Graves v. P. J. Taggares Co.

How far may an attorney go in making stipulations or concessions on behalf of his client without that client's express or implicit knowledge, approval or acquiescence? Broadly stated, that is the question in this case.

An intersection collision between two trucks resulted in injuries to one driver, plaintiff Graves, and death of the other driver Rodriguez. Plaintiff sued a number of persons including defendant Taggares. A claim of $850,000 against defendant was based on an allegation that the deceased driver was an employee of defendant Taggares.

We sketch the facts here; details later.…