The relationship between a doctor and a patient is sacred. These partnerships are built on a foundation of trust that anything disclosed to the medical provider will be treated with sensitivity and care. As such, if your physician discloses private information about your health or records, you have the right to file a medical malpractice suit against them. The following guide outlines what you need to know about these cases to ensure the best results.

What Is Doctor-Patient Confidentiality?

Doctor-patient confidentiality refers to a legal requirement held by the physician to keep any information divulged by or obtained from the patient private. Ensuring this level of discretion provides patients with security in knowing they can be fully transparent with their providers to obtain the most accurate diagnosis.

There are a few conditions that apply to this rule, though. To start, the information must be obtained during a professional interaction, such as a consultation or appointment. Also, the doctor has the right to share this information if it pertains to a health insurance claim or lawsuit, or if the doctor believes the patient plans to cause harm to themselves or others. All other cases of sharing private information with an outside party are considered a breach of this statute. 

How Can a Medical Malpractice Attorney Help?

If your physician broke doctor-patient confidentiality, you can hire a medical malpractice attorney to represent your interests in a lawsuit. Your lawyer will evaluate the preceding events to determine where, exactly, the doctor breached their obligations, as well as outline exactly how their actions led to your damages. They might choose to fight for compensatory benefits like emotional suffering or damage to your reputation.

In some cases, they might also be able to argue for punitive damages. With these types of benefits, your attorney would argue for a settlement they believe is worthy of the suffering you’ve endured, rather than simply calculating your total losses.

If you need to file a medical malpractice lawsuit, turn to the team at Neimark & Neimark in New City, NY. They have almost 50 years of experience serving residents throughout Rockland and Orange counties, and they will advocate on your behalf to garner the compensation you deserve. Visit their website to learn more about their services, and call (888) 725-7424 to schedule a consultation today.