Piper v. Speedy Wheels Transport, LLC

Summary

The United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida grants Defendants’ unopposed renewed/amended motion to file excerpts of the plaintiff’s medical and Social Security Disability records under seal. The Court finds good cause based on the sensitive medical information and the plaintiff’s privacy interests, and directs Defendants to file the exhibits under seal by February 20, 2026. The seal will generally expire 90 days after the case is closed and all appeals are exhausted, absent further order.

Holdings

1. Defendants demonstrated good cause to seal the medical and Social Security Disability records because the records contained sensitive private medical information, Plaintiff's privacy interests would be impaired by public disclosure, and adequate redaction was not practicable.
2. Because the records were filed in support of a dispositive motion rather than solely in connection with discovery, they were subject to the common-law right of access; that right was overcome here by a showing of good cause.

Questions Presented

1. Whether Defendants demonstrated good cause to overcome the presumptive common-law right of public access and file Plaintiff's medical and Social Security Disability records under seal.
2. Whether the exhibits supporting a dispositive motion were subject to the common-law right of access rather than the more limited access applicable to discovery materials.

Disposition

other