Parent as Witness to Accident
Post Series: Ethics Scenario Archive
- 1.Approaching Former Adult Client
- 2.Medical Marijuana
- 3.Pro Bono Work
- 4.Supervision Has Multiple Relationships with Family Receiving Services
- 5.Parent Training Concerns
- 6.Parents Not Implementing Procedures
- 7.Soliciting Parent Testimonials
- 8.Retaliation Towards Mandated Reporting
- 9.Family Rejecting Safety Measures
- 10.Parental Collaboration
- 11.Hostile Work Enviornment
- 12.Creating Protocol to Prevent and Treat Trauma with Limited Functional Language
- 13.Parent ABA Practice Questions in OT & Speech
- 14.Potential Gifts From Clients on Social Media
- 15.Helping Close Relationships With ABA Tips
- 16.Parent Utilizing CBD & THC
- 17.Client Pre-Authorization Denied For Much Needed Services
- 18.Supervisee Slaps Child in School Setting
- 19.Changing Direction of Treatment from Previous BCBA
- 20.BCBA Subpoenaed in Family Court
- 21.Terminate Services Due To Parent Behavior
- 22.Parents Offering Token Items During Check Out/Transition
- 23.Family Doesn’t Want Details Released To Funding Source Without Permission
- 24.Resources for IRB Approval for Independent Researchers
- 25.Speech Therapist Refusing To Do PECS
- 26.BCBA Receives Cease & Desist
- 27.Unlicensed, Certified BCBA Provide Supervision
- 28.Rapid Prompting Method (RPM)
- 29.Parent as Witness to Accident
- 30.Website Testimonials
- 31.Student Using Social Media Inappropriately
Scenario
I got in a car accident today in front of a client’s house. The client’s mom came outside after she heard the accident and saw the position of the cars. I had to move my car because I was blocking the street. Would it be appropriate if I ask her if she could be a witness? Or would that be an ethical violation? I have to go to court in February. When the police officer asked if I knew the client’s mom I told him I couldn’t answer that because of HIPAA.
Response
- Committee Input: Protection of the consumer (PHI) as intention; as a “witness” there is no obligation to disclose nature of professional relationship.
- Exploration: What aspects of HIPAA are related to incident (where is the breach)? What is the nature of the professional relationship/context/
environmental factors? Impact on harmful effects of multiple relationships – is this applicable in the specific situation? How does that relationship impact whether or not to request support? Check organization’s internal policies and procedures; reach out to internal HR or HIPAA Officer for guidance (incident report??). - Codes: 1.06