Opinion
01 Civ. 8594 (LTS) (RLE).
June 7, 2006
OPINION AND ORDER
I. INTRODUCTION
Pro se plaintiff, Juan Candelaria ("Candelaria"), commenced this action on September 24, 2001, against numerous defendants under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 alleging civil rights violations. District Judge Laura Taylor Swain referred this action to the undersigned for general pretrial supervision and settlement. On June 5, 2006, the Court held a conference to discuss the status of this case. At the conference, defendant St. Agnes Hospital ("St. Agnes") asked the Court to order Candelaria to execute new authorizations for the release of updated medical records. For the reasons which follow, St. Agnes's request is GRANTED, and the parties are directed to complete all discovery by September 15, 2006.
II. DISCUSSION
Candelaria opposes St. Agnes's request for updated medical records on three grounds: 1) that the medical records St. Agnes seeks concerning his kidney transplant are not relevant to the allegations in his complaint; 2) that he has already executed all medical releases provided by defendants; and 3) that his medical records may contain information about a third party — namely, his organ donor — and that he cannot provide a release for third-party medical records.1. Relevance of the Records at Issue
St. Agnes seeks updated medical records which contain information regarding Candelaria's October 2005 kidney transplant. Candelaria argues that these records are not relevant to this action. The standards for relevance in discovery are broad. Rule 26(b), Federal Rules of Civil Procedure; Weatherspoon v. Nat'l R.R. Passenger Corp., 2005 WL 2548258, at *1 (E.D.N.Y. Oct. 12, 2005). Here, Candelaria alleges that defendants failed to diagnose and treat his kidney condition. Since Candelaria has placed his medical condition and the treatment of his kidney at issue in this case, and attributes his medical condition to defendants' deliberate indifference, his October 2005 kidney transplant is directly related to the allegations in his complaint. The Court finds, therefore, that medical records concerning his kidney transplant are relevant and should be disclosed.
2. Recent Medical Treatment Necessitates the Execution of New Releases
St. Agnes and Candelaria both concede that release forms for medical records were previously executed. However, St. Agnes maintains that it has received limited medical records and information. St. Agnes contends that authorizations for the release of medical records previously executed by Candelaria are now outdated, and that new, updated authorizations are appropriate and necessary because of the recent kidney transplant. Candelaria takes the position that he has satisfied his discovery obligations by previously executing authorization for the release of medical records. Since the Court finds that the contested medical records are relevant, Candelaria's recent treatment and kidney transplant necessitates further discovery and the disclosure of updated medical records. Candelaria is, therefore, directed to execute updated releases for medical records.
3. Third Party Medical Records
Candelaria argues that medical records regarding his kidney transplant may contain sensitive medical information concerning a third party — namely, his kidney donor. He contends that he cannot compromise the medical records of his kidney donor. The argument is both speculative and without merit. By executing a release for his own medical records, Candelaria would not be authorizing or consenting to the release of sensitive or private third party medical records and information. There is no purpose served in the unwarranted invasion of the privacy of medical records concerning uninvolved third parties. Hoppe v. G.D. Searle Co., 1990 WL 198825, at *2 (S.D.N.Y. Nov. 27, 1990). The hospital has an independent obligation to safeguard records of other patients. Since the records at issue are not under Candelaria's possession, custody or control, by executing the updated releases, he would be authorizing only the disclosure of his medical records.
III. CONCLUSION
For the foregoing reasons, Candelaria shall executive new authorizations for the release of his medical records. Candelaria requests a stay of this ruling pending an appeal to Judge Swain. His request for a stay is GRANTED. Any appeal from this decision shall be filed with Judge Swain within ten days. The parties are directed to complete all discovery by September 15, 2006.
SO ORDERED.