New York Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul is suing ESPN and their reporter, Adam Schefter, for posting his medical records on Twitter for nearly 4 million followers.
JPP filed documents in a Miami-Dade County court Wednesday, stating that ESPN and Schefter violated his privacy. In the suit it is notated that Schefter “improperly obtained Plaintiff’s medical records from a hospital.” The charts, which were posted on July 8, showed that the DE had his right index finger amputated.
“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,” the lawsuit reads.
While JPP acknowledges that as a player his injuries are public, his medical charts are not. The suit cites Florida statute 456.057(11), which states that third parties who obtain medical information are prohibited from further disclosing it without written consent of the patient or a legal representative.
The civil suit does not specify any monetary damages other than saying it “is an action for damages in excess of $15,000.”
Schefter did admit in an interview with Sports Illustrated that he “could have and should have done even more to protect [Pierre-Paul’s] medical records.” However, as of now neither he or ESPN have released a comment regarding the civil suit.
Source: Complex
