How Do Relatives Get Copies of Hospital Records for Deceased Relatives in Florida?

Hospital records in Florida fall under privacy law regualtions.

Florida's privacy laws make it difficult but not impossible to obtain hospital records on deceased relatives. Contacting the funeral home that handled the deceased's service is an one way to obtain the medical records pertaining to the cause of death.

Law

According to Florida Statute XXIX, public health 382.0008 paragraph 6; "All information relating to cause of death in all death and fetal death records and the parentage, marital status, and medical information included in all fetal death records of this state are confidential."

Exemptions

Adult children, parents and legal counsel of the deceased's estate are entitled to hospital records if they can prove there is a compelling need for the records. A compelling need would include cause of death for an insurance policy or for survivor benefits from the Social Security Administration. Records exceeding 50 years old can be requested by anyone.

Records Request

Send the request for the deceased relative's hospital records to the hospital's administration or records office. Mailing the request is the most common way to ask for access to records. Having an attorney make the request increases the chances of the records being released to the family.

References

• Florida Statutes: Home page

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish