Jason Pierre-Paul sues ESPN, Adam Schefter over leaked medical records
Jason Pierre-Paul is suing ESPN and Adam Schefter over a violation of privacy.
By
John Breech
•
1 min read
Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul has filed a lawsuit against ESPN and reporter Adam Schefter for violating his privacy after he suffered a severe hand injury following a fireworks mishap on July 4.
The lawsuit was filed on Wednesday in Miami Dade County, according to the New York Post, which first obtained a copy of the suit.
Four days after Pierre-Paul suffered the gruesome hand injury, Schefter reported that JPP had to have his right index finger amputated. The ESPN reporter broke the news on Twitter, where he also included a picture of Pierre-Paul's medical records.
Pierre-Paul's lawyers, Mitchell Schuster and Kevin Fritz, contend that's where the invasion of privacy took place.
"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 states.
The lawsuit also states that Schefter "improperly obtained" the medical chart from Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, where JPP was treated. Two hospital employees were fired this month after Jackson Memorial conducted an internal investigation.
In an interview with Sports Illustrated conducted back in July, shortly after he broke the Pierre-Paul news, Schefter admitted that he "could have and should have done even more to protect [Pierre-Paul's] medical records."
Schefter also defended his reporting. "[I]n a day and age in which pictures and videos tell stories and confirm facts, in which sources and their motives are routinely questioned, and in which reporters strive to be as accurate as possible, this was the ultimate supporting proof," Schefter said at the time in the SI interview.
At the time, ESPN released a short statement saying that the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 "does not apply to news organizations."
The lawsuit doesn't specify how much money Pierre-Paul is seeking from ESPN or Schefter.
