# Cramer v. Secretary, Department of Corrections

> District Court, M.D. Florida · October 22, 2019

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/cases/10103959

## Case

- **Court:** District Court, M.D. Florida
- **Decided:** October 22, 2019
- **Opinion:** 100trialcourt
- **Cited by:** 0 later opinions in the Frix Law Library

## Citator (automated)

- No negative treatment found by the automated citator. That is not the same as a confirmation that the case is good law; read the citing cases.
- Full citator and citing cases: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/cases/10103959

## How later opinions describe it (automated extraction)

- holding the manner in which a prison doctor withdraws a medication can amount to deliberate indifference depending on the circumstances
- holding a trier of fact could find the defendant doctor provided grossly inadequate care and knew he was doing so when the doctor abruptly discontinued an inmate’s anti-psychotic medication without reviewing the inmate’s file or conducting an examination
- holding the plaintiff demonstrated a genuine issue of material fact as to deliberate indifference where the physician discontinued a medication after only a “cursory interview [with the plaintiff] and without having reviewed any medical records”
- reversing summary judgment in the defendant’s favor because the jury could have concluded the defendant “knew of a substantial risk from the very fact that the risk was obvious”

## Opinion text

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
MIDDLE DISTRICT OF FLORIDA
JACKSONVILLE DIVISION

JAMES MELVIN CRAMER,

Plaintiff,

v. Case No. 3:13-cv-262-J-39JRK

DOCTOR CHRISTOPHER BEISER, et al.,

Defendants.
___________________________________

ORDER

I. Status

Plaintiff, James Melvin Cramer, an inmate of the Florida penal
system, is proceeding on an Amended Complaint (Doc. 14; Am.
Compl.), which he filed himself. Plaintiff is now represented by
Court-appointed counsel. See Order (Doc. 101). In his Amended
Complaint, which is verified under penalty of perjury, Plaintiff
asserts Defendants, Dr. Page A. Smith and Dr. J. Jorge-Caraballo,
were deliberately indifferent to his serious medical needs in
violation of the Eighth Amendment. Am. Compl. at 6, 16-17, 21.1
Plaintiff alleges the following injuries: loss of balance,

1 In his Amended Complaint, Plaintiff also names as defendants
Dr. Christopher Beiser and the Secretary of the Florida Department
of Corrections (DOC) Michael Crews. See Am. Compl. at 1. On August
15, 2014, the Court granted Crews’s motion to dismiss and dismissed
him from this action (Doc. 61). On July 13, 2018, pursuant to
Plaintiff’s and Dr. Beiser’s joint motion for dismissal, the Court
entered an order dismissing Dr. Beiser (Doc. 128).
dizziness, loss of focus, confusion, motion sickness, loss of
hearing, loss of equilibrium, aggravated kidney disease, anemia,
and hallucinations. Id. at 23. As relief, Plaintiff seeks
compensatory and punitive damages. Id. at 24.
Before the Court are the following motions: Plaintiff’s
Motion for Summary Judgment (Doc. 148; Pl. Motion), to which

Defendants have responded (Doc. 154; Def. Resp.); Defendants’
Motion for Summary Judgment (Doc. 153; Def. Motion), to which
Plaintiff has responded (Doc. 156; Pl. Resp.); and Plaintiff’s
Motion for Discovery from Non-Party (Doc. 146; Disc. Motion), which
Defendants oppose (Doc. 152; Disc. Motion Resp.).
II. Summary Judgment Standard
Under Rule 56, “[t]he court shall grant summary judgment if
the movant shows that there is no genuine dispute as to any
material fact and the movant is entitled to judgment as a matter
of law.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(a). An issue is genuine when the
evidence is such that a reasonable jury could return a verdict in

favor of the nonmovant. Mize v. Jefferson City Bd. of Educ., 93
F.3d 739, 742 (11th Cir. 1996) (quoting Hairston v. Gainesville
Sun Publ’g Co., 9 F.3d 913, 919 (11th Cir. 1993)). “[A] mere
scintilla of evidence in support of the non-moving party’s
position is insufficient to defeat a motion for summary judgment.”
Kesinger ex rel. Estate of Kesinger v. Herrington, 381 F.3d 1243,
1247 (11th Cir. 2004) (citing Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc.,
477 U.S. 242, 252 (1986)).
The party seeking summary judgment bears the initial burden
of demonstrating to the court, by reference to the record, that
there are no genuine issues of material fact to be determined at
trial. See Clark v. Coats & Clark, Inc., 929 F.2d 604, 608 (11th

Cir. 1991). The record to be considered on a motion for summary
judgment may include “depositions, documents, electronically
stored information, affidavits or declarations, stipulations
(including those made for purposes of the motion only),
admissions, interrogatory answers, or other materials.” Rule
56(c)(1)(A).
“When a moving party has discharged its burden, the non-
moving party must then go beyond the pleadings, and by its own
affidavits, or by depositions, answers to interrogatories, and
admissions on file, designate specific facts showing that there
is a genuine issue for trial.” Jeffery v. Sarasota White Sox,

Inc., 64 F.3d 590, 593–94 (11th Cir. 1995) (internal citations
and quotation marks omitted).
On summary judgment, a party opposing the motion must point
to evidence in the record to demonstrate a genuine dispute of
material fact. Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(c)(1). Substantive law determines
the materiality of facts, and “[o]nly disputes over facts that
might affect the outcome of the suit under the governing law will
properly preclude the entry of summary judgment.” Anderson, 477
U.S. at 248. In determining whether summary judgment is
appropriate, a court “must view all evidence and make all
reasonable inferences in favor of the party opposing summary
judgment.” Haves v. City of Miami, 52 F.3d 918, 921 (11th Cir.
1995) (citing Dibrell Bros. Int’l, S.A. v. Banca Nazionale Del

Lavoro, 38 F.3d 1571, 1578 (11th Cir. 1994)).
When a court is presented with cross motions for summary
judgment, the court must evaluate each motion separately to
determine whether either party is entitled to the relief sought.
In accordance with Rule 56, when evaluating the merits of each
motion, the court must construe the facts in the light most
favorable to the non-moving party. See 10A Charles Alan Wright &
Arthur R. Miller, Federal Practice and Procedure § 2720 (4th ed.,
August 2019 update) (“The court must rule on each party’s motion
on an individual and separate basis, determining, for each side,
whether a judgment may be entered in accordance with the Rule 56

standard.”).
III. Complaint Allegations2
In his Amended Complaint, Plaintiff alleges Defendants were
deliberately indifferent to his serious medical needs with respect

2 Because Plaintiff is now represented by counsel, who has
supported his motion with evidence, the Court provides an
abbreviated summary of Plaintiff’s factual allegations in his
Amended Complaint.
to the administration of an intravenous (IV) antibiotic,
gentamicin. Am. Compl. at 8, 17. Plaintiff alleges he was admitted
to the Reception and Medical Center (RMC) hospital ward on January
3, 2010, because he had trouble overcoming complications following
the removal of a boil from his buttocks. Id. at 6.
Plaintiff alleges gentamicin is highly toxic, and he was more

susceptible to toxicity than other patients because he had a kidney
disorder. Id. at 15-16. According to Plaintiff, the
“manufacturer’s label specifically warns about closely monitoring
[for] toxicity . . . in patients with preexisting kidney problems.”
Id. at 13. Plaintiff asserts Drs. Smith and Jorge knew Plaintiff
had not been tested for gentamicin toxicity.3 Id. at 15-16, 21-22,
23.
Plaintiff asserts he displayed and complained of symptoms
associated with toxicity from January 20, 2010, through February
10, 2010, including vomiting, dizziness, lack of balance, ringing
in the ears, and nausea. Id. at 18, 22. Plaintiff alleges that

despite his verbal complaints and outward symptoms of toxicity,
and in contravention of the manufacturer’s recommendations,

3 Plaintiff alleges he was primarily under the care of former-
Defendant Christopher Beiser, who was then a medical student under
Defendants’ supervision. Am. Compl. at 11, 24. Plaintiff alleges
Dr. Smith prepared a treatment plan after reviewing the results of
initial tests, and then Dr. Smith placed Plaintiff in the hands of
the medical student. Id. at 12. Plaintiff asserts Drs. Smith and
Jorge failed to adequately train or supervise the medical student.
Id. at 7-8.
Defendants did not order tests to monitor gentamicin levels in his
blood until February 10, 2010, thirty-seven days (111 doses) after
the treatments began. Id. at 14, 16.
IV. Plaintiff’s Motion
Plaintiff moves for summary judgment on the issue of
liability. Pl. Motion at 1. According to Plaintiff, Defendants’

conduct constitutes more than mere (or gross) negligence. Id. at
4, 13-14, 15 n.5. Plaintiff contends the evidence shows Defendants
were aware of the risks involved in the administration of
gentamicin in a patient with renal insufficiency, knew what needed
to be done to avoid or minimize the known risks, and failed to
take appropriate action with no medical justification for failing
to do so. Id. at 4, 17.
Specifically, Plaintiff asserts Defendants failed, for five
weeks, to test the gentamicin levels in his blood despite knowing
periodic tests were indicated and despite Plaintiff’s complaints
and symptoms that should have put them on notice he was

experiencing possible gentamicin toxicity. Id. at 13-14. Plaintiff
concludes, “Defendants consciously made numerous treatment
decisions and entered numerous orders daily over the course of
more than 5 weeks . . . knowing . . . they also needed to monitor
that treatment. . . . [T]he conscious failure of Defendants to
have acted on their actual knowledge sooner epitomizes ‘deliberate
indifference.’” Id. at 15 n.5.
V. Defendants’ Motion
Defendants argue Plaintiff fails to establish they were
deliberately indifferent to a serious medical need and fails to
show they did not adequately train or supervise Dr. Beiser.4 Def.
Motion at 17, 19. They also assert they are entitled to qualified
immunity. Id. at 21-22. Finally, Defendants assert Plaintiff fails

to demonstrate a physical injury under 42 U.S.C. § 1997e(e),
stating his claimed injuries are either pre-existing or not
causally related to gentamicin toxicity. Id. at 20-21.
As to Defendants’ argument regarding a failure to train or
supervise claim, Plaintiff clarifies his claims against Defendants
are not premised on vicarious or supervisory liability but rather
on the “actions and omissions that lay exclusively within the scope
of Defendants’ known duties.” Pl. Resp. at 1-2. Plaintiff
acknowledges he does not claim to have suffered harm because of
Dr. Beiser’s deliberate indifference or his failure to follow Drs.
Smiths’ or Jorge’s instructions. Id. at 2. As such, Defendants’

motion with respect to a claim for failure to train or to supervise
is moot.

4 It is undisputed that when Plaintiff was treated at RMC,
Christopher Beiser was a medical student. However, the Court
acknowledges Beiser’s current status as a physician and will use
the appropriate designation of “Dr.” when referencing him.
VI. Facts5
This case boils down to whether and when a physician’s course
of treatment crosses the line from mere negligence, which is not
actionable under § 1983, to deliberate indifference, which is.
Generally, the parties do not dispute the facts related to
Plaintiff’s course of treatment. For instance, in their

declarations (Doc. 153-1; Def. Ex. A) (Doc. 153-2; Def. Ex. B),
Defendants acknowledge Plaintiff’s admission to RMC was
precipitated by an infection on his buttocks. Def. Ex. A ¶ 8; Def.
Ex. B ¶ 7. According to the “physician’s order sheets” (Doc. 148-
8; RMC Phys. Orders), and as confirmed by Defendants in their
depositions (Doc. 148-5; Smith Dep.) (Doc. 148-6; Jorge Dep.),
Joseph Charles, M.D., was on duty when Plaintiff was admitted to
RMC. Smith Dep. at 48; Jorge Dep. at 45; RMC Phys. Orders at 1.

5 Because the Court is presented with cross motions for
summary judgment, the facts are drawn from the exhibits Plaintiff
and Defendants offer in support of their motions. Defendants’
exhibits will be cited as “Def. Ex.” followed by the letter
designation Defendants assign each exhibit (for example, “Def. Ex.
A”). Plaintiff does not individually label his motion exhibits;
rather, Plaintiff’s exhibits appear in various places on the
Court’s docket. See Plaintiff’s amended exhibit index (Doc. 149-
1). As such, the Court will cite Plaintiff’s exhibits by reference
to the document type or the document’s contents. When referencing
either party’s exhibits for the first time, the Court will indicate
the document number and identify how the Court will subsequently
cite the exhibit. In some instances, Plaintiff and Defendants offer
the same exhibits. In those instances, the Court will cite the
exhibit by reference to one document number only. Page numbers
reflect the pagination assigned by the Court’s electronic
docketing system.
The RMC healthcare authorization form (Doc. 153-3; Def. Ex. C)
notes Plaintiff arrived via wheelchair and was in “fair” condition.
Def. Ex. C at 1. Dr. Charles ordered blood panels and, in addition
to another antibiotic, ordered 120 milligrams (mg) of gentamicin
(the “loading dose”) to be followed by 80 mg for seven days (the
“maintenance dose”). RMC Phys. Orders at 1; Def. Ex. C at 1; Smith

Dep. at 31-32.6
The RMC admission report (Doc. 153-9; Def. Ex. I) is co-
signed by Dr. Smith and Dr. Beiser. The admission report notes
doctors were awaiting the results of a complete blood count (CBC)
and a basic metabolic panel (BMP), and “broad spectrum antibiotics”
were started to treat Plaintiff’s peri rectal abscess. Def. Ex. I
at 5.7 Initial blood test results (Doc. 148-7; RMC Labs) revealed
Plaintiff had an infection identified as methicillin resistant
staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), which Dr. Smith testified is
difficult to treat. Smith Dep. at 52; RMC Labs at 3. Dr. Smith
testified at deposition Plaintiff’s initial blood tests also

6 In his deposition, Dr. Smith explained the initial dose of
gentamicin, referred to as the loading dose, is usually higher
than the maintenance dose. Smith Dep. at 31. The loading dose is
administered one time. Id. at 32.

7 The admission report notes the date of admission was January
4, 2010. Def. Ex. I at 5. Other records, however, indicate the
date of admission was January 3, 2010. RMC Phys. Orders at 1; Def.
Ex. I at 6, 8.
showed he suffered borderline renal insufficiency. Smith Dep. at
15. See also RMC Labs at 1.
Plaintiff offers the affidavit of Dr. Beiser (Doc. 156-1;
Beiser Aff.). Dr. Beiser explains, as a medical student, he “had
no authority to treat patients, prescribe medications, or order
tests or examinations for them.” Beiser Aff. ¶ 7. Rather, decisions

regarding patient care and treatment “lay exclusively with the
licensed attending physicians.” Id. The physician’s order sheets
confirm Dr. Beiser was not the one to order medications or tests.
Rather, Drs. Smith and Jorge primarily did so. See generally RMC
Phys. Orders. On January 12, 2010, Dr. Jorge ordered gentamicin at
80 mg for seven days. Id. at 6. Dr. Smith ordered gentamicin at 80
mg for seven days on January 19, 2010, January 24, 2010, February
1, 2010, and February 9, 2010. Id. at 8-10, 13.
According to the RMC doctor’s progress notes (Doc. 153-9;
Def. Ex. I) and nurse’s notes (Doc. 153-14; Def. Ex. N), Plaintiff
was evaluated daily between January 3, 2010, and the date of

discharge, February 19, 2010.8 Over this time, Plaintiff complained
of hearing loss, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting. Def. Ex. I at
16, 17, 22, 24. On January 23, 2010, Dr. Marie J. Garcon noted
Plaintiff complained of vomiting. Id. at 16. Also on January 23,
2010, a nurse noted Plaintiff “continues to be deaf in [left] ear,

8 The doctor’s progress notes contain no entry for January
29, 2010. See RMC Phys. Orders at 18.
and [is] hard of hearing in [right] ear.” Def. Ex. N at 43. On
January 25, 2010, Dr. Smith changed a medication (not gentamicin),
noting Plaintiff attributed his recent bout of nausea and vomiting
to his receipt of that medication. Def. Ex. I at 17. On January
27, 2010, a nurse noted Plaintiff was “hard of hearing/deaf.” Def.
Ex. N at 51. On February 8, 2010, Plaintiff complained of

dizziness, which he said started the week before and was constant
over the weekend. Def. Ex. I at 22.
On February 10, 2010, Plaintiff complained he had nausea and
vomiting the previous night. Id. at 24. Dr. Smith ordered a CBC
and BMP in response to Plaintiff’s complaints. Dr. Smith directed
antibiotics be continued to treat the abscess. Id. On February 11,
2010, Dr. Jorge ordered Zofran and Phenergan (for nausea), RMC
Phys. Orders at 14, and Plaintiff reported no longer feeling
nauseous, Def. Ex. I at 24. On that same day, Dr. Jorge lowered
the gentamicin dosage to 40 mg for eighth hours. RMC Phys. Orders
at 14.

On February 12, 2010, Dr. Jorge ordered a “STAT BMP” and
discontinued the gentamicin. Id. at 15; see also Def. Ex. I at 25.
On February 15, 2010, Dr. Jorge noted Plaintiff’s abscess was not
healing and his creatinine and “BUN” levels were rising.9 Def. Ex.

9 According to Dr. Smith, gentamicin is filtered by the
kidneys. Smith Dep. at 11. High levels of gentamicin in the blood
system is an indication the kidneys are not processing the drug;
the higher level of the drug in the blood, the more likely toxicity
I at 26. On February 17, 2010, a different physician ordered a CBC
and BMP. Id. at 27; RMC Phys. Orders at 17. On February 18, 2010,
Dr. Smith noted Plaintiff’s creatinine levels had increased and
ordered a BMP. Def. Ex. I at 27.
On February 19, when Plaintiff showed no signs of improvement,
Dr. Smith transferred Plaintiff to Memorial Hospital Jacksonville

(MHJ). The discharge summary (Doc. 148-10; RMC Disch. Summ.), co-
signed by Dr. Beiser and Dr. Smith, notes the following course of
treatment and reason for transfer:
After several weeks of IV antibiotics
[Plaintiff’s] BUN and creatinine began to
rise. Antibiotics were discontinued and
[Plaintiff] was hydrated with [fluids] . . .
with repeated BMPs. BUN and creatinine
continued to trend downwards. [Plaintiff] was
no longer able to be treated with IV
antibiotics. He has subsequently developed a
left lower quadrant pain that became tender to
touch. CT machine was not working. We were
unable to get a CT due to the machine not
working on Friday. Subsequently, it was
discussed with the surgeon at Regional
Memorial and he was transferred.

RMC Disch. Summ. at 4. See also Def. Ex. A ¶ 15; Def. Ex. B ¶ 14.10
When Plaintiff was transferred to MHJ, he was in “obvious kidney

is an issue. Id. BUN and creatinine measurements help show a
patient’s kidney function. Id. at 14-15. BUN measures “[n]itrogen
waste products from protein metabolism,” and creatinine is a
“chemical or enzyme that’s broken down . . . and filtered through
the kidneys.” Id.

10 After physicians at MHJ stabilized Plaintiff, on February
23 or 24, 2010, Plaintiff returned to RMC. See Doc. 153-10 (Def.
Ex. J) at 6, 9. Dr. William Nields, the RMC admitting physician,
failure.” Jorge Dep. at 29-30. See also Smith Dep. at 19. Dr. Smith
testified at deposition, based on a comparison of the blood tests
on January 4, 2010, and February 10, 2010, Plaintiff’s “kidney
functioning deteriorated” during that time. Smith Dep. at 19.
Defendants acknowledge in their responses to Plaintiff’s
counseled interrogatories (Doc. 131-5; Smith Interrog.) (Doc. 131-

6; Jorge Interrog.), gentamicin administration carries potentially
serious side effects, including nephrotoxicity (damage to the
kidneys) and ototoxicity (damage to the ears, including hearing
loss and equilibrium issues). Smith Interrog. ¶ 2; Jorge Interrog.
¶ 1. See also Smith Dep. at 9-10, 14; Jorge Dep. at 40-41. The
Federal Drug Administration (FDA) warns gentamicin “is potentially
nephrotoxic,” the risk of which is “greater in patients with
impaired renal function and in those who receive high dosage or
prolonged therapy” (Doc. 149-2; FDA Warning). Additionally, the
FDA warns, “[n]eurotoxicity manifested by ototoxicity . . . can
occur in patients treated with gentamicin, primarily in those with

pre-existing renal damage.” FDA Warning at 1. According to the FDA
warning, “[p]atients treated with [gentamicin] should be under
close clinical observation because of the potential toxicity
associated with [its] use.” Id. The warning provides, “[s]erum

noted Plaintiff’s chief complaint was dizziness. Id. at 6-7.
Plaintiff was ultimately discharged from RMC on February 24, 2010.
concentration levels of [the drug] should be monitored when
feasible to assure adequate levels and to avoid potentially toxic
levels.” Id.
Dr. Smith testified at deposition that he knew, when he
treated Plaintiff, a patient with renal (kidney) insufficiency is
more susceptible to the risks associated with gentamicin. Smith

Dep. at 15-16. Dr. Jorge, on the other hand, denied having had
such knowledge. Jorge Dep. at 15. In his answers to
interrogatories, Dr. Jorge simply acknowledges he was “aware of
the side effects of gentamicin use.” Jorge Interrog. ¶ 2. Dr. Jorge
did not state he knew when he treated Plaintiff that such side
effects are heightened in a patient with renal insufficiency. Id.
Drs. Smith and Jorge both also knew when they treated Plaintiff a
patient’s complaints of hearing difficulty and dizziness could
possibly be symptoms of gentamicin toxicity. Smith Dep. at 26, 27;
Jorge Dep. at 40. However, they contend nausea and vomiting are
“nonspecific” symptoms, which can be caused by anything. Smith
Dep. at 28; Jorge Dep. at 41.

Dr. Smith and Dr. Jorge each knew when they treated Plaintiff
the risks associated with gentamicin can be lessened or avoided
through “routine” monitoring of kidney function and testing
gentamicin levels in the blood stream. Smith Dep. at 10-12; Jorge
Dep. at 18, 56-57; Smith Interrog. ¶¶ 2, 3; Jorge Interrog. ¶ 2.
However, they disagree on when monitoring should occur. Dr. Smith
testified at deposition all patients who receive gentamicin should
be monitored every three to five days or at least once a week,
regardless of the patient’s kidney function at the start of the
treatment. Smith Dep. at 11, 33. Dr. Smith stated, “[t]here should
have been an order to check [Plaintiff’s] [g]entamicin level
probably after the third or fifth dose and then his kidney function

once a week thereafter,” but that was not done. Id. at 17, 55.
On the other hand, Dr. Jorge maintains there is no set
schedule for monitoring gentamicin levels but rather monitoring is
a matter of medical judgment and physician discretion. Jorge Dep.
at 24; Jorge Interrog. ¶ 10. Dr. Jorge states in his answers to
interrogatories, “[i]t was not common practice to have a set
periodic test. The tests were ordered based on a physician’s
analysis of the situation.” Jorge Interrog. ¶ 10. According to Dr.
Jorge’s analysis of the situation, the symptoms Plaintiff reported
during his treatment (hearing loss, dizziness, nausea, and
vomiting) did not indicate Plaintiff had gentamicin toxicity

because the symptoms Plaintiff reported “were probably already
chronic in him, like, unsteadiness, dizziness, all of those
symptoms.” Jorge Dep. at 24, 59.
Drs. Smith and Jorge concede Plaintiff’s blood was not tested
for gentamicin toxicity between January 3, 2010, and February 10,
2010, though they claim they had no knowledge such tests were not
being done. Smith Dep. at 12-13, 55; Jorge Dep. at 18; Smith
Interrog. ¶ 10; Jorge Interrog. ¶ 6. In their answers to
interrogatories, Defendants state blood tests were ordered to
monitor Plaintiff’s kidney function between January 4, 2010,
through February 10, 2010, but those tests did not report
gentamicin levels. Smith Interrog. ¶ 10; Jorge Interrog. ¶ 10. In
their motion, Defendants explain they failed to notice Plaintiff

was not being tested for toxicity because blood tests were being
performed periodically. Def. Resp. at 2. They say, “Defendants
were aware that blood test[s] . . . should have been ordered to
test for toxicity; however, since Plaintiff’s blood was being
tested [for other reasons], neither made the connection that his
blood was not being tested for toxicity.” Id.
Dr. Smith contends the failure to ensure gentamicin toxicity
testing was done is attributable to him and Dr. Jorge being over-
worked. Smith Interrog. ¶ 10. In his answers to interrogatories,
Dr. Smith states, “[t]he fact that [gentamicin] drug levels were
not completed [prior to February 10, 2010] was an oversight due to

[his and Dr. Jorge’s] heavy work load [sic]” resulting from a
shortage of physicians. Id. Dr. Smith testified at deposition he
and Dr. Jorge were the only two doctors on staff at the relevant
time but there should have been six doctors. Smith Dep. at 7, 48.
At deposition, Dr. Smith suggested other possible reasons the
tests had not been ordered: because a different physician (not he
or Dr. Jorge) started Plaintiff on gentamicin, and because Dr.
Beiser was the primary medical provider attending Plaintiff’s
care. Id. at 13. Dr. Smith recalled speaking with Dr. Beiser about
Plaintiff’s progress, but they did not talk about gentamicin
levels. Id. Dr. Smith explained, when he spoke with Dr. Beiser,
they “really didn’t talk about monitoring . . . [and] whenever
[Dr. Beiser] told [Dr. Smith] about the patient [Plaintiff] the

patient was doing fine.” Id.
Dr. Beiser avers he had no knowledge of the risks associated
with gentamicin at the time he treated Plaintiff, nor does he
recall Drs. Smith or Jorge providing any special instructions or
precautions regarding the administration of gentamicin. Beiser
Aff. ¶¶ 3, 10. Dr. Beiser states he “subsequently learned through
additional training and experience that a patient treated with
gentamicin (particularly one with renal deficiencies) should be
closely monitored due to risks of nephrotoxicity (impaired kidney
functioning) and ototoxity [sic] (impaired vestibular and auditory
functioning).” Id. ¶ 3.

In their declarations, Defendants aver, “[w]hen it was
determined that the [g]entamicin was affecting [Plaintiff]’s
kidneys, it was stopped, [Plaintiff] was given IV fluids and Renal
function was closely monitored through labs.” Def. Ex. B ¶ 13; see
also Def. Ex. A ¶ 14. They further declare they did not ignore any
complaints by Plaintiff or those reported to them by Dr. Beiser,
and they were not aware “Plaintiff’s blood was not being tested
for toxicity” prior to February 10, 2010. Def. Ex. A ¶¶ 16, 17;
Def. Ex. B ¶¶ 15, 16.
VII. Expert Witness Opinions
A. Defense Expert, Rakesh Sharma, M.D.
In his report (Doc. 153-7; Def. Ex. G), Dr. Sharma concludes
Plaintiff “was treated within the standard of care and there was

no action that was grossly incompetent, inadequate, or excessive
as to shock the conscience or to be intolerable to fundamental
fairness.” Def. Ex. G at 1. According to Dr. Sharma, on January 4,
2010, Plaintiff’s blood work showed his “[k]idney function was
normal and in fact better than it had been in 2009.”11 Id. at 2.
Dr. Sharma also notes Plaintiff was monitored daily by a medical
practitioner and his sugars were closely monitored through routine
blood tests. Id.
Dr. Sharma concludes the injuries Plaintiff associates with
Defendants’ treatment were either pre-existing, not related to the
gentamicin treatment, or not supported by subsequent medical

records. Id. at 3-4. Dr. Sharma’s overall conclusion is as follows:
[Plaintiff’s] . . . complaints are not
related to Gentamicin usage [but are] . . .
chronic complaints dating back to 2001 and
related to uncontrolled diabetes, neuropathy,
noncompliance, age related hearing loss, and

11 Notably, even Dr. Smith concedes Plaintiff’s January 4,
2010 blood work shows he had “borderline” renal insufficiency at
the time. Smith Dep. at 15; see also Doc. 153-13 (Def. Ex. M) at
3. There is no indication Dr. Smith or Dr. Jorge compared the
January 4, 2010 blood test results with previous test results.
hypertension. I see no evidence of actions
below the standard of care on [the] part of
the physicians who addressed his perirectal
abscess at RMC from January 3, 2010 to
February 19, 2010. There was no gross
incompetence or actions that would shock the
conscience on the part of the physicians.
There was no detriment to [Plaintiff] as a
result of the doctors’ actions.

Id. at 4.
B. Court-Appointed Expert, Loren J. Bartels, M.D., F.A.C.S.
In his report, (Doc. 119-1; Bartels Report), Dr. Bartels
explains he reviewed medical records from December 2009 through
April 2010. Dr. Bartels notes Plaintiff “developed significant
renal impairment in late 2009,” related to treatment for diabetes.
Bartels Report at 1. Dr. Bartels confirms Plaintiff received
gentamicin for about five weeks while at RMC. Id. Upon review of
the RMC records for that five-week period, Dr. Bartels was unable
to “find where BUN/Creatinine levels were sufficiently frequently
measured and did not find that gentamicin trough levels were
measured during that period of time.”12 Id.
With respect to the standard of care, Dr. Bartels states the
gentamicin doses administered to Plaintiff were too high given

12 In his deposition, Dr. Smith explained what “trough levels”
are: “The trough level is the blood level of [g]entamicin an hour
or so prior to giving the next dose.” Smith Dep. at 32. Dr. Smith
explained, if a patient has a “very high trough then that would be
an indication to decrease his dose.” Id. at 33. According to Dr.
Smith, the trough reading is more important than measuring the
peak level, which is the reading taken about an hour after a dose
of gentamicin is given. Id. at 32-33.
Plaintiff’s creatinine levels were elevated prior to his
hospitalization. Id. Dr. Bartels observes the doses given to
Plaintiff are those “normally given to patients who do not have
renal problems and are inappropriate in the context of even low
grade chronic kidney disease.” Id. at 2. Dr. Bartels continues,
“[r]egardless of renal status, gentamicin peak and trough levels

and frequent, at least biweekly, monitoring of BUN/creatinine
would be normal expected practice.” Id. Dr. Bartels observes,
“[g]entamicin dosing was not adjusted based on renal function and
renal function was not closely monitored during the Jan-Feb 2010
hospitalization.” Id. Dr. Bartels found nothing in the medical
records indicating either Drs. Smith or Jorge “attempted to
evaluate gentamicin toxicity sufficiently.” Id. at 4.
Dr. Bartels explains his opinions are somewhat limited based
on his area of expertise, which is in otology. Id. at 3. In that
regard, Dr. Bartels concludes “gentamicin within reasonable
medical probability caused ototoxic loss of vestibular function

and is with medical probability responsible for [Plaintiff’s]
permanent loss of balance.” Id. Plaintiff’s susceptibility to
ototoxicity was compounded by his “pre-existing renal dysfunction
aggravated by use of metformin.”13 Id. Dr. Bartels could not

13 Metformin is a medication used to treat diabetes. Smith
Dep. at 38. Plaintiff was taking metformin upon his admission to
RMC. Def. Ex. I at 5. Doctors continued to prescribe metformin for
Plaintiff during his hospital stay. See, e.g., RMC Phys. Orders at
conclude with certainty, and without testing, that Plaintiff’s
hearing worsened because of Defendants’ treatment, though he
states, “more likely than not, [Plaintiff’s] hearing worsened
because of the gentamicin toxicity.” Id.
C. Court-Appointed Expert, Donald C. Kern, M.D., M.P.H.
Dr. Kern provided his opinion on November 18, 2018 (Doc. 139-

2; Kern Report). Dr. Kern notes gentamicin “continues to be
effective against a variety of serious bacterial infections [and]
is often used in combination with other antibiotics as initial
treatment for serious infections.” Kern Report at 5. Dr. Kern
notes, however, despite gentamicin’s effectiveness, it “has a
number of well recognized potential side effects,” including
kidney and ear damage. Id.
Dr. Kern explains a patient with pre-existing kidney or ear
problems may be at greater risk of these side effects, though the
risks may be mitigated by “adjusting the dosage and/or the interval
dosing of gentamicin to manage the concentration of the drug.” Id.

at 6. According to Dr. Kern, the standard method to monitor the
concentration of gentamicin in a patient’s system is by “measuring
peak and trough” levels. Id. Dr. Kern observes, “[b]lood tests for
gentamicin concentration have . . . been available for decades.”

3. A physician at MHJ noted in Plaintiff’s discharge summary (Doc.
153-6; Def. Ex. F) that metformin “is not recommended for people
with renal insufficiency.” Def. Ex. F at 1.
Id. Dr. Kern concludes to a reasonable degree of medical certainty
that Plaintiff suffered “at least one serious medical need as a
result of the administration of gentamicin,” which was recognized
when Plaintiff began to show signs of decreased kidney function.
Id. at 6.
Dr. Kern opines Drs. Smith and Jorge “were aware of facts

from which they could draw the inference that their course of
treatment presented a substantial risk of serious harm to
Plaintiff.” Id. at 7. In example, Dr. Kern notes Drs. Smith and
Jorge held titles suggesting their competence (Medical Executive
Director and Senior Physician respectively). Dr. Kern notes the
“potential risks of gentamicin are long standing and well known to
primary care physicians” and observes, both Drs. Smith and Jorge
acknowledge in their responses to Plaintiff’s interrogatories they
were aware of potential risks associated with gentamicin. Id. Given
Drs. Smith and Jorge were aware of the risks associated with
gentamicin, knew Plaintiff presented with abnormal kidney

function, and signed or co-signed most of the progress notes, Dr.
Kern concludes Drs. Smith and Jorge were aware their course of
treatment presented a substantial risk of serious harm to
Plaintiff. Id. at 7, 8.
Additionally, Dr. Kern opines Drs. Smith and Jorge “actually
drew the inference” their course of treatment posed a substantial
risk of serious harm yet persisted in that course of treatment
anyway. Id. at 7. Of significance to Dr. Kern was Dr. Jorge’s
decision to lower the dose of gentamicin when Plaintiff complained
of side effects, indicating “an awareness that medication
concentration is related to the development of potential side
effects.” Id. Dr. Kern notes the medical records show “Defendants
persisted in the use of gentamicin, extending the order week by

week without ever checking levels.” Id.
VIII. Legal Analysis & Conclusions of Law
A. Deliberate Indifference
An Eighth Amendment claim for deliberate indifference may not
be sustained where a plaintiff demonstrates conduct that amounts
to negligence or oversight. Farrow v. West, 320 F.3d 1235, 1245
(11th Cir. 2003) (citing Estelle v. Gamble, 429 U.S. 97, 106
(1976); Farmer v. Brennan, 511 U.S. 825, 835 (1970)). Likewise,
“an official’s failure to alleviate a significant risk that he
should have perceived but did not, while no cause for commendation,
cannot . . . be condemned as the infliction of punishment.” Daniels

v. Jacobs, 753 F. App’x 748, 759 (11th Cir. 2018).
While medical negligence does not constitute an Eighth
Amendment violation, a deliberate indifference claim may be
“satisfied by something less than acts or omissions for the very
purpose of causing harm or with knowledge that harm will result.”
Farmer, 511 U.S. at 835. To prove a deliberate indifference claim,
a plaintiff must “satisfy both an objective and a subjective
inquiry.” Farrow, 320 F.3d at 1243. First, a plaintiff must show
he had an “objectively serious medical need.” Id. Next, the
plaintiff must demonstrate the medical provider subjectively acted
“with an attitude of deliberate indifference to that serious
medical need.” Id.
Defendants do not dispute Plaintiff had an objectively

serious medical need. See Def. Motion at 17-18. Rather, Defendants
disavow any knowledge gentamicin toxicity testing had not been
done and assert their failure to ensure the testing was done was
an “oversight” amounting to negligence. Id. at 17-18. As such,
the parties dispute whether Defendants had actual, subjective
knowledge Plaintiff’s blood was not tested for gentamicin levels
before February 10, 2010, or whether their lack of knowledge or
their failure to order admittedly necessary testing constitutes
mere negligence or something more.
A deliberate indifference claim requires a plaintiff to show
the medical provider had subjective knowledge of a risk of serious

harm yet disregarded that risk by conduct that amounts to more
than mere negligence. Farrow, 320 F.3d at 1245.14 A plaintiff who

14 The Eleventh Circuit clarified its precedent requires a
showing of more than “mere,” as opposed to more than “gross”
negligence. See Melton v. Abston, 841 F.3d 1207, 1223 n.2 (11th
Cir. 2016) (citing McElligott v. Foley, 182 F.3d 1248, 1255 (11th
Cir. 1999) (concluding “the ‘more than mere negligence’ standard
in McElligott is more consistent with Farmer than the ‘more than
gross negligence’ standard”)).
receives some medical treatment can demonstrate deliberate
indifference when the care is so deficient that it surpasses
traditional concepts of medical malpractice. McElligott, 182 F.3d
at 1255.
The Eleventh Circuit has recognized a failure to provide
proper medical care surpasses mere negligence when a plaintiff

receives “grossly inadequate care” or “care that is so cursory as
to amount to no treatment at all.” Melton, 841 F.3d at 1223. See
also Ancata v. Prison Health Servs., Inc., 769 F.2d 700, 704 (11th
Cir. 1985). Additionally, a physician’s failure to “provide even
that level of diagnostic care that [he himself] believed necessary”
suggests an Eighth Amendment violation. Ancata, 769 F.2d at 704.
“[T]he quality of [medical] care one receives can be so substantial
a deviation from accepted standards as to evidence deliberate
indifference to [] serious [medical] needs.” Steele v. Shah, 87
F.3d 1266, 1269 (11th Cir. 1996).
Defendants contend there is no evidence of their subjective

knowledge Plaintiff faced a risk of serious harm because they did
not know Plaintiff’s blood was not tested for gentamicin
concentration. Def. Motion at 17-18. Defendants’ argument
disregards that Plaintiff can satisfy his burden through reference
to circumstantial evidence:
Whether a [defendant] had the requisite
knowledge of a substantial risk is a question
of fact subject to demonstration in the usual
ways, including inference from circumstantial
evidence, and a factfinder may conclude that
a [defendant] knew of a substantial risk from
the very fact that the risk was obvious.

Farmer, 511 U.S. at 842 (internal citations omitted). See also
Melton, 841 F.3d at 1224 (“Since a finding of deliberate
indifference requires a finding of the defendant’s subjective
knowledge of the relevant risk, a genuine issue of material fact
exists ‘only if the record contains evidence, albeit
circumstantial, of such subjective awareness.’”).
Indeed, the Eleventh Circuit has recognized, “rarely if ever
will a defendant medical professional admit that he knew his course
of treatment was grossly inadequate.” Campbell v. Sikes, 169 F.3d
1353, 1371-72 (11th Cir. 1999). See also Steele, 87 F.3d at 1269
(reversing summary judgment in the defendant’s favor because the
jury could have concluded the defendant “knew of a substantial
risk from the very fact that the risk was obvious”); McElligott,
182 F.3d at 1256 n.3 (holding a jury reasonably could conclude
from the totality of the circumstances the defendant doctor knew
the plaintiff faced a serious risk of harm even though the doctor
maintained he was subjectively unaware of some of the plaintiff’s
complaints of pain).
A court may consider expert witness testimony as
circumstantial evidence of a defendant’s subjective mental intent.
Campbell, 169 F.3d at 1371. See also German v. Broward Cty.
Sheriff’s Office, 315 F. App’x 773, 777-78 (11th Cir. 2009)
(stating, as dicta, an expert may be warranted on remand “to
determine whether [the defendant] was deliberately indifferent to
[the plaintiff’s] serious medical need”). However, an expert’s
opinion alone will not suffice; there must be other circumstantial
evidence in the record to permit a factfinder to conclude a

defendant had actual knowledge of a risk of serious harm. Campbell,
169 F.3d at 1372.
Here, the expert testimony demonstrates there is a genuine
issue of material fact regarding whether Defendants knew Plaintiff
faced a risk of serious harm. Dr. Sharma concludes the medical
records show no evidence of “actions below the standard of care.”
Def. Ex. G at 4. However, Dr. Kern opines the records reflect
Defendants knew of a substantial risk associated with the
administration of gentamicin without associated testing yet
persisted in their course of treatment despite that knowledge.
Kern Report at 7-8.

Dr. Kern’s report is not the sole evidence of Defendants’
subjective intent, however. The evidence permits the conclusion
that Drs. Smith and Jorge knew Plaintiff’s blood was not tested
for gentamicin concentration despite their assertions to the
contrary. Drs. Smith and Jorge were primarily responsible for
Plaintiff’s care. Although Dr. Beiser met with and examined
Plaintiff, Drs. Smith and Jorge supervised Dr. Beiser and directed
Plaintiff’s treatment plan. Dr. Beiser avers, and Dr. Smith
concedes, Dr. Beiser had no authority to order tests or prescribe
medications. Beiser Aff. at ¶ 7; Smith Dep. at 13.
At his deposition, Dr. Jorge denied having had a supervisory
role over Dr. Beiser, saying Dr. Beiser was “mostly” under Dr.
Smith’s supervision. Jorge Dep. at 44. However, in his declaration,

Dr. Jorge acknowledges Dr. Beiser reported to him and to Dr. Smith.
Def. Ex. B ¶ 9. Moreover, both Dr. Smith’s and Dr. Jorge’s primary
responsibility for Plaintiff’s treatment is evidenced by their
signatures on the daily doctor’s progress notes and physician’s
order sheets. See generally Def. Ex. I; RMC Phys. Orders. Between
January 5, 2010, and February 18, 2010, forty-five progress notes
were made and all except seven are signed by Drs. Smith or Jorge.15
Def. Ex. I. Between January 4, 2010, and February 9, 2010, Dr.
Smith ordered the continuation of gentamicin on four occasions.
Dr. Jorge ordered the continuation of gentamicin one time, though
the progress notes and physician’s order sheets indicate Dr. Jorge

was involved with Plaintiff’s care on a regular basis between the
date of admission and the date of discharge. See RMC Phys. Orders
at 6, 8, 9, 10, 13; Def. Ex. I.

15 The remaining six entries are signed by one of two other
physicians, not including the admitting physician, Dr. Charles.
Def. Ex. I at 16, 20, 21, 22, 26, 27.
Given all the evidence, a reasonable factfinder could
conclude Dr. Smith and Dr. Jorge each had to know Plaintiff’s blood
was not tested for gentamicin toxicity from the very fact it was
obvious. Together, they directed the continuation of gentamicin
over a period of five weeks knowing the risks associated with its
use and the ways to avoid those risks, though neither of them

ordered that Plaintiff’s blood be tested for gentamicin. Moreover,
given Dr. Beiser had no authority to order tests and Drs. Smith
and Jorge were the licensed physicians with such authority, any
orders for blood tests had to have come from one of them.16 Cf.
Daniels, 753 F. App’x at 758 (holding the evidence did not support
an inference the defendant doctor knew the results of a blood test
because the undisputed evidence showed the nurses were charged
with the plaintiff’s care and had the authority to order tests and
prescribe medications).
Even accepting Defendants did not actually know gentamicin
levels were not being tested, their admitted ignorance of such a

fact permits the inference they did not take the steps necessary
to ensure their treatment plan was medically appropriate, such as
reviewing medical records and test results. Such a failure could
support the conclusion Defendants rendered “grossly inadequate

16 This is especially the case accepting as true Dr. Smith’s
account that he and Dr. Jorge were the only two doctors working at
RMC at the time.
care” or substantially deviated “from accepted standards as to
evidence deliberate indifference to [] serious [medical] needs.”
Steele, 87 F.3d at 1269-70 (holding the defendant physician was
not entitled to summary judgment despite a favorable expert witness
report where the plaintiff presented evidence that the physician
discontinued a medication after only a “cursory interview [with

the plaintiff] and without having reviewed any medical records”);
Greason v. Kemp, 891 F.2d 829, 835 (11th Cir. 1990) (holding a
trier of fact could find the defendant doctor provided grossly
inadequate care and knew he was doing so when the doctor abruptly
discontinued an inmate’s anti-psychotic medication without
reviewing the inmate’s file or conducting an examination).
Additionally, a factfinder reasonably could conclude the
circumstantial evidence belies Dr. Smith’s proffered explanation
for his admitted failure to recognize gentamicin levels were not
monitored (being over-worked and under-staffed). Dr. Smith
testified he and Dr. Jorge were the only two doctors at RMC at the

time but there should have been six. Smith Dep. at 48. However,
the medical records from RMC contain the signatures of at least
four doctors in addition to Drs. Smith and Jorge. Def. Ex. H at 1;
Def. Ex. I at 6-7, 16, 21. Moreover, Dr. Beiser avers he does not
recall any patient-care conversations with Dr. Smith or Dr. Jorge
being cut short because the doctors were too busy. Beiser Aff. ¶
7.
Given a reasonable factfinder could conclude, based on the
circumstantial evidence, that Defendants were deliberately
indifferent to a serious risk of harm, Defendants are not entitled
to summary judgment. Defendants’ assertions they did not know
Plaintiff’s blood was not being tested for gentamicin toxicity
until February 10, 2010, presents a factual dispute and a

credibility determination this Court may not make on summary
judgment. See Anderson, 477 U.S. at 249 (“[T]he judge’s function
is not . . . to weigh the evidence and determine the truth of the
matter.”).
For the same reason, neither is Plaintiff entitled to summary
judgment. On this record, construing the facts in the light most
favorable to Defendants, a factfinder reasonably could conclude
Defendants did not know Plaintiff’s blood was not being tested for
toxicity until February 10, 2010, and their lack of knowledge
amounts to mere negligence. The records show a medical provider
examined Plaintiff daily, and Defendants contend they did not

ignore any complaints brought to their attention by Plaintiff or
Dr. Beiser. See Def. Ex. A ¶ 16; Def. Ex. B ¶ 15; Def. Ex. I.
A jury reasonably could conclude the symptoms Plaintiff
complained of over the course of his treatment (hearing loss,
nausea and vomiting, and dizziness) did not alert Defendants to
gentamicin toxicity under the circumstances. As Plaintiff
acknowledges by affidavit (Doc. 156-2; Pl. Aff. #1), he presented
with hearing loss upon his admission to RMC. Def. Ex. I at 8; Pl.
Aff. #1 ¶ 1. As to Plaintiff’s complaints of nausea and vomiting,
according to Drs. Smith and Jorge, those are “nonspecific” symptoms
not necessarily attributable solely to gentamicin toxicity. See
Smith Dep. at 28; Jorge Dep. at 41. Finally, the records reflect
Plaintiff’s complaints were not persistent but occurred on a few,

sporadic occasions, and after steps were taken to address his
complaints, Plaintiff reported feeling better. See Def. Ex. I at
16-17, 22-23.
In short, whether Defendants’ self-proclaimed “oversight”
constitutes negligence or deliberate indifference is a question of
fact this Court may not resolve as a matter of law on summary
judgment. See Rogers v. Evans, 792 F.2d 1052, 1060 (11th Cir. 1986)
(“The issue is whether the questioned conduct is cruel and unusual
because it involves deliberate indifference, or something more
than a medical judgment call, an accident, or an inadvertent
failure.”) (quoting Murrell v. Bennett, 615 F.2d 306, 310 n.4 (5th

Cir. 1980)). As such, neither party is entitled to summary judgment
on Plaintiff’s claim of deliberate indifference.17

17 The parties also dispute whether Defendants obtained
Plaintiff’s informed consent to treat him with gentamicin. It is
undisputed Dr. Charles initially ordered gentamicin and was the
doctor on duty when Plaintiff was admitted. The patient
authorization form, dated January 3, 2010, is signed by Dr.
Charles. Def. Ex. C at 1. Plaintiff was “unable to sign” the form.
Id. Whether Plaintiff understood the risks associated with
gentamicin or whether he would have declined the treatment had he
B. Qualified Immunity
Defendants invoke qualified immunity, asserting they were
acting within the scope of their discretionary duties at the
relevant times and arguing Plaintiff fails to demonstrate the
violation of a constitutional right that was clearly established
at the time. Def. Motion at 18, 21-22. In response, Plaintiff

asserts Defendants were not acting within the scope of their
discretionary duties because their conduct was not the product of
medical judgment but a failure to adhere to protocols. Pl. Resp.
at 4-5. Plaintiff further asserts that deliberate indifference to
an inmate’s serious medical needs has long been recognized as a
constitutional violation. Id. at 5.
An official sued in his individual capacity “is entitled to
qualified immunity for his discretionary actions unless he
violated ‘clearly established statutory or constitutional rights
of which a reasonable person would have known.’” Black v.
Wigington, 811 F.3d 1259, 1266 (11th Cir. 2016) (quoting Case v.

Eslinger, 555 F.3d 1317, 1325 (11th Cir. 2009)). Qualified immunity
allows government employees to exercise their official duties

known the risks are not issues this Court must resolve in ruling
on the parties’ motions for summary judgment. Rather, the Court
focuses on whether there is evidence that Defendants were
deliberately indifferent to Plaintiff’s condition over the weeks
during which they treated him with gentamicin regardless of whether
anyone explained the risks associated with gentamicin to
Plaintiff.
without fear of facing personal liability. Alcocer v. Mills, 906
F.3d 944, 951 (11th Cir. 2018). The doctrine protects all but the
plainly incompetent or those who knowingly violate an inmate’s
constitutional rights. Id.
Upon asserting a qualified immunity defense, a defendant
bears the initial burden to demonstrate he was acting within his

discretionary authority at the relevant times. Id. Defendants
assert, and the record demonstrates, they were acting within the
scope of their discretionary duties as physicians for the DOC at
the time they treated Plaintiff. Def. Motion at 22. See also Def.
Ex. A; Def. Ex. B; Def. Ex. I; Def. Ex. J; RMC Phys. Orders.
Plaintiff offers no evidence to dispute Defendants were
acting within the scope of their discretionary duties at the time.
Rather, Plaintiff argues Defendants were not acting within the
scope of their discretionary duties because they “abdicated clear-
cut, known professional duties” by their failure to test Plaintiff
for gentamicin toxicity. Pl. Resp. at 3. Plaintiff’s argument is

not convincing. Whether Defendants provided deficient medical care
in a manner that violated Plaintiff’s constitutional rights is a
separate question from whether Defendants acted within the scope
of their discretionary duties as physicians for the DOC. As such,
the Court finds Defendants carry their burden on qualified
immunity.
To overcome a qualified immunity defense, a plaintiff bears
the burden to demonstrate two elements: the defendant’s conduct
caused plaintiff to suffer a constitutional violation, and the
constitutional violation was “clearly established” at the time of
the alleged violation. Alcocer, 906 F.3d at 951. “Because § 1983
‘requires proof of an affirmative causal connection between the

official’s acts or omissions and the alleged constitutional
deprivation,’ each defendant is entitled to an independent
qualified-immunity analysis as it relates to his or her actions
and omissions.” Id. (quoting Zatler, 802 F.2d at 401).
As addressed at length above, Plaintiff alleges facts and
presents evidence that, accepted as true, demonstrate Dr. Smith
and Dr. Jorge, by their separate actions or omissions, were
deliberately indifferent to Plaintiff’s serious medical needs. Dr.
Smith knew at the time he treated Plaintiff that a patient with
renal insufficiency, which Plaintiff had, is more susceptible to
the risks associated with gentamicin and knew gentamicin levels

should be routinely monitored. Smith Dep. at 11-12, 33. Yet Dr.
Smith ordered the drug four times without ordering the routine
gentamicin concentration tests. See RMC Phys. Orders at 8-10, 13.
Similarly, Dr. Jorge knew the risks associated with
gentamicin, was familiar with the symptoms of possible gentamicin
toxicity, and knew that blood tests were indicated to monitor
gentamicin levels in a patient’s bloodstream. Jorge Dep. at 18,
45. Dr. Jorge was involved in Plaintiff’s care for five weeks,
ordering tests and medications, including gentamicin, and he
admittedly did not order tests to monitor the gentamicin levels in
Plaintiff’s blood. See RMC Phys. Orders at 6-9, 11, 14-16.
Unlike Dr. Smith, Dr. Jorge denies having known a person with
renal insufficiency is more susceptible to the side effects of

gentamicin or that gentamicin monitoring should occur with any
particular frequency. Id. at 15. However, a factfinder reasonably
could conclude Dr. Jorge’s testimony lacks credibility given Dr.
Jorge was a “senior physician,” and two court-appointed experts,
Dr. Smith, and Dr. Beiser all recognize renal insufficiency places
a patient at an increased risk of harm during the administration
of gentamicin and routine blood tests are indicated.
Alternatively, a factfinder could conclude Dr. Jorge’s claimed
lack of familiarity with this particular risk factor or the
frequency with which a patient’s blood should be tested, both of
which are included in the FDA warning, suggests he rendered grossly

inadequate medical care.
The clearly established law in the Eleventh Circuit at the
time served to put Defendants on notice that a physician’s
treatment of an inmate can fall so far below the acceptable
standard of care that it may constitute deliberate indifference.
See, e.g., Campbell, 169 F.3d at 1370 (stating a plaintiff may
establish a deliberate indifference claim if the direct or
circumstantial evidence demonstrates the physician actually drew
the inference that his “course of treatment presented a substantial
risk of serious harm . . . but persisted in the course of treatment
anyway”); McElligott, 182 F.3d at 1255 (noting that the Supreme
Court in Farmer clarified a plaintiff does not have to demonstrate
an intent to cause him harm; “it is enough the official acted or

failed to act despite his knowledge of a substantial risk of
serious harm”) (citing cases as examples of circumstances under
which the Eleventh Circuit has held medical care was so inadequate
as to constitute deliberate indifference). See also Rogers, 792
F.2d at 1058 (“Medical treatment that is so grossly incompetent,
inadequate, or excessive as to shock the conscience or to be
intolerable to fundamental fairness violates the eighth
amendment.”).
At the time Defendants treated Plaintiff, the Eleventh
Circuit had recognized a plaintiff may demonstrate a genuine issue
of material fact in a deliberate indifference claim with respect

to the manner in which prison doctors prescribe or administer
medications. Steele, 87 F.3d at 1270 (holding the plaintiff
demonstrated a genuine issue of material fact as to deliberate
indifference where the physician discontinued a medication after
only a “cursory interview [with the plaintiff] and without having
reviewed any medical records”); Greason, 891 F.2d at 835 (holding
the manner in which a prison doctor withdraws a medication can
amount to deliberate indifference depending on the circumstances).
For these reasons, Defendants are not entitled to qualified
immunity on summary judgment, and their motion is due to be denied.
C. Plaintiff’s Injuries
Defendants assert Plaintiff fails to demonstrate a physical

injury attributable to Defendants’ conduct, barring him from
receiving compensatory or punitive damages under 42 U.S.C. §
1997e(e). Def. Motion at 20. In response, Plaintiff references the
court-appointed experts’ opinions and the medical records, which
he claims demonstrate otherwise. Pl. Resp. at 2.
Defendants recognize gentamicin toxicity can cause kidney and
ear damage, Smith Dep. at 9-10; Jorge Dep. at 17; Smith Interrog.
¶ 2; Jorge Interrog. ¶ 1, which are some of the injuries Plaintiff
alleges he suffered as a result of Defendants’ treatment, Am.
Compl. at 23. Defendants argue, however, the injuries Plaintiff
attributes to Defendants’ conduct are pre-existing or are not

causally related to gentamicin toxicity. Def. Motion at 20.
Defendants provide no explanation or analysis to support their
general conclusions. Instead, they rely upon Dr. Sharma’s report,
in which Dr. Sharma simply concludes by reference to a few medical
records that the injuries Plaintiff associates with Defendants’
treatment were not caused by gentamicin or are those Plaintiff
complained of as far back as 2001. Def. Ex. G at 3-4.
Defendants provide some of the medical records Dr. Sharma
references in his report. On April 14, 2000, Plaintiff complained
of hearing problems that persisted even after the wax was flushed
from his ears. Def. Ex. E at 1. He also informed the medical
provider that a doctor previously told him he “had a bad liver”
because he was a drinker for twelve years. Id. However, the nurse

noted, “no hx [history] of kidney problems.” Id. In 2001, Plaintiff
complained of “unsteady gait” and having “frequent falls,” though
he attributed those problems to weak joints and arthritis. Id. at
4, 5. He also reported his knees and ankles “giv[ing] out” on long
walks, and he reported using a cane since before his incarceration.
Id. at 4. The nurse referred him to a clinician for evaluation,
noting Plaintiff had “joint pain.” Id.
In an affidavit (Doc. 156-2; Pl. Aff. #2), Plaintiff concedes
he had hearing problems prior to being treated with gentamicin.
Pl. Aff. #2 ¶ 1. However, Plaintiff explains his past hearing
issues were the result of wax build-up. Id. ¶¶ 1, 2. He avers “each

time [he] experience[d] [hearing loss] prior to [his admission to
RMC], . . . the medical staff . . . cleared out the excessive wax
. . . [and] [he] could hear normally.” Id. ¶ 1. Plaintiff explains
that upon his admission to RMC, on January 4, 2010, a hearing
specialist flushed the wax from his ears with the same positive
results previously experienced. Id. ¶ 2.
According to Plaintiff, “[a]fter 19 days of hearing
normal[ly],” on January 23, 2010, he reported to a nurse that he
was having problems. Id. ¶ 3. He told the nurse the hearing
problems were “similar” to those he expressed when he was admitted,
“except for the fact that [he] had never before experienced the
deafness happening so soon after the excessive wax was removed.”

Id. Plaintiff says he complained to nurses or doctors on January
27th, 29th, and 30th. Id. ¶¶ 4-6. He contends “no one would take
more than a minute to listen,” and he became frustrated with his
attempts to report the problem. Id. ¶ 6.
The Court finds Defendants fail to carry their burden on
summary judgment. Defendants provide some evidence Plaintiff
previously complained of hearing problems and an unsteady gait,
Def. Ex. E at 1, 4, 5, though there is no evidence demonstrating
whether the problems Plaintiff attributes to gentamicin are the
same in nature or severity as those he reported nearly ten years
before. As Plaintiff points out, Pl. Resp. at 2, Dr. Bartels

suggests there may be a causal connection between Plaintiff’s
current hearing loss and gentamicin toxicity, even though
Plaintiff previously complained of hearing loss, Bartels Report at
3. Dr. Bartels concludes, “more likely than not, [Plaintiff’s]
hearing worsened because of the gentamicin toxicity.” Id. Dr.
Bartels also attributes Plaintiff’s loss of balance to gentamicin
toxicity. Id. Significantly, Dr. Bartels indicates he is unable to
conclude with certainty whether gentamicin worsened Plaintiff’s
hearing without conducting studies and examining Plaintiff, which
he has not done.18 Id.
Dr. Smith himself concedes Plaintiff’s kidneys “did get
worse” between January 4, 2010, and February 19, 2010, and
Plaintiff was in “chronic kidney failure” on February 19, 2010.

Smith Dep. at 19. As such, the Court finds there remain genuine
issues of material fact regarding whether Plaintiff sustained
injuries that were caused or exacerbated by gentamicin toxicity.
IX. Plaintiff’s Motion for Discovery from Non-Party
Plaintiff seeks an order directing the DOC to respond to his
subpoena requests without cost. Disc. Motion at 1.19 Defendants
oppose Plaintiff’s request. See Disc. Motion Resp. According to
Plaintiff, the DOC agreed to provide the responsive documents for
the estimated production cost of almost $2,500.00. Disc. Motion at
1; see also Doc. 146-2. Plaintiff’s attorney represents that should

18 The Court previously granted Plaintiff’s motion to move to
reopen the discovery period after the Court’s ruling on the
dispositive motions, “for the limited purpose of deposing the
medical experts” and to seek leave for Dr. Bartels to examine
Plaintiff. See Order (Doc. 145).

19 To meet the deadline for filing discovery motions,
Plaintiff filed this motion before filing his Motion for Summary
Judgment. See Disc. Motion at 1 n.1. However, Plaintiff clarifies
the documents he seeks are not necessary for the Court’s
consideration of the parties’ summary judgment motions. Id.
Plaintiff states he will need the requested documents to prepare
for trial. Id.
the case survive summary judgment, he will revisit discussions
with DOC representatives and opposing counsel to resolve the
dispute without the need for Court intervention. Disc. Motion at
2.
Given Plaintiff’s representation that he will make additional
attempts to resolve this issue himself, the Court will deny

Plaintiff’s motion without prejudice to his right to renew the
motion should he be unable to reach a satisfactory resolution.
X. Conclusion
In light of the Court’s ruling on the parties’ summary
judgment motions, the Court finds the parties may benefit from
renewed settlement negotiations. As such, the Court will direct
the parties to confer and file a joint notice advising whether
there is a possibility of settlement or whether this case should
be set for trial. If the parties are amenable to settlement
negotiations, the Court will refer the case to the assigned
Magistrate Judge for a settlement conference. If the parties are

not amendable to settlement negotiations, they shall provide a
joint schedule with proposed deadlines for the completion of this
case with a goal of trying the case by March 2020. The parties
shall make every effort to resolve this case, which has been
pending since 2013, without undue delay.
Therefore, it is now
ORDERED :
1. Plaintiff’s Motion for Discovery from Non-Party (Doc.
146) is DENIED without prejudice.
2. Plaintiff’s Motion for Summary Judgment (Doc. 148) is
DENIED.
3. Defendants’ Motion for Summary Judgment (Doc. 153) is
DENIED.
4, By November 4, 2019, the parties shall confer and file
a joint notice advising whether they there is a possibility of
settlement or whether this case should be set for trial. If the
parties are not amendable to settlement negotiations, they shall
provide a joint schedule with proposed deadlines for the completion
of this case, which the Court would like to try no later than March
2020.
DONE AND ORDERED at Jacksonville, Florida, this 22nd day of
October, 2019.

Dow
BRIAN J. DAVIS
United States District Judge

Jax-6
Cc:
Counsel of Record

43

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/cases/10103959. Public record. Not legal advice.