The opinion
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
WESTERN DISTRICT OF NORTH CAROLINA
ASHEVILLE DIVISION
1:19-cv-00342-FDW
RUFUS HENRY ALLISON, Jr., )
)
Plaintiff, )
)
vs. ) ORDER
)
N.C. DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC )
SAFETY, et al., )
)
Defendants. )
__________________________________________)
THIS MATTER is before the Court on initial review of Plaintiff’s Amended Complaint
[Doc. 12], filed under 42 U.S.C. § 1983. See 28 U.S.C. §§ 1915(e) and 1915A. Plaintiff is
proceeding in forma pauperis. [Docs. 2, 7].
I. BACKGROUND
Pro se Plaintiff Rufus Henry Allison, Jr., (“Plaintiff”), a North Carolina state inmate
currently incarcerated at Warren Correctional Institution located in Norlina, North Carolina, filed
this action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. [Doc. 1]. In his original Complaint, Plaintiff named the
following individuals as Defendants in this matter: (1) N.C. Department of Public Safety
(NCDPS); (2) Erik A. Hooks, identified as the Secretary of the NCDPS; (3) Mark Slagle, identified
as “S.U.P.T.” at Mountain View Correctional Facility (“Mountain View”); (4) Kella Phillips, not
otherwise identified; and (5) “Office Thomes,” not otherwise identified. [Doc. 1 at 4; see Doc.
10]. In his original Complaint, Plaintiff alleged:
I was walking across the floor in the dayroom and I stepped on some
standing water and injury my lower back. Office Thomas on 4-20-
2019 in E-wing on the east side at 9:19 pm to 9:45 pm E-wing.
On 4-23-2019 my back when out. Gave me a walker for 3 days. It
happened at Mountain View CI prison. From 4-20-2019 I have not
had the right medician for my pain. 12-6-2019. I have not seen the
P.A. but 3 times. I have a pinch nerve + [dislocated disk] in my
lower back from the injury. I’m in pain. Thank you.
[Doc. 1 at 3 (spelling and grammatical errors uncorrected)]. Plaintiff did not state any particular
claims or how he believed his constitutional rights were violated.
On initial review of Plaintiff’s original Complaint, the Court found that Plaintiff’s
Complaint suffered from numerous deficiencies. [Doc. 11]. In addition to dismissing Defendants
NCDPS and Hooks, the Court held that Plaintiff failed to state a claim against Defendants Slagle,
Phillips, and Thomes because “Plaintiff [made] no allegations regarding how each of them
personally participated in the alleged conduct.” [Id. at 3]. The Court allowed Plaintiff thirty (30)
days to file an amended complaint “particularizing his claims and providing facts to support his
legal claims against each remaining Defendant.” [Id. at 5].
Plaintiff timely filed an amended Complaint [Doc. 12], which is now before the Court on
initial review. In his amended Complaint, Plaintiff has omitted claims against Defendants Slagle,
Phillips, and Thomes and instead names only the NCDPS as a Defendant in this matter. [Id. at 1-
3]. Plaintiff claims that his rights under the Eighth Amendment were violated by Defendant
NCDPS “disregarding health and physical well-being by not supervising properly, placing
[Plaintiff] in hazardous and dangerous living conditions.” [Id. at 4]. Plaintiff alleges that on April
20, 2019, while he was going to check the “post-it board,” he slipped on a “shallow puddle of
water due to water leaking from [a] purge fan in [the] ceiling.” [Id.].
For injuries, Plaintiff states he injured his lower back, including a dislocated disk and
pinched nerve. [Id. at 5]. For damages, Plaintiff seeks monetary relief. [Id.].
II. STANDARD OF REVIEW
Because Plaintiff is proceeding in forma pauperis, the Court must review the amended
Complaint to determine whether it is subject to dismissal on the grounds that it is “frivolous or
malicious [or] fails to state a claim on which relief may be granted.” 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2).
Furthermore, under § 1915A the Court must conduct an initial review and identify and dismiss the
amended Complaint, or any portion of it, if it is frivolous, malicious, or fails to state a claim upon
which relief may be granted; or seeks monetary relief from a defendant who is immune to such
relief.
In its frivolity review, this Court must determine whether the amended Complaint raises
an indisputably meritless legal theory or is founded upon clearly baseless factual contentions, such
as fantastic or delusional scenarios. Neitzke v. Williams, 490 U.S. 319, 327-28 (1989).
Furthermore, a pro se complaint must be construed liberally. Haines v. Kerner, 404 U.S. 519, 520
(1972). However, the liberal construction requirement will not permit a district court to ignore a
clear failure to allege facts in his amended Complaint which set forth a claim that is cognizable
under federal law. Weller v. Dep’t of Soc. Servs., 901 F.2d 387 (4th Cir. 1990).
III. DISCUSSION
To state a claim under § 1983, a plaintiff must allege that he was “deprived of a right
secured by the Constitution or laws of the United States, and that the alleged deprivation was
committed under color of state law.” Am. Mfrs. Mut. Ins. Co. v. Sullivan, 526 U.S. 40, 49-50
(1999).
Plaintiff’s amended Complaint fails initial review. As Plaintiff was previously advised
[Doc. 11 at 3], the NCDPS is not subject to suit under § 1983. Neither the State of North Carolina
nor its agencies constitute “persons” subject to suit under Section 1983. Will v. Mich. Dep’t of
State Police, 491 U.S. 58 (1989). Furthermore, the Eleventh Amendment bars Plaintiff’s suit for
monetary damages against the State of North Carolina and its various agencies. See Ballenger v.
Owens, 352 F.3d 842, 844-45 (4th Cir. 2003). Plaintiffs claim, which seems most appropriately
characterized as one for simple negligence, is not proper here.
The Court will, therefore, dismiss Plaintiffs amended Complaint with prejudice. See
Green v. Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., 790 Fed. App’x 535, 536 (4th Cir. 2020).
IV. CONCLUSION
For the reasons stated herein, Plaintiff's second amended complaint is dismissed with
prejudice.
IT IS, THEREFORE, ORDERED that:
1. Plaintiff's Amended Complaint [Doc. 12] is DISMISSED WITH PREJUDICE.
2. The Clerk is respectfully instructed to terminate this action.
Signed: April 16, 2020
Frank D. Whitney □□
Chief United States District Judge ~“»*"