Schumacher’s file 'stolen from French hospital'
An investigation is underway at the French hospital where Michael Schumacher had been receiving treatment after part of the former racing driver’s medical file was stolen. Reports say documents have since been offered to various media groups for €48,000.
French prosecutors have confirmed that the hospital in Grenoble has filed a complaint after medical documents and data on Schumacher were stolen earlier this month.
The former Formula One star had been receiving treatment at the hospital after suffering a life-threatening injury in a skiing accident in the French Alps in December.
Schumacher was recently moved from the hospital in Grenoble to a clinic in Lausanne, Switzerland where he will continue his recovery from the accident.
But Schumacher’s entourage are concerned that private details on the German’s state of health have been pilfered and data has reportedly been offered to various French, German and English media groups for €48,000.
Sabine Kehm a spokeswoman for the German said: “For some days, documents and data, which the seller claims are the medical records of Michael Schumacher, have been made available to certain members of the media in return for payment.
“We cannot say whether these documents are genuine. But the fact is documents have been stolen and the theft has been reported and the authorities are investigating,” said Kehm.
She warned that Schumacher’s family would pursue legal action against any media organisation which publishes any of the documents.
“The purchase of these records and their publication are forbidden,” Kehm said. “The information in the file is highly confidential and cannot be made available to the public.”
Details around the theft remain vague. According to regional French newspaper Le Dauphiné Libéré, the first two pages from a ten page file on Schumacher have been stolen.
According to German newspaper Bild Zeitung the seller claims the stolen pages contain information about the surgery that Schumacher underwent whilst in Grenoble.
“We cannot say whether these documents are genuine. But the fact is documents have been stolen and the theft has been reported and the authorities are investigating,” said Kehm.
Doctors at the Grenoble hospital put Schumacher in a medically-induced coma after the December 29th accident in which he hit his head on a rock while skiing with his son and a group of friends. Initial reports had claimed that Schumacher had been going fast at the time of the accident which occurred just a few metres off the piste, but a probe by French investigators revealed that they were not too concerned by his speed and that his equipment and signage were not to blame. The 45-year-old had two operations the days after the accident to remove life-threatening blood clots on his brain. Schumacher's family has repeatedly called on the media not to intrude so he can continue his recovery "away from the public eye".
Comments
See Also
French prosecutors have confirmed that the hospital in Grenoble has filed a complaint after medical documents and data on Schumacher were stolen earlier this month.
The former Formula One star had been receiving treatment at the hospital after suffering a life-threatening injury in a skiing accident in the French Alps in December.
Schumacher was recently moved from the hospital in Grenoble to a clinic in Lausanne, Switzerland where he will continue his recovery from the accident.
But Schumacher’s entourage are concerned that private details on the German’s state of health have been pilfered and data has reportedly been offered to various French, German and English media groups for €48,000.
Sabine Kehm a spokeswoman for the German said: “For some days, documents and data, which the seller claims are the medical records of Michael Schumacher, have been made available to certain members of the media in return for payment.
“We cannot say whether these documents are genuine. But the fact is documents have been stolen and the theft has been reported and the authorities are investigating,” said Kehm.
She warned that Schumacher’s family would pursue legal action against any media organisation which publishes any of the documents.
“The purchase of these records and their publication are forbidden,” Kehm said. “The information in the file is highly confidential and cannot be made available to the public.”
Details around the theft remain vague. According to regional French newspaper Le Dauphiné Libéré, the first two pages from a ten page file on Schumacher have been stolen.
According to German newspaper Bild Zeitung the seller claims the stolen pages contain information about the surgery that Schumacher underwent whilst in Grenoble.
“We cannot say whether these documents are genuine. But the fact is documents have been stolen and the theft has been reported and the authorities are investigating,” said Kehm.
Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.
Please log in here to leave a comment.