Blake Lively's Lawyers Attempt To Withdraw Emotional Distress Claims
In December 2024, Lively accused Baldoni of "severe emotional distress and pain, humiliation, embarrassment." Naturally, Baldoni's team asked her to release her medical records. Instead, Lively's team said they would withdraw those very claims.
In a letter to Judge Lewis. J. Liman, with an email exchange between the two teams attached, Baldoni's attorney Kevin Fitz of Meister Seelig & Fein said, "Ms. Lively's counsel recently advised us, in writing, that Ms. Lively is withdrawing her IED Claims." In this context, IED Claims refer to Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress.
But, There's a But...
A cause for celebration in camp Baldoni, right? Wrong. Lively said she would drop the IED Claims without prejudice, which means the claim could be withdrawn now but could brought up again in the future.
Lively "can't have it both ways," Fitz said. "If Ms. Lively wants to withdraw her frivolous IED Claims, the Wayfarer Parties [Wayfarer Studios is Baldoni's production company] are entitled to a dismissal with prejudice to ensure they will not be re-filed. If Ms. Lively is unwilling to stipulate to the dismissal of her IED Claims with prejudice, then the Wayfarer Parties will continue to defend against them, and she must produce her medical information and documents as set forth herein."
Basically, Baldoni's lawyers want the claims gone for good, or else Lively must produce her medical records.
Social Media Reactions
This news has made its way across social media, with fans of Justin Baldoni seeing this as a won battle. "We want a public apology for Baldoni and his family," one person wrote in a comment on Instagram.
"The most manipulative, vindictive human I've ever heard of," another added.
"She was clearly lying!" said a third.
"It's all crumbling down for Blake Lively," another user wrote. "Justice for Justin Baldoni!"
"Charge her for lying!" a final fan said. "Make an example. Trying to destroy someone's whole life shouldn't go unpunished!"