State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance v. Geline

Is the attorney for the plaintiff in a personal injury action entitled to a fee from subrogated insurers paid out of a settlement of the case?

Parties in interest. Involved in the determination of the issue presented are: (1) The plaintiffs, here the Conovers, acting for themselves and their children; (2) their attorney, here Max E. Geline, practicing attorney in Milwaukee county; and (3) the subrogated insurers, here State Farm and Associated Hospital Service.

Retainer agreement. To collect their claim for their damages the plaintiffs retained the attorney agreeing to pay “one-third (Yn) of…