Insights
Client Alert
Recent Class Action Lawsuits Allege Improper Charges by Hospitals for Inspection and Copying of Patients' Records For Their Attorneys
June 28, 2006
Peter M. Stone and Panteha Abdollahi
Recently, several class action lawsuits have been filed against California hospitals alleging the hospitals have violated California Evidence Code Section 1158 and therefore have committed an unfair and deceptive business practice under California’s Unfair Competition Laws. Some of these lawsuits involve hospitals who have contracted with third-parties to provide copy services. These lawsuits raise several questions, including: (1) what are the requirements imposed by California law upon hospitals or other providers? (2) can liability be avoided by contracting with third-parties? and (3) what should hospitals or other health care providers do to avoid liability?