Opinion ID: 1453252
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: the interests involved

Text: As discussed above, the trial court's exercise of discretion under CR 26(c) involves an identification of and a weighing of those interests relevant to the factors delineated in CR 26(c). We turn to that task.
Plaintiff has a right of access to the courts. In this civil case that right of access includes the right of discovery authorized by the civil rules, subject to the limitations contained therein. [4] Our constitution mandates that [j]ustice in all cases shall be administered openly, and without unnecessary delay. Const. art. 1, § 10. That justice which is to be administered openly is not an abstract theory of constitutional law, but rather is the bedrock foundation upon which rest all the people's rights and obligations. In the course of administering justice the courts protect those rights and enforce those obligations. Indeed, the very first enactment of our state constitution is the declaration that governments are established to protect and maintain individual rights. Const. art. 1, § 1. Const. art. 1, §§ 1-31 catalog those fundamental rights of our citizens. The drafters of our constitution placed such great importance upon rights that they provided: A frequent recurrence to fundamental principles is essential to the security of individual right and the perpetuity of free government. Const. art. 1, § 32. It is important to note that our consideration here is of the right of access. We are not here considering the validity of a theory of recovery. We are not considering legislative or judicial creation or abolition of a cause of action. We are not considering the abrogation or diminishment of a common law right. These are all issues for other cases. See Wiggins, Harnetiaux & Whaley, Washington's 1986 Tort Legislation and the State Constitution: Testing the Limits, 22 Gonz. L. Rev. 193 (1986-1988). Our cases on the right of access are somewhat perplexing. Several cases concern access for the indigent. In O'Connor v. Matzdorff, 76 Wn.2d 589, 458 P.2d 154 (1969), the court waived the filing fee to insure access for the poor. In Iverson v. Marine Bancorporation, 83 Wn.2d 163, 517 P.2d 197 (1973), the court was concerned with fees and costs for an appeal. The court said: The administration of justice demands that the doors of the judicial system be open to the indigent as well as to those who can afford to pay the costs of pursuing judicial relief, and [c]onsistent with our affirmative duty to keep the doors of justice open to all with what appears to be a meritorious claim for judicial relief, we hold that the plaintiff is entitled to the relief requested [waiver of fees and costs]. (Italics ours.) Iverson, at 167-68. In Carter v. UW, 85 Wn.2d 391, 399, 536 P.2d 618 (1975), the plurality opinion held that the right of access to the courts was a fundamental right. The plurality opinion relied on Const. art. 1, § 4, the right of petition, and Const. art. 1, § 12, privileges and immunities. However, the court soon considered the question again in Housing Auth. v. Saylors, 87 Wn.2d 732, 557 P.2d 321 (1976). The Saylors court held that reliance upon the cited constitutional provisions was in error. However, the important point in Saylors is the statement that [a]ccess to the courts is amply and expressly protected by other provisions. Saylors, at 742. Unfortunately, the court did not explore the rationale for its conclusion. A claim for personal injury was afforded the constitutional right of equal protection in Hunter v. North Mason High Sch., 85 Wn.2d 810, 814, 539 P.2d 845 (1975), where the court held: The right to be indemnified for personal injuries is a substantial property right.... The right of access is necessarily accompanied by those rights accorded litigants by statute, court rule or the inherent powers of the court, for example, service of process, RCW 4.28, or statutes of limitation. RCW 4.16 may be in aid of or limitation of a particular cause of action. The merits of a particular action may depend upon statute. E.g., RCW 4.24. The recognition of a particular cause of action may depend upon judicial decisions. E.g., Merrick v. Sutterlin, 93 Wn.2d 411, 610 P.2d 891 (1980) (no parental immunity when child injured as result of negligent driving by parent); Jenkins v. Snohomish Cy. PUD 1, 105 Wn.2d 99, 713 P.2d 79 (1986) (parental immunity applies where injury results from negligent parental supervision of child). These statutes and cases are cited to illustrate that access does not carry with it any guaranty of success, but also to demonstrate that access must be exercised within the broader framework of the law as expressed in statutes, cases, and court rules. The court rules recognize and implement the right of access. The discovery rules, specifically CR 26 and its companion rules, CR 27-37, grant a broad right of discovery which is subject to the relatively narrow restrictions of CR 26(c). This broad right of discovery is necessary to ensure access to the party seeking the discovery. It is common legal knowledge that extensive discovery is necessary to effectively pursue either a plaintiff's claim or a defendant's defense. Thus, the right of access as previously discussed is a general principle, implicated whenever a party seeks discovery. It justifies the limited nature of the exceptions to broad discovery found in CR 26(c). Plaintiff, as the party seeking discovery, therefore has a significant interest in receiving it. [5] This interest is even more pronounced in the present case because of the nature of the information sought. Here, the donor is the only source, besides defendant, of the information plaintiff seeks relative to the adequacy of the blood bank's screening procedures. These procedures are the very heart of plaintiff's negligence claim. Plaintiff has therefore demonstrated not only a general interest in discovery, but also a considerable interest based on his particular circumstances. Thus, plaintiff's right of access to the courts and his concomitant right of discovery must be accorded a high priority in weighing the respective interests of the parties in litigation. Moreover, plaintiff's demonstrated need for discovery under the facts of this case further strengthens his interest in discovery. We now consider the interests advanced by defendant.
The Blood Center argues that the donor and his family have a right of privacy under the federal and state constitutions. Blood Center states that state action is required to invoke the claimed constitutional right; it cites no authority on the issue. See Bollow & Lapp, Protecting the Confidentiality of Blood Donors' Identities in AIDS Litigation, 37 Drake L. Rev. 343, 355 (1987-1988). We need not consider the state action issue. RAP 10.3(a)(5). Blood Center also recognizes that it is necessary to establish its standing to assert the claimed constitutional right of privacy of the donor. While it asserts that the donor's family also has such a right, it does not address the standing issue as to that claim. We do not address this question, however, because for other reasons the privacy issue cannot be decided on this record. The record discloses that the donor died from complications associated with AIDS sometime in 1989, apparently after the disclosure order. The Blood Center asserts that the donor's death does not change the significant issues at stake here. Brief of Petitioner, at 66. We disagree. The death of the donor raises a number of major issues not addressed by the parties. If a right of privacy exists, does that right survive the death of the person to whom that right belongs? If there is a right of privacy in one's reputation, does that right include a postdeath interest in a predeath reputation? Do family members have a continuing privacy interest in the affairs of the decedent which they can assert? If so, which family members? It is asserted that disclosure of donor identification can threaten family relationships, job security, employability and the ability to obtain credit, insurance and housing. Brief of Petitioner, at 42. Similar reasons were cited in South Fla. Blood Serv., Inc. v. Rasmussen, 467 So.2d 798 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 1985), aff'd on other grounds, 500 So.2d 533, 56 A.L.R.4th 739 (Fla. 1987). When the donor has died, these reasons for confidentiality would seem to disappear. Thus, if there existed legitimate grounds to be considered in weighing and balancing competing interests, should those grounds be recognized and considered when they can no longer impact the decedent? While appellant cites some authority for the proposition that the physician-patient privilege survives the patient's death, appellant cites no authority on the question whether a state or federal constitutional right of privacy survives. Blood Center also appears to claim a donor's right to expected confidentiality with respect to extremely private and embarrassing matters, within the scope of CR 26(c). Brief of Petitioner, at 21. Again, the Blood Bank does not address this claimed interest in light of the fact of the donor's death. Also missing from the record is any information about dissemination of information about the nature of donor's fatal illness at or following his death. If such occurred, it would bear on the need for confidentiality as well as raise a question of waiver, possibly depending on the source and extent of disclosure. It is a matter for possible consideration in the balancing process. [6] We understand the desire of Blood Center and amici to obtain a precedential ruling on the privacy issue. However, the record raises significant issues which are not addressed. Petitioner's brief was prepared with knowledge of the donor's death. This is not a moot case, nor are these issues unknown to the parties. The law is unsettled, but the court should not engage in conjectural resolution of issues present, but not briefed. Spokane v. Douglass, 115 Wn.2d 171, 183, 795 P.2d 693 (1990); Alverado v. WPPSS, 111 Wn.2d 424, 429, 759 P.2d 427 (1988), cert. denied, 490 U.S. 1004 (1989).
[7] The Blood Center and its allied amici seek a decision based upon public policy, arguing that the public's interest in an adequate blood supply outweighs any interest of plaintiff. Public policy is a valid basis for judicial decision. Unfortunately, many cases rely on public policy for their rationale without an identification of or discussion of the sources of the facts or opinions from which the court has drawn its policy conclusions. Brachtenbach, Public Policy in Judicial Decisions, 21 Gonz. L. Rev. 1 (1985-1986). The problems inherent in the use of policy-based rationale are well recognized. The kinds of policy argument which can be successfully addressed to a court depend on the sources of information which the court has, to evaluate them and to assess the impact on the community of their implementation.... .... Apart from what can be gleaned from statutes and previous cases, discussion of social conditions and social attitudes takes place for the most part on the basis of unsupported assertions of social fact and projections of future benefits or disasters which would follow the adoption of a particular new rule, which rest on the judges' appreciation of human nature. J. Bell, Policy Arguments in Judicial Decisions 67 (1983). Because of these difficulties, we analyze and comment upon the materials here presented. The Blood Center contends that confidentiality of donor identity is essential to continued blood donations from volunteers; that confidentiality is the practice of the Blood Center as well as the American Red Cross, the Council of Community Blood Centers, and the American Association of Blood Banks; that volunteers will not donate without this safeguard. Brief of Petitioner, at 25. Further, it is asserted, by affidavit, that prudent, but overly inclusive measures, used to screen for AIDS and other infectious diseases, have reduced the donor base by excluding many healthy donors, Clerk's Papers, at 195, and that the threat of disclosure will encourage people to give false or inaccurate information when donating blood. Brief of Petitioner, at 30. [8] The Blood Center and allied amici attempt to support these contentions with materials ranging from a quote from Newsweek Magazine to a quote from the Secretary of State of Scotland to testimony before a congressional subcommittee. First, we note that according to the record much of the material here offered was not before the trial court. Second, some of the factual information asserted is not in the record. For example, amicus Washington State Medical Association asserts as a fact the cost of tests to detect disease and the percentage of decline in donations because of the AIDS drama and the reason therefor. The brief states that donors were given firm assurances, in good faith, that the information they gave was absolutely confidential. Brief of amicus Washington State Medical Association, at 9, 12, 14. These are matters of fact which may be entirely accurate, but which have no support in the record. [9] Third, some of the material submitted in or appended to the briefs could only be admissible as expert testimony. However, other than identification by title or position held, there is no qualification of the experts. CR 56(e); ER 702-703; see McKee v. American Home Prods. Corp., 113 Wn.2d 701, 706, 782 P.2d 1045 (1989). Fourth, the only affidavit presented to the trial court was that of the executive director of the Blood Center. Part of that affidavit is purely conclusory, part would be inadmissible. For example, the affidavit states that abrogation of confidentiality would violate the rights of privacy of the donors. Clerk's Papers, at 196. That is a legal conclusion and not proper evidence; it must be disregarded. Orion Corp. v. State, 103 Wn.2d 441, 462, 693 P.2d 1369 (1985); Hiskey v. Seattle, 44 Wn. App. 110, 113, 720 P.2d 867, review denied, 107 Wn.2d 1001 (1986). Further, the affidavit states that Puget Sound Blood Center has always operated with the presumption of and dedication to donor confidentiality. Clerk's Papers, at 196. That proves nothing as to the expectations of donors, nor does it demonstrate that the so-called presumption and dedication were implemented in dealings with donors. The affidavit also contains statements or conclusions with no evidence of factual support. For example, it is stated that an abrogation of confidentiality (whatever that means) would encourage donations of blood in a fashion which could impair the safety of the available blood supply. Clerk's Papers, at 196. There is no disclosed basis for what is at best an opinion of an expert. In Grimwood v. University of Puget Sound, Inc., 110 Wn.2d 355, 359-60, 753 P.2d 517 (1988), the court set forth the requirements for facts contained in an affidavit on summary judgment. CR 56(e) requires that the facts set out in the affidavit be material, and second, that those facts be admissible at trial. Grimwood, at 359. If the material in an affidavit purports to be the opinion of an expert, it too requires proper qualification. ER 703. [10] The opinion of an expert which is only a conclusion or which is based on assumptions is not evidence which satisfies the summary judgment standards because it is not evidence which will take a case to the jury. Theonnes v. Hazen, 37 Wn. App. 644, 648, 681 P.2d 1284 (1984); see Hegre v. Simpson Dura-Vent Co., 50 Wn. App. 388, 748 P.2d 1131, review denied, 110 Wn.2d 1024 (1988). When an affidavit in support of or in opposition to the motion injects matters of fact, or the opinion of an expert, the affidavit must satisfy the criteria for summary judgment. We now examine the various policy reasons identified by the Blood Center and allied amici as the basis for the policy result they seek, but keeping in mind the difficulties mentioned above. First, it is self-evident that the public needs an adequate and safe blood supply. The essential issue is what impact there will be upon that blood supply from the limited and restricted disclosure of identity ordered in this case. There are assertions in the supporting materials that disclosure about donors will have two consequences: (1) donors will be less likely to donate blood if they know their identity may be disclosed and inquiries may be made about them, and (2) the possibility of disclosure will encourage donors to give false or inaccurate information when donating. We recognize that these consequences are predicted by persons who seem to be knowledgeable. Some courts have accepted these consequences as though they were established facts. E.g., South Fla. Blood Serv., Inc. v. Rasmussen, 467 So.2d 798 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 1985), aff'd on other grounds, 500 So.2d 533, 56 A.L.R.4th 739 (Fla. 1987). Some amici cite unreported decisions of various trial courts. Brief of amicus American National Red Cross, at 9, 11, and app. They are of little precedential value. The difficulty with these predictions is that they border on speculation about human conduct in reaction to a limited and restrictive discovery order. It can be argued with equal persuasion that the true public interest is an uninfected blood supply and therefore, public policy should discourage donors who are in the high risk groups. We would like to believe that most persons known to be at risk would forgo donation rather than provide false information as suggested by the Blood Center and some amici. Indeed, one would think that the tests now available might detect false information and prevent contaminated blood from entering the blood supply. Part of the difficulty in assessing the public policy considerations are the rapidly changing medical knowledge, including testingl and the apparent public reactions to the entire AIDS epidemic. [11] Admittedly the balancing and weighing of interests and values are difficult. There is apparent merit on both sides. However, given this record and considering the limitations and restrictions imposed by the trial court, we conclude that there has not been a clear showing of an abuse of discretion. In the words of State ex rel. Carroll v. Junker, 79 Wn.2d 12, 482 P.2d 775 (1971), the exercise of discretion was not manifestly unreasonable, it was not exercised on untenable grounds, or for untenable reasons. The trial court is affirmed. UTTER, DOLLIVER, ANDERSEN, DURHAM, and SMITH, JJ., and CALLOW, J. Pro Tem., concur.