Wilder v. Fresenius Med. Care Holdings, Inc.
Plaintiff Nicholas Wilder, suffering from end-stage renal disorder, sued Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiary, Avantus Renal Therapy New York LLC, after they notified him that his dialysis care would be terminated due to disruptive behavior. Wilder sought an injunction to prevent the termination of his life-sustaining dialysis treatment. The Supreme Court, New York County, denied his request for an injunction and vacated a previously granted temporary restraining order (TRO). The Appellate Division, First Department, modified the lower court's order, reversing the denial of the injunction and vacating of the TRO, reinstating the TRO pending a hearing on Wilder's injunction request. The appellate court found that the motion court abused its discretion by vacating the TRO and not holding a hearing on the preliminary injunction, given the substantial factual disputes regarding Wilder's behavior and the defendants' compliance with federal regulations for patient discharge. However, the Appellate Division affirmed the denial of Wilder's request to proceed anonymously and seal records.