Doctor-Patient Confidentiality
Every doctor-patient relationship carries with it a duty on the part of the
doctor or other health provider to keep patient information private and refrain
from disclosing it to third parties without your consent. A doctor or medical
professional who breaches this duty by disclosing confidential information,
including your medical records, may be liable to you for damages for any injury
(including embarrassment) you suffer from the disclosure. The duty of
confidentiality may not be broken absent authorization from you to release your
records to a designated third party.
There are a number of exceptions to this rule whereby a health care provider
can release your records without liability. Among these are the following
common scenarios:
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Health insurance companies normally require patients to waive the right to
confidentiality of information when submitting a claim for medical coverage.
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If a patient sues a medical professional for malpractice, the patient’s medical
records and information may be released and used in connection with any
litigation.
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In certain situations, medical professionals are required to report certain
kinds of patient information to authorities, such as certain communicable
viruses or diseases.
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Doctors generally must report suspected incidents involving evidence of child
abuse or gunshot wounds.
If you or a loved one has been injured as a result of possible medical
malpractice, call Buchanan & Buchanan, P.L.C. now at (616) 458-2464 or Toll Free: (800) 272-4080
or CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT A SIMPLE
CASE FORM. The initial consultation is free of charge, and if we agree to
accept your case, we will work on a contingent fee basis, which means we get
paid for our services only if there is a monetary award or recovery of funds.
Don’t delay! You may have a valid claim and be entitled to compensation for your
injuries, but a lawsuit must be filed before the statute of limitations expires.
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