What can a physician be sued for if they leave sensitive medical records in a public place?

A physician can be sued for invasion of privacy when they leave sensitive medical records in a public place because this action directly compromises the confidentiality of patient information, which is a fundamental aspect of patient care and medical ethics. Invasion of privacy occurs when a person's private information is disclosed without their consent, leading to potentially harmful consequences for the individual whose information has been exposed.

Leaving medical records in a public setting directly violates the trust that patients place in healthcare providers to protect their sensitive information. This breach can result in unauthorized individuals accessing personal health data, which can lead to embarrassment, discrimination, or other forms of psychological harm to the patient.

The other options, while related to harm that could be inflicted, do not specifically address the core issue of privacy regarding confidential information. For example, slander and libel pertain to defamation, which involves false statements that harm someone’s reputation, rather than the unauthorized exposure of private medical records. Willful infliction of mental distress focuses more on intentional actions that cause psychological harm, which is not directly aligned with the specific nature of leaving sensitive records in public. Thus, invasion of privacy is the most accurate legal concept that applies in this scenario.