Opinion ID: 1820021
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Information Independent of the Disposition of the Fetuses

Text: We pretermit consideration of privacy factors as to the requests for production of records and interrogatories to the extent they seek information independent of the disposition of the fetuses. The information in the records of the 19 other fetuses and of their parents and guardians concerning matters such as problems with the pregnancy, the mother's health, and the circumstances resulting in the death of the fetus is neither relevant to the Wadleys' allegations nor reasonably calculated to lead to the discovery of admissible evidence. See Rule 26(b)(1), Ala. R. Civ. P. [8] Such evidence has no bearing on the allegations of the Wadleys' complaint dealing only with disposition of the remains of the fetus. The trial court therefore exceeded its discretion in denying St. Vincent's motion for a protective order as to information independent of the disposition of the fetuses.