Source: https://www.plaintiffmagazine.com/item/the-defense-physical-exam-medical-exam-is-not-an-interrogation
Timestamp: 2020-03-29 17:30:13
Document Index: 177566777

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 2032', '§ 2032', '§ 2032', '§ 2032', '§ 2032', '§ 2032', '§ 2032', '§ 2032']

The defense physical exam (medical exam) is not an interrogation
Why isn’t it fair for the defense examiner to interview plaintiff during the DPE? First, because it is not a deposition. The protections in place at a deposition do not exist in the context of a DPE. (Code Civ. Proc. § 2032.510(b).) The DPE occurs without counsel for both sides, without a court reporter, without an oath, and without procedural safeguards. Permitting a defense doctor to ask any questions she wishes under the guise of obtaining a “medical history” could therefore pose a serious hazard. Unrestricted questioning at a DPE is more powerful than a deposition. Defendants frequently use examinees’ statements for impeachment and other purposes at trial. By contrast, plaintiff’s counsel has no expectation in litigation to interview the defendant outside the presence of their counsel. (California Rule of Professional Responsibility 2-100, [1] (barring contact with a represented party).)
The omission of the term “history” throughout the rest of Code of Civil Procedure, section 2032 was done deliberately and with knowledge of the difference between the two terms. It is basic statutory interpretation that “the court may not add to or detract from a statute’s words to accomplish a purpose that does not appear on its face or from its legislative history.” (City of Haywood v. United Public Employees (1976) 54 Cal.App.3d 761, p. 762.) Even though discovery tools not explicitly authorized may be arguably “fair” or “reasonable,” the appellate courts have repeatedly re-affirmed that the judiciary is “without power to expand the methods of civil discovery beyond those authorized by statute.” (Holm v. Super. Ct. (1986) 187 Cal.App.3d 1241 (no authority to exhume corpse); Valley Presbyterian Hosp. v. Super. Ct. (2000) 79 Cal.App.4th 417 (no authority to make party employees available for inter-views); Ramirez v. MacAdam (1993) 13 Cal.App.4th 1638 (no authority to videotape defense physical exam); Browne v. Super. Ct. (1979) 98 Cal.App.3d 610 (no authority for defense vocational rehabilitation interview).)
(Edmiston, supra 22 Cal.3d at p. 704 (citing Bailey v. Super. Ct. (1977) 19 Cal.3d 970).) Thus, consistent with well-established principles of statutory construction, the California Supreme Court has made it clear that if the conduct – a method or procedure sought to be employed within the context of discovery – is not expressly authorized by the statute, it is not permitted.
Courts have recognized the inherent possibility of history-taking abuse under the guise of an “independent” medical examination. In Sharff v. Superior Court (1955) 44 Cal.2d 508 (a common law case decided before the enactment of the discovery statutes), the California Supreme Court issued a writ of mandate directing the trial court to allow an injury case to be tried without requiring plaintiff to submit to a medical examination in the absence of her attorney. The court noted, “Whenever a doctor selected by the defendant conducts a physical examination of the plaintiff, there is a possibility that improper questions may be asked, and a lay person should not be expected to evaluate the propriety of every question at his peril. The plaintiff, therefore, should be permitted to have the assistance and protection of an attorney during the examination [citation omitted].” (Sharff, supra, 44 Cal.2d at p. 510.) More recently, while allowing the use of an audio recorder during the examination process, in Ebel v. Superior Court (1974) 39 Cal.App.3d 934, the Fifth District Court of Appeals, referring to Sharff, reiterated the concern that “… the injured party can be subjected to extensive and even improper interrogation, ….” (Ebel, supra at p. 936; see also, Gonzi v. Super. Ct. (1959) 51 Cal.2d 586.)
Defendants may cite irrelevant case law dealing with psychological examinations (Code Civ. Proc. § 2032.020(c)) as a means to wedge open the parameters of a DPE. The principles behind defense psychological examinations do not apply to physical examinations. The Golfland case often cited by defendants is unsupportive of the proposition that a DPE should include historical questioning. (Golfland Entertainment Centers, Inc. v. Super. Ct. (2003) 108 Cal.App.4th 739.) Golfland addresses mental examinations and a distinct section of the code. Mental examinations are of course different by virtue of the exam itself, which requires extensive questioning by the defense’s psychologist. To the same end, the Golfland court quoted the Supreme Court of California: “The basic tool of psychiatric study remains the personal interview, which requires rapport between the interviewer and the subject.” (Id. at p. 745 (citing Edwards v. Super. Ct. (1976) 16 Cal.3d 905, p. 910).) Given the special need for interviewing in the psychiatric examination in that case, the court gave that defense doctor “significant latitude” to ask questions that were duplicative of the plaintiff’s prior testimony. (Id. at p. 744.) By contrast, a physical examination under the code doesn’t require such questioning by the examiner.
Plaintiff’s counsel should begin negotiating fair limits of the DPE by serving timely objections to the DPE notice. Upon receiving a defendant’s written demand for a DPE, plaintiff may comply with the demand “as specifically modified by the plaintiff.” (Code Civ. Proc. §§ 2032(c)(5), 2032.230 (a).) The objections should include one to the effect that plaintiff will appear on the condition that plaintiff gives no oral history during the examination. Plaintiff should agree to answer questions that reasonably relate to current symptoms or to the examination itself. As a threshold, the DPE doctor’s questions should all be posed in present tense. Some common “fair game” examples from DPE’s include:
If the parties reach a stalemate in the meet-and-confer process, plaintiff should reiterate their willingness to appear at the DPE subject to the “no oral history” term. Defense counsel then has two options. First, defendant may move to compel the DPE as noticed. (Code Civ. Proc. § 2032.250(a); Weil and Brown, Civil Procedure Before Trial (TRG 2017) 8:1542.1.) Defendant must make this motion prior to the DPE, and not after the DPE is completed. (Id. at § 2032.220(a) (defense may convene only one DPE without leave of court).) Section 2032.250, subdivision (a) permits the defendant to move to compel the examination only “on receipt of the plaintiff’s response.” The defense may not ignore the plaintiff’s modifications, allow the DPE to proceed, and then ask the court for relief ex post facto.
Alternatively, defense may proceed with the DPE but “suspend” it if plaintiff is uncooperative or disruptive. (Code Civ. Proc. § 2032.250.) If the defense examiner finds that she is unable to complete the DPE due to a lack of oral history, then the doctor could likewise “suspend” the physical examination. (Id. at § 2032.510(e).)
It’s important for plaintiff’s counsel to accompany plaintiff to the DPE, and enforce the “no oral history” parameter. The purpose of allowing plaintiff’s counsel to attend the examination is to prevent improper questioning by the examining physician. The Supreme Court of California held en banc that a plaintiff undergoing a DPE deserves to have such “assistance and protection” during the examination to avoid improper questions. (Sharff v. Super. Ct. (1955) 44 Cal.2d 508, p. 510.)
At the outset of the DPE, and with the audio recorder on, plaintiff’s counsel should make a record. Present the examiner with the objections and any agreements reached with defense counsel. Explain that plaintiff is appearing for examination subject to those terms. Ask the examiner if she previously received and reviewed those materials. Ask the examiner to proceed with the physical examination. During the course of the examination, politely intervene if the examiner crosses the line. Don’t bother giving orders or advice to the doctor. Instead, simply instruct your client not to answer when the doctor poses an inappropriate question. Above all, do not interfere with the physical examination. If your conduct is disruptive, the DPE doctor may suspend the examination in order to allow defense counsel to move for a protective order. (Code Civ. Proc. § 2032.510(e).)
Defense Medical Exam, Trial Practice