Blake Lively Moves to Drop Emotional Distress Claims in Justin Baldoni Lawsuit
Blake Lively is attempting to withdraw two emotional distress claims from her lawsuit against It Ends With Us director Justin Baldoni. The actress originally accused Baldoni of sexual harassment and retaliation, but is now trying to drop the claims of intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress. The move comes after Baldoni's legal team requested access to her medical and therapy records to defend against those specific claims.
In a court filing, Baldoni’s lawyer wrote, “Instead of complying with the Medical RFPs, Ms. Lively’s counsel recently advised us, in writing, that Ms. Lively is withdrawing her [infliction of emotional distress] Claims.” However, Lively is only willing to drop them without prejudice, which would allow her to bring them back later. Baldoni’s team is pushing for a dismissal with prejudice or, failing that, a court order compelling Lively to turn over her mental health records. “Ms. Lively cannot have it both ways,” the filing adds.
Lively’s lawyers slammed the filing by Baldoni’s team as “a press stunt,” saying they are simply “streamlining and focusing” her case. They also argue that “the Baldoni-Wayfarer strategy of filing retaliatory claims has exposed them to expansive new damages claims under California law, rendering certain of Ms. Lively’s original claims no longer necessary.” The court has yet to decide whether it will force Lively to comply with the discovery request or allow her to withdraw the claims without prejudice.
