Opinion ID: 1922281
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Denial of penalties under sec. 269.57 (4), Stats.

Text: On December 13, 1969, appellant's counsel appeared at Lutheran Hospital and requested to be allowed to inspect and copy the hospital records relating to the treatment of Mrs. Fanshaw. He had with him an authorization signed by appellant. Although the appellant was the beneficiary of two life insurance policies covering Mrs. Fanshaw, the authorization made no mention of this fact. The administrator of the hospital refused to allow counsel to inspect the records on the grounds that they were not yet completed. Thereafter, appellant moved for an order directing production of the records and for the imposition of a $50 penalty against the custodian of the records, as provided for by sec. 269.57 (4), Stats. The trial court denied this motion, basing its decision on the fact that the authorization did not reveal the fact that appellant was entitled to the records as a beneficiary of a policy on the life of the deceased. Respondent questions the appealability of this order. The order appealed from had two facets. First, it denied the motion for the production of the hospital records. This would be appealable under sec. 274.33 (3), Stats.,  as an order denying a provisional remedy. Second, the order denied the motion for the imposition of a penalty against the hospital and the custodian of the records. Since the motion for the imposition of a penalty under sec. 269.57 (4) could be considered a special proceeding, we think the order denying that motion can be appealed under sec. 274.33 (2) (a). Whether or not appellant was entitled to the penalties provided for by sec. 269.57 (4), Stats., depends upon whether he was entitled to inspect the records in the first instance and whether the refusal to permit inspection was wrongful. Sec. 269.57 (4) states: Upon receipt of written authorization and consent signed by a person who has been the subject of medical care or treatment, or in case of the death of such person signed by his personal representative or by the beneficiary of an insurance policy on his life, the physician, surgeon or other person having custody of any medical or hospital reports, photographs, records, papers and writings concerning such care or treatment, shall forthwith permit the person designated in such authorization to inspect and copy such records.... It is admitted that the authorization did not reveal that appellant was either the beneficiary of an insurance policy on the life of the deceased or the personal representative of her estate. We conclude that if the authorization does not reveal the status of the person requesting the information, the record custodian is within his rights to refuse inspection. Consequently, the trial court properly denied appellant's motion for imposition of penalties.