SNIDER v. GILMORE et al

Filing 123

ORDER. Plaintiff's Motion for Reconsideration, (Doc. 122), is DENIED. See contents of this filing. Signed by Judge Cathy Bissoon on 2/5/20. (wss)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE WESTERN DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA
JOEL SNIDER,
Plaintiff,
v.
ROBERT GILMORE, et al.,
Defendants.

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Civil Action No.18-735
Judge Cathy Bissoon
Magistrate Judge Lisa Pupo Lenihan

ORDER
This case has been referred to United States Magistrate Judge Lisa Pupo Lenihan for
pretrial proceedings in accordance with the Magistrates Act, 28 U.S.C. §§ 636(b)(l)(A) and (B),
and Local Rule of Civil Procedure 72.
On February 4, 2020, Plaintiff filed a Motion for Reconsideration, (“Motion for
Reconsideration,” Doc. 122), asking the Court to reconsider its January 7, 2020 Order, (Doc.
114), denying his Motion for a court order for his prior medical records, (Doc. 113). For the
reasons below, Plaintiff’s Motion for Reconsideration will be denied.
“A judgment may be altered or amended if the party seeking reconsideration shows at
least one of the following grounds: (1) an intervening change in the controlling law; (2) the
availability of new evidence . . . ; or (3) the need to correct a clear error of law or fact or to
prevent manifest injustice.” Max’s Seafood Cafe v. Quinteros, 176 F.3d 669, 677 (3d Cir. 1999).
After careful review of the arguments raised in the Motion for Reconsideration, the Court finds
Plaintiff has failed to present any valid grounds for altering or reconsidering its previous order.
Specifically, the Motion for Reconsideration urges the Court—once again—that the
medical records Plaintiff requested be subpoenaed are very important. The Court has already

rejected this argument, in part because it accepts that Plaintiff has a history of very serious
mental health issues. (See Docs. 66, 114.) No additional information regarding this history is
relevant to the Court.
Rather, Plaintiff presented evidence that a court order was required for an evaluation of
his current mental health conditions and limitations, (Doc. 104-1), which are of interest to the
undersigned. (See Docs. 66 at 3–4, 109; 114.) The Court has given Plaintiff what he has asked
for, and it will not go further and authorize the undertaking of an unnecessary fishing expedition
through his medical records and life history.
Plaintiff’s Motion for Reconsideration, (Doc. 122), is DENIED.
IT IS SO ORDERED.

February 5, 2020

cc (via ECF email notification):
All Counsel of Record
cc (via First-Class U.S. Mail):
JOEL SNIDER
KZ-8124
SCI Houtzdale
PO Box 1000
Houtzdale, PA 16698

s\Cathy Bissoon
Cathy Bissoon
United States District Judge