Plunkett v. Ginsburg, A94A2012

• Decision Date: 17 February 1995
• Docket Number: No. A94A2012,A94A2012
• Citation: 217 Ga.App. 20,456 S.E.2d 595
• Parties: PLUNKETT v. GINSBURG.
• Court: Georgia Court of Appeals

Page 595

456 S.E.2d 595

217 Ga.App. 20

PLUNKETT v. GINSBURG.

No. A94A2012.

Court of Appeals of Georgia.

Feb. 17, 1995.

Reconsideration Denied March 29, 1995.

Goldner, Sommers, Scrudder & Bass, Stephen L. Goldner, Atlanta, and Tammy S. Skinner, Alpharetta, for appellant.

William L. Skinner, Decatur, for appellee.

ANDREWS, Judge.

We granted interlocutory appeal to consider the trial court's grant of a motion for protective order. The order prohibited the discovery of the records of a psychiatrist treating plaintiff Ginsburg, who had sued Plunkett as a result of an automobile accident.

The accident occurred on June 13, 1991 and Ginsburg, an optometrist, has not worked again since. Her complaint alleged that she had suffered "severe and great pain of body and mind." During discovery, Dr. Rascoe, the psychiatrist, was identified as one "who rendered treatment to her following the automobile accident." Ginsburg had also been treated by Dr. Rascoe before the accident in connection with "anxiety related problems in connection with her pregnancy." Ginsburg's answers to interrogatories stated that she "continued to be seen by Dr. Rascoe for anxiety resulting from her injuries in this automobile accident and depression following same."

Ginsburg underwent an independent orthopedic examination of her cervical condition. The orthopedist reported that she was suffering "major psychosocial dysfunction" and that "the magnitude of her subjective complaints [is] not substantiated by objective clinical findings."

Below, Ginsburg entered into the record a sworn stipulation that she "does not contend that her inability to engage in her employment is the result of a psychiatric condition." Ginsburg, however, reserves the right to contend that the "trauma of this incident has caused her pain and suffering and possibly some depression ..." as well as "mental pain and suffering that was directly caused by the physical trauma she suffered...." While this is not stipulated by both parties, it is an admission in judicio as to Ginsburg. Walker v. Jack Eckerd Corp., 209 Ga.App. 517, 518(1), 434 S.E.2d 63 (1993); see Ga. Farm Bureau Mut. Ins. Co. v. Hand, 211 Ga.App. 703, 705, 440 S.E.2d 92 (1994).

The trial court conducted an in camera review of Dr. Rascoe's records and concluded that "the information contained in Dr. Rascoe's records is privileged, pursuant to OCGA § 24-9-21(5)." The court further concluded that the fact of employment of and treatment by a psychiatrist, including dates of treatment, is not privileged. The records reviewed by that court have been made part of the record here by a supplemental record. We have also reviewed them and agree that to the extent the documents reflect "communications" between psychiatrist and patient, they are privileged.

"The Georgia Civil Practice Act provides for the discovery of 'any matter, not privileged, which is relevant to the subject matter involved in the pending action.' Although there is no privilege for general physician-patient communications in Georgia, two statutes extend a privilege against disclosure to the confidential communications between a psychiatrist or licensed psychologist and patient. See OCGA §§ 24-9-21(5); 43-39-16; Nat. Stop Smoking Clinic-Atlanta v. Dean, 190 Ga.App. 289 (378 SE2d 901) (1989)." Wiles v. Wiles, 264 Ga. 594, 595(1), 448 S.E.2d 681 (1994). ¹

While psychiatric records are not absolutely privileged, "communications between a psychiatrist and patient are absolutely privileged and that privilege must be waived as a pre-condition of discovery. [Cits.]" (Emphasis in original.) Dynin v. Hall, 207 Ga.App. 337, 338(1), 428 S.E.2d 89 (1993). The privilege may be waived by the affirmative act of calling one's psychiatrist/psychologist as a witness in one's behalf and asking about mental status. Fields v. State, 221 Ga. 307, 308(2), 144 S.E.2d 339 (1965). The present situation, however, does not fall within this category. In fact, Ginsburg has stipulated that she is not seeking recovery of any expenses incurred in seeing Dr. Rascoe.

The privilege does not extend, however, to any communications made to nurses or attendants, unless they were acting as agents of the attending psychiatrist, nor, as noted by the trial court, does it preclude discovery of the fact and dates of treatment. Annandale at Suwanee v. Weatherly, 194 Ga.App. 803, 804, 392 S.E.2d 27 (1990).

"[I]n any action, the actual communications between a psychiatrist and a patient would be relevant to the patient's mental state and would constitute the most objective evidence thereof. Nevertheless, the legislature has clearly expressed its intent that, as a matter of public policy, psychiatrist-patient communications are to be privileged and are to remain privileged even though the patient's 'care and treatment or the nature and extent of his injuries (have been put) at issue in any civil or criminal proceeding.' OCGA § 24-9-40. ...