Case Name: Carter v. Dwan et al.
Court: Alexandria Circuit Court
Jurisdiction: Virginia
Decision Date: 1987-05-14
Citations: 9 Va. Cir. 109
Docket Number: Case No. (Law) 11463
Parties: Carter v. Dwan et al.
Judges: 
Reporter: Virginia Circuit Court Opinions
Volume: 9
Pages: 109–109

Head Matter:
CIRCUIT COURT OF THE CITY OF ALEXANDRIA
Carter v. Dwan et al.
May 14, 1987
Case No. (Law) 11463

Opinion:
By JUDGE ALFRED D. SWERSKY
Defendant Dwan has objected to the production of certain documents requested by Plaintiff consisting of letters and documents to or from his medical malpractice carrier on the basis of the trial preparation privilege.
Plaintiff contends that such documents come within the ambit of Rule 4:9 requiring production of any and all documents containing matters within the scope of Rule 4:1(b) of the Rules of Court.
The language of Rule 4:1(b)(3) requires a showing by Plaintiff of a substantial need and that he is unable to obtain the substantial equivalent of the materials without undue hardship when the materials sought are "in anticipation of litigation or for trial" by an attorney or other representative of the party. The term representative specifically includes the insurer. Since no such showing has been made, the objection will be sustained as to any document or letter to or from Defendants' insurance carrier.