?
It's not worth the money unless you were physically harmed (note that this does not mean NEARLY or ALMOST harmed) or had a financial loss as a result of the hospital's actions.
The other answers are wrong on one thing, though. You can go into a court and fill out the papers, pay the court, and then file the suit. However, you won't stand a chance unless you have a lawyer on any case apart from small claims (small claims suits and eviction suits are the only cases you stand a chance of winning without lawyers).
So, yes, you could file your suit yourself tomorrow.
Would you win the case?
Well, that depends whether you have the necessary expertise, somebody with the necessary expertise, and have experienced the necessary level of physical or financial harm from the hospital's negligence to warrant the lawsuit (and judges can be arseholes with their level of necessary they consider).
Merely having given away your information to someone without your consent is negligent, granted; and, yes, I know what that's like as I've had that happen. However, you should lodge your complaint internally (which won't cost money) and you will get an apology.
You won't get money unless you have incurred a loss of some kind, and you almost certainly won't get your legal costs paid even on the off chance you win the case.
So don't bother trying.
wendy c
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damages
this explains the concept of filing a lawsuit FOR DAMAGES. To win, the burden is on you to prove that you in fact HAD LOSSES from what the hospital allegedly did.
If you believe that filing a lawsuit is simply filling out some simple forms, you are gonna be slammed against a wall.
YOU NEED A LAWYER to explain the difference in filing complaint (the hospital is reprimanded) and filing a lawsuit (you want money for your losses).
As part of a lawsuit..you would have to explain WHAT LOSS YOU HAD, in monetary terms, by someone learning about your medical issues.
Part of what a lawyer could do..is help you understand the requirements of either action, as well as what you might expect. HE WOULD DO SO in a logical manner, not emotional, which is going to cloud your thinking.
Lone Cat
Asking how to file a law suit is like asking, how do I build a house. Lawyers spend many hours in school to learn this. You can't just go and pick up forms. There are no forms for this.
Anonymous
At your attorneys office. If you lost no money due this them a law suit is useless. You must prove a loss. If you just want them to obey the laws you speak of simply report the situation to your local health department.
Do not try to sue them without an attorney. They have attorneys which will wipe the floor with you.