Wampold v. E. Eric Guirard & Associates

PATRICK E. HIGGINBOTHAM, Circuit Judge:

We are asked to determine whether, under Louisiana law, the phrase “gross proceeds of recovery” in a standard-form, contingency-fee contract includes future, post-judgment disability benefits. Concluding that it does not, we affirm the judgment of the district court.

I

The present dispute over legal fees arises out of Thomas Pittenger’s representation of Mervin Wampold in a lawsuit against Wampold’s insurance provider, Paul Revere. Wampold suffered serious injuries in a car accident in 1998; he filed a claim under his insurance policy, which provided for…