Advisory Opinion: 1079

Year Issued: 1987

RPC(s): RCW 51.04.050; 51.36.060; Formal Opinion 180

Subject: Waiver of physician-patient privilege

The Committee considered your inquiry concerning the effect of RCW 51.04.050 and 51.36.060 on the question of waiver of the physician-patient privilege in relation to Formal Opinion 180 of the Washington State Bar Association. The Committee was of the opinion that the question of whether the effect of those statutes is to waive the privilege is a legal question on which the Committee cannot render an opinion. Therefore, the Committee could say nothing further than to state that Formal Opinion 180 must be complied with.

Advisory Opinions are provided for the education of the Bar and reflect the opinion of the Committee on Professional Ethics (CPE) or its predecessors. Advisory Opinions are provided pursuant to the authorization granted by the Board of Governors, but are not individually approved by the Board and do not reflect the official position of the Bar association. Laws other than the Washington State Rules of Professional Conduct may apply to the inquiry. The Committee's answer does not include or opine about any other applicable law other than the meaning of the Rules of Professional Conduct.