Ankin Law News
Friday, May 10, 2013: Josh Rudofi will be filing an Appellate Brief in Dig Right In Landscaping v. Jose Nunez on behalf of Jose Nunez.
Wednesday, April 24, 2013: Scott Goldstein will be speaking as a guest lecturer at John Marshall Law School in the Workers Compensation class.
Wednesday, April 17, 2013: Josh Rudolfi attended Artex Risk Solutions Mock Trial at The Witt. (read more...)
November 30, 2012: Scott Goldstein of Ankin Law Office
was highlighted in a "Making Chicago Great" feature
on WCIU Channel 26 in Chicago.
November, 2012: A client of Howard Ankin knitted him a
blanket as a special thank you after a multiple
6 figure settlement.
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Doctor Patient Privilege
Illinois Wrongful Death Attorneys
The issue of doctor-patent privilege often complicates wrongful death cases. Confidentiality between a doctor and patient is generally strictly enforced unless the patient waives privilege. If a patient dies without waiving confidentiality, the privilege may remain in tact. Without medical records, it can be very difficult to prove a wrongful death case. It’s important to hire an experienced wrongful death attorney to help you secure all necessary evidence and prove your case.
Obtaining Medical Records for a Wrongful Death Case
Doctor-patient privilege exists to protect patients from public scrutiny of information shared for medical purposes. If a patient dies, however, his or her medical records may be essential to a wrongful death lawsuit. Who is permitted to waive doctor-patient privilege on behalf of the decedent varies from state to state. In most cases, however, the personal representative for the decedent (spouse, parent or child) may waive confidentiality. Doctors and hospitals often dispute waiving privilege particularly if medical malpractice is possible.
In some cases, a personal injury lawsuit can be filed in addition to a wrongful death lawsuit for the decedent’s pain and suffering prior to death. Filing a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit (or even just threatening one) may be enough to get doctor-patient privilege waived. Because the records are to be used in a legal action, they can be compelled by operation of law. In these cases, the medical records are usually central pieces to establishing the plaintiff’s case.
Have a qualified lawyer working on your behalf can remove the barrier of doctor-patient privilege. The attorneys at Ankin Law Office are experienced in handling a wide variety of wrongful death cases and navigating the complex legal system. Our attorneys work closely with clients during this difficult time and help make the process of seeking compensation as smooth as possible. Contact us today to discuss your case at a free consultation.
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