failure to provide medical records

I am in Wisconsin the doctor is in Illinois.
In August of 1999 I moved and had to switch my OB doctor. I was 7 months pregnant and requested my medical records via phone, fax and letters by mail. They didn't send them by October when the baby was born. I continued to request them once a month, if not more until October of 2000 when I found out I was moving and would have to switch doctors again. I have been requesting my medical records since this past May when I found out I was pregnant again. They still have not sent them. I had some a cercolage done with my first pregnancy, which makes my pregnancy somewhat of a high risk pregnancy. My new doctor can not determine the best way to treat me without these records. Can I sue them for not giving me my medical records? And if I can sue them, can I also sue them for damages? Thanks.
Kristen

Dear Unix:

Laws vary from state to state regarding the release of medical records to patients. On the other hand, if your current physician requested the records and submitted a signed consent, (you authorizing the old doctor to send copies of your records to the new doctor), and the records have not been received, the physician has violated the regulations of your states Board of Medical Examiners. Contact them and file a complaint. You should receive the records shortly thereafter.

Usually, the only reason a doctor will not release a patients records is suspicion that a lawsuit is forthcoming. Perhaps he has something to hide?

Good Luck!

PamSJS