Ontario woman claims 'electronic Peeping Tom' accessed medical records for pleasure

An Ontario woman has launched a proposed class-action lawsuit against a hospital, an ophthalmologist and his assistant who happens to be her sister alleging a "serious and prolonged" invasion of privacy which may have potentially impacted a number of patients.

In a statement of claim filed in a Toronto court, the womanalleges her sister used her access to the Trillium Health Partners database to look at her confidential medical records, as well as the files of other patients.

The statement of claim alleges the assistant was "an electronic Peeping Tom" who accessed personal patient information for her own enjoyment.

The woman alleges her sister's employerdid not do enough to protect the privacy interests of patients. The statement of claim also alleges Trillium's privacy policies and procedures were inadequate.

The proposed suit seeks $2 million in general damages along with $1 million in punitive damages.

None of the allegations contained in the statement of claim have been proven in court. Theophthalmologist and his assistantcould not be immediately reached for comment.