The opinion
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
9 FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA
10
11 KEENAN WILKINS, aka NERRAH No. 2:19-cv-1338 WBS KJN P
BROWN,
12
Plaintiff,
13 FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
v.
14
DR. CHRISTINE S. BARBER, et al.,
15
Defendants.
16
17 Plaintiff is a state prisoner, proceeding without counsel. Plaintiff seeks relief pursuant to
18 42 U.S.C. § 1983. Plaintiff’s renewed motions for preliminary injunction are before the court.
19 (ECF Nos. 75, 86.) As discussed below, the undersigned recommends that plaintiff’s motions be
20 denied.
21 I. Plaintiff’s Second Amended Complaint
22 Plaintiff suffers from myriad serious medical conditions including a disc herniation,
23 syringomyelia, spondylosis, and alleged shoulder separation that causes him extreme pain.
24 Plaintiff also has schizophrenia, and at times has suicidal ideations due to pain. Plaintiff contends
25 that defendants have delayed and denied him adequate medical care resulting in the unnecessary
26 wanton infliction of pain and inability to conduct basic necessities, such as exercise, sleep, etc., in
27 deliberate indifference to his serious medical needs. (ECF No. 88 at 2.) Specifically, plaintiff
28 alleges the following in his three claims for relief.
1 In his first claim, plaintiff states that for four years, he was prescribed morphine, 30 mg,
2 twice a day for pain management. (ECF No. 88 at 6.) On November 28, 2018, plaintiff was
3 transferred to the California Health Care Facility (“CHCF”). Plaintiff alleges that defendant Dr.
4 Barber immediately began threatening to take plaintiff off opioids. Subsequently, a psych tech
5 falsely reported that plaintiff was “cheeking” his medications. The next day, February 17, 2019,
6 Dr. Barber had plaintiff sign a narcotic contract and began reducing plaintiff’s morphine. One
7 week later, on February 25, 2019, the morphine was completely stopped, and plaintiff was given
8 Tylenol that offered no pain relief. Plaintiff began having extreme pain and withdrawals. Despite
9 putting in repeated sick call slips, he was denied care and defendant Nurse Escobar told plaintiff
10 to “drink water” for the withdrawals.1 Plaintiff suffered withdrawal symptoms for two weeks or
11 more without any medical assistance. On March 6, 2019, plaintiff saw Dr. Barber, and informed
12 her of his suffering. Plaintiff told Dr. Barber that he had reported her to her superiors and
13 submitted a Medical Board complaint. Plaintiff claims Dr. Barber became enraged, told plaintiff
14 to “suffer” and made him leave. Dr. Barber then entered a false note claiming plaintiff was
15 caught cheeking medication two days in a row and that was why she stopped his pain medication.
16 On June 12, 2019, Dr. Singh and Dr. Recarey found Dr. Barber violated policy by writing such a
17 false note. (ECF No. 88 at 7, referencing CHCF SC 119000126.)
18 On March 15, 2019, plaintiff saw an outside neurosurgeon, who requested a current MRI
19 of disc herniation for surgery and recommended a non-narcotic pain medication (Ultram). On
20 March 25, 2019, Dr. Barber denied the MRI and the pain medication, and discontinued plaintiff’s
21 prescription for orthopedic shoes which plaintiff had for two years to help him walk with
22 syringomyelia, etc. On March 25, 2019, Dr. Barber referred plaintiff to the pain committee.
23 On May 3, 2019, plaintiff saw an outside orthopedist for plaintiff’s shoulder separation
24 that allegedly had gone unaddressed since December 2015. The orthopedist recommended
25 plaintiff receive a cortisone shot in his shoulder, which plaintiff did not receive until July 25,
26 2019; the shot did not help with the pain. To date, plaintiff still has not had the MRI or a return
27
28 1 On December 3, 2019, defendant Escobar was dismissed without prejudice. (ECF No. 38.)
1 appointment with the specialist, a twelve-month delay. (ECF No. 88 at 7.) Following Dr.
2 Barber’s false note, plaintiff refused to see her.
3 On July 10, 2019, Dr. Barber was out on leave, and by TV appointment, plaintiff saw Dr.
4 Mansour, who would not order an MRI or the orthopedic shoes because Dr. Barber said plaintiff
5 does not need them. Dr. Mansour did not evaluate plaintiff and denied plaintiff pain medication
6 despite plaintiff reporting that the Tylenol does not help at all. Plaintiff saw Dr. Mansour again
7 on July 25, 2019, again reporting terrible pain, but Dr. Mansour did nothing, telling plaintiff he
8 would be seen by a pain specialist on July 26, 2019. (ECF No. 88 at 8.) On July 26, 2019,
9 plaintiff went to see the pain specialist but was told the appointment was cancelled because he
10 was told no report was needed anymore. By TV appointment, plaintiff reported his daily pain and
11 problems to Dr. Nikolic, who did no evaluation except have plaintiff squeeze the nurse’s fingers;
12 the doctor refused to order the MRI, and said she could not order any narcotics due to the
13 cheeking reports, but referred plaintiff to physical therapy. On August 15, 2019, plaintiff again
14 reported his pain, impairments, and inefficacy of Tylenol to Dr. Mansour, who refused to
15 prescribe anything for pain, denied the MRI, but ordered a neck x-ray that said nothing was
16 wrong with plaintiff’s neck. (ECF No. 88 at 9.)
17 On September 18, 2019, the first false cheeking report was removed from plaintiff’s
18 central file when officers verified it was false. (ECF No. 88 at 9.)
19 On October 3, 2019, plaintiff attended physical therapy for his shoulder, but was informed
20 it would not help his shoulder. On November 12, 2019, plaintiff saw Dr. Dredar with a
21 correctional officer present. Dr. Dredar did not evaluate plaintiff, despite plaintiff reporting his
22 extreme pain and that Tylenol did not help. Dr. Dredar denied plaintiff adequate pain medication
23 and the MRI. After the appointment, plaintiff alleges Dr. Dredar entered a false note stating
24 plaintiff was evaluated, was uncooperative, and that after the appointment, Dr. Dredar watched
25 plaintiff with an officer outside and plaintiff was using his arm. Plaintiff alleges Officer Acero
26 provided written verification that this was all false, and plaintiff now refuses to see Dr. Dredar.
27 (ECF No. 88 at 9.)
28 ////
1 On November 12, 2019, plaintiff submitted a sick call slip, appending copies of past
2 MRI’s showing the serious condition of his neck. Dr. Dredar approved an MRI, which was done
3 on December 4, 2019, but it was not done with contrast as requested by the specialist, but did
4 show the serious condition not shown in the August 19, 2019 x-ray. (ECF No. 88 at 10.)
5 On January 31, 2020, plaintiff was seen by Dr. Singh, who ordered Tramadol for
6 management of plaintiff’s pain. However, Dr. Singh later cancelled the Tramadol after being told
7 that plaintiff had cheeked morphine twice, which was false. Instead, Dr. Singh ordered Lidocaine
8 patches, which plaintiff claims offer no relief for his neck pain. On March 12, 2020, plaintiff was
9 seen by Dr. Greenberg, who informed plaintiff that he could not adjust plaintiff’s pain medication
10 due to the cheeking reports; instead, he ordered a heating pad, which plaintiff has not received.
11 On March 31, 2020, plaintiff saw Dr. Brar, who told plaintiff he could not order pain
12 medication due to the cheeking reports. On April 3, 2020, plaintiff saw a neurosurgeon, who
13 insisted he needed a contrast MRI.
14 Plaintiff claims that he has fallen several times due to his extreme pain, impairments,
15 numbness, etc., and hit his head on the ground the last time he fell. Plaintiff suffers lack of sleep
16 and cannot exercise due to the extreme pain. He has been unable to obtain the surgery a specialist
17 found plaintiff needs. Plaintiff alleges that defendants Recarey, Adams and Gates, despite their
18 roles as administrators, failed to intervene and ensure plaintiff is provided adequate pain
19 medication or the surgery, despite being informed on numerous occasions about plaintiff’s
20 medical issues. (ECF No. 88 at 11.) Fifteen months later, plaintiff still has not received the pain
21 management committee’s review.
22 In his second claim, plaintiff alleges Dr. Barber retaliated against plaintiff because
23 plaintiff sought redress via medical grievances and complaints by Dr. Barber telling plaintiff to
24 “suffer,” and then discontinued plaintiff’s prescription orthopedic shoes, and denied plaintiff an
25 MRI and surgery, and denied plaintiff the Ultram prescription recommended by the specialist. As
26 a result of his allegations in claims one and two, plaintiff suffers daily pain, impairment, mental
27 anguish and emotional distress. (ECF No. 88 at 12.)
28 ////
1 In his third claim, plaintiff raises various state law claims for libel/defamation/slander,
2 negligence and medical malpractice. (ECF No. 88 at 13-14.)
3 Plaintiff seeks unspecified injunctive relief, declaratory relief, and money damages. (ECF
4 No. 88 at 15.)
5 II. Prior Motions for Injunctive Relief
6 Prior to filing the two instant motions, plaintiff previously filed three motions for
7 injunctive relief. (ECF Nos. 6, 26, 47.) In response to plaintiff’s prior motions for preliminary
8 injunction, and pursuant to the court’s order, the state provided responses by special appearance
9 (ECF Nos. 15, 32). Following replies by plaintiff, plaintiff’s motions were denied by the district
10 court on February 25, 2020, adopting the undersigned’s January 24, 2020 findings and
11 recommendations. (ECF Nos. 59, 52.)
12 III. Law Governing Motions for Injunctive Relief
13 “A preliminary injunction is an extraordinary remedy never awarded as of right.” Winter
14 v. Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc., 555 U.S. 7, 24 (2008) (citation omitted). “A plaintiff
15 seeking a preliminary injunction must establish that he is likely to succeed on the merits, that he
16 is likely to suffer irreparable harm in the absence of preliminary relief, that the balance of equities
17 tips in his favor, and that an injunction is in the public interest.” Marlyn Nutraceuticals, Inc. v.
18 Mucos Pharma GmbH & Co., 571 F.3d 873, 877 (9th Cir. 2009) (quoting Winter, 555 U.S. at 20).
19 An injunction may only be awarded upon a clear showing that the plaintiff is entitled to relief.
20 See Winter, 555 U.S. at 22 (citation omitted).
21 The propriety of a request for injunctive relief hinges on a significant threat of irreparable
22 injury that must be imminent in nature. Caribbean Marine Serv. Co. v. Baldridge, 844 F.2d 668,
23 674 (9th Cir. 1988). Speculative injury does not constitute irreparable harm. See id.; Goldie’s
24 Bookstore, Inc. v. Superior Court, 739 F.2d 466, 472 (9th Cir. 1984). A presently existing actual
25 threat must be shown, although the injury need not be certain to occur. Zenith Radio Corp. v.
26 Hazeltine Research, Inc., 395 U.S. 100, 130-31 (1969); FDIC v. Garner, 125 F.3d 1272, 1279-80
27 (9th Cir. 1997), cert. denied, 523 U.S. 1020 (1998).
28 ////
1 In cases brought by prisoners involving conditions of confinement, any preliminary
2 injunction “must be narrowly drawn, extend no further than necessary to correct the harm the
3 court finds requires preliminary relief, and be the least intrusive means necessary to correct the
4 harm.” 18 U.S.C. § 3626(a)(2). “[I]n the prison context, a request for injunctive relief must
5 always be viewed with great caution because judicial restraint is especially called for in dealing
6 with the complex and intractable problems of prison administration.” Goff v. Harper, 60 F.3d
7 518, 520 (8th Cir. 1995) (citation and internal quotation marks omitted).
8 IV. Plaintiff’s April 16, 2020 Motion
9 A. The Parties’ Positions
10 1. Plaintiff’s Arguments
11 Plaintiff’s “renewed” motion for preliminary injunction seeks “to enjoin criminal acts and
12 irreparable injury.” (ECF No. 75.) 2 Plaintiff claims that the “criminal actions” of defendants are
13 depriving him of a basic human necessity, exercise, because defendants refuse to prescribe
14 adequate pain medication for the pain he suffers as a result of his serious medical needs, including
15 diffuse disc bulge at C5-6 causing severe central stenosis and cord compression.” (ECF No. 75 at
16 2.) Based on this diagnosis, plaintiff claims that “ALL doctors” have prescribed plaintiff
17 narcotics for the past ten years. (ECF No. 75 at 2.) On February 25, 2019, plaintiff’s time-release
18 morphine prescription for 30 mg two times a day was removed based on alleged false reports that
19 plaintiff was “cheeking” the medication. On March 15, 2019, a specialist recommended that
20 plaintiff receive a “non-narcotic” pain medication, Tramadol. (ECF No. 75 at 3.) Dr. Barber
21 denied the request for pain medication. On January 31, 2020, Dr. Singh ordered Tramadol to be
22 prescribed for plaintiff. Subsequently, after being told about the alleged cheeking reports, Dr.
23 Singh cancelled the Tramadol prescription and prescribed Lidocaine patches instead. (ECF No.
24 75 at 3.) Plaintiff contends the patches fail to help his neck pain at all. On March 12, 2020,
25 2 In the instant motion, plaintiff claims he filed a motion for temporary restraining order “that to
date is unanswered.” (ECF No. 75 at 1.) However, the court docket does not reflect the filing of
26
such a motion. In support of his prior motions, plaintiff signed a declaration on March 10, 2020,
27 which was filed with the court on March 13, 2020. (ECF No. 67.) But at the time the instant
motion was filed, the only pending motion for preliminary relief was the motion addressed by the
28 instant findings and recommendations.
1 plaintiff was seen by nonparty Dr. Greenberg, who said he would not order any narcotic pain
2 medication due to the cheeking reports, and ordered a heating pad, which plaintiff was never
3 given. On March 31, 2020, nonparty Dr. Brar also advised he could not order any pain
4 medications due to the cheeking reports.
5 On April 3, 2020, a neurosurgeon recommended plaintiff be prescribed adequate pain
6 medications. (ECF No. 75 at 4.) Plaintiff was to have a follow-up appointment with a prison
7 doctor on April 10, 2020, but he was not seen. The nurse told plaintiff that the doctor would not
8 order the recommended pain medications due to “that cheeking thing.” (ECF No. 75 at 5.)
9 In response to his subsequent medical slip seeking adequate pain medication to allow him to
10 exercise, plaintiff was seen by a nurse who, following consultation with the doctor, said the
11 doctor could not order pain medications due to the cheeking reports, but recommended plaintiff
12 take two over the counter Tylenol. Plaintiff states he has tried taking five over the counter
13 Tylenol without any pain relief. (ECF No. 75 at 5.)
14 Due to the denial of adequate pain medication, plaintiff has been unable to exercise for
15 approximately one year. He contends that such lack of care amounts to a “criminal act under
16 state law Penal Code § 673.” (ECF No. 75 at 7.) Plaintiff also relies on Wilson v. Seiter, 501
17 U.S. 294 (1991), and Hearns v. Terhune, 413 F.3d 1036 (9th Cir. 2005), to support his view that
18 exercise is a basic human need. (ECF No. 75 at 1, 6.)
19 Plaintiff seeks a “preliminary injunction prohibiting CHCF medical officials from denying
20 plaintiff adequate pain medications due to libel/slanderous cheeking reports,” and “adequate pain
21 medication which would allow exercising without torment.” (ECF No. 75 at 7.)
22 2. Declaration By A. Adams
23 On June 9, 2020, A. Adams, Chief Medical Executive at the California Health Care
24 Facility, who reviewed plaintiff’s medical records, filed a declaration in response to the court’s
25 order. Dr. Adams provided a copy of a March 4, 2020 “Physical Medicine and Rehab
26 Consultation” note by Dr. Gabriel Williams, who documented that plaintiff was able to
27 demonstrate the exercise program he was given by physical therapy to Dr. Williams. (ECF No.
28 89 at 2, 5-6.) Plaintiff “expressed complaints about pain and his concerns with programming and
1 getting around, but noted that both gentle stretching and the lidocaine patches he is prescribed
2 makes his pain better. [Plaintiff] is able to independently perform activities of daily living.”
3 (ECF No. 89 at 2.) In addition, physical therapy evaluation notes from March 3, 2020, indicate
4 that plaintiff “is able to ambulate steadily with his mobility device.” (ECF No. 89 at 2.)
5 Dr. Adams opines that plaintiff’s claim that he has been unable to exercise for a year is
6 contradicted by his medical records, which do not suggest that plaintiff is physically incapable of
7 exercise “as he is independently mobile and displays steady ambulation.” (ECF No. 89 at 2.)
8 “There does not appear to be any medical indication or reason why [plaintiff] could not exercise.
9 He is participating in physical therapy and was given an exercise program to perform, which he
10 was able to demonstrate to medical providers.” (Id.)
11 As for plaintiff’s referral to the pain management committee, Dr. Adams states that while
12 the inmate does not formally appear before a committee, he is required to complete and submit
13 documentation, as are his medical providers. “This documentation was recently submitted
14 completing the referral packet for the Pain Management Committee meeting.” (ECF No. 89 at 3.)
15 With regard to opportunities to exercise, despite COVID-19 restrictions, Dr. Adams states
16 that plaintiff “has daily access to the dayroom and yard time which allows for various modes of
17 exercise.” (ECF No. 89 at 3.)
18 3. Plaintiff’s Reply3
19 Plaintiff reiterates his serious medical condition includes a “diffuse disc bulge at C5-6
20 causing severe central spinal stenosis.” (ECF No. 96 at 2, 11.) “To help manage the (at times)
21 EXTREME pain from this condition, plaintiff was prescribed Vicodin 3 times a day with
22 Gabapentin.” (ECF No. 96 at 2, 13-15 (2012-13).) However, once taken into CDCR custody,
23 plaintiff was taken off such medications; after trying several other medications that did not help,
24 plaintiff was put on 30 mg of morphine twice a day which he took for nearly five years before
25 3 Plaintiff objects that he was “NEVER served defendants’ response.” (ECF No. 96 at 1.)
However, the declaration is accompanied by a declaration of service by U.S. Mail on plaintiff on
26
June 9, 2020. (ECF No. 89 at 13.) Moreover, after plaintiff advised the court that he had not
27 received the declaration, the court ordered the Clerk to serve a copy of the declaration on
plaintiff, and granted him an extension of time in which to file his reply. (ECF No. 94.)
28
1 being transferred to CHCF. (ECF No. 95 at 2-3.) “After being threatened to be taken off the
2 morphine at [plaintiff’s] very first appointment with defendant Barber, a false cheeking report
3 was made on 2/17/19 and used by Barber to reduce and stop the pain medication in one week.”
4 (ECF No. 96 at 3.) On March 15, 2019, plaintiff saw a neurosurgeon who requested a current
5 MRI prior to needed surgery, and recommended plaintiff be prescribed a “non-narcotic analgesic,
6 Ultram” for pain. (ECF No. 96 at 3, quoting ECF No. 96 at 21.) Plaintiff contends that many
7 inmates at CHCF receive Ultram for pain; policy requires it to be “‘crushed and floated’ (placed
8 in water)” to reduce the risk of misuse. (ECF No. 96 at 3.) On March 25, 2019, an unidentified
9 defendant Barber denied the MRI, the Ultram or any adequate pain medication. (Id.) Plaintiff
10 claims that after this action and multiple grievances were filed, he received a neck x-ray “that
11 incredulously stated nothing wrong with his neck.” (ECF No. 96 at 4, citing ECF No. 96 at 22.4)
12 Eventually, on December 4, 2019, plaintiff was given an MRI. However, on April 4,
13 2020, the neurologist reiterated he needed an MRI with contrast before performing surgery.
14 On January 31, 2020, defendant Dr. Singh prescribed Ultram for plaintiff, but later
15 cancelled it after told plaintiff had “cheeked” morphine, after plaintiff had demonstrated the
16 allegation was false. Dr. Singh prescribed lidocaine patches instead. (ECF No. 96 at 4.) Plaintiff
17 claims he has repeatedly informed prison medical staff that the lidocaine patches help plaintiff’s
18 separated shoulder “some,” but provide no relief for plaintiff’s neck. (ECF No. 96 at 4-5, citing
19 ECF No. 96 at 29-35.) As of July 6, 2020, plaintiff had not had a pain committee review. (ECF
20 No. 96 at 5.)
21 Plaintiff claims that the lack of adequate pain medication prevents him from exercising
22 due to the “extreme pain” in trying to do so. (ECF No. 96 at 5.) He rarely goes outside because
23 “walking most times shoots pain up/down plaintiff’s neck/back/legs/feet;” “lifting his left arm is
24 extreme and at times unbearable.” (ECF No. 96 at 5.) Plaintiff claims that when he was
25 “prescribed adequate pain medication he was able to endure the pain to exercise and/or at least
26 walk.” (ECF No. 96 at 5.)
27
4 The report states: “Your test results are essentially within normal limits or are unchanged and
28 no provider follow-up is required.” (ECF No. 96 at 22 (emphasis added).)
1 Plaintiff provides the following rebuttal to Adams’ declaration:
2 1. “[E]vidence shows” the March 4 note of Dr. Williams was his third time writing a
3 fraudulent note, which plaintiff contends is a custom at CHCF as shown by patient complaints,
4 and plaintiff claims there is a current active medical staff complaint on the fraudulent aspects of
5 this March 4, 2020 (and other) notes by Dr. Williams who has never physically evaluated
6 plaintiff. (ECF No. 96 at 6.)
7 2. Dr. Adams’ statement that plaintiff has stated that the lidocaine patches help is
8 misleading because “plaintiff has repeatedly asserted that the patches do not help his neck at all
9 but at times help his shoulder some.” (ECF No. 96 at 7, citing ECF No. 96 at 29-35.)
10 3. Plaintiff refutes Dr. Adams’ claim that plaintiff is able to “independently perform
11 activities of daily living,” because “plaintiff can only do activities with unbearable pain (at times)
12 and withstands some activities (exercising) due to the untreated pain it will cause.” (ECF No. 96
13 at 7.) Plaintiff’s position is supported by “a vast amount of medical slips and grievances
14 notifying medical staff of the difficulty he is having walking, sitting, standing, [and] attempting to
15 exercise.” (Id.)
16 4. Dr. Adams’ attempt to relate physical therapy to an exercise program is misleading
17 because plaintiff received one-hour sessions of physical therapy once a week for only one month
18 because the sessions were suspended in February due to COVID-19. (ECF No. 96 at 8.)
19 5. Despite the alleged March 25, 2019 referral to the pain management committee, as
20 well as multiple medical slips, 22 forms, letters, etc., plaintiff has not received such review. On
21 January 31, 2020, Dr. Singh re-referred plaintiff to the pain committee on an urgent basis, but to
22 date, it remains undone.5 Plaintiff cites numerous cases where such reviews only take about thirty
23 days. (ECF No. 96 at 9.)
24 In conclusion, plaintiff reiterates his request for preliminary injunctive relief and for
25 defendants to provide plaintiff pain management committee review. (ECF No. 96 at 10.)
26 ////
27
5 Plaintiff refers to exhibit H-1, but there is no exhibit bearing that number. (ECF No. 96,
28 passim.)
1 B. Discussion
2 Initially, the undersigned reiterates that this action is a civil action. (ECF No. 85 at 3.) A
3 private right of action under a criminal statute has rarely been implied. See Chrysler Corp. v.
4 Brown, 441 U.S. 281, 316 (1979). Plaintiff’s continued characterization of defendants’ actions as
5 criminal is not persuasive or appropriate in this civil action.
6 Second, Chief Medical Executive A. Adams now declares that plaintiff’s documentation
7 was submitted to the pain management committee for review. (ECF No. 89 at 3.)
8 Third, plaintiff has repeatedly sought injunctive relief in this action. The current motion
9 now attempts to obtain injunctive relief on the basis that the alleged denial of adequate pain
10 medication deprives plaintiff of exercise. However, plaintiff’s amended complaint alleges that
11 the defendants’ denial of adequate pain medication deprives plaintiff of sleep and exercise. The
12 fact that plaintiff’s pending motion for injunctive relief reflects the ultimate issues in this case
13 renders preliminary injunctive relief inappropriate.6 “Since the ultimate issues in this lawsuit are
14 inextricably intertwined with the assertions in this motion for injunctive relief, a ruling on the
15 motion might be perceived as speaking in some way to the ultimate issues in this case. In such
16 instances, the Court should refrain from prematurely granting such relief.” Green v.
17 Hawkinberry, 2015 WL 507057, at *3, 2015 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 14597, at *7 (W.D. Pa. Feb. 6,
18 2015) (collecting cases), reconsideration denied, 2015 WL 757407, 2015 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 21260
19 (W.D. Pa. Feb. 23, 2015).7 See also Wesley v. Sec’y Pennsylvania Dep’t of Corr., 569 F. App’x
20
6 Ultimately, plaintiff must show that the challenged course of treatment was medically
21 unacceptable under the circumstances and chosen in conscious disregard of an excessive risk to
plaintiff’s health. Jackson v. McIntosh, 90 F.3d 330, 332 (9th Cir. 1986). The difference of
22
opinion between a prisoner and physician regarding treatment does not establish deliberate
23 indifference. Id. This rule applies whether the difference is between the medical professional(s)
and a prisoner or two or more medical professionals. Hamby v. Hammond, 821 F.3d 1085, 1092
24 (9th Cir. 2016) (citation omitted).
25 7 Where a prisoner’s “‘request for immediate relief in his motion for preliminary injunction
necessarily seeks resolution of one of the ultimate issues presented in [the] . . . Complaint, . . .
26
[the] [p]laintiff cannot demonstrate that he will suffer irreparable harm if he is not granted a
27 preliminary injunction, because the ultimate issue presented will be decided either by this Court
or at trial. As a result, [p]laintiff’s motion for preliminary injunction should be denied.’” Green,
28 2015 WL 507057, at *2, 2015 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 14597, at *8-9, quoting Messner v. Bunner, 2009
1 123, 125 (3d Cir. 2014) (plaintiff “sought the same ultimate injunctive relief that he sought in his
2 complaint,” suggesting “a disagreement about a course of medical treatment provided in a prison.
3 Accordingly, the likelihood of [plaintiff’s] success on the merits was unclear. . . . [and he] did not
4 make a clear showing of immediate irreparable harm.”). For these reasons, the court finds that
5 plaintiff has failed to demonstrate a likelihood of success on the merits of this action, or
6 irreparable harm in the absence of preliminary injunctive relief for his chronic pain.
7 In addition, the balance of equities weighs in favor of defendants because plaintiff seeks
8 preliminary injunctive relief on ultimate issues in this case, and the public interest weighs in favor
9 of not interfering with prison administration, particularly with regard to medical treatment.
10 “Defendants’ interests and the public interests in penological order could be adversely [a]ffected
11 if the Court began dictating the treatment for the plaintiff, one inmate out of thousands in the state
12 prison system.” Green, 2015 WL 507057, at *4, 2015 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 14597, at *9-10 (citation
13 and internal punctuation and quotation marks omitted).
14 For all of the above reasons, the undersigned finds that the factors warranting preliminary
15 injunctive relief weigh against plaintiff, and his April 16, 2020 motion (ECF No. 75) should be
16 denied.
17 V. Plaintiff’s May 29, 2020 Motion
18 On May 29, 2020, plaintiff filed another “renewed” motion for “TRO and Preliminary
19 Injunction,” claiming that plaintiff is “still to date being denied medical care unless he sees
20 defendant Barber, who [allegedly] has subjected [plaintiff] to criminal . . . acts.” (ECF No. 86.)
21 He contends that despite the state’s declaration that defendant Barber was no longer plaintiff’s
22 doctor, plaintiff is still being required to see Dr. Barber or be denied medical care. (ECF No. 86
23 at 3.) As a result, plaintiff contends he is daily subjected to the unnecessary and wanton infliction
24 of pain, impairments, lack of sleep and inability to exercise. (Id. at 3-4.) Plaintiff seeks a
25 restraining order “restraining medical officials at CHCF from requiring he see Dr. Barber to
26 obtain medical care.” (ECF No. 86 at 4.)
27
28 WL 1406986, at *5 (W.D. Pa. May 19, 2009).
1 Plaintiff previously moved for injunctive relief on the grounds that he was still being
2 required to see Dr. Barber, and sought an order restraining prison officials from requiring plaintiff
3 to see Dr. Barber during the pendency of this action. (ECF No. 26.) Plaintiff’s motion was
4 denied. (ECF No. 59.) As the undersigned previously explained, the denial of plaintiff’s prior
5 motions for injunctive relief was not based on whether or not Dr. Barber was assigned as
6 plaintiff’s primary physician. (ECF No. 85 at 3.) The same reasoning that supported the prior
7 denial remains. (ECF No. 52 at 7-9.) “[W]hile plaintiff has a possibility of succeeding on the
8 merits of his claims should he be able to demonstrate a defendant’s deliberate indifference, the
9 undersigned cannot find that plaintiff is likely to succeed on the merits of his claims at this stage
10 of the proceedings.” (ECF No. 52 at 9.)
11 Moreover, contrary to plaintiff’s claim that he is denied medical care if he does not see
12 Dr. Barber, the record reflects that plaintiff has been seen by multiple physicians, including Dr.
13 Dredar, Dr. Singh and Dr. Brar, as well as specialists.
14 Finally, even if plaintiff’s request to be assigned a physician other than Dr. Barber was
15 denied, “the denial of plaintiff’s request to be assigned to a different medical provider does not
16 state a [civil rights] claim.” Torricellas v. Bedford, 2017 WL 3275969, at *4 (C.D. Cal. May 10,
17 2017), adopted, 2017 WL 3271703 (C.D. Cal. July 30, 2017) (collecting cases).
18 For all of the above reasons, the undersigned recommends that plaintiff’s second motion
19 for injunctive relief (ECF No. 86) be denied.
20 VI. Conclusion
21 Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY RECOMMENDED that plaintiff’s motions for injunctive
22 relief (ECF Nos. 75, 86) be denied.
23 These findings and recommendations are submitted to the United States District Judge
24 assigned to the case, pursuant to the provisions of 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(l). Within fourteen days
25 after being served with these findings and recommendations, any party may file written
26 objections with the court and serve a copy on all parties. Such a document should be captioned
27 “Objections to Magistrate Judge’s Findings and Recommendations.” Any response to the
28 objections shall be filed and served within fourteen days after service of the objections. The
CO 2 VE DOING IN MVOC PO ee PAY OT Ott
1 | parties are advised that failure to file objections within the specified time may waive the right to
2 | appeal the District Court’s order. Martinez v. Ylst, 951 F.2d 1153 (9th Cir. 1991).
3 | Dated: August 25, 2020
‘ Fens Arn
5 KENDALL J. NE
/wilk1338.pi4.5 UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
14