125. 00
50. 00
225. 00
3, 750. 00
112. 50
2 000. 00

Method of settlement

Action compromised-—Con.
Case No. 75. ooo...
Cage No. $l. cuiusoumun:
Case No. 67. cone...
Case No. 105... __._....
case No. 1 7.coooooo.
Case No. | ‘o.oo...
Case NO. © *.oceooooooe-Case
 No...
Jase No. beeoooo..
Jase No... Vo...
B98 MO. | cane wns
2088 NO 3 Bucecanuuioaon
Sase No, IC1.___._._._.
3850 No. Lois munis
case NO. * Jooveueon
28S8 NO. © dee.
Jase No.» J cee...
Case NO. 2.8. oaeoann.
Case NO. 176. cocoa
ase No. 1°01. Co

Amount

Settle |
ment Fee

$150. 00
25, Or
3. 000. O
750. 0
500. 00
500. 00
325.00
650. 00
250. 00
50. 00
200. 00
46. 00
50. 00
600. OC
50. ¢/
2, 500 (
50...
300. Ov
40. 00
750. 00

$75.00
12.50
1. 500. 00
375.00
250. 00
250. 00
162. 50
825. 00
125.00
25.00
100.00
23.00
25. 00
300.00
“25. OR
1, 250. 00
25.00
150. 00
20.00
375.00

Some of the types of blank contracts or forms used by attorneys or
their runners in signing the injured seamen as clients are printed
below. It will be seen that the first form shown specifies “Fifty
(509%,) per cent of any sum recovered by way of settlement, verdict,
or otherwise.”
The agreement as to the amount of the fee in the second form
peculiarly states ‘“that I (the seaman) am to receive ——— of any
verdict or settlement and that the said (attorney or attorneys) are
to receive the other half thereof, together with taxable costs.”
The third form is drawn in somewhat more flexible terms and provides
 that “Said attorney to receive a reasonable percentage of the
net recovery, his fee to be contingent upon recovery.”

[Form 1]

I hereby retain ——— ——— attorney at law, of ———, Manhattan, New
York, to institute legal proceedings against ———— or other such corporations, partnerships,
 or individuals who may be responsible, to recover damages in behalf of
—, and hereby assign the costs and agree to pay him 50 per cent of
any sum recovered by way of settlement, verdict, or otherwise. No charge to be
made unless a recovery or settlement to be had.
Dated —
Witness ——

[Form 2]

{, — — ———— residing at ———— Street (Avenue), city of New York,
Borough of ——, do hereby retain ——— — —, attorney at law, of ————
Borough of Manhattan, New York City, to prosecute or settle my claim for
damages arising from personal injuries received by ——— on the —— day of
—  192-, through the negligence of ~—— ————— ar other persons. and do