Opinion ID: 1536896
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Respondent's Substantive Answer

Text: 35. By letter dated August 10, 2001, Respondent provided a substantive written response to Ms. Fisher-Hammond's disciplinary complaint contending that he had paid Ms. Fisher-Hammond's medical bills and had closed the file. BX 7. More specifically, he stated that I received a check in the amount of ($14,338.37) . . . From the proceeds an attorney's fee of one third of the bodily injury amount received was charged [sic] and the remainder paid for medical expenses and medical expenses [sic]. The total owed to Maryland Orthopedics was compromised by the amounts paid by Ms. Hammond's automobile carrier and then further reduced by negotiation. The balance totaling [$7,802.00] was paid to Ms. Hammond. Thereafter I spoke to each provider regarding their expenses and arrived at the amount owed. Checks were issued and the file closed thereafter. I have received no correspondence or calls from the medical providers in her case and believe that they were paid. During the period I had assistance in my office by way of a clerical person who did not advise me that any calls or inquiries were made in regards to payment on this file from any source. My office was broken into on several occasions and eventually the building was sold requiring me to move to a new location. I transferred my phone line there for a period in excess of one year. At no time did I receive a call from Dr. Launder or Ms. Hammond in regards to non-payment of any medical bills resulting from treatment in this case. I did not receive additional billing during this period. BX 7 at 2. 36. Respondent enclosed with his substantive response the contents of [his] file. Tr. 264. Although Bar Counsel had requested that Respondent provide all records reflecting deposit and disbursement of the settlement proceeds and/or showing the basis for his fee, no such records appeared in Respondent's submission. BX 7. Specifically absent from the submission were (i) an engagement agreement between himself and Ms. Fisher-Hammond, (ii) the settlement disbursement sheet, (iii) bank records reflecting the deposit and disbursement of the funds in question, and (iv) any documentation of the payments he claimed to have made to the medical providers. Id. The only financial record Respondent produced was a copy of the face of the $14,338.37 settlement check drawn to the order of Ms. Fisher-Hammond and Respondent. BX 7 at 16.