Employer Can't Compel Worker to Release Medical Records Unrelated to Claim

An Ohio appellate court ruled that an employer could not compel an injured employee to sign a release allowing for disclosure of her medical records for conditions that were not part of her workers’ compensation claim. Case: State ex rel. Costco Wholesale Corp. v. Howard, No. 18AP-115, 04/18/2019, published. Facts and procedural history: Jennifer Howard worked for the Costco Wholesale Corp. as a marketing representative. She suffered multiple injuries in a work-related car accident in August 2009. Howard filed an application for permanent total disability benefits in October 2017. Cos...