Dahlton v. Kyser

Summary

The Oregon Supreme Court granted a peremptory writ of mandamus, holding that statutory beneficiaries in a wrongful‑death action are not "parties" under ORCP 44C and therefore their privileged medical records are not subject to compulsory disclosure. The court reasoned that "party" under the rule means a litigant with authority to control the litigation, which beneficiaries lack.