Matoesian
A legal malpractice trial stemming from the settlement of a worker's compensation claim has been continued.
Plaintiff Ronald Dahl Jr. is suing his former attorneys, Christopher Kuehnlein as well as the firm of Kuehlein and Kuehlein, for allegedly botching his worker's compensation cases against Sears Hardware and Olin Corporation.
Both parties in the 2008 suit moved March 23 to continue the suit's May 3 trial due to continuing discovery.
The trial had been set for 9 a.m. Monday.
According to the complaint, Dahl hired Christopher Kuehnlein and his firm to litigate two worker's compensations claims stemming from back injuries sustained in September 2000 and January 2001.
Dahl claims Kuehlein negligently failed to move to consolidate the two claims, despite their causal relationship, and that he allegedly negligently advised Dahl to settle the first of the two claims.
That claim, against Sears, settled in 2008 for $3,241.40. Of that, $603.48 went to his attorneys.
The plaintiff argues that he could have secured a larger settlement and that he lost out on settlement moneys due to his attorney's actions.
His current suit seeks damages of at least $50,000 and costs.
The defendants deny the claims.
Dahl is represented by Michael Brunton of Collinsville.
The defendants are represented by Robert Wuller of Belleville.
Madison County Circuit Judge Andy Matoesian presides.
The case is Madison case number 08-L-374.