Giants Jason Pierre-Paul Sues ESPN Reporter over Published Medical Records
New York Giants Jason Pierre-Paul has sued ESPN and its NFL reporter Adam Schefter for publishing his medical records during the summer. The New York Post was the first to report on the story.
The defensive end's lawsuit, filed in Miami-Dade County, Florida, claimed that both parties had violated the athlete's privacy. The suit stated that Schefter, who tweeted pictures of the medical records on July 8, had "improperly obtained Plaintiff's medical records from a hospital."
"This action arises out of ESPN reporter Schefter's blatant disregard for the private and confidential nature of Plaintiff's medical records all so Schefter could show the world that he had 'supporting proof' of a surgical procedure," it read.
The records had revealed that Pierre-Paul underwent a procedure to amputate his right index finger.
The lawsuit cited Florida statue 456.057, which states that a patient's medical records are not legally allowed to be shared or discuss with parties who are not involved with the patient's care.
Schefter had defended his decision roughly one week after he made the images public but did admit that maybe he could have done something more to protect the records. He explained that employees at the Jackson Memorial Hospital, where Pierre-Paul was treated after his July 4 fireworks accident, contacted him about the images and that he never sought them out himself. The two hospital employees have since been fired.
The lawsuit also stated that other parties who attained the medical records were not allowed to distribute without getting consent from the patient or from the patient's legal representative.
The suit did not outwardly ask for a specific amount of money but it did say that it "is an action for damages in excess of $15,000.
Pierre-Paul played in the final eight games with the Giants this past season but struggled. After the season ended, he underwent hand surgery to improve flexibility.
Pierre-Paul will become a free agent in the offseason.
