Can I sue a doctor for a breach of confidentiality if I told her I had 3 beer 6 hours previous to seeing her and she called the police on me?
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Can I sue a doctor for a breach of confidentiality if I told her I had 3 beer 6 hours previous to seeing her and she called the police on me?
I got off from work at 8 am and I had 3 beers and went to bed at 10am, I got up at 3 pm to get ready for my 4pm appointment for an infection on my foot, the doctor asked me if I was drinking and I told her about my routine that morning, she then ordered an X-ray (which she said wasn’t necessary when I first got there), then preceded to call the police because I drove there. She had little concern for my foot, which I had to go to the ER 2 days later. I was totally humiliated. I showed no signs of intoxication, if anything I was tired and in pain.
Asked on May 30, 2012 under Malpractice Law, Nevada
Answers:
FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
You can sue your treating physician for calling the police on you where you supposedly had too much to drink before you drove.
However, from what you have written, the chances of you prevailing with respect to liabilty and damages seems remote. The reason is that although there may have been a doctor patient privilege, the privilege ends when it comes to the point where the patient might end up hurting someone through his or her actions.
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