'Patient Zero' Permanent Injunction OKd by Judge

ALAMEDA, Calif. – Alameda Superior Court Judge Winifred Smith has granted a permanent injunction preventing Cal-OSHA from obtaining the personally identifying information of "Patient Zero" or other patients of the now-defunct AIM Health Care Foundation.

The injunction represents a defeat of the California regulator’s efforts at obtaining medical records and identification of adult film performers.

"Judge Smith was very specific in requiring Cal-OSHA to obtain performer permission and authorization before seeking HIV test results or personally identifying information," said Karen Tynan, attorney for AIM. "It is bittersweet after this lengthy fight and all that has happened in the last two years.

"[The judge] made the correct ruling and the medical records of performers and performer medical privacy has been recognized as requiring protection from intrusive subpoenas of Cal-OSHA."

The suit over Patient Zero information was put on the fast track after her counsel from the ACLU learned of a meeting slated in July between Cal-OSHA officials and AIM personnel.

The court filing detailed the extent Cal-OSHA used its regulatory power to seek patient medical records at AIM, which provides HIV and STD testing and treatment mostly for adult industry performers.

Cal-OSHA, which conducted a surprise inspection of the AIM facility in Sherman Oaks, Calif., on June 17, 2209, later issued a subpoena to AIM but not to Patient Zero, who was informed by AIM on June 6, 2009, that results of an HIV test showed her preliminarily testing positive for HIV. (Patient Zero’s identity has never been revealed publicly.)

The subpoena issued by Cal-OSHA included requests for confidential public health records and "personally identifying information of AIM patents who tested positive for HIV that could reasonably be expected to identify or lead to the identification of Patient Zero."

At the time, AIM personnel refused to produce records.

But Cal-OSHA officials scheduled a follow-up investigatory interview with AIM staff in Oakland, Calif., according to the suit.

Once Patient Zero’s attorneys got wind of the interview with AIM staff, they immediately shot off a request to Cal-OSHA objecting to it.

Patient Zero’s counsel said they never received any response from Cal-OSHA relative to the request; however a receipt of the letter showed that Cal-OSHA special counsel did receive the letter.

Patient Zero's counsel later filed its suit at Alameda Superior Court, later receiving a temporary injunction. This week Smith made it permanent.

Patient Zero was diagnosed HIV-positive, but no other performers were found to have contracted the virus from transmission.

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Mymember.site Integrates VR Functionality

Mymember.site has added virtual reality playback capability to its website management platform.

Texas Patti to Launch Fetish Platform 'EmpireDom'

Performer and content creator Texas Patti is launching a new platform for doms and fetish creators, EmpireDom.com.

Vince Karter Discusses Directing for Evil Angel

After 13 years on screen, Vince Karter has taken his talents to the other side of the camera. He recently made his studio directing debut for Evil Angel, where five scenes helmed by the two-time Euro XMAs Male Performer of the Year are already streaming on the site.

WIFEY Names Serenity Cox Brand Ambassador

Vixen Media Group (VMG) studio imprint WIFEY has named Serenity Cox as its brand ambassador.

Emma Rosie Makes Her TransAngels Debut

Emma Rosie has made her TransAngels debut alongside Zariah Aura in "Trick or Treating Ourselves."

Ohio AG Threatens Action Against 'Major' Adult Sites Over AV Law

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced today that his office is sending "notice of violation" letters to 19 adult websites for failure to comply with the state's recently enacted age verification law.

Transfixed Debuts Bree Miller Drama 'MILF Oasis'

Transfixed has released the Bree Mills-helmed drama “MILF Oasis.”

Sweet Sinner Releases 6th Volume of 'MILF Pact'

Reigning XMAs MILF Performer of the Year Penny Barber stars with Bunny Madison, Katrina Colt, and Little Puck in the sixth volume of "MILLF Pact," from Mile High Media studio imprint Sweet Sinner.

Chaturbate Announces 2025 Music Contest Winners

Chaturbate has revealed the winners of its 2025 music competition.

Hime Marie Leads Latest From Hookup Hotshot

Hime Marie returns to Hookup Hotshot for a new scene featuring Nade Nasty.

Show More