PHASE 2 DISCOVERY OPINION AND ORDER
MYRON H. THOMPSON, District Judge.
The plaintiffs in this putative class-action lawsuit are dozens of state prisoners and the Alabama Disabilities Advocacy Program. The defendants are the Alabama Department of Corrections, its Commissioner, and its Associate Commissioner of Health Services. In Phase 2 of this case, with which this opinion is concerned, plaintiffs assert the following claims: constitutionally inadequate medical and mental-health treatment in Alabama prison facilities, involuntary medication without due process, and discrimination against prisoners with mental disabilities. They rely with respect to these claims on the Eighth and Fourteenth Amendments (as enforced through 42 U.S.C. § 1983), the Americans with Disabilities Act (42 U.S.C. §§ 12131-12134), and § 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. § 794). Jurisdiction is proper under 28 U.S.C. § 1331 (federal question) and § 1343 (civil rights).
This case is currently before the court on plaintiffs' motion to compel supplementation of certain documents from defendants. Upon consideration of the briefing submitted by both parties and the arguments offered orally at a status conference held on the record on July 20, 2016, and for the reasons below, this motion will be granted.
At issue are two categories of documents. First, plaintiffs contend that they are entitled to production of certain peer-review documents pertaining to healthcare providers employed by the Department's medical contractor, Corizon Health, Inc. Second, plaintiffs contend that they should have received copies of, or at least the opportunity to review, mortality reviews produced by Corizon after three named plaintiffs died during the course of discovery.1
The court will address each issue in turn.
I. Peer-Review Documents
The crux of the first dispute is this: both parties agree that Corizon, the Department's medical contractor, has produced credentialing files related to three categories of healthcare providers it employs in Department facilties: physicians, mid-level providers,2 and dentists. Some of these credentialing files have contained peer-review documents, but others have not. Plaintiffs argue that they are entitled to receive all peer-review documents related to these providers, whether they are contained in credentialing files or not. Defendants contend that, per the terms of the agreement between the parties and Corizon, Corizon was required to produce only those peer-review documents contained in credentialing files, and only if the peer-review files pertained to physicians or mid-level providers (not to dentists).
Plaintiffs requested peer-review documents and credentialing files in separate requests for production (RFPs)—95 and 246, respectively. Neither request was limited to certain categories of personnel. The parties and Corizon agreed that Corizon would produce the credentialing files of "physicians and mid-level providers" working in Department facilities, except that the production would omit reports from the National Practitioner Data Bank and documents related to malpractice insurance. Joint Report on the Status of Disc. Disputes (doc. no. 336) at 3. In an email exchange, counsel for defendants and Corizon represented to plaintiffs' counsel that "the peer review documents are part of the credentialing files and will be produced." Correspondence of Counsel (doc. no. 570-1) at 2.
Then, Corizon produced credentialing files for a number of doctors, mid-level providers, and also dentists. None of the dentists' files included peer-review documents other than certifications that peer review had occurred; some of the physicians' and mid-level providers' files contained peer-review documents, while many others did not.3
The question whether the complete peer-review documents for physicians and mid-level providers should be produced is quite easy to resolve: plaintiffs reasonably relied on defense counsel's representation (and apparent good-faith belief)4 that these documents were contained within credentialing files, and believed that they would therefore be produced according to the parties' agreement. They declined to pursue their separate request for peer-review documents any further based on the understanding that it was functionally subsumed within the request for credentialing files. Plaintiffs are entitled to these documents.
The exclusion of dentists' peer-review files poses a closer question. On the one hand, the court cannot avoid the conclusion that plaintiffs' counsel simply slipped up; they mistakenly agreed to production of credentialing files (including the peer-review documents they believed to be contained within them) only for physicians and mid-level providers, and failed to clarify that they also sought these files for dentists. On the other hand—and critically—it appears very likely that defendants and Corizon did not themselves intend the omission, as Corizon did in fact produce the credentialing files for dentists along with the files for physicians and mid-level providers. There is certainly no indication anywhere in the record or in the parties' representations that the exclusion of dentists was the subject of any negotiation or even discussion.
Indeed, confusion as to the scope of the term "physicians" seems quite reasonable. Although the parties do not address the definitions of "physician" and "dentist" under Alabama state law, the degree of their overlap is less than clear, and the Alabama Code alternately supports defendants' contention that the category "physician" does not include the category "dentist" and plaintiffs' contention that it does. Although a "physician" is defined as a person "licensed to practice medicine" and a "dentist" is separately defined as a person "licensed to practice dentistry" for purposes of the section of the Code pertaining to medical-liability actions, 1975 Ala. Code § 6-5-481, another section of the Code, 1975 Ala. Code § 27-1-11, states that "[w]henever the terms `physician' and/or `doctor' are used in any policy of health or accident insurance ..., said terms shall include within their meaning those person licensed under and in accordance with Chapter 9 of Title 34 [pertaining to the licensure of dentists]." See also 42 U.S.C. § 1395x(r) (defining the term "physician," for purposes of Medicare, to mean "(1) a doctor of medicine or osteopathy legally authorized to practice medicine and surgery by the State in which he performs such function or action ..., [and] (2) a doctor of dental surgery or dental medicine who is legally authorized to practice dentistry by the State in which he performs such function").
Although the language of the parties' agreement regarding credentialing files does not refer expressly to dentists, the court will order their production in light of the evidence suggesting that until the current dispute regarding peer-review documents arose, all involved drew no distinction between dentists and other providers. This decision is bolstered by the court's concern that the inadvertent exclusion of records pertaining to one category of providers could make it difficult to adjudicate putative class claims regarding dental care fairly, and might even hamstring the court in determining whether dental-care claims are common to a proposed class.
That said, the court finds that plaintiffs' inattentiveness to the details of their discovery agreement created the need for litigation of the issue whether dentists' records are to be produced. Therefore, the court will condition receipt of this production on plaintiffs' payment to defendants of the costs of litigating this motion reasonably attributable to this portion of the dispute.
II. Mortality Reviews
The parties likewise identify two RFPs pertinent to the mortality reviews created after three of the named plaintiffs died. First, in RFP 10, plaintiffs requested from defendants "all documents and communications relating to [the named] plaintiffs." Pls.' First Req. for Produc. of Docs. (doc. no. 87-3) at 10. Second, in RFP 56, they requested from Corizon "all documents and communications relating to the ... mortality review process ... including but not limited to all minutes from the meetings regarding prisoners who have died between January 1, 2013 and the response date, the mortality and suicide reviews of their deaths, and all other death records." Pls.' Mot. to Compel (doc. no. 362) at 4.
The parties and Corizon reached a mediated agreement with respect to RFP 56 (and numerous other discovery disputes). This agreement provided that plaintiffs would be permitted to select 25 names from a roster of prisoners who had died during the relevant time period, and would then be allowed to review, but not copy, the mortality reviews for these prisoners. See Ex. A to Mediation Agreement (doc. no. 362-5) at 2. The agreement did not address, or purport to resolve, RFP 10. See Mediation Agreement (doc. no. 250-1). The roster included the names of two of the three named plaintiffs at issue; the last one was still alive at the time. Plaintiffs did not select either of the two deceased named plaintiffs, reportedly believing that their mortality reviews would be forthcoming separately, pursuant to RFP 10, because they were "documents ... relating to the named plaintiffs."5 Subsequently, plaintiffs filed a motion to compel, contending that many of the 25 mortality reviews which had been produced for inspection were incomplete; this motion was resolved by agreement of the parties during a hearing. See Mot. to Compel (doc. no. 362); Tr. of Hr'g on March 17, 2016 (doc. no. 401) at 97.
As for RFP 10, the parties memorialized no agreement in writing because, it seems, both believed they had no dispute regarding its scope: defendants agreed to "produce the non-privileged documents in its possession responsive to this Request."6 State's Objs. and Resps. to Pls.' First Req. for Produc. of Docs. (doc. no. 87-4) at 6-7. Now, however, they disagree as to whether mortality reviews relating to the deaths of named plaintiffs fall within the scope of this RFP.
Defendants first contend that plaintiffs failed specifically to request the named plaintiffs' mortality reviews; they point out that RFP 10 nowhere makes explicit reference to mortality reviews. Plaintiffs counter that defendants have, in response to this RFP and without objection, produced various sorts of documents referencing the named plaintiffs—such as medical records, incident reports, and inmate newsletters—even though these documents were likewise not enumerated in the general terms of the RFP. For example, plaintiffs were required to select a certain number of names from a list of prisoners who were treated at hospitals in order to view those prisoners' hospital records. This list included the names of some of the named plaintiffs, but plaintiffs did not select them for review; the named plaintiffs' hospital records were produced separately, pursuant to RFP 10. See Pls.' Reply (doc. no. 590) at 12. Hence, the court concludes that these three mortality reviews were properly requested.
Defendants also argue that the mortality reviews do not fall within the scope of RFP 10 because they are privileged. This argument is unavailing: to the extent that defendants or Corizon have agreed to show a selection of these mortality reviews to plaintiffs' counsel and their experts, they have consented to a limited waiver of any privilege that might exist. Permitting review of three more files does not materially alter the scope of this disclosure. Furthermore, this court has already explained—in a lengthy opinion granting a motion to compel production of quality-assurance files maintained by another of the Department's contractors, MHM Correctional Services, Inc.—that Alabama's statutory peer-review privilege is inapplicable in this litigation.7 See Dunn v. Dunn, ___ F. Supp. 3d ___, 2016 WL 324990 (M.D. Ala. Jan. 27, 2016) (Thompson, J.).
Finally, defendants take issue with plaintiffs' alleged delay in raising this issue. However, given plaintiffs' stated belief that the mortality reviews at issue would be forthcoming, it appears to the court that they reasonably waited for the supplemental production of records related to the named plaintiffs they were promised—and received—in late May, before bringing this issue to the court's attention for mediation and then for adjudication.
The more troublesome question is whether, in resolving the request in RFP 56—for mortality reviews—defendants and Corizon put plaintiffs' counsel on notice that they were not planning separately to produce mortality reviews for deceased prisoners, such that plaintiffs' counsel should have recognized and raised this dispute at that time. Although the inclusion of the names of two deceased plaintiffs on the roster should have prompted diligent counsel to clarify at that time whether defendants and Corizon intended to produce records of named plaintiffs' deaths even if they were not among the 25 names selected for review, the court cannot conclude that this failure represents a concession; instead, it appears to have been an oversight.
On balance, the court will exercise its "broad discretion in shaping the scope of discovery," Williams v. City of Dothan, 745 F.2d 1406, 1415 (11th Cir. 1984), to permit review—not copying—of these mortality reviews in light of (1) the significance of the evidence at issue to plaintiffs' case and (2) the importance of the civil-rights issues being litigated in this putative class action.
First, as plaintiffs explained during a status conference held on the record on July 20, 2016, this mortality-review evidence is potentially key to a portion of their case—they allege that the Department's inadequate systems for providing healthcare contribute to the deaths of prisoners including their clients, and seek documents created by those responsible for that care identifying the causes of those deaths. Because plaintiffs have substantially more evidence regarding the conditions suffered and treatment received by the named plaintiffs than they do for any other deceased prisoners, the mortality reviews for these particular prisoners are especially valuable.
Second, a liberal approach to adjudication of discovery disputes is warranted in cases like this one. This court has previously explained, in adjudicating another discovery dispute in this case, that the "`normally predominant principle of utilizing all rational means for ascertaining truth' ... is at its strongest in civil-rights cases." Dunn, 2016 WL 324990, at *8 (quoting Adkins v. Christie, 488 F.3d 1324, 1328 (11th Cir. 2007)). "Federal policy favors broad discovery in civil rights actions. Kinoy v. Mitchell, 67 F.R.D. 1, 12 (S.D.N.Y. 1975) [(Ward, J.)].... [S]uits under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 should be resolved by a determination of the truth rather than a determination that the truth shall remain hidden. Wood v. Breier, 54 F.R.D. 7, 11 (E.D. Wis. 1972) [(Reynolds, J.)]. A most important fact to be considered in the determination as to whether particular evidence should be discovered is the importance of the evidence to the plaintiffs' case. Crawford v. Dominic, 469 F.Supp. 260, 263 (E.D. Pa. 1979) [(Pollack, J.)].... Mutual knowledge of all the relevant facts gathered by both parties is essential to proper litigation. Hickman v. Taylor, 329 U.S. [495,] 507 [(1947)]." Inmates of Unit 14 v. Rebideau, 102 F.R.D. 122, 128 (N.D.N.Y. 1984) (Foley, J.).
However, the court finds that plaintiffs' failure to promptly clarify whether the mortality reviews of named plaintiffs would separately be produced created the need for litigation of this issue. Therefore, the court will condition plaintiffs' ability to peruse these reviews on their payment to defendants of the costs of litigating this motion reasonably attributable to this portion of the dispute.
III. Defendants' Possession, Custody, or Control
One final point requires some discussion. Formally speaking, the pending motion to compel production was directed at defendants, and not at their contractor, Corizon. The parties agree that the documents at issue were created by Corizon, and some of them may not be in the physical custody of defendants. Defendants contend that these documents are not within their custody or control, but plaintiffs dispute this, pointing out that defendants appear to have a contractual right to obtain these files from Corizon. See Pls.' Reply (doc. no. 590) at 4.
The court need not wade into the weeds on defendants' contractual rights, however, because defendants have manifested their ability to direct the production of the documents at issue, and indeed elided the distinction between the two entities for purposes of this discovery dispute. The same lawyers represent Corizon and the Commissioner and Associate Commissioner. In their brief opposing this motion to compel, defendants make representations on behalf of Corizon ("The State and Corizon maintain that..."); describe the joint resolution of plaintiffs' requests for production by defendants and Corizon ("[T]he State and Corizon resolved..."); and explain that defendants and Corizon jointly settled the dispute over and produced the mortality reviews ("The State and Corizon went to great cost..."; "[T]he State and Corizon only agreed to a limited review..."). Defs.' Reply (doc. no. 581) at 7 n.6, 9, 13, 15. Defendants even twice describe the "self-critical analysis" and "quality improvement reviews" in these documents as assessments in which defendants and Corizon jointly engage. Id. at 17, 18. By the same token, Corizon produced credentialing files in response to a request directed at defendants, after the court previously made clear that it was not interested in adjudicating non-substantive disputes regarding whether requests or subpoenas were properly directed to defendants or Corizon. Tr. of Hr'g on Feb. 8, 2016 (doc. no. 354) at 54 ("THE COURT: [I]t doesn't make any difference whether Corizon or ADOC has custody or control.... I can just require that you [the plaintiffs] serve it [the request] on Corizon, but I would rather go ahead and just address the merits of any objection.").
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Accordingly, it is ORDERED as follows:
(1) Plaintiffs' motion to compel (doc. no. 570) is granted as further set out below.
(2) By no later than August 3, 2016, defendants or non-party Corizon Health, Inc., are to produce all practitioner peer-review documents in their possession or control related to physicians, dentists, and mid-level providers, whether or not contained within a credentialing file, subject to the exceptions outlined in the parties' joint report (doc. no. 336 at 3), contingent on payment by plaintiffs' counsel of the attorneys' fees and costs of litigating the portion of this motion pertaining to the inclusion of dentists. Defendants are allowed until August 17, 2016, to file a request for reimbursement pursuant to this paragraph.
(3) By no later than August 3, 2016, the parties and non-party Corizon are to confer and arrange a date and time prior to August 12, 2016, on which defendants or Corizon are to make available for review by plaintiffs' counsel and their experts the mortality reviews for the three formerly named plaintiffs who are now deceased, contingent on payment by plaintiffs' counsel of the attorneys' fees and costs of litigating the portion of this motion pertaining to mortality reviews. Defendants are allowed until August 17, 2016, to file a request for reimbursement pursuant to this paragraph.
