Legal Question in Workers Comp in California
Privacy Act
Hi, I'm not sure if this is the right area to post... I filed a workers comp claim 3 years, with my prior employer, and it recently settled. I am getting surgery in 2 weeks. The hospital called my CURRENT employer (who has NOTHING to do with my prior workers comp claim), and talked to my DIRECT manager (its a very large ins. co. too that I work for) and told them detailed, personal info about me and asked about my workers comp claim. Confused, my boss called HR. HR called me and asked if I filed a comp claim with them, of course I said no and was confused, but they said that the hospital is sending my BOSS detailed, personal info about me and my claim. How can they do this? Isn't this a federal violation? What can I do???? Thank you!!!!!
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: Privacy Act
This is likely a violation of state and federal law -- in California there is a law called the Confidentiality in Medical Information Act which requires hospitals to keep information private, unless they have a release for a specific purpose. . . you should find out what the information was that was disclosed.