Accepted Answer

Thank you for contacting Just Answer. I look forward to assisting you.

While we write back and forth, please keep in mind that I do not know what you already know or don't know, or with what you need help, unless you tell me.

There can also be a delay of an hour or more in between my answers because I may be researching the answer to your question, helping other customers, or taking a break. If we are writing late at night, I may have to go to sleep and resume helping you the following morning.

By using this forum and/or clicking ACCEPT, you expressly acknowledge that any information I may give in response to your question in this forum does not constitute legal advice; there is no attorney-client relationship between us; and all questions and answers are visible to the whole world, including your opponent, and any information provided is therefore not confidential. Because of the public nature of this forum, by posting anything here you waive irrevocably any and all claim to confidentiality or privilege as to the content posted. Please post only that information that you are willing for your opponent to see and use against you if this matter goes to court. Any money you may give me in response to this posting (which may include both your agreed-on sum and any bonus payment) is a gift of gratitude, and is not intended as, nor should it be construed as, attorney's fees. For more information about your matter, you should consult with an attorney of your choice in a traditional face-to-face or telephonic meeting.

The hospital cannot give you information about your grandfather; they invoke the HIPPA laws quite correctly.

Have you tried sending a certified return-receipt letter to your uncle stating that you wish to see your grandfather and asking him why he is refusing to allow it? This provides you with proof of delivery and puts him on notice that you intend to pursue this matter.

If you get no or an unsatisfactory response from your certified return-receipt letter, the time will have come to hire an attorney in Pennsylvania to pursue your visiting privileges and see if you can get on to the list of people to whom the hospital may release information regarding your grandfather.

Good luck; this is a hard time for you, I'm sure, and it's not made any easier by the privacy laws that the hospital is required to follow.

If I have answered your question, please click on ACCEPT so I can receive credit for my answer. If you have constructive comments about my response to you, please leave feedback; if you are happy with my response, please leave positive feedback even if you don't leave a comment. Remember that you are leaving feedback for the quality of my help to you, not for Just Answer's policies or billings (I have no control over JA, especially not over their billing of customers; I just control what I have written). If questions linger, please hit REPLY to let me know how I can help you further.

Expert:	Nancy Delain
Pos. Feedback:	92.3 %
Accepts:
Answered:	12/12/2008

Attorney

Registered Patent Attorney (1/2005); Attorney at Law (1/2004); M.S., Tech Writing (5/1981)