Thompson

INTRODUCTION

Petitioner filed a petition for writ of mandate to vacate respondent court’s order

granting real parties in interest’s motion to compel petitioner to disclose whether her

attorneys advised her where to seek medical treatment. Petitioner’s writ of mandate also

seeks to vacate respondent court’s order granting real parties’ motion for sanctions. This

court invited respondent and real parties to respond. No response was filed. We grant

the petition and issue a peremptory writ in the first instance directing respondent court to

vacate its order granting real parties’ motion to compel and to enter a new order denying

the motion. We further direct respondent court to vacate its order granting real parties’

motion for sanctions.

FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY

Petitioner is a plaintiff in a civil personal injury action against real parties

stemming from an incident in which petitioner was struck by a San Bernardino County

Sheriff deputy’s vehicle, causing significant spinal injury. During a deposition, counsel

for real parties asked petitioner whether her attorneys referred her to the treating

healthcare providers. Petitioner’s counsel objected to the question,…