A defense firm, that had a “custom” of seeking unlimited medical discovery in workers’ compensation claims, was barred from utilizing that litigation tactic. The NJ Appellate Division affirmed the trial level decision of The Honorable Emille R. Cox, Supervising Judge of Compensation that prohibited requests for unlimited medical data.
At the trial level, Judge Cox, in a written option held that the conduct of the defense law firm in utilizing a demand for unlimited medical records as a litigation tactic was:
- “unnecessarily intrusive”,
- “delayed” the determination of workers’ compensation claims and that was counter to the summary remedial administrative proceeding that the legislature intended,
- had a potentially “chilling effect” on injured workers’ elected to proceed with a workers’ compensation claim, and
- the defense firm's conduct, “under the guise of zealous advocacy boarded on the contempt.”
The defense firm, representing the employer, followed its usual practice of immediately, and concurrently upon filing an Answer, sought unlimited authorization for medical records of the injured worker for a period of the previous 10 years prior to the accident. The proposed authorization further stipulated that the injured workers’ HIPPA rights were waived. The defense firm even sought records from potentially pre-existing medical conditions that would extend that authorization without time limitation.
The employer’s lawyers indicated that it was “their custom” to seek such information universally in every claim they defended. The defense law firm argued that it was to seek information to evaluate pro functional disability and to prevent fraud.
The injured worker’s lawyers argued that the defense firm had “….’failed to establish even minimal meritorious legal grounds’ to support its request, and the overly broad and invasive relief sought violated the scope of N.J.S.A. 34:15-12(d) as well as HIPPA’s privacy rules.”
The Appellate Court, in affirming Judge Cox’s ruling, stated:
“The motion was resolved after a hearing in which respondent's [Defense/Employer] attorney was permitted to examine Todaro [Injured Worker] about the previous motor vehicle accidents. Judge Cox denied respondent's [Defense/Employer] motion
in a written opinion, concluding respondent's [Defense/Employer] demand for
medical information was unnecessarily intrusive. The judge noted both that Todaro [Injured Worker] testified credibly he had received no treatment following each motor vehicle accident and respondent had "provided no evidence of any functional loss justifying the comprehensive disclosure [of Todaro's [Injured Worker] medical information].
“Judge Cox raised several concerns. He noted that respondent's stated objective of guarding against fraud "is not the function of a [r]espondent's counsel [Defense/Employer].” The judge explained that instances of actual fraud were the exception, not the rule,and "[s]uch exceptions do not justify routine incursions into [p]etitioners' [Injured Worker] private unrelated medical history." The judge further noted that employers who were convinced that fraud is rampant in the workers' compensation system are free to utilize the services of investigators to eradicate the problem. Using the discovery process to accomplish the task is unacceptable.
“Next, the judge noted that during argument, respondent's counsel stated her letter demanding medical information was "a standard form letter that was sent out by my office." Judge Cox explained that such letters surpass limited discovery practice contemplated by workers' compensation regulations. The judge also expressed concern that such letters would have a possible chilling effect on potential claimants with legitimate claims. The judge asked, rhetorically: "Why should a [p]etitioner be forced to disclose an abortion or physical abuse by a spouse because she/he injured a knee?" [Emphasis Added]
The rights of injured workers need to be protected by courts of compensation. Defense firm litigation tactics that that are excessive, and counter to the legislative intent of the Workers’ Compensation Act, should be discouraged.
Tordaro v Gloucester County Department of Corrections, A-0204-14T2, 215 WL 995827, (N.J. App. Div. 2016) Decided February 4, 2016
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Jon L. Gelman of Wayne NJ is the author of NJ Workers’ Compensation Law (West-Thompson-Reuters) and co-author of the national treatise, Modern Workers’ Compensation Law (West-Thompson-Reuters). For over 4 decades the Law Offices of Jon L Gelman 1.973.696.7900 jon@gelmans.com have been representing injured workers and their families who have suffered occupational accidents and illnesses.
