Opinion
1:21-cv-00127-NE-BAM
07-21-2021
VADEN ANDERSON, Plaintiff, v. AMAZON.COM, INC., et al., Defendants.
ORDER GRANTING PLAINTIFF'S REQUEST AND MOTION FOR HIPPA MEDICAL INFORMATION AND CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROL ACCIDENT REPORT TO BE FILED UNDER SEAL
(Doc. 8)
Barbara A. McAuliffe UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE
Currently before the Court is Plaintiff's request to file under seal certain medical information and a California Highway Accident Report submitted in support of his pending Motion for Second Extension of Time to Hand File Amended Factual Complaint. (Doc. 10.) For the reasons that follow, Plaintiff's request is GRANTED.
“Historically, courts have recognized a ‘general right to inspect and copy public records and documents, including judicial records and documents.'” Kamakana v. City & Cty. of Honolulu, 447 F.3d 1172, 1178 (9th Cir. 2006) (quoting Nixon v. Warner Commc'ns, Inc., 435 U.S. 589, 597 & n.7 (1978)). “[J]udicial records are public documents almost by definition, and the public is entitled to access by default.” Id. at 1180. This “federal common law right of access” to court documents generally extends to “all information filed with the court, ” and “creates a strong presumption in favor of access to judicial documents which can be overcome only by showing sufficiently important countervailing interests.” Phillips ex. Rel. Estates of Byrd v. Gen. Motors Corp., 307 F.3d 1206, 1212 (9th Cir. 2002) (citations and quotation marks omitted). Two standards govern whether documents should be sealed: a “compelling reasons” standard, which applies to dispositive motions, and a “good cause” standard, which applies to non-dispositive motions. Kamakana, 447 F.3d at 1179; see also Pintos v. Pac. Creditors Ass'n, 605 F.3d 665, 677-78 (9th Cir. 2010). The “good cause” standard, which is applicable here, presents a lower burden for the party wishing to seal documents. Pintos, 605 F.3d at 678. Courts determine whether good cause exists to protect the information from being disclosed to the public by “balancing the needs for discovery against the need for confidentiality.” Id. (quoting Phillips, 307 F.3d at 1213).
Plaintiff asserts that he “deserves the right to seal and compartmentalize his personal medical information from public access.” (Doc. 8 at 2.) Having considered the documents at issue, the Court concludes that Plaintiff has sufficiently shown good cause for filing under seal. Accordingly, good cause being shown, Plaintiff's request to seal is HEREBY GRANTED. The Court orders that the medical information and California Highway Patrol Accident Report submitted on paper to the Clerk of the Court in conjunction with the request to seal be filed and maintained under seal. The Clerk is directed to scan the documents to be sealed and file them under seal pursuant to Local Rule 144.
IT IS SO ORDERED.