Opinion ID: 2297758
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Complaint Against Sinai Hospital

Text: Shortly after retaining respondent for the bankruptcy matter, Ms. Berow informed respondent about an incident that occurred at her work. She missed several days and was disciplined for failing to notify the hospital in advance that she would not be at work, and she was anxious to have the reprimand removed from her record. On June 10, 2009, Ms. Berow met with respondent and, in anticipation of an action being filed against the hospital, she signed another retainer agreement calling for an additional deposit of $1,500. Ms. Berow testified that she believed the total additional fee would be $3,500 and that the $1,500 was just to get started. On June 23, 2009, respondent filed a complaint in the Circuit Court for Baltimore County on behalf of the Berows against Sinai Hospital and Ms. Berow's supervisor at the hospital, Diane Bongiovanni. The complaint alleged defamation, intentional infliction of emotional distress, harassment, endangerment, false advertising, loss of consortium, and negligence and sought damages on those counts ranging from $100,000 to $250,000. Several issues arose from that action, but we shall defer discussion of all but one of them and return to the bankruptcy case.