Victim Rights Law Center backs bid to shield Cedars-Sinai survivors’ medical records

The Victim Rights Law Center is urging the California Court of Appeal to block access to the private medical and sexual histories of women suing Cedars-Sinai over alleged abuse by former OBGYN Dr. Barry J. Brock. The fight could shape how far defendants can go in civil discovery in sexual abuse cases involving doctors and hospitals.

Why it matters: - The dispute could determine whether survivors of alleged sexual abuse must turn over unrelated medical, reproductive and sexual histories to defend their civil claims. - VRLC says the ruling could discourage survivors from seeking justice if private information can be disclosed in discovery. - The case could set a precedent used in future doctor- and hospital-based sexual abuse cases in California and beyond.

What happened: - The Victim Rights Law Center joined McGrath Kavinoky LLP and the women it represents in asking the California Court of Appeal to intervene in a Cedars-Sinai case. - The appeal concerns lawsuits alleging sexual abuse by Cedars OBGYN Dr. Barry J. Brock. - The trial court order would allow Cedars-Sinai’s lawyers to obtain unredacted medical histories from hundreds of women. - The California Court of Appeal has stayed the trial court’s order while it considers the privacy issues. - The court has not yet decided whether to take up the petition.

The details: - McGrath Kavinoky LLP filed a Petition for Writ of Mandate seeking to overturn the discovery order. - VRLC filed a letter and asked to submit an amicus brief in support of the survivors. - VRLC argues the order conflicts with California privacy law because filing a lawsuit over abuse does not waive privacy in an entire medical history. - VRLC says the order would expose irrelevant treatment records and sexual history with people other than the accused doctor. - VRLC also says the ruling would sidestep a California law designed to prevent civil discovery from intimidating or re-traumatizing people who report sexual misconduct. - Brock surrendered his California medical license in 2025. - Brock has not been criminally charged. - The claims against Brock and Cedars-Sinai are being pursued in civil court. - Hundreds of women have accused Brock of misconduct during exams and procedures at Cedars-Sinai. - The release says the Appellate Court issued the stay as it reviews the privacy issues raised. - McGrath Kavinoky LLP says its lawyers previously represented 312 survivors in the UCLA case involving Dr. James Heaps, which ended in a settlement of more than $375 million. - The firm says survivors who call the firm speak only with a female attorney. - The firm directs survivors to obgynabuse.com.

Between the lines: - VRLC’s argument frames discovery as a privacy fight, not just a procedural one. - The group warns that letting a hospital review private records because it already stores them would reinforce the same power imbalance survivors say enabled the abuse. - The organization says fear of exposure is a major deterrent to civil claims, even if a plaintiff later wins. - The argument is aimed at limiting how broadly defense lawyers can seek sensitive records in sexual abuse litigation.

What's next: - The California Court of Appeal will decide whether to hear the petition and whether the trial court’s discovery order can stand. - If the appellate court takes the case, it could clarify how California courts balance survivor privacy against discovery demands in abuse lawsuits. - The stay remains in place while that review continues.

The bottom line: - The case is a test of whether survivors can pursue civil accountability without exposing their most personal medical records.