A federal judge in Tallahassee has thrown out a medical-malpractice defense law passed this year that gave a defense attorney the right to question the plaintiff's other doctors without permission, the Tampa Bay Times reports.
U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle issued a 17-page ruling that says such questioning -- called "ex parte" communication -- violates the federal statute that ensures patient privacy: the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, better known as HIPAA.
Update: Florida Medical Association says it will help with any appeal, and hopes to see a different opinion from one of the other federal district courts that has a similar pending case.
