Opinion
3:12-cv-00538-MMD-WGC
09-12-2014
LAUSTEVEION JOHNSON, Plaintiff, v. A. NGUYEN, et al., Defendants.
ORDER
(re: Doc. # 72)
Before the court is Defendants' Motion for Leave to File Medical Consultation Report Under Seal. (Doc. # 72.) Defendants assert that attached as Exhibit B to their Notice of Medical Exam (Doc. # 71) is Dr. Wall's medical consultation report of Plaintiff's September 3, 2014 examination, and Exhibit C to the notice is a transcription of the report, which give details regarding Plaintiff's medical history and complaints. (Doc. # 72.)
Refers to court's docket number.
"Historically, courts have recognized a general right to inspect and copy public records and documents, including judicial records and documents." See Kamakana v. City and County of Honolulu, 447 F.3d 1172, 1178 (9th Cir. 2006) (internal quotation marks and citation omitted). Documents that have been traditionally kept secret, including grand jury transcripts and warrant materials in a pre-indictment investigation, come within an exception to the general right of public access. See id. Otherwise, "a strong presumption in favor of access is the starting point." Id. (internal quotation marks and citation omitted).
A motion to seal documents that are part of the judicial record, or filed in connection with a dispositive motion, as they are here, must meet the "compelling reasons" standard outlined in Kamakana. Thus, a party seeking to seal judicial records must show that "compelling reasons supported by specific factual findings...outweigh the general history of access and the public policies favoring disclosure." Kamakana, 447 F.3d at 1178-79. The trial court must weigh relevant factors including "the public interest in understanding the judicial process and whether disclosure of the material could result in improper use of the material for scandalous or libelous purposes or infringement upon trade secrets." Pintos v. Pacific Creditors Ass'n, 605 F.3d 665, 679 n. 6 (9th Cir. 2010) (internal quotation marks and citation omitted). While the decision to grant or deny a motion to seal is within the trial court's discretion, the trial court must articulate its reasoning in deciding a motion to seal. Pintos, 605 F.3d at 679.
When a motion to seal documents filed in connection with a non-dispositive motion, "the usual presumption of the public's right of access is rebutted[,]" and requires only a showing of "good cause." Kamakana, 447 F.3d at 1180 ("A 'good cause' showing under Rule 26(c) will suffice to keep sealed records attached to non-dispositive motions.").
Defendants seek to file these documents under seal in connection with their notice that the medical examination took place. In other words, the filing is connected to a non-dispositive motion; however, because the report may be utilized in the future in connection with a dispositive motion, the court will analyze whether it should be sealed under both the "compelling reason" and "good cause" standards. In fact, courts have consistently held that the need to protect medical privacy qualifies as a "compelling reason" for sealing records, and therefore, also satisfies the "good cause" standard for documents filed in connection with a non-dispositive motion. See, e.g., San Ramon Regional Med. Ctr., Inc. v. Principal Life Ins. Co., 2011 WL89931, at *n.1 (N.D. Cal. Jan. 10, 2011); Abbey v. Hawaii Employers Mut. Ins. Co., 2010 WL4715793, at * 1-2 (D. HI. Nov. 15, 2010); G. v. Hawaii, 2010 WL 267483, at *1-2 (D.HI. June 25, 2010); Wilkins v. Ahern, 2010 WL3755654 (N.D. Cal. Sept. 24, 2010); Lombardi v. TriWest Healthcare Alliance Corp., 2009 WL 1212170, at * 1 (D.Ariz. May 4, 2009).
Exhibits B and C contain Plaintiff's sensitive health information, medical history, and treatment records. Balancing the need for the public's access to information regarding Plaintiff's medical history, treatment, and condition against the need to maintain the confidentiality of Plaintiff's medical records weighs in favor of sealing these exhibits. Therefore, Defendants' motion (Doc. # 72) to file Exhibits B and C (in support of their notice of medical exam) under seal is GRANTED. IT IS SO ORDERED. DATED: September 12, 2014.
/s/_________
WILLIAM G. COBB
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE