Legal Question in Personal Injury in Massachusetts

Re: Medical release forms

DISCLAIMER: I am NOT a HIPPA lawyer -- and this is NOT HIPPA advice, b/c I don't know the answer under HIPPA. However, given HIPPA's very tight restrictions on the inappropriate disclosure of confidential medical info, I would always be safe, not sorry, and get client's express authorization to release medical records before doing so without express authorization. I require client's to give me Power of Attorney to sign medical releases, and make the Power specific as to medical records generally and specific treatment if knowable.

But this is mere cautionary advice, not a technical legal answer. I just don't mess around when HIPPA's involved.