Corcoran v. Northeast Illinois Regional Commuter R.R. Corp.

After her husband died in a train accident, Mary Corcoran received a settlement offer from the railroads involved in the accident. She talked to Joseph Dowd, a lawyer, who referred her to Corboy & Demetrio (C&D). She signed a contingent fee contract with C&D. The contract included a referral fee for Dowd. C&D eventually advised Mary to accept the offer she received from the railroads. When Mary settled C&D waived its fee, but Dowd demanded his referral fee. The trial court awarded Dowd the fee. Mary now appeals. Because we find no abuse of discretion, we affirm.

On October 11, 1998, a Metra…