ATLANTA, GA / ACCESS Newswire / February 3, 2026 / A Georgia-based law firm is raising alarms about what it describes as an emerging threat to patient privacy: the use of litigation tactics by large national insurers to obtain and permanently retain private medical information from individuals who are not involved in any lawsuit.

Legal expert highlights constitutional concerns over data retention practices in insurance litigation.

Yasha Heidari, attorney at Delgado Heidari LLC, has been at the forefront of efforts to protect patient privacy in Georgia courts. He warns that insurers are increasingly seeking access to broad categories of medical records under the guise of routine legal discovery.

"This is about more than legal procedure; it is about the weaponization of private medical data," said Heidari. "We are seeing insurers request not only the identities and medical details of uninvolved citizens but also the ability to keep and use that information in perpetuity. The Georgia Constitution's right to privacy should not be a negotiable formality."

The concern centers on three critical issues affecting Georgia patients:

The Threat of Permanent Data Retention

Unlike standard legal practice, which typically requires sensitive information to be returned or destroyed after litigation concludes, some discovery orders have permitted insurers to retain patient data indefinitely. Critics argue this creates a permanent intelligence-gathering mechanism for the insurance industry at the expense of patient confidentiality.

Protecting Non-Party Patients

When medical practices are drawn into litigation, patients who sought treatment expecting confidentiality can find their information disclosed to insurers they have never used. These individuals are not parties to any lawsuit and often receive no notice that their private medical information may be shared.

"You shouldn't lose your constitutional right to privacy just because your doctor is involved in someone else's legal matter," Heidari explained.

Constitutional Safeguards at Risk

Under Georgia law, medical records receive heightened protection because they reflect the physical state of the body. The Georgia Constitution guarantees citizens a right to privacy that legal scholars often describe as the right to be let alone.

Heidari argues that this constitutional framework must be actively defended. "At Delgado Heidari LLC, we believe the law is meant to serve as a sanctuary for the individual, not a tool for corporate overreach. We are dedicated to ensuring that the Georgia Constitution remains a steadfast shield, protecting the fundamental rights of our citizens."

The issue has significant implications for medical practices across Georgia, including Ortho Sport and Spine Physicians LLC, which has been actively working to protect patient privacy through proper legal channels.

"If broad data requests become standard practice, any insurer in any lawsuit could potentially harvest the medical data of thousands of innocent citizens simply by claiming they need to investigate a healthcare provider," Heidari warned. "It turns a patient's private file into a litigation weapon."

Georgia courts have previously recognized limits on discovery requests that seek expansive access to medical practice records. Legal experts point to established precedent holding that inquiries into potential witness bias do not justify unlimited access to patient information.

"At Delgado Heidari LLC, we hold that the law should be a safeguard for the person, not a weapon for the powerful," Heidari stated. "Our mission is to ensure that the right to be let alone remains a living commitment in the Georgia Constitution, one that cannot be traded away, but must be fiercely defended."

For more information about patient privacy rights in Georgia, visit Delgado Heidari LLC.

About Delgado Heidari LLC

Delgado Heidari LLC is a Georgia-based law firm dedicated to advocating for the privacy rights of individuals. With a focus on safeguarding patient confidentiality, the firm is at the forefront of efforts to protect sensitive medical information from exploitation by large insurers. The firm's founder, Yasha Heidari, has been a vocal advocate for the protection of Georgia residents' constitutional right to privacy, particularly in the context of legal proceedings involving medical data. Through strategic legal efforts, Delgado Heidari LLC works tirelessly to ensure that patient information remains secure, upholding the values of privacy and justice for all. For more information, visit Delgado Heidari LLC's website.

Media Contact

Country: United States
Media Contact: Liza Bradshaw
Company: GGPMEDIA LLC
Email: liza@ggp.media
Phone number: +1 949-272-8729
Website: www.ggp.media

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For advice on specific legal issues, individuals are encouraged to seek the counsel of a qualified attorney. The contents of this article are based on current legal understandings and are not guaranteed to be up-to-date or applicable to any specific situation.

SOURCE: Delgado Heidari LLC