Court Opinion

ID: 9746759
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-27 14:36:05.169249+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:25:16.527448
License: Public Domain

DEL SOLE, Judge,
concurring:
I join the majority in all respects save one. I agree that when a patient files a lawsuit claiming personal injury, that patient has consented to the disclosure of relevant medical information by treating physicians. Therefore, there was no breach of the duty of confidentiality by Dr. Krane in this case. There being no breach of a duty, there can be no claim against the remaining defendants for inducing the disclosure. Also, I agree that judicial proceeding immunity would protect all of the defendants from claims for defamation.
I would not reach the issue of whether judicial proceeding immunity protects a person from liability for breaching a duty of confidentiality. It is not necessary to address that issue in this case. Also, since the claim in a breach of confidentiality case is based upon the fact something was disclosed, not what was disclosed, I seriously question whether immunity would be available in those situations.