What is attorney-client privilege in a civil case?

Attorney-client privilege protects confidential communications made for legal advice. If a message is disclosed by mistake, a judge may review intent, speed of correction, and fairness before deciding if privilege is waived. Outcomes can affect discovery scope, impeachment options, and settlement strategy in a wrongful death lawsuit.

Why does the February 12 hearing matter?

The hearing could decide if Karen Read’s email can be used to impeach her. That ruling may change trial tactics, discovery costs, and negotiation leverage. A wrongful death lawyer will plan for both outcomes, since admissibility can influence credibility assessments and the overall value of a potential settlement.

How can a wrongful death lawyer manage email risks?

They set clear client rules, limit reply-all, label privileged content, and shift sensitive issues to calls. They also seek protective orders with clawback terms and train teams to act fast after accidental disclosures. These steps raise the odds that attorney-client privilege remains intact in active litigation.

What could this mean for insurers?

A privilege ruling can widen discovery and extend timelines, lifting defense costs. Carriers may adjust reserves and push for earlier mediation if risk rises. A wrongful death lawyer will update budgets and contingency plans so insurers can model outcomes under both privilege-preserved and privilege-waived scenarios.

Law and Government

February 06: Karen Read ‘Reply-All’ Email Sparks Privilege Fight

ByHuzaifa Zahoor February 7, 2026February 7, 2026

A wrongful death lawyer sees risk when a client’s email goes to the wrong inbox. On February 6, reports say Karen Read’s inadvertent reply-all in the O’Keefe wrongful death lawsuit set off a dispute over attorney-client privilege, with a February 12 hearing likely to decide if the message can impeach her. We explain what this means for the Karen Read civil case, why discovery costs can spike, and how insurers and law firms should plan for fallout.