A friend of mine, on disability leave from AT&T, has been required to
submit to examination by a psychologist for the purpose of benefit
determination.

When he reported to the psychologist, Joanne Max, she demanded that he
sign a form releasing her from legal liabilty. (so sue me, I gave names)

Is this customary, ethical, or even legal in Georgia?

: A friend of mine, on disability leave from AT&T, has been required to
: submit to examination by a psychologist for the purpose of benefit
: determination.
: When he reported to the psychologist, Joanne Max, she demanded that he
: sign a form releasing her from legal liabilty. (so sue me, I gave names)
: Is this customary, ethical, or even legal in Georgia?
I reply:
        Did you yourself see the form, or is this question based on your
friend's description?  I suspect that the form the psychologist asked him
to sign was one giving her permission to discuss his case with the
company.  Keep in mind, that the psychologist does not work for your
friend; she is an agent of the company.  His signing the form is his
formal acknowledging of that fact.
        In this circumstance, I would criticize a psychologist who did not
get the patient's explicit written permission to discuss the results of
the interview before it occurred.
        Eric Chevlen, MD

I'm not an attorney, but I'm sure one can refuse to sign anything.  Your
friend did not initiate the meeting, so why should he/she release her from
liability?  I think that's AT&T's problem, not your friend's.  If she
insists, your friend should change the form to say he/she is signing under
duress, and without legal advice.