Union Pacific R. Co. v. Laughlin, 247 U.S. 204 (1918)

Union Pacific Railroad Company v. Laughlin


No. 23


Argued April 18, 1918
Decided May 20, 1918
247 U.S. 204

ERROR TO THE KANSAS CITY COURT OF APPEALS
OF THE STATE OF MISSOURI

Syllabus

A state statute giving an attorney a lien on the cause of action or its proceeds for an agreed portion of any recovery, and rendering the actual or proposed defendant directly liable to him for its satisfaction in case of settlement after notice without his consent, does not deprive the party thus made liable of any constitutional right, even where the settlement is made under a judgment recovered upon the cause of action through another attorney in the federal court and by satisfying such judgment by payment to the clerk of that court.

A contrary contention raises no substantial federal question.

So held where the cause of action (for personal injuries) arose in another state.

Writ of error to review 196 Mo.App. 541 dismissed.

The case is stated in the opinion.