Doe v. Bisignano

Summary

The District Court for the District of Columbia grants in part and denies in part John Doe’s motion to proceed under a pseudonym in his Social Security disability-benefits appeal. The court permits pseudonymity because the case involves sensitive medical information and individualized relief, but denies a request to seal the entire administrative record and requires public filings to redact identifying information.

Holdings

1. Plaintiff may proceed under the pseudonym Doe because the sensitive and highly personal medical information at issue, the individualized relief sought against a government defendant, and the absence of unfairness to the defendant outweigh the factors favoring disclosure.
2. The request to seal the entire administrative record is denied as superfluous and overbroad; Plaintiff may seek narrower or more particularized sealing relief before the assigned district judge.

Questions Presented

1. Whether Plaintiff should be permitted to proceed under a pseudonym based on the sensitive medical information at issue and the balance of interests in anonymity and public disclosure.
2. Whether the court should order the entire administrative record sealed when filed by the agency.

Disposition

other