Hedgebeth v. Medford

• Decision Date: 31 July 1974
• Citation: 130 N.J.Super. 1,324 A.2d 600
• Parties: William HEDGEBETH, an infant, by his Guardian ad Litem, Bertha E. Meek and Bertha E. Meek, individually, Plaintiffs, v. Leonard E. MEDFORD, Sr., Defendant.
• Court: New Jersey Superior Court

Page 1

130 N.J.Super. 1

324 A.2d 600

William HEDGEBETH, an infant, by his Guardian ad Litem, Bertha E. Meek and Bertha E. Meek, individually, Plaintiffs, v. Leonard E. MEDFORD, Sr., Defendant.

Superior Court of New Jersey,

Law Division.

July 31, 1974.

Edward J. Brady, Camden, for plaintiffs.

No appearance for defendant.

Robert E. Popkin, Deputy Atty. Gen. for Div. of Medical Assistance and Health Services; (William F. Hyland, Atty. Gen., attorney).

GRUCCIO, J.S.C.

Plaintiff William Hedgebeth, an infant by his guardian Ad litem Bertha E. Meek, received a judgment in this court in the amount of $7500 against defendant Leonard E. Medford, Sr. for injuries received when plaintiff was struck by an automobile.

This being a Unsatisfied Claim and Judgment Fund case, application was made to the Fund for payment of the judgment. At that time Mr. Lodge of the Unsatisfied Claim and Judgment Fund Board advised the Bureau of Medical Care Surveillance of the Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services of a recovery about to be paid to the minor and his guardian Ad litem.

The State of New Jersey filed a notice of motion via the Attorney General seeking establishment of its right of subrogation for money advanced to the State of New Jersey Medicaid Program on behalf of the minor for medical expenses arising out of the accident in question. The State of New Jersey seeks to establish its right of subrogation (a) in the sum of $481.40 and (b) to said amount of money free and clear of any expenses whatsoever, including any attorneys' fees.

There is no question whatsoever that pursuant to N.J.S.A. 30:4D--7(j) that the State of New Jersey is entitled to subrogation. The pertinent part of that statute provides that the Commissioner is authorized and empowered to be subrogated to the rights of a recipient against a third party causing injury to that recipient resulting in Medicaid payments.

Of more concern is the question raised by the Attorney General in his memorandum brief that no attorneys' fees or costs may be deducted from the state's portion of recovery in this matter. It is his contention that the attorney for plaintiff is not performing any service for the State of New Jersey and that only the Attorney General can render legal representation to a state agency. The Attorney General cites the case of Keenan v. Essex Cty. Bd. of Chosen Freeholders, 101 N.J.Super. 495, 505--506, 244 A.2d 705 (Law Div.1968), aff'd 106 N.J.Super. 312, 255 A.2d 786 (App.Div.1969). I find that this case is neither applicable nor persuasive of the position taken by the State of New Jersey herein.

The right of plaintiff's attorney to collect a fee in subrogation matters and the cases relating thereto are collected in an annotation at 2 A.L.R.3d 1441 (1965).

Breslin v. Liberty Mut. Ins. Co., 125 N.J.Super. 320, 327, 310 A.2d 527, 531 (Law Div.1973), clearly decided, with regard to an insurance carrier, that 'one who has derived a benefit from services rendered by attorney, whether he retained attorney or not, ought in good conscience and as a matter of fundamental fairness bear at least pro rata share of the costs of those services to extent of benefit derived.' See also, Klacik v. Kovacs, 111 N.J.Super. 307, 268 A.2d 305 (App.Div.1970).

The Attorney General has not been...