Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-3_13-cv-05001/USCOURTS-cand-3_13-cv-05001-26/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 791
Nature of Suit: Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA)
Cause of Action: 29:1132 E.R.I.S.A.: Employee Benefits

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United States District Court

Northern District of California

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

DAVID SLACK, et al.,

Plaintiffs,

v.

RUSSELL E. BURNS, et al.,

Defendants.

Case No. 13-cv-05001-EMC (KAW)

ORDER REGARDING 7/11/16 AND 

7/14/16 LETTERS RE: DEPOSITION OF 

DEBORAH MORGAN

Re: Dkt. Nos. 326, 328

On July 11, 2016, Defendants filed a discovery letter concerning their inability to depose 

Deborah Morgan and asking the undersigned for further assistance in obtaining her deposition 

testimony prior to the October trial date. (7/11/16 Letter, Dkt. No. 326.) On July 14, 2016, 

Plaintiffs filed a response, in which they pointed out that Defendants’ letter violated the Court’s 

standing order that discovery disputes be addressed by joint letter. (7/14/16 Letter, Dkt. No. 328.) 

Plaintiffs are correct.

As to Ms. Morgan’s health, on May 17, 2016, the Court found that she was unavailable for 

medical reasons. It is not known whether she remains unavailable.

Accordingly, the Court TERMINATES both letters and orders the parties to meet and 

confer in good faith with each other and Ms. Morgan’s attorney, Lawrence R. Hupertz, to discuss

whether Ms. Morgan can sit for a deposition, and what accommodations, if any, are medically 

necessary. If Ms. Morgan is medically available, the parties shall meet and confer and schedule a 

deposition.

If Mr. Hupertz contends that Ms. Morgan remains medically unavailable, the parties shall 

file a joint letter, and Mr. Hupertz shall lodge (do not file) a letter from Ms. Morgan’s treating 

physician that directly addresses Ms. Morgan’s limitations, why reasonable accommodations 

Case 3:13-cv-05001-EMC Document 332 Filed 07/21/16 Page 1 of 2
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United States District Court

Northern District of California

would not allow her to undergo deposition, and when he expects her to become medically 

available. A letter simply stating that she cannot work or that she is on pain medication1is 

insufficient. Instead, the doctor shall explain why reasonable accommodations cannot be made. 

Such accommodations may include, but are not limited to, rest breaks, changes in body 

positioning (sitting, standing, lying down, elevation of extremities), scheduling the deposition over 

two or more days, and a temporary change in pain management medications or medication 

administration to ensure competency. Mr. Hupertz shall furnish a copy of this order to Ms. 

Morgan’s treating physician should a letter be required.

If a subsequent joint letter is required, upon review of the letter, Mr. Hupertz’s submission, 

and any further records that may be made available to the Court, the undersigned will determine 

whether Ms. Morgan is medically able to undergo deposition.

Plaintiffs shall serve a copy of this order on Mr. Hupertz.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: July 21, 2016

__________________________________

KANDIS A. WESTMORE

United States Magistrate Judge

 

1

The court does not believe that all pain medications, including controlled substances, render an 

individual incompetent or otherwise unable to undergo deposition.

Case 3:13-cv-05001-EMC Document 332 Filed 07/21/16 Page 2 of 2