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ATTILIO CASTIGLIANO v. GREAT NORTHERN RAILWAY COMPANY

Minnesota Supreme Court1915-05-07No. Nos. 19,118-(74)
129 Minn. 279

Summary

Holding. The order sustaining the demurrer to the attorney's complaint in intervention is reversed. A special administrator validly appointed in Minnesota has the right to sue for wrongful death in that state, and an attorney representing such administrator acquires a lien for compensation upon service of summons, entitling the attorney to reasonable compensation from settlement proceeds despite any fee agreement with the administrator.

Attilio Castigliano, acting as Royal Italian Consular Agent, was appointed special administrator of the estate of Palazzolo, who died in Minnesota while employed by Great Northern Railway. Castigliano's attorney filed suit against the railway on October 15, 1912. Before that action proceeded, a general administrator appointed in Missouri (Licavoli) settled the death claim with the railway for $2,350. The attorney later sought to intervene in Castigliano's action, claiming a lien for one-fourth of the settlement amount based on an alleged agreement with Castigliano.

The trial court dismissed the attorney's intervention complaint by sustaining a demurrer. On appeal, the court held that Castigliano's appointment as special administrator was valid and gave him authority to pursue the wrongful death claim in Minnesota. Because the attorney provided services after the summons was served, the state lien statute gave the attorney a right to compensation from the settlement proceeds. The court found that the railway had notice of the attorney's rights and must honor them, though the actual amount of reasonable compensation would not be determined by the fee agreement alone.

Summary generated by law.co from the public-domain opinion. The opinion text itself is public domain.

Key issues

  • Whether a special administrator appointed in Minnesota has authority to sue for wrongful death
  • Whether an attorney acquires a lien on a wrongful death claim under state lien law
  • Whether an attorney's fee agreement with a special administrator binds the amount of compensation owed

Procedural posture

The appeal is from an order of the trial court sustaining a demurrer to the attorney's complaint in intervention in a wrongful death action.

Authorities cited

No cited authorities resolved to law.co cases yet.

Opinion

majority opinion

Per Curiam.

Tbis is an appeal by tbe intervener from an order sustaining a demurrer to bis complaint in intervention.

One Palazzolo was killed on September 13, 1912, in Oarlton county, Minnesota, while in tbe employ of tbe defendant, under circumstances giving a cause of action for bis death. He was a resident of St. Louis, Missouri.

On September 30, 1912, tbe probate court in Missouri appointed one Licavoli general administrator of tbe estate of Palazzolo.

On October 14, 1912, more than 30 days after tbe death of Palazzolo, tbe plaintiff Oastigliano, tbe Royal Italian Consular Agent, having proper jurisdiction, was appointed special administrator by tbe probate court. See G. S. 1913, § 7287 (R. L. 1905, § 3696). On October 15, tbe plaintiff commenced this action against tbe defendant, tbe intervener being bis attorney.

Tbe order of tbe probate court appointing tbe plaintiff special administrator was not appealable. G. S. 1913, § 7293 (R. L. 1905, § 3702). Licavoli filed objections to tbe appointment of Oastigliano as general administrator. Tbe probate court by its order appointed him. Upon appeal to tbe district court such order was reversed.

On October 22, 1912, Licavoli settled with tbe Great Northern for tbe death of Palazzolo and was paid $2,350, for which be accounted to tbe widow and infant child, who were tbe sole beneficiaries of tbe deceased.

After tbe judgment of tbe district court reversing tbe probate court, tbe intervener filed bis complaint in intervention, claiming a lien for bis compensation alleged to be tbe value of one-fourth of tbe settlement and which was alleged to be tbe amount agreed upon with Oastigliano. Tbe demurrer of tbe defendant to this complaint was sustained and tbe appeal is from tbe order sustaining it.

Tbe proceeding resulting in tbe appointment of Oastigliano- as special administrator on October 14, 1912, was with jurisdiction. G. S. 1913, § 7205. As special administrator Castigliano bad tbe right to maintain a suit to recover for Palazzolo’s death. Jones v. Minnesota Transfer Ry. Co. 108 Minn. 129, 121 N. W. 606. By G. S. 1913, § 4955 (R. L. 1905, § 2288), an attorney is given a lien for bis compensation, whether tbe agreement therefor be express or implied “upon tbe cause of action from tbe time of tbe service of tbe summons therein.” Summons was served October 15, 1912. Licavoli could have commenced an action in Minnesota for tbe death of Palazzolo upon filing a copy of bis appointment in tbe probate court; or be could have settled with the Great Northern without action; or be could have brought an action in another state, Missouri, for instance, if lie could get jurisdiction of the Great Northern there, and if the Missouri court would have enforced liability under the foreign statute. He was not obliged, so far as appears, to come to Minnesota at all.

Oastigliano, a special administrator, could sue and did sue in Minnesota. The prohate court had jurisdiction to appoint Oastigliano special administrator of Palazzolo, and the district court had jurisdiction of the action to recover damages for his death. The lien law quoted was therefore applicable • defendant settled the claim with notice of the attorney’s rights and the intervener is entitled to reasonable compensation. His contract with the special administrator is not binding upon the question of amount.

Order reversed.