Opinion ID: 1510712
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Two Related Cases

Text: On this date this Court is handing down two opinions arising out of the same facts and circumstances. The present case ( Brandt I ) is a medical malpractice case in which the jury returned a verdict in favor of the defendant. The plaintiff seeks a reversal and a new trial because of ex parte communications between the defendant and his representatives on the one hand and two of plaintiff's treating physicians on the other. In William E. Brandt v. Medical Associates et al., 856 S.W.2d 667 (Mo. banc 1993) ( Brandt II ), plaintiff sued George Pelican, the physician in Brandt I, and other parties to such ex parte communications for actual and punitive damages by reason of such ex parte communications. We will divide our discussion between the two opinions primarily on the basis of discussing in the respective opinions only the matters that are relevant to the relief sought by the plaintiff in the respective appeals. For a complete understanding of the impact of the physician-patient privilege in this factual setting it will be necessary for the reader to consider both opinions.