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    • Medical Negligence
    • Women’s Health
          • Women’s Health

            We know that there is disparity in women’s health care, treatment, and support. We are committed to improving the lives of women and strongly advocating for their wellbeing.  That is why we take a stand and hold medical professionals accountable when medical care falls short of expected standards by delivering the best outcome in medical negligence claims affecting women.

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    • Hospital Negligence
          • Hospital Negligence

            We understand you may feel let down because you have experienced inadequate or negligent care and treatment in a hospital or medical facility. Your wellbeing is most important to us and we are committed to supporting you with compassion and holding medical professionals accountable for breach of duty and negligent care.

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    • Clinical Support
          • Clinical Support

            Experiencing poor or adverse outcomes from allied health treatment can be distressing and life changing. We are here to support you through your claim and it is our aim to hold allied health professionals accountable for their breach of care by delivering the outcome you deserve to your negligence claims.

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            Hello, I’m Jade. I’m here to help you with a quick call that will help us better understand your legal concerns. This way, I can connect you with the lawyer who is best suited to assist you with your situation.

            Your well-being is important to us, and we’re here to support you every step of the way.

            Call me on 02 4050 0330 or email [email protected]

    • Personal Injury
          • Personal Injury

            If you have been injured because of someone else’s negligence, our specialist team of Personal Injury Lawyers is here to support you with compassion and understanding providing you with the right advice. Our team has substantial experience and expertise in these matters to deliver the outcomes you deserve from your claim.

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    • Work Injury
    • Motor Vehicle Accidents
          • Motor Vehicle Accidents

            We are here to support you and give you the clarity, guidance and the right legal advice if you have been injured in a motor vehicle accident. Our compassionate team of professionals in Personal Injury law have the technical expertise and a wealth of experience to win you the compensation you deserve.

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    • Public Liability
          • Public Liability

            Our specialist team in Personal Injury law is here to support you in accessing proper compensation if you have been injured because of someone else’s negligence. We have cutting edge expertise and experience in public liability claims to deliver the outcome you deserve.

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    • Abuse
          • Institutional Abuse

            We strongly believe that educational institutions must be held accountable when failing to protect children while in their care. If you have experienced institutional physical or sexual abuse, our specialist team in Personal Injury law is here to support you with compassion and offer our technical expertise and experience to deliver the best outcome in your case.

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    • Workers Compensation
          • Workers Compensation

            When you sustain an injury or illness because of work, you may be entitled to  compensation. Our specialist team in Personal Injury Law is here to support you with compassion and understanding with the right advice. We have substantial technical expertise to deliver the best possible outcome from your claim.

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    • Total & Permanent Disability (TPD)
          • Total & Permanent Disability (TPD)

            Are you unable to work because you have suffered a serious and permanent injury?

            You may be able to claim on the insurances under an existing superannuation policy for either or both income payments during the period of disability (income protection/salary continuance) and/or a lump sum for Total and Permanent Disablement (‘TPD’).

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    • School Negligence
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            Hello, I’m Jade. I’m here to help you with a quick call that will help us better understand your legal concerns. This way, I can connect you with the lawyer who is best suited to assist you with your situation.

            Your well-being is important to us, and we’re here to support you every step of the way.

            Call me on 02 4050 0330 or email [email protected]

    • Wills & Estate Planning
          • Wills and Estates

            When we provide advice on estate planning, we believe  in giving advice on options to mitigate the risks of litigation by potentially unhappy family members and protecting your assets from claims. Our legal team is here to support you and address your concerns regarding your estate planning. We have immense experience in these matters, providing you with advice and representation for your unique situation and delivering the best outcomes for your case.

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    • Powers of Attorney
    • Contest A Will
          • Contest A Will

            We have immense experience and specialised knowledge in family provision and wills disputes Where you have not been properly and adequately provided for under a will or where you suspect that the person making the will may not have had capacity or exercised their own free will, you need a lawyer with extensive experience and expertise. Our team of Lawyers will  provide you with advice and representation for your unique situation and deliver the best outcomes for your case.

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    • Probate & Deceased Estates
    • Enduring Guardian
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            Hello, I’m Jade. I’m here to help you with a quick call that will help us better understand your legal concerns. This way, I can connect you with the lawyer who is best suited to assist you with your situation.

            Your well-being is important to us, and we’re here to support you every step of the way.

            Call me on 02 4050 0330 or email [email protected]

    • Other Services Overview
          • Conrad Curry Can assist you with a variety of services

            Our solicitors are highly experienced in providing you with expert legal advice and will keep you informed every step of the way. It’s good to know that our firm is trusted and effective with a high success rate.

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    • Professional Negligence
          • Professional Negligence

            We rely on professionals in all aspects of our lives to provide us with proper advice on which to make decisions about our financial and legal affairs. When you are let down by poor advice the results can be devastating.  We are here to support you in your claim for compensation with clarity, guidance and the right advice to achieve the outcome you deserve.

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    • Malicious Prosecution
          • Malicious Prosecution

            We believe in standing up for those people who are falsely accused and prosecuted. Our experienced legal team is here to support you with compassion and provide you with clarity, guidance, and the right advice in your claim for compensation.

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    • General Litigation
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            Hello, I’m Jade. I’m here to help you with a quick call that will help us better understand your legal concerns. This way, I can connect you with the lawyer who is best suited to assist you with your situation.

            Your well-being is important to us, and we’re here to support you every step of the way.

            Call me on 02 4050 0330 or email [email protected]

    • What to Expect
          • What to expect

            We are your law firm for life. You can count on us for the best legal advice and compassionate support. We understand the challenges you are facing and we want you to know that you don’t have to navigate the often daunting process alone. We are here when you need us. Let us help you find your way forward with our empathetic and efficient approach. Contact us. You can call us on (02) 4050 0330 for a free initial no-obligation consultation or book an appointment online for an in-person consultation or an online video appointment.

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Understanding Your Rights to Access Health Records: When Access is Refused

When seeking medical records to support a legal claim, access to a clear and complete treatment history is essential.

Health records are vital to understanding treatment history in a personal injury or medical negligence case. However, accessing records can be a protracted and frustrating process. The process is even more difficult when seeking the records of a deceased family member.

Access to health records is regulated under NSW law, and navigating these regulations can be challenging. Below is a guide to your rights and options when facing obstacles in obtaining clinical records.

Who Owns Health Records?

It is a common misconception that patients own their health records. Legally, health records are owned by the healthcare provider, not the patient. In New South Wales, the Health Records and Information Privacy Act 2002 (HRIPA) and the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 (GIPA) govern the collection, storage, and sharing of health information. Under the legislation  sensitive health information typically can’t be released without the patient’s consent.

This becomes particularly challenging for families seeking information about a deceased loved one’s medical care. HRIPA outlines limited scenarios where access can be granted, sometimes allowing family members access on compassionate grounds. However, this access often doesn’t include full records, and the decision of what information to release is left to the provider.

How to Request Access

HRIPA provides a structured process for patients seeking their health records. While it is possible to request these records, healthcare providers are allowed to deny access under certain circumstances. Unfortunately, there is no specified legal process for family members to access a deceased individual’s records, aside from the option of “compassionate access.” This limited provision means healthcare providers may release some information to families, but there’s no guarantee of full disclosure.

For public institutions including hospitals, GIPA allows requests for health records and other information to be made.  The decision to provide access is based on many factors, including a “public interest test,” which considers factors for and against disclosure. This means family members of a deceased patient may receive access only if the public interest outweighs the privacy concerns.

Options if Access is Denied

If access is refused, here are some steps you can take:

  1. File a Complaint: Under HRIPA, you can file a complaint with the Privacy Commissioner if a provider unreasonably denies access in violation of a health privacy principle.
  2. Appeal the GIPA Decision: Decisions made under GIPA can be reviewed by the Information Commissioner and by the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal, especially if you believe the decision unfairly limits access.
  3. Seek Court-Ordered Preliminary Discovery: A more direct approach involves applying to the Court under Rule 5.3 of the Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005 NSW. Through a discovery order, the Court may direct the healthcare provider to release the records. This can be used when suspected medical negligence needs investigation, legal proceedings are being considered and the records are necessary to determine whether or not to commence proceedings.

How We Can Help

At the Law Office of Conrad Curry, we understand the critical importance of accessing health records when investigating potential medical negligence or assessing the quality of care provided. We have experience in navigating the legal processes and can assist you in obtaining the records you need, including advocating for access in cases where providers fail to meet their obligations under HRIPA.

If you need help accessing your health records or those of a deceased loved one, contact us today. Legal support can make all the difference in ensuring your access rights are respected and help you understand the care received.

DISCLAIMER

This article reflects the current law at the time of publication. It is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The actual decisions in each case are summarised for general understanding. For specific legal guidance in relation to your situation, please consult with a qualified legal professional.

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