NORTH BROWARD HOSPITAL DIST. v. Lucas
Docket: 83-2127
Court: District Court of Appeal of Florida; April 17, 1984; Florida; State Appellate Court
The District Court of Appeal of Florida, Fourth District, addressed a petition for common law certiorari filed by North Broward Hospital District concerning an order to produce specific records related to an incident involving Keven J. Lucas, a minor. The court was asked to compel the hospital to provide: (1) all records of individuals present in the labor and delivery rooms from 4:00 P.M. to 10:00 P.M. on the incident date, and (2) records of all caesarian sections performed between 5:00 P.M. and 9:00 P.M. on that date. The court acknowledged its jurisdiction to review the petition and ultimately granted certiorari, quashing the order for production of the records. The decision referenced precedents, including Argonaut Insurance Co. v. Peralta, Fidelity Casualty Co. of New York v. Lopez, and Teperson v. Donato, to support its ruling. Importantly, the court clarified that its decision does not hinder the respondents from obtaining the names and addresses of other patients present in the labor room who might serve as potential witnesses. The ruling was concurred by Judges Glickstein, Hurley, and Walden.