Shulman v. Group W. Productions, Inc. Et Al.,

18 Cal.4th 200 (1998)

Facts

P was injured in an auto accident and D filmed her trip to the hospital without her permission. Eventually, when P was in the hospital, she saw herself on TV. P did not know that her rescue had been filmed nor did she give her permission to have it air on TV. P sued for intrusion and public disclosure of private facts. Ps stipulated that auto accidents on public highways and publicly provided emergency rescue and medical services were both matter of public interest that constituted public affairs. Thus, the trial court granted Ds summary judgment. The court of Appeals found triable issues as to whether Ds invaded P's privacy. The supreme court of California then affirmed the dismissal of the private facts part of both claims and then turned its attention to the intrusion claims.