[header] How to defend yourself in a medical privacy violation lawsuit [title] Read the complaint. [step] The patient will file a complaint in court to start the lawsuit. The complaint will identify you as the " defendant " and the patient as the " plaintiff. 
" the complaint will also describe how you violated the plaintiff's medical privacy, and it will ask the court for a remedy, such as money damages. [substeps] You also might be sued by the state or federal governments for violating the health insurance portability and accountability act (hipaa) regulations.