Judge advises Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni to resolve emotional distress claims dismissal dispute amicably.
Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni’s ongoing legal conflict over claims of emotional distress encountered a setback on Tuesday. A federal judge denied Lively’s bid to dismiss the claims under her preferred conditions, instead instructing both parties to negotiate a resolution. The issue stems from Baldoni’s legal team requesting Lively’s medical and mental health records, which could be vital for countering her allegations that he intentionally and negligently caused her emotional distress during the filming of “It Ends With Us.”
In December, Lively initially accused Baldoni of sexual harassment and retaliation following her complaints about his conduct on set. Baldoni’s lawyers have denied these allegations, leading to a tense standoff where both stars accuse each other of orchestrating smear campaigns. Rather than comply with the medical records request, Lively proposed to withdraw her emotional distress claims, as detailed in court documents filed on Monday.
Baldoni’s legal team objected to her request for a dismissal “without prejudice,” arguing that such a move would allow her to refile the claims in the future. In response to Baldoni’s assertions, Lively’s attorneys labeled his motions as a “false and plainly improper public relations stunt,” urging the court to dismiss them entirely. U.S. District Judge Lewis Liman of the Southern District of New York denied Lively’s initial request but indicated that she could formally file a motion for a dismissal.
At the same time, he rejected Baldoni’s motion for Lively to provide her medical records, as her withdrawal of the emotional distress claims rendered the request moot. Lively’s lawyers asserted that her decision to withdraw those claims was made “in good faith” and aimed at expediting the case. Conversely, Baldoni’s team contended that since Lively claimed emotional injuries, she waived her doctor-patient privilege, necessitating the release of her medical information.
As both parties move forward, a trial is anticipated in March.