Matchett v. Superior Court

Opinion

FRIEDMAN, Acting P. J.

Petitioner Matchett is plaintiff in a medical malpractice action. Two of the defendants are Dr. Malcom M. Petway and the Rideout Memorial Hospital. The complaint alleges that Matchett, a patient in the hospital, suffered injuries resulting from negligent treatment by the doctor and from the hospital’s negligence in admitting and retaining the doctor on its staff without adequate inquiry into or controls over his competence.

Matchett sought pretrial discovery of hospital and staff records pertaining to Dr. Petway’s selection and retention, as follows: the hospital’s…