Discovery of nine digits known as Social Security numbers (SSNs) in personal injury lawsuits is a phenomenon. Why do defendants request them? Under what conditions should plaintiffs exchange them?
First, a little history. SSNs were issued in 1936 as part of the New Deal, and the trend developed to apply for same at birth if born in America. Until 1972 the lower front area of the card upon which the SSN was printed had a legend that stated “FOR SOCIAL SECURITY PURPOSES—NOT FOR IDENTIFICATION.”1 Aside from causes of action for lost wages, etc., where the responsive material need exists for defense counsel to obtain records indexed under an SSN identifier, such as income tax records, SSNs are nevertheless a pervasive and broadly made boilerplate discovery demand.
This content has been archived. It is available through our partners, LexisNexis® and Bloomberg Law.
To view this content, please continue to their sites.
Not a Lexis Subscriber?
Subscribe Now
Not a Bloomberg Law Subscriber?
Subscribe Now
LexisNexis® and Bloomberg Law are third party online distributors of the broad collection of current and archived versions of ALM's legal news publications. LexisNexis® and Bloomberg Law customers are able to access and use ALM's content, including content from the National Law Journal, The American Lawyer, Legaltech News, The New York Law Journal, and Corporate Counsel, as well as other sources of legal information.
For questions call 1-877-256-2472 or contact us at [email protected]
