Advanced Cardiac Specialists, Chartered v. Tri-City Cardiology Consultants, P.C.

OPINION

SWANN, Judge.

¶ 1 The primary defendant in this action is a physician who reported plaintiffs’ alleged medical malfeasance to the Arizona Medical Board (“AMB”) pursuant to AR.S. § 32-1451(A) (Supp.2008). 1 Alleging that defendant’s report was false, plaintiffs sued for defamation. Although we hold that A.R.S. § 32-1451(A) abrogates common law absolute immunity for such reports, we nonetheless conclude that the qualified immunity conferred by the statute is fatal to plaintiffs’ claims and affirm the trial court’s grant of summary judgment in favor of defendant.

FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY