Opinion
2:21-cv-01114-APG-VCF
03-12-2024
Toney Anthony White, III, Petitioner v. Calvin Johnson, Respondents
ORDER GRANTING PETITIONER'S MOTION TO SEAL
[ECF NO. 29]
ANDREW P. GORDON, UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
Petitioner Toney Anthony White, III, seeks leave to file under seal Exhibits 22-36 in support of his first amended petition. ECF No. 29. The exhibits contain medical information related to White as well as personal identifying information of White's siblings. The need to protect medical privacy generally qualifies as a “compelling reason” for sealing records. E.g. Abbey v. Hawaii Emp'rs Mut. Ins. Co. (HEMIC), 760 F.Supp.2d 1005, 1013 (D. Haw. 2010); see also Nev. Rev. Stat. § 433A.715(1) (requiring courts to seal records related to mental health treatment). Here, the exhibits contain White's sensitive health information, including his medical history, psychological evaluations, physician's orders, and progress notes.
Having reviewed and considered the matter in accordance with Kamakana v. City and County of Honolulu, 447 F.3d 1172 (9th Cir. 2006), and its progeny, I find that a compelling need to protect White's safety, privacy, and/or personal identifying information outweighs the public interest in open access to court records.
I THEREFORE ORDER that White's motion to seal (ECF No. 29) is granted.