“A litigant cannot throw all of his grievances, against dozens of different parties, into one stewpot. Joinder that requires the inclusion of extra parties is limited to claims arising from the same transaction or series of related transactions.”
How later courts described this case
- “A litigant cannot throw all of his grievances, against dozens of different parties, into one stewpot. Joinder that requires the inclusion of extra parties is limited to claims arising from the same transaction or series of related transactions.”
- court “can require the plaintiff ‘to file separate complaints, each confined to one group of injuries and defendants.’”
- “Unrelated claims against different defendants belong in different suits . . .”
- detainees entitled to adequate medical care
Written by the judges who cited it.
The opinion
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
CENTRAL DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS
TROY EADS, )
Plaintiff, )
)
vs. ) Case No. 23-cv-2266
)
SHELLY HARDING, et al., )
Defendants. )
MERIT REVIEW ORDER
Plaintiff, proceeding pro se and incarcerated at Jacksonville Correctional Center, files suit
under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 alleging violations of his constitutional rights at the Vermilion County Jail
(“Jail”). This case is before the Court for a merit review of Plaintiff’s Amended Complaint. (Doc.
8). The Court is required by 28 U.S.C. § 1915A to “screen” Plaintiff’s Amended Complaint, and
through such process to identify and dismiss any legally insufficient claim, or the entire action if
warranted. A claim is legally insufficient if it “(1) is frivolous, malicious, or fails to state a claim
upon which relief may be granted; or (2) seeks monetary relief from a defendant who is immune
from such relief.” § 1915A. In reviewing the Amended Complaint, the Court takes all factual
allegations as true, liberally construing them in Plaintiff’s favor. Turley v. Rednour, 729 F.3d 645,
649 (7th Cir. 2013). However, conclusory statements and labels are insufficient. Enough facts must
be provided to “state a claim for relief that is plausible on its face.” Alexander v. United States,
721 F.3d 418, 422 (7th Cir. 2013) (internal citation omitted).
ALLEGATIONS
Plaintiff names Nurse Shelly Harding and Correctional Officer Michael Schull as
Defendants. Plaintiff alleges he arrived at the Jail on October 18, 2023, and was not given any of
his medications for thirty-six days between October 18, 2023, and November 23, 2023.
Plaintiff alleges he has back, shoulder, and knee injuries and broken ribs and needs pain
medication. On an unspecified date, Defendant Harding gave Plaintiff 500 milligrams of
Naproxen. Plaintiff informed her that Naproxen made him ill, but she refused to provide an
alternative pain medication and told him to sign a form stating that she would not be responsible
if he died or became ill from Naproxen. When Plaintiff refused to sign the form, Defendant
Harding allegedly discontinued his prescription and did not provide an alternative pain medication.
Plaintiff also alleges Defendant Harding scheduled his doctor appointments too far apart,
and as a result, Plaintiff’s physical therapy was delayed. Plaintiff claims he needs physical therapy
for his arm, but Defendant Harding only made appointments for his knee and did not address his
other injuries. Plaintiff claims that as of January 29, 2024, he has not received physical therapy.
On January 15, 2024, Plaintiff saw Dr. Kahn and received a shot in his knee and pain
medication. Plaintiff alleges Defendant Harding gave Plaintiff a different pain medication instead
of the medication Dr. Kahn prescribed.
Plaintiff also alleges that Defendant Schull opened his legal mail on January 23, 2024.
ANALYSIS
Plaintiff’s claim regarding his medical care arises under the Due Process Clause of the
Fourteenth Amendment. Miranda v. Cnty. of Lake, 900 F.3d 335, 353-54 (7th Cir. 2018) (detainees
entitled to adequate medical care). To establish a Fourteenth Amendment violation, a detainee
must show: “(1) there was an objectively serious medical need; (2) the defendant committed a
volitional act concerning the [plaintiff’s] medical need; (3) that act was objectively unreasonable
under the circumstances in terms of responding to the [plaintiff’s] medical need; and (4) the
defendant act[ed] purposefully, knowingly, or perhaps even recklessly with respect to the risk of
harm.” Gonzalez v. McHenry Cnty., Illinois, 40 F.4th 824, 828 (7th Cir. 2022) (citation and internal
quotation marks omitted). In determining whether a challenged action is reasonable, the court must
consider the “totality of facts and circumstances.” Mays v. Dart, 974 F.3d 810, 819 (7th Cir. 2020).
Based on his allegations, the Court finds that Plaintiff has stated a Fourteenth Amendment
deliberate indifference claim against Defendant Harding.
Plaintiff also alleges that Defendant Schull opened his legal mail on January 23, 2024. This
claim is unrelated to his deliberate indifference claim and is not probably joined in this action.
Unrelated claims against the same defendant may be joined in one action, but different defendants
can be joined in one action only if the claims against them arise from the same series of transactions
or occurrences. Fed. R. Civ. P. 18, 20; Kadamovas v. Stevens, 706 F.3d 843 (7th Cir. 2013) (court
“can require the plaintiff ‘to file separate complaints, each confined to one group of injuries and
defendants.’”) (quoted cite omitted); Wheeler v. Wexford Health Sources, Inc., 689 F.3d 680, 683
(7th Cir. 2012) (“A litigant cannot throw all of his grievances, against dozens of different parties,
into one stewpot. Joinder that requires the inclusion of extra parties is limited to claims arising
from the same transaction or series of related transactions.”); George v. Smith, 507 F.3d 605, 607
(7th Cir. 2007) (“Unrelated claims against different defendants belong in different suits . . .”).
Plaintiff’s claim regarding his legal mail and Defendant Schull are dismissed without prejudice for
failure to state a claim under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(b)(6) and § 1915A.
IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED:
1) According to the Court's Merit Review of Plaintiff's Amended Complaint under 28
U.S.C. § 1915A, this case shall proceed on a Fourteenth Amendment claim against Defendant
Shelly Harding based on Defendant's alleged deliberate indifference to Plaintiff's serious medical
needs between October 18, 2023, and January 29, 2024, at the Vermilion County Jail. Additional
claims shall not be included in the case above, except in the Court's discretion on motion by a party
for good cause shown under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 15.
2) Defendant Michael Schull is DISMISSED WITHOUT PREJUDICE for failure to
state a claim pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(b)(6) and 28 U.S.C. § 1915A. The
Clerk is directed to TERMINATE Michael Schull.
3) This case is now in the process of service. The Court advises Plaintiff to wait until
counsel has appeared for Defendant before filing any motions to give Defendant notice and an
opportunity to respond to those motions. Motions filed before Defendant’s counsel has filed an
appearance will generally be denied as premature. Plaintiff need not submit any evidence to the
Court at this time unless otherwise directed by the Court.
4) The Court will attempt service on Defendant by mailing a waiver of service. If
Defendant fails to sign and return a waiver of service to the Clerk within 30 days after the waiver
is sent, the Court will take appropriate steps to effect formal service through the U.S. Marshals
Service on Defendant and will require Defendant to pay the full costs of formal service pursuant
to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 4(d)(2).
5) Defendant shall file an answer within 60 days of the date the Clerk sends the waiver
of service. A motion to dismiss is not an answer. The answer should include all defenses
appropriate under the Federal Rules. The answer and subsequent pleadings shall be to the issues
and claims stated in this Order. In general, an answer sets forth Defendant’s position. The Court
does not rule on the merits of those positions unless and until Defendant files a motion. Therefore,
no response to the answer is necessary or will be considered. If Defendant has not filed an answer
or appeared through counsel within 90 days of the entry of this Order, Plaintiff may file a motion
requesting the status of service. After Defendant has been served, the Court will enter a scheduling
order setting discovery and dispositive motion deadlines.
6) If Defendant no longer works at the address Plaintiff provided, the entity for whom
Defendant worked while at that address shall submit to the Clerk Defendant’s current work
address, or, if not known, Defendant’s forwarding address. This information shall be used only for
effectuating service. Documentation of Defendant’s forwarding address shall be retained only by
the Clerk and shall not be maintained in the public docket nor disclosed by the Clerk.
7) This District uses electronic filing, which means that after Defendant’s counsel has
filed an appearance, Defendant’s counsel will automatically receive electronic notice of any
motion or other paper filed by Plaintiff with the Clerk. Plaintiff does not need to mail to
Defendant’s counsel copies of motions and other documents that Plaintiff has filed with the Clerk.
However, this does not apply to discovery requests and responses. Discovery requests and
responses are not filed with the Clerk. Plaintiff must mail his discovery requests and responses
directly to Defendant’s counsel. Discovery requests or responses sent to the Clerk will be returned
unfiled unless they are attached to and the subject of a motion to compel. Discovery does not begin
until Defendant’s counsel has filed an appearance and the Court has entered a scheduling order,
which will explain the discovery process in more detail.
8) Counsel for Defendant is hereby granted leave to depose Plaintiff at Plaintiff’s
place of confinement. Counsel for Defendant shall arrange the time for the deposition.
9) Plaintiff shall immediately inform the Court, in writing, of any change in his
mailing address and telephone number. Plaintiff’s failure to notify the Court of a change in mailing
address or phone number will result in dismissal of this lawsuit, with prejudice.
10) Plaintiff shall be provided a copy of all pertinent medical records upon request.
11) Within 10 days of receiving from defense counsel an authorization to release
medical records, Plaintiff is directed to sign and return the authorization to defense counsel. The
Clerk is directed to enter the standard qualified protective order pursuant to the Health Insurance
Portability and Accountability Act.
12) The Clerk is directed to set an internal court deadline 60 days from the entry of this
Order for the Court to check on the status of service and enter scheduling deadlines.
ENTERED: 3/27/2024
s/ James E. Shadid
James E. Shadid
U.S. District Court Judge