KATHERINE VINSON, Petitioner, v. THE SUPERIOR COURT OF ALAMEDA COUNTY, Respondent; PERALTA COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT et al., Real Parties in Interest, 43 Cal. 3d 833

Summary

After plaintiff ex-employee was fired by defendant ex-employer, she filed a complaint against alleging sexual harassment, wrongful discharge, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Defendant filed a motion to compel plaintiff to undergo a medical and psychological examination to test the extent of her injuries and to measure her work abilities. After the trial court granted defendant's motion, plaintiff petitioned the appellate court for a writ of prohibition to direct the trial court to forbid the examination, claiming that it violated her right to privacy. The appellate court denied plaintiff's petition. The supreme court reversed the appellate court's decision with directions to issue a peremptory writ of mandate compelling the trial court to limit the scope of the mental examination. The supreme court held that mere initiation of a sexual harassment suit, even with the extreme mental and emotional damage being asserted by plaintiff, did not act as waiver of all ...