Newman v. San Joaquin Delta Community College District

272 F.R.D. 505, 84 Fed. R. Serv. 943, 78 Fed. R. Serv. 3d 1314, 2011 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 16774, 2011 WL 567365
CourtDistrict Court, E.D. California
DecidedFebruary 15, 2011
DocketNo. 2:09-cv-03441 WBS KJN
StatusPublished
Cited by29 cases

This text of 272 F.R.D. 505 (Newman v. San Joaquin Delta Community College District) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, E.D. California primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Newman v. San Joaquin Delta Community College District, 272 F.R.D. 505, 84 Fed. R. Serv. 943, 78 Fed. R. Serv. 3d 1314, 2011 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 16774, 2011 WL 567365 (E.D. Cal. 2011).

Opinion

ORDER

KENDALL J. NEWMAN, United States Magistrate Judge.

At the request of Defendant San Joaquin Delta Community College District (“District”), plaintiff Shirley A. Newman (“Newman”) stipulated to attend and undergo an independent mental examination pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 35. (Joint Statement (“JS”) Dkt. No. 71 at 6.)1 Although she agreed to undergo a mental exam, Newman sought to impose various limitations upon it and challenged the qualifications of the District’s proposed examiner. (Id.) Presently before the court is the District’s motion to compel Newman’s mental examination on the terms and conditions the District requests. (Dkt. No. 53.)2

The court heard this matter on its law and motion calendar on February 3, 2011. Attorney J. Anthony Abbott appeared on behalf of the District. Attorney Kenneth N. Meleyeo appeared on behalf of Newman.

At the hearing, the court heard arguments from counsel on the issues of: (1) whether the District’s proposed examiner is qualified to administer the examination; (2) whether the exam should have a time limit of less than the requested 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. sessions for two days; (3) whether the court should prohibit certain tests from being administered during the mental exam; (4) whether a “support person” should be present in the examination room for any portion of the mental exam; (5) whether the clinical examination portion of the mental exam and/or the testing portion of the mental exam should be videotaped; (6) and in the absence of an order permitting videotaping, whether the clinical examination portion of the mental exam should be audiotaped.

For the reasons described during the hearing and wdthin this order, the court grants the District’s motion, but permits audiotap-ing of the clinical examination portion of Newman’s mental exam.

I. BACKGROUND

The operative Third Amended Complaint alleges that plaintiffs are husband and wife and were students enrolled in and attending classes at Delta College in March 2008.3 (Third Am. Compl. ¶¶ 10-11,13, Dkt. No. 40.) Newman allegedly “suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder and spinal damage and disease” and, as a result, always wears on her 'wrist a “medic-alert bracelet,” which states, in part: “Diabetic, epileptic, Gabapen-tin, high blood pressure, psychotic disor-der____” (Id. ¶ 10.) The medic-alert bracelet also allegedly lists Anthony Butler, a plaintiff in this action, as an emergency contact and contains contact information for Butler. (Id. ¶ 10.) Plaintiffs allege that as a result Newman’s disabilities, Newman suffers from “severe and extreme anxiety” from time to time. (Id. ¶ 13.) They also allege that Delta College was aware of Newman’s disabilities. (Id.)

On March 13, 2008, plaintiffs were allegedly attending classes in separate classrooms at Delta College. (Third Am. Compl. ¶ 11-12.) Plaintiffs allege that at approximately 11:30 a.m., Newman began suffering from “severe and extreme anxiety” and exited her classroom and went to the classroom where Butler, her husband, was attending class. (Id. ¶ 13.) This was allegedly Newman’s “usual [509]*509course of conduct when struck by anxiety” and, when Newman reached her husband’s classroom, the instructor allegedly escorted Newman and Butler to a private room. (Id.) Once in the private room, Newman allegedly “knocked some items off a desk and said she was looking for something to hurt somebody.” (Id.) A woman who was in the room at the time allegedly called the police and reported that Newman was ill. (Id.) Plaintiffs allege that two officers, Delta College Police Officers Ruley and Wood, were dispatched to the scene. (Id. ¶ 14.)

Plaintiffs allege that although they were “peacefully leaving” the classroom when the Officers Ruley and Wood arrived, the officers attacked plaintiffs. (See Third Am. Compl. ¶ 15.) Briefly stated, plaintiffs allege that Officers Ruley and Wood attacked Butler without provocation and used unnecessary and unreasonable force in detaining and restraining Butler. (See id.) They also allege that Officer Ruley threw Newman “against a stout wall with great and unreasonable force.” (Id.) Plaintiffs allege that they were then “falsely imprisoned and detained.” (Id.)

Plaintiffs allege that they were temporarily suspended from Delta College for an alleged assault on a Delta College police officer. (See Third Am. Compl. ¶ 21(1).) As to Newman, continued enrollment at Delta College was allegedly contingent on submitting a recent evaluation by a “licensed (MD) psychiatrist regarding her treatment plan.” (Id. ¶ 21(m).) Newman was allegedly denied enrollment because she submitted only a letter from a therapist. (Id. 21(n).) Plaintiffs allege, however, that Newman’s record was ultimately cleared. (Id. ¶¶ 21(o)-(p).)

Plaintiffs allege that they “were hurt in their health, strength and activity” and sustained “shock and injury to their nervous system and person, all of which said injuries have caused, and continue to cause said Plaintiffs great mental, physical, and nervous pain and suffering.” (Third Am. Compl. ¶ 16*.)4 Plaintiffs further allege that their injuries “will result in some permanent disability.” (Id.) Additionally, they allege a loss of consortium as to Newman in that Newman’s “physical and emotional injuries” have left her “unable to perform the necessary duties as a wife and the work and services usually performed in the care, maintenance and management of the family home.” (Id. ¶ 19*.)

Plaintiffs’ Third Amended Complaint alleges numerous claims against defendants. Particularly relevant here, plaintiffs allege claims for intentional infliction of emotional distress and negligent infliction of emotional distress against all defendants. (See Third Am. Compl. ¶¶ 28-35.) Additionally, plaintiffs allege that the District violated the Americans With Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C. § 12101 et seq., as to her and that, as a proximate result of such violation, she “[e]x-perienced and continues to experience guilt, hardship, anxiety, indignity, and severe mental and emotional anguish.” (See Third Am. Compl. ¶ 55(b).)

On November 23, 2010, counsel for the District requested, via e-mail, that Newman voluntarily submit to a neuropsychological examination, to be conducted by Richard J. Perrillo, Ph.D., in San Francisco, California, and provided Newman with a proposed stipulation and order regarding that examination. (Abbott Decl. ¶¶ 5-6 & Ex. 3; Prop’d Order, Dkt. No. 53-3, Exh. 3 at 2-3.) In a letter dated November 23, 2010, Newman’s counsel explained that Newman would not submit to the neuropsychological examination because Newman was not claiming any “brain damage.” 5 (Abbott Decl. ¶ 7 & Ex. 4.)

In response, the District’s counsel sent a letter, dated November 24, 2010, to Newman’s counsel explaining why the District believed good cause existed to support the [510]*510neuropsychological examination. (Abbott Decl. ¶ 8 & Ex.

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272 F.R.D. 505, 84 Fed. R. Serv. 943, 78 Fed. R. Serv. 3d 1314, 2011 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 16774, 2011 WL 567365, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/newman-v-san-joaquin-delta-community-college-district-caed-2011.