Brief Fact Summary. James Hession brought suit against
Synopsis of Rule of Law. A physicians examination in preparation for a trial is protected under an attorney-client privilege but not a physician-patient privilege.
It is clear that section 17000 imposes upon the City and County of San Francisco a mandatory duty to relieve and support its indigents, and the excuse that it cannot afford to do so is unavailing.
View Full Point of LawIssue. The issue is whether the physician’s examination was protected under a physician-patient privilege or an attorney-client privilege.
Held. The Supreme Court of California held that the physician-patient privilege did not apply because the physician did not examine the patient in an ordinary course of care for the patient, but rather as preparation for a trial. Hession also waives the privilege when he brought a suit for injuries. However, since the physician acted as an intermediary between Hession and his lawyer, the examination is protected as attorney-client communication.
Discussion. Just as evidence can come in under more than one hearsay rule, a communication can fall under alternative privileges. In this case a physician’s exam has no physician-patient privilege, but the nature of the exam still keeps it privileged as an attorney-client communication.