Barnett & Lerner v. Aetna Casualty & Surety Insurance

Foth, C.J.:

This is an action by the plaintiff law firm, Barnett and Lerner, Chartered, against the defendant, Aetna Casualty and Surety Company, a workers’ compensation insurance carrier, to enforce an alleged attorney’s lien for fees in a workers’ compensation case. The trial court granted plaintiff judgment for its fees and expenses in the workers’ compensation case, and also its fees for bringing this suit to enforce the lien. Aetna appeals.

In July, 1979, Leroy Howard hired the plaintiff law firm to represent him in a workers’ compensation claim against his employer, who was covered by the…