From over at the Med Mal Blog: The Eastern Section Court of Appeals held today that Givens prevents a trial court from issuing an order that allows ex parte communications with a plaintiff’s treating physicians. The Court of Appeals rejected the argument by the defendant doctors and Tennessee Medical Association that a patient waives confidentiality by filing suit. Although there is a good chance this case is going up to the Tennessee Supreme Court, this resolves the issue for now in favor of patients.
This issue has been popping up in numerous cases across the state, so the Court of Appeals decision is an important one. Many defendants request “authorizations for medical records and information” with written discovery. Think hard before you allow your client to sign on to any medical release that might be read to allow the defendant to skirt Givens.