The Michigan appeals court says lawyers under certain conditions can use information from the state about hundreds of people who were treated by an epilepsy doctor who's the target of malpractice suits.
The names were obtained by lawyers who are suing Dr. Yasser Awaad. He's accused of misdiagnosing epilepsy in children.
After a court order, the Michigan Department of Community Health released the names of Medicaid recipients who were treated by Awaad. The appeals court says that was improper without first getting the consent of patients.
The records must be destroyed, but lawyers can use information from people who know about the suit and already have responded to letters.
Awaad last year agreed to pay a $10,000 penalty to Michigan regulators and have future work reviewed by another doctor.