Blake Lively, 37, is trying to abandon her infliction of emotional distress claims against Justin Baldoni, according to new legal documents obtained by The Post.
“Instead of complying with the Medical RFPs, Ms. Lively’s counsel recently advised us, in writing, that Ms. Lively is withdrawing her IED Claims,” Baldoni’s team responded in a filing viewed by The Post.
“However, Ms. Lively has refused the Wayfarer Parties’ reasonable request that the withdrawal of such claims be with prejudice.” “She is only willing to withdraw her claims without prejudice,” it continued.
She alleged that he caused her to suffer “severe emotional distress and pain, humiliation, embarrassment, belittlement, frustration and mental anguish” in addition to lost wages.
But Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios’ attorneys have argued that Lively “waived any doctor-patient privilege” when she claimed to have suffered “physical and emotional injuries” at the hands of Baldoni and the studio.
The turns and twists go on and on.
According to fresh court filings that The Post was able to obtain, 37-year-old Blake Lively is attempting to drop her claims that Justin Baldoni caused her emotional distress.
A document filed in the lawsuit on Monday states that Lively, who previously accused 41-year-old Baldoni of both intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress in a December 2024 lawsuit, is trying to backtrack on the accusations after Baldoni’s legal team requested access to her medical records.
“Msdot Lively’s counsel recently advised us, in writing, that Ms. Lively is withdrawing her IED Claims instead of complying with the Medical RFPs,” Baldoni’s team replied in a filing seen by The Post. The reasonable request of the Wayfarer Parties that the withdrawal of such claims be made with prejudice, however, has been denied by Ms. Lively. “”.
It went on to say, “She is only willing to withdraw her claims without prejudice.”. To put it another way, Ms. Lively wishes to: (a) deny the information and documents required to refute the claim that she experienced emotional distress and/or that the Wayfarer Parties were the cause; and (b) retain the right to re-file her IED Claims in this or another court at a later date after the discovery period has ended. “.”.
According to the filing, which was signed by Kevin Fritz, an attorney for Baldoni, and addressed to Judge Lewis Liman of the Southern District of New York, Lively “cannot have it both ways.”. “”.
The filing stated, “The Wayfarer Parties are entitled to a dismissal with prejudice to ensure they will not be re-filed if Ms. Lively wishes to withdraw her frivolous IED Claims.”.
It further stated, “The Wayfarer Parties will continue to defend against Ms. Lively if she is unwilling to stipulate to the dismissal of her IED Claims with prejudice, and she must produce her medical information and documents as set forth herein.”. “”.
After accusing Baldoni of sexually harassing her on the set of “It Ends With Us” in December 2024, the former “Gossip Girl” star began a “coordinated effort to destroy her reputation.”. “”.
Later that month, Lively sued Baldoni, Wayfarer Studios, and other parties, alleging among other things that he had caused her emotional distress.
In addition to lost wages, she claimed that he caused her to experience “severe emotional distress and pain, humiliation, embarrassment, belittlement, frustration, and mental anguish.”.
However, the lawyers for Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios have argued that when Lively said she had been subjected to “physical and emotional injuries” by Baldoni and the studio, she “waiver any doctor-patient privilege.”.
Fritz wrote, “Msdot Lively has put her physical and mental condition at issue by claiming that she suffered physical and emotional injuries, and as a result, she must produce pertinent information and documents.”.
That is to say,” he continued, “Ms. Lively has given up the right to a doctor-patient relationship. “”.
Judge Liman and the Southern District of New York will now have to determine whether the actress is required to provide the opposing counsel with the mental health information.
“This is just another standard aspect of the litigation process that is being used as a publicity stunt,” Lively’s attorneys told TMZ on Monday. We are doing what trial lawyers do, which is to focus and streamline our case in order to get it ready for trial; they are doing what they do, which is to desperately look for more tired tabloid coverage. “.”.
“By pursuing retaliatory claims, the Baldoni-Wayfarer strategy has made them vulnerable to broad new damages claims under California law, negating the need for some of Ms. Lively’s initial claims,” they added.
“Ms. The actress’ lawyers came to the conclusion that Lively is still claiming emotional distress in addition to a plethora of other claims in her lawsuit, including retaliation and sexual harassment, as well as significant additional compensatory damages for all of her claims.
All of Lively’s accusations against Baldoni have been refuted. Lively and her 48-year-old husband, Ryan Reynolds, were also countersued by him in January for $400 million on charges of extortion and defamation, which they have denied.
March 2026 is the date set for the trial.
