Opinion ID: 2053103
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: sroke complaint

Text: Shortly after his eight-year old daughter was injured on August 3, 1972 in an accident, Michael A. Sroke of Elmwood Park retained respondent to handle the personal injury case. The girl was injured when a car struck her bicycle as she was crossing the street and she was thrown about ten feet from impact. She was treated for a sprained ankle and multiple contusions, with possible cerebral concussion, and then released from the hospital. Sroke told respondent that his daughter might have a permanent leg injury and supplied respondent with photographs and related documents. Respondent had previously represented Sroke on other legal matters and had been recommended by a friend as being knowledgeable about personal injury cases. According to Sroke, there was no discussion at this initial meeting regarding respondent's fee arrangement or what legal course respondent contemplated pursuing. Within a few weeks of this initial meeting, Sroke telephoned respondent inquiring about the status of the case. He then routinely telephoned respondent at least once a week, but spoke only with respondent's secretary, who informed him that respondent was in court. When Sroke went to respondent's office, respondent told him the case was proceeding. By letter dated May 31, 1973, respondent explained to Sroke that negotiations with the insurance company had bogged down and it was necessary to file a civil action. This civil complaint was filed against the driver of the car on June 11, 1973 after respondent received a $100 check from Sroke to cover costs. Respondent had anticipated that there would be substantial medical expenses in this case, but they never materialized. Respondent discussed this case with the insurance company, which initially offered only $99 and, eventually, increased it to $150. However, respondent was seeking about $400 to cover costs. Sroke, when informed of the $150 offer, rejected it. Respondent did not keep Sroke informed of his subsequent negotiations with the insurance company. The civil action was dismissed by the court on November 22, 1974 for failure to prosecute. While respondent had prepared a motion to reinstate the complaint, he could not later recall why he did this because, in his opinion, the case was not worth reopening. He had not informed Sroke that the complaint had been dismissed. When respondent was retained by Sroke, his law office was in Lyndhurst. In the summer of 1975, respondent moved his office to Hasbrouck Heights. Respondent claimed he sent notices to some clients concerning the move, but not to those, such as Sroke, who he felt were aware of it. However, Sroke maintained he was not notified and learned the new office location through the telephone company. According to Sroke, respondent informed him that he had lost his papers on the case during the move, but he would try to locate them. Conversely, respondent contended he never told Sroke the file was lost, but that he could not immediately locate it. Substantially later, Sroke received a letter from respondent stating he would receive $150 to reimburse him for his expenses. Respondent felt the case was not worth pursuing and decided to personally give Sroke the $100 he had expended, plus $50 above that. Respondent sent Sroke a $50 check on February 6, 1981, but it was returned for insufficient funds. Sroke then on April 7, 1981 filed a complaint against respondent with the Ethics Committee.