A woman's son dies in a hospital and she requests the medical records – which she is entitled to under federal law.  But the hospital doesn't comply until California's three-year statute of limitations has expired and she can no longer sue, according to a USA Today story. 

When hospitals do comply, they may play tricks.  "I see this all the time," says one expert witness.  "Pages are darkened, they are lightened, they are enlarged, shortened – put slightly down so you can't see a signature."