New York Football Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul has filed a lawsuit against ESPN and NFL Insider Adam Schefter for posting his medical records on Twitter last summer.
The lawsuit, filed in Miami Dade County in Florida, alleges that Pierre-Paul’s privacy as well as state medical record statues were violated following Pierre-Paul’s right hand injury following a July 4 fireworks accident. His right indrex finger had to be amputated.
The lawsuit doesn’t specify how much money Pierre-Paul is seeking, other than it “is an action for damages in excess of $15,000.”
Schefter posted a photo of Pierre-Paul’s medical chart on July 8 on the social network, where he currently has more than 4.5 million followers.
“This action arises out of ESPN reporter Schefter’s blatant disregard for the private and confidential nature of Plaintiff’s medical records,” the lawsuit states, “all so Schefter could show the world that he had ‘supporting proof’ of a surgical procedure.”
The suit mentions an interview Schefter had with Sports Illustrated where Schefter said he “could have and should have done even more to protect (Pierre-Paul’s) medical records.”
Two employees of Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami were fired in early February for inappropriately accessing Pierre-Paul’s medical records. They were identified by the Miami Herald as an operating room nurse and secretary. A lawsuit against the hospital has been settled, the hospital said in a statement in announcing the employees’ firing.
Pierre-Paul returned to start the final eight games of the season for the Giants. He got credited with only one sack has he struggled to play with his hand wrapped to protect it.
Following the season, Pierre-Paul had additional surgery on his hand with the hopes to improve flexibility. He is scheduled to be a free agent this offseason.