On Motion for Rehearing and Clarification
Upon consideration of the Motion for Rehearing and Clarification, our opinion of March 13, 2009, is withdrawn and the following substituted therefor.
Patricia Dannemann, the plaintiff in a suit which alleges that employees of Shands Teaching Hospital and Clinics, Inc. (Shands) negligently caused the death of her husband, seeks certiorari review of an order denying her motion to prohibit pre-deposition conferences between nonparty physicians, Dr. Beaver, Dr. Normana, and Dr. Cardona, employed by the University of Florida Board of Trustees (UFBOT), also a nonparty, and the counsel hired by the University of Florida Self Insurance Program (SIP), to represent these physicians at their depositions. SIP insures and defends both Shands and the University. The order would allow the physician witnesses to discuss the decedent’s medical condition. Because this case is controlled by our previous decision in
Hannon v. Roper,
Hannon
also involved a suit against Shands for alleged medical malpractice causing the death of Hannon’s son. This court held in
Hannon
that the clear, unambiguous language of the patient confidentiality statute, section 456.057(6), Florida Statutes (2005), presently numbered as subsection (8), prohibits any nonparty physician from disclosing the decedent’s medical condition and history to the counsel hired by the defendant’s insurer to represent the physician at a deposition. We explained that there are only four circumstances that would allow a health care practitioner or provider to discuss a pa
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tient’s medical condition and treatment,
Hannon,
Respondents raise the same constitutional issues that were raised in
Hannon.
Specifically, respondents contend that our application of section 456.057 in
Hannon
violates the physicians’ constitutional right to counsel protected by the free speech clause of the First Amendment and their rights under the due process clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. Amend. I, U.S. Const.; Amend. XIV § 1, U.S. Const. Respondents urge us to address these issues, arguing that they were unresolved in
Han-non.
Certainly, “no decision is authority on any question not raised and considered .... ”
State ex rel. Helseth v. Du Bose,
The petition for writ of certiorari is GRANTED and the trial court’s order is QUASHED.
