ROBINSON v. PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA

HARVEY MIGUEL ROBINSON, JR.

Plaintiff,

v.

CIVIL ACTION NO. 20-2978

PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF

CORRECTIONS, DR. DENISE DANIEL

(f/k/a DENISE SMYTH), and

NURSE LORI SCHULTZ

(f/k/a LORI RIDINGS)

Defendants.

MEMORANDUM OPINION

Rufe, J. March 26, 2024

Plaintiff Harvey Miguel Robinson, Jr., a prisoner formerly incarcerated at the State

Correctional Institution at Greene (“SCI-Greene”), brings this civil action pursuant to 42 U.S.C.

§ 1983 against Defendants Dr. Denise Daniel (f/k/a Denise Smyth) and Nurse Lori Schultz,

CRNP (f/k/a Lori Ridings) (collectively, the “Medical Defendants”),1 alleging retaliation in

violation of the First Amendment and deliberate indifference to a serious medical need in

violation of the Eighth Amendment. Robinson also asserts claims under Title II of the Americans

with Disabilities Act and § 504 of the Rehabilitation Act against Defendant Pennsylvania

Department of Corrections (“DOC”). The Medical Defendants and the DOC have each filed

motions for summary judgment. For the reasons set forth below, both motions will be granted in

part and denied in part.

1 For purposes of clarity and consistency with the documents of record, the Court will hereinafter refer to the

individual Medical Defendants by their former names, “Denise Smyth” and “Lori Ridings.”

I. BACKGROUND

A. Procedural History

On June 9, 2020, Robinson filed his initial Complaint pro se.2 The Court granted his

petition to proceed in forma pauperis.3 On March 31, 2022, the Court entered a Memorandum

Opinion and Order granting in part and denying in part the Medical Defendants’ motion to

dismiss and denying the DOC’s motion to dismiss.4 The parties proceeded with an initial

discovery period while Robinson was pro se, which ended on September 7, 2022.5 On November

15, 2022, Robinson obtained court-appointed counsel.6 Shortly thereafter, Robinson filed a

counseled motion to reopen the discovery period, which the Court granted.7 The second period

of fact discovery ended on March 24, 2023.8

On April 21, 2023, Robinson filed an Amended Complaint, which incorporated the

factual allegations in the initial Complaint and added new claims.9 The parties filed a joint

motion to reopen discovery a third time to address the issues newly raised by the Amended

Complaint, which the Court granted.10 The third period of fact discovery closed on June 20,

2023.11 Robinson’s remaining claims are for retaliation and inadequate medical care under

§ 1983 against Defendants Nurse Lori Ridings and Dr. Denise Smyth and for disability

2 Compl. [Doc. No. 2].

3 Order, Feb. 18, 2021 [Doc. No. 8].

4 Robinson v. Pa. Dep’t of Corr., No. 20-2978, 2022 WL 970760 (E.D. Pa. Mar. 31, 2022); Order, Mar. 31, 2022

[Doc. No. 36].

5 Scheduling Order, June 9, 2022 [Doc. No. 42].

6 Order, Nov. 15, 2022 [Doc. No. 49].

7 Pl.’s Mot. Extension Time to Complete Disc. [Doc. No. 50]; Order, Nov. 23, 2022 [Doc. No. 51].

8 Order, Jan. 18, 2023 [Doc. No. 55].

9 Am. Compl. [Doc. No. 60].

10 Mot. Extension Time to Complete Disc. [Doc. No. 63]; Order, May 8, 2023 [Doc. No. 64].

11 Order, May 8, 2023 [Doc. No. 64].

discrimination under the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) and Rehabilitation Act

(“RA”) against the DOC.12 The Medical Defendants and the DOC have each filed motions for

summary judgment, which have been fully briefed and are now ripe for disposition.13

B. Relevant Facts14

At all times relevant, Plaintiff Harvey Miguel Robinson, Jr. was incarcerated at

SCI-Greene.15 He testified at his deposition that he started having “spinal problems” after he was

assaulted in 2006 by three guards.16 He further testified that, in 2009, the DOC began providing

him with a wheelchair at his request.17 In March 2010, he underwent surgery on his neck at

Altoona Regional Hospital.18 Robinson continued to use the wheelchair until the events giving

rise to this lawsuit.19 He testified that he needed the wheelchair due to compression on his sciatic

nerve caused by stenosis in his lower back, prior lower extremity injuries, and the injury to his

neck, all of which led to him being unable to walk unassisted.20 He also received prescriptions

for a variety of pain medications throughout the following years, including Ultram, a narcotic.21

12 On June 7, 2023, Plaintiff voluntarily dismissed his claim against Wellpath, LLC, the private healthcare company

which contracts with the DOC to provide medical services at its facilities and employed the Medical Defendants

during the relevant period. Stipulation and Order [Doc. No. 69].

13 Med. Defs.’ Mot. Summ. J. [Doc. No. 73-2]; DOC’s Mot. Summ. J. [Doc. No. 74].

14 The parties did not submit a joint stipulation of material facts. Instead, Plaintiff filed a “Statement of Uncontested

& Contested Facts,” Doc. No. 76-1 [hereinafter Pl.’s SOF], the Medical Defendants filed their own “Concise

Statement of Material Facts,” Doc. No. 73-3, and the DOC submitted only the “Material Facts” section in its brief in

support of summary judgment. As Plaintiff is the non-moving party, the Court draws the factual background from

the uncontested section of Plaintiff’s statement of facts and the documents of record, with all inferences drawn in a

light most favorable to Plaintiff. Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(a).

15 Pl.’s SOF at 1 ¶ 1 [Doc. No. 76-1].

16 Pl.’s Resp. Opp’n Med. Defs.’ Mot. Summ. J., Ex. 6, Robinson Dep. Tr. 22:7–11 [Doc. No. 76-6].

17 Id. at 28:25–29:12; id. at 104:12–19.

18 Id. at 22:16–23:3; Med. Defs.’ Mot. Summ. J., Ex. A, at 286 [Doc. No. 73-4] (records from Allegheny Brain and

Spine Surgeons reflecting “fusion at C4–5” on March 4, 2010).

19 Pl.’s SOF at 1 ¶ 2 [Doc. No. 76-1].

20 Pl.’s Resp. Opp’n Med. Defs.’ Mot. Summ. J., Ex. 6, Robinson Dep. Tr. 100:4–13 [Doc. No. 76-6].

21 See generally Med. Defs.’ Mot. Summ. J., Ex. A [Doc. Nos. 73-4, 73-5] (Robinson medical record).

In May 2017, Robinson filed at least two administrative grievances against the medical

staff at SCI-Greene. The first was against Defendants Dr. Smyth and Nurse Ridings, alleging that

they were refusing to forward Robinson’s MRI results to a neurosurgeon he was scheduled to

see.22 The second was against Nurse Ridings and “Mr. Hice” for allegedly denying him certain

medication cream, shampoo, and lotion, which he stated was necessary to treat his dermatitis.23

During this time, Robinson also communicated frequently with the medical staff to complain

about the quality of medical care he was receiving.24

1. Appointment with Neurosurgeon and Follow-Up Visits at SCI-Greene

On July 5, 2017, Robinson had an appointment with Dr. James Wilberger, an outside

neurosurgeon, due to complaints of constant pain in his lower back.25 Dr. Wilberger’s notes state

as follows:

On palpation it is in the vicinity of about L3. He also complains of constant

numbness and tingling in his legs with the right side more affected than the left.

After questioning him several times there is no good indication that he is

experiencing significant pain in his legs[.] . . . He indicated that the present

symptoms have been going on for 3 years. Except for pain medications he says he

has had no specific treatment of any type. . . .

[A]n MRI of the lumbar spine was performed in the March of this year. It shows

normal alignment. There is very mild stenosis at L4–5. No disc herniations or other

abnormality. . . . Plan[:] there is no indication for neurosurgical intervention. This

should be treated conservatively with physical therapy anti-inflammatory

medications and possibly lumbar epidural steroid injections.26

22 Pl.’s Resp. Opp’n Med. Defs.’ Mot. Summ. J., Ex. 2, at 1 [Doc. No. 76-2] (Grievance #677566, dated 5/11/2017).

23 Id. at 2 (Grievance #677568, dated 5/11/2017).

24 Pl.’s SOF at 2 ¶ 4 [Doc. No. 76-1].

25 Pl.’s Resp. Opp’n Med. Defs.’ Mot. Summ. J., Ex. 8, at 1–3 [Doc. No. 76-8] (neurosurgeon’s notes from July 5,

2017 appointment). Robinson’s medical records indicate that he first inquired about seeing a neurosurgeon or

neurologist on or about December 7, 2016. Med. Defs.’ Mot. Summ. J., Ex. A, at 31 [Doc. No. 73-4].

26 Pl.’s Resp. Opp’n Med. Defs.’ Mot. Summ. J., Ex. 8, at 1–3 [Doc. No. 76-8] (emphasis added).

Under the Patient Education section of his notes, Dr. Wilberger further wrote: “I would strongly

recommend the use of an anti-inflammatory medication some physical therapy and if still says

complaining of present symptoms lumbar epidural steroid injections[.]”27

Over the following months, Robinson had additional appointments with health care

providers back at SCI-Greene. For example, Robinson’s medical record indicates that he had a

sick call appointment with Nurse Ridings on July 17, 2017, during which he asked about the

neurosurgeon’s recommendations.28 Nurse Ridings wrote that the neurosurgeon’s

recommendations were NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) and physical therapy,

that Robinson was “not pleased [with] this answer,” and that she was declining to renew

Robinson’s previous prescription for Ultram.29 Another handwritten note indicates that Robinson

told a nurse later on July 17, “Oh no you are going to bring me for my meds. I’m suing you . . . .

This is crazy.”30 That day, Robinson filed a grievance against Dr. Smyth, “Mr. Hice,” and “PAC

Auston” “for purposely denying me the pain med’s [sic] I’ve been getting . . . .”31

Robinson’s medical records reflect several more appointments and interactions with

health care providers throughout August and September 2017, including sessions with John

Kushner, a physical therapist.32 Kushner wrote in his notes from an appointment on August 24,

2017 that Robinson was reporting episodic pain in his right leg but demonstrated “no facial

27 Id. at 5 (MyChart Visit Summary from Allegheny Health Network).

28 Med. Defs.’ Mot. Summ. J., Ex. A, at 13 [Doc. No. 73-4] (handwritten notes stamped with Nurse Riding’s name,

dated July 17, 2017).

29 Id.

30 Id.

31 Med. Defs.’ Mot. Summ. J., Ex. E, at 5 [Doc. No. 73-9] (Grievance #687101). This grievance received an initial

review response, was appealed to the Facility Manager, and was then denied by final decision from the DOC

Secretary’s Office of Inmate Grievances and Appeals (“SOIGA”) on December 13, 2017. Id. at 1.

32 Med. Defs.’ Mot. Summ. J., Ex. A, at 11–12, 311–16 [Doc. No. 73-4].

grimacing indicating limited by pain,” with “several inconsistencies during eval . . . .”33

Kushner’s notes from a follow-up appointment on September 21, 2017 state that Robinson

reported frequent falls when walking, but Robinson’s “minimal effort” during testing made it

“hard to get [an] accurate assessment of” the strength in his right leg.34

2. Discontinuation of Wheelchair Access

On October 6, 2017, correctional officers at SCI-Greene, including Sergeant Jenkins,35

took Robinson’s wheelchair at the direction of Nurse Ridings, who in turn had consulted with

Dr. Smyth, her direct supervisor.36 Robinson contends he was not given a cane or other mobility

device to replace the wheelchair.37 However, the Physician’s Order Form discontinuing the

wheelchair use (as approved by Nurse Ridings) indicated that a cane would be issued.38

According to appointment notes from Dr. Smyth on October 10, 2017, Robinson stated

that “he can’t use a cane [and] needs his [wheelchair] back,” he asked for “T4/T3 [Tylenol #4]

instead of Ultram,” and stated that “NSAIDs do not help [with] his pain.”39 Dr. Smyth discussed

with Robinson the possibility of “increased weakness from inactivity” and she told him that she

didn’t “feel a [wheelchair] helps him [and] could make him weaker.”40 Dr. Smyth also noted her

observations that Robinson was “[u]p in cell standing [without] problem.”41

33 Id. at 316.

34 Id. at 313.

35 DOC’s Reply Supp. Mot. Summ. J. at 5 [Doc. No. 80].

36 Pl.’s SOF at 2 ¶ 6 [Doc. No. 76-1].

37 Id. at 2 ¶ 7.

38 Med. Defs.’ Mot. Summ. J., Ex. A, at 352 [Doc. No. 73-4] (Physician’s Order Form dated October 6, 2017 from

Nurse Ridings stating, “DC wheelchair, issue cane”); id. at 341 (form titled “Release from Responsibility for

Medical Treatment” regarding Robinson’s refusal to use a cane, but noting he had “ref[used] to sign” the form).

39 Id. at 10.

40 Id.

41 Id.

In a grievance Robinson filed on October 24, 2017, he stated that he reminded Sergeant

Jenkins that he “absolutely can not use a cane because of the nerve damage in [his] arms,” and

Sergeant Jenkins responded that “he knows that, but medical said [Robinson was] not approved

for a wheel chair and he can not give [him] one.”42 Robinson contends “that he had no access to

pain medication (NSAIDs or non-NSAIDs) . . . for at least portions of this time, and that he

suffered constant and excruciating pain as a result.”43 In additional notes from a sick call

appointment dated November 2, 2017, Nurse Ridings indicated that Robinson told her, “You are

going to renew my Ultram and T4, the court will make you.”44 Nurse Ridings wrote that

Robinson “was walking without apparent difficulty . . . but changed gait when he saw me” and

was “very argumentative, threatening lawsuit.”45

On the afternoon of November 7, 2017, Nurse Jodi Borchert wrote that Robinson

“voice[d] concerns re need for [wheelchair],” and, although she noted that there were no

immediate medical concerns at that time, her assessment indicated a potential “risk of fall[.]”46

Two days later, another RN, Nurse Zebley, wrote that Robinson had been “seen for triage”

because of a “fall” leading to “[l]eft knee pain.”47 Robinson had a follow-up appointment with a

physician assistant the next day, who noted that Robinson “would not get out of bed,” he was

42 DOC’s Mot. Summ. J., Ex. E, at 2 [Doc. No. 74-3] (Grievance #703294). This grievance was also pursued

through every available round of appellate review within the DOC, concluding in a final denial of relief from

SOIGA on March 8, 2018. Id. at 1.

43 Pl.’s SOF at 3 ¶ 2 [Doc. No. 76-1] (listed under “Contested Facts,” while acknowledging Medical Defendants’

position that NSAIDs were available to Robinson for purchase from the commissary and Robinson had access to

non-NSAID pain medications for portions of time during the six-month period).

44 Med. Defs.’ Mot. Summ. J., Ex. A, at 10 [Doc. No. 73-4].

45 Id.

46 Id. at 8.

47 Id.

suffering from left knee pain, and an X-ray had been ordered.48 The X-ray results, dated

November 13, 2017, found “mild degenerative changes with narrowing of the medial joint space

with soft tissue swelling and a joint effusion,” but “no fracture or dislocation.”49 Dr. Smyth

reviewed the X-ray results the next day.50

3. Declarations from Other Inmates

Two fellow inmates at SCI-Greene have entered sworn declarations describing their

observations from when the wheelchair was taken and how they perceived the impact on

Robinson over the following months. One declarant, Jose Busanet, states that he overheard Nurse

Ridings tell at least one correctional officer and a sergeant “that they were taking Harvey’s

wheelchair and pain medications away to ‘teach him a lesson’ for filing grievances against the

medical staff,” and “something to the effect of: ‘Let him file a grievance about that,’” to which

the sergeant responded, “Fuck him. Let’s go get it.”51 Busanet further recalls three incidents

demonstrating the difficulties Robinson faced without his wheelchair: (1) on one occasion,

Busanet heard Robinson fall and scream out in pain while he was attempting to go to the

bathroom; (2) on another occasion, Busanet saw that Robinson could not move himself to the

toilet and had defecated on himself in his cell, but when Busanet notified a correctional officer,

Busanet was told to “Stay out of it”; and (3) Busanet saw Robinson collapse, scream for help,

and call out that his back was hurting on his way to the prison yard, but correctional officers did

not respond until after Robinson had been lying on the ground for about 15 to 20 minutes.52

48 Id. at 5.

49 Id. at 344.

50 Id. at 5.

51 Pl.’s Resp. Opp’n Med. Defs.’ Mot. Summ. J., Ex. 5, at 1 [Doc. No. 76-5] (Declaration of Jose Busanet).

52 Id. at 2–3.

Another declarant, Darien Houser, similarly states that he heard Nurse Ridings tell

Robinson in the presence of at least two correctional officers “that they were coming to take his

wheelchair because he was filing too many grievances against the medical staff . . . .”53 Like

Busanet, Houser recalls an incident where Robinson fell while attempting to walk toward the

prison yard, but “[n]one of the guards helped him up,” they “made him crawl,” and “stood there

laughing at him.”54 Houser states that he heard Robinson “constantly” complaining about his

pain, but when Houser tried to raise the situation with Sergeant Jenkins, a member of the

correctional staff, Jenkins responded with “something along the lines of ‘that’s what he gets,’ or

‘he complains too much,’ or simply that ‘he’s filing too many grievances.’”55 When Houser tried

talking to Dr. Smyth about the issue, “she brushed [Houser] off,” said that it wasn’t her call, and

conveyed “that her ‘supervisor’ had made the decision.”56 Finally, Houser recalls speaking with

another staff member, Sergeant Nelson, who responded, “F--- him. He complains too much.”57

4. Return of Wheelchair

On April 4, 2018, a nurse wrote in Robinson’s progress notes that he “was walking to the

shower when he lowered himself to the floor” and said, “This is why I need a wheel chair.”58 On

April 5, 2018, approximately six months after Robinson’s wheelchair was taken away,

Dr. Smyth restored Robinson’s access to a wheelchair for 60 days pending the results of an EMG

test.59 On June 12, 2018, after the EMG test had been conducted, Robinson’s use of a wheelchair

53 Pl.’s Resp. Opp’n Med. Defs.’ Mot. Summ. J., Ex. 4, at 1 [Doc. No. 76-4] (Declaration of Darien Houser).

54 Id. at 2.

55 Id. at 2–3.

56 Id. at 3.

57 Id.

58 Med. Defs.’ Mot. Summ. J., Ex. A, at 140 [Doc. No. 73-4].

59 Pl.’s SOF at 2 ¶ 9 [Doc. No. 76-1]; Med. Defs.’ Mot. Summ. J., Ex. A, at 274 [Doc. No. 73-4] (Health Care Item

Receipt dated April 5, 2018, temporarily authorizing wheelchair use until June 5, 2018); id. at 135 (notes from

was renewed on a more permanent basis by another physician, Dr. Abney, per assessment

findings that Robinson “was unable to walk any distance [without] assistance,” which

“necessitates his need for a wheelchair.”60 Dr. Abney observed that the EMG findings were

negative as to the lumbar spine “but suggestive of ACDF [anterior cervical discectomy and

fusion] as potential etiology of his current symptomatology,” with a note that Robinson had a

“significant [history] of cervical degenerative disease [with] an ACDF shown on 2007 MRI.”61

From that point on, Robinson has continued to use a wheelchair daily.62

II. STANDARD OF REVIEW

A court will award summary judgment on a claim or part of a claim where there is “no

genuine dispute as to any material fact and the movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of

law.”63 A fact is “material” if it could affect the outcome of the suit, given the applicable

substantive law.64 A dispute is “genuine” if the evidence presented “is such that a reasonable jury

could return a verdict for the nonmoving party.”65 In evaluating a summary judgment motion, a

court “must view the facts in the light most favorable to the non-moving party,” and make every

reasonable inference in that party’s favor.66 Further, a court may not weigh the evidence or make

Dr. Denise Daniel (f/k/a Denise Smyth) during April 5, 2018 appointment stating that Robinson “was trying to walk

to the yard and says that his legs went numb,” he “[d]oes have a history of surgery on the c-spine,” he “did have a

wheelchair in the past but this was discontinued after he was seen by the neurosurgeon,” and he “will be allowed to

use wheelchair until EMG is completed,” but “if there are no findings on the EMG to correlate with the weakness,

the wheelchair will be discontinued”).

60 Med. Defs.’ Mot. Summ. J., Ex. A, at 110 [Doc. No. 73-4] (notes from “Dr. Abney” on June 12, 2018, after EMG

was conducted, stating that “[a]t present [Robinson] will remain in wheelchair and will be followed routinely”).

61 Id.

62 Pl.’s SOF at 2 ¶ 10 [Doc. No. 76-1].

63 Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(a).

64 Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 248 (1986).

65 Id.

66 Hugh v. Butler Cnty. Family YMCA, 418 F.3d 265, 267 (3d Cir. 2005) (citation omitted).

credibility determinations.67 Nevertheless, the party opposing summary judgment must support

each essential element of the opposition with concrete evidence in the record.68 “If the evidence

is merely colorable, or is not significantly probative, summary judgment may be granted.”69

Therefore, if, after making all reasonable inferences in favor of the non-moving party, the court

determines that there is no genuine dispute as to any material fact, summary judgment is

appropriate.70

III. DISCUSSION

A. Count II: Eighth Amendment Deprivation of Adequate Medical Care

1. Legal Standard

“Section 1983, enacted as part of the Civil Rights Act of 1871, establishes a federal

remedy against a person who, acting under color of state law, deprives another of constitutional

rights.”71 The Eighth Amendment prohibits the infliction of cruel and unusual punishment.72

That prohibition imposes a requirement on prison officials to provide humane conditions of

confinement, including adequate medical care.73 Therefore, the Supreme Court has established

that prison officials violate the Eighth Amendment when they act deliberately indifferent to a

prisoner’s serious medical needs.74 Courts have applied this standard as a two-part framework: A

67 Boyle v. County of Allegheny, 139 F.3d 386, 393 (3d Cir. 1998).

68 Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 322–23 (1986).

69 Anderson, 477 U.S. at 249–50 (internal citations omitted).

70 Wisniewski v. Johns-Manville Corp., 812 F.2d 81, 83 (3d Cir. 1987).

71 Burella v. City of Philadelphia, 501 F.3d 134, 139 (3d Cir. 2007) (quotation marks and citations omitted) (quoting

McCurdy v. Dodd, 352 F.3d 820, 825 (3d Cir. 2003)). The Medical Defendants do not dispute that they were acting

under color of state law. Therefore, the Court’s inquiry is limited to determining whether Robinson was deprived of

a constitutional right.

72 U.S. Const. amend. VIII.

73 Farmer v. Brennan, 511 U.S. 825, 832 (1994).

74 Estelle v. Gamble, 429 U.S. 97, 104–05 (1976).

plaintiff bringing a medical needs claim must show (1) that the defendants were deliberately

indifferent to his medical needs, and (2) that those needs were serious.75 A medical need is

serious if it is “one that has been diagnosed by a physician as requiring treatment or one that is so

obvious that a lay person would easily recognize the necessity for a doctor’s attention.”76

Where, as here, a plaintiff challenges the adequacy of medical care he received (as

distinct from treatment that was delayed or denied),77 “there are two very distinct subcomponents

to the deliberate indifference prong . . . .”78 First, the plaintiff must make an objective showing

that the medical care he received was inadequate.79 Second, he must make a subjective showing

that the individual defendant acted with a culpable state of mind, which, “like any other form of

scienter, [can] be proven through circumstantial evidence and witness testimony.”80 Applying

those components to the summary judgment context, “a plaintiff can proceed to trial on an

adequacy of care claim when there is a genuine issue of fact regarding both the adequacy of care

and the defendant’s intent.”81

As to objective inadequacy, a plaintiff who has received some amount of treatment

typically faces a high bar because “prison authorities are accorded considerable latitude in the

diagnosis and treatment of prisoners,”82 and treatment decisions made by medical professionals

75 Pearson v. Prison Health Serv., 850 F.3d 526, 534 (3d Cir. 2017).

76 Monmouth Cnty. Corr. Inst. Inmates v. Lanzaro, 834 F.2d 326, 347 (3d Cir. 1987) (citation omitted).

77 See U.S. ex rel. Walker v. Fayette County, 599 F.2d 573, 575 n.2 (3d Cir. 1979) (distinguishing “cases where the

complaint alleges a complete denial of medical care and those alleging inadequate medical treatment”).

78 Pearson, 850 F.3d at 536.

79 Id.

80 Id. at 535 (citing Durmer v. O’Carroll, 991 F.2d 64, 69 (3d Cir. 1993)).

81 Id. at 537 (citing Durmer, 991 F.2d at 69 n.13).

82 Durmer, 991 F.2d at 67 (citing Inmates of Allegheny Cnty. Jail v. Pierce, 612 F.2d 754, 762 (3d Cir. 1979)).

are “presumptively valid . . . .”83 However, the presumption of adequacy may be defeated by

showing “that the medical official did not exercise professional judgment.”84 A plaintiff may, for

example, present evidence that the treatment provided “was ‘a substantial departure from

accepted professional judgment, practice, or standards’ such that a reasonable jury could

conclude that [the provider] ‘actually did not base [her] decision on such judgment.’”85

As to the subjective scienter requirement, an Eighth Amendment medical needs claim is,

at its heart, one that seeks to remediate “the ‘unnecessary and wanton infliction of pain.’”86

“Thus, a complaint that a physician has been negligent in diagnosing or treating a medical

condition does not state a valid claim of medical mistreatment . . . .”87 The common-law tort of

medical malpractice is not actionable as a constitutional claim.88 Rather, “[i]t is obduracy and

wantonness, not inadvertence or error in good faith, that characterize the conduct prohibited by

the Cruel and Unusual Punishments Clause . . . .”89

2. Application

The Medical Defendants contend that Robinson received “considerable, thorough, and

ongoing medical treatment from medical providers,” including “being scheduled for various

diagnostic tests, clinical examinations, prescription of medication, and specialty care when

83 Youngberg v. Romeo, 457 U.S. 307, 323 (1982).

84 Pearson, 850 F.3d at 536.

85 Id. at 539 (quoting Youngberg, 457 U.S. at 323).

86 Estelle, 429 U.S. at 104 (quoting Gregg v. Georgia, 428 U.S. 153, 173 (1976) (plurality opinion)).

87 Estelle, 429 U.S. at 106.

88 Spruill v. Gillis, 372 F.3d 218, 235 (3d Cir. 2004); Estelle, 429 U.S. at 106 (“Medical malpractice does not

become a constitutional violation merely because the victim is a prisoner.”); Brown v. Borough of Chambersburg,

903 F.2d 274, 278 (3d Cir. 1990) (“Deliberate indifference to a prisoner’s serious medical needs can give rise to . . .

a constitutional violation; however, mere medical malpractice will not.” (citing Estelle, 429 U.S. at 106)).

89 Whitley v. Albers, 475 U.S. 312, 319 (1986).

needed.”90 The Medical Defendants concede that “Robinson was previously provided a

wheelchair and Ultram prior to 2017,” but they assert that they adjusted their position based on

their reasoned medical judgment, citing the findings from the outside neurosurgeon, the

skepticism of Robinson’s physical therapist, and Dr. Smyth’s documented concerns that

continued use of the wheelchair could lead to increased weakness.91 In short, the Medical

Defendants contend, “[t]he wheelchair and Ultram were discontinued simply because there was

no medical need for them . . . .”92

Robinson has responded with sworn declarations from two witnesses.93 Those

declarations create a genuine dispute about the motivations behind the Medical Defendants’

decisions (i.e., the subjective component of deliberate indifference). Viewing the evidence in the

light most favorable to Robinson—including Nurse Ridings’s alleged statements to other

correctional staff that she wanted to “teach [Robinson] a lesson”94 and was taking away his

wheelchair and pain medications “because he was filing too many grievances”95—a jury could

reasonably conclude that Nurse Ridings acted with the obduracy and wantonness sufficient to

establish deliberate indifference.96 Moreover, because Nurse Ridings operated directly under the

supervision of Dr. Smyth, only the latter of whom had the final authority to adjust Robinson’s

90 Med. Defs.’ Mot. Summ. J. at 15 [Doc. No. 73-2].

91 Id. at 16.

92 Id. at 16–17.

93 Pl.’s Resp. Opp’n Med. Defs.’ Mot. Summ. J., Ex. 5, at 1 [Doc. No. 76-5] (Declaration of Jose Busanet); Pl.’s

Resp. Opp’n Med. Defs.’ Mot. Summ. J., Ex. 4, at 2 [Doc. No. 76-4] (Declaration of Darien Houser).

94 Pl.’s Resp. Opp’n Med. Defs.’ Mot. Summ. J., Ex. 5, at 1 [Doc. No. 76-5] (Declaration of Jose Busanet).

95 Pl.’s Resp. Opp’n Med. Defs.’ Mot. Summ. J., Ex. 4, at 1 [Doc. No. 76-4] (Declaration of Darien Houser).

96 The Medical Defendants contend that “there is no credible evidence to support [Robinson’s] belief” that the

discontinuation of his wheelchair access was driven by personal animus. Med. Defs.’ Mot. Summ. J. at 21 [Doc. No.

73-2] (emphasis added). That is not the standard courts apply on a motion for summary judgment. The Medical

Defendants have not shown that the declarations are merely colorable or are not significantly probative.

treatment plan, a jury could reasonably attribute Robinson’s evidence of an alleged improper and

non-medical motive to Dr. Smyth.

However, Robinson must do more than point to evidence of a culpable state of mind. He

must show that there is a genuine factual dispute as to whether his medical needs were serious

under the second prong of the Estelle v. Gamble framework.97 Moreover, because this is an

adequacy of care claim and not a denial or delay of care claim, Robinson must also make an

objective showing that the treatment he received was inadequate. Reviewing the present

evidence and drawing all inferences in a light most favorable to Robinson, the Court concludes

that there is a genuine dispute of material fact regarding whether the discontinuation of

Robinson’s wheelchair access was adequate medical treatment and whether his inability to walk

was a serious medical need, but there is not a triable dispute as to the adequacy of the Medical

Defendants’ decision to discontinue Ultram, Tylenol #4, or other narcotic pain medications.

Robinson has not presented medical expert testimony, but the Third Circuit has explained

that “expert testimony ‘is not necessarily required’ where other forms of extrinsic proof may

suffice.”98 “Indeed, expert testimony is not admissible, let alone required to create a genuine

issue of fact as to whether the care the prisoner received was adequate, if it was obvious to the

jury that the care violated professional standards.”99 For that reason, the Third Circuit held in

Pearson v. Prison Health Service that laypersons on a jury could reasonably conclude, without

expert testimony, that a nurse who “forc[ed] a screaming patient to crawl to a wheelchair

97 429 U.S. at 104–05.

98 Pearson, 850 F.3d at 536 (quoting Brightwell v. Lehman, 637 F.3d 187, 194 n.8 (3d Cir. 2011)).

99 Pearson, 850 F.3d at 537 n.3 (citing Calhoun v. Yamaha Motor Corp. U.S.A., 350 F.3d 316, 320–21 (3d Cir.

2003)).

violate[d] professional standards of care,” and could further conclude that the nurse knew the

patient inmate “could not walk and deliberately failed to assist him for non-medical reasons.”100

Here, the Medical Defendants do not contest that Robinson was authorized to use a

wheelchair before October 6, 2017 or that Robinson’s wheelchair was returned to him on April

5, 2018—first, on a temporary basis by Dr. Smyth, and, immediately thereafter, on an ongoing

basis by another physician. Nor do the Medical Defendants challenge Robinson’s assertion that

he continues to use a wheelchair daily to the present day. The fact that Robinson was granted

access to a wheelchair for years-long stretches before and after the six-month period at issue

belies the Medical Defendants’ position that there was no medical need for one. Moreover, the

medical records demonstrate that at least one provider not named in this action recognized that

Robinson faced a risk of falling once the wheelchair was taken away—a risk which came to

fruition two days later based on record evidence that Robinson fell on his way to the yard,

leading to a knee injury that required an X-ray.

Those facts, in combination with several witnesses’ declarations stating that it was well-

known throughout SCI-Greene (including among its staff) that Robinson had trouble walking

without assistance, raise a genuine dispute about whether taking the wheelchair away was a

substantial departure from accepted professional judgment, practice, or standards.101 For the

same reasons, the Court holds that a reasonable jury could find that Robinson’s medical needs

100 Pearson, 850 F.3d at 537.

101 The Court notes that there is a separate factual dispute between the parties over whether Robinson was offered a

cane as a replacement assistive device and whether a cane was sufficient to meet Robinson’s needs. Given

Robinson’s contention that he could not use a cane due to nerve damage in his hands—which is corroborated by his

deposition testimony and statements he made in contemporaneous administrative grievances he filed—the Court

similarly holds that this genuine factual dispute is most appropriate for the jury to resolve. See Pl.’s Resp. Opp’n

Med. Defs.’ Mot. Summ. J., Ex. 6, Robinson Dep. Tr. 60:21–61:15 [Doc. No. 76-6].

were serious. The inability to walk without assistance is an obvious medical need that a lay

person could easily recognize and understand.102

Finally, the Medical Defendants cite the recommendations of Dr. Wilberger, an outside

neurosurgeon, as supporting their position that their treatment decisions were adequate and based

on objective medical judgment. That argument is persuasive only with respect to the medications

that Robinson was prescribed, not the discontinuation of the wheelchair. Dr. Wilberger

concluded based on his examination that Robinson “should be treated conservatively with

physical therapy[,] anti-inflammatory medications[,] and possibly lumbar epidural steroid

injections.”103 Dr. Wilberger said nothing about the use of a wheelchair or other assistive

devices. However, his recommendations can be read to state that other pain medications, like

narcotics, were not medically necessary. Of note, numerous providers back at SCI-Greene,

including several non-parties to this case, had appointments with Robinson during the relevant

period and reached the same conclusion that prescriptions for Ultram or other narcotics were not

medically necessary. Indeed, PA Stephen Kaminsky wrote on November 29, 2017 that Robinson

had “already [been] seen by 2 MD’s” and appeared to be “doctor shopping for Ultram.”104

Courts in the Third Circuit have repeatedly held that an “inmate’s objection to the type of

medication provided by prison physicians” does not amount to deliberate indifference where

alternative medications were provided.105 Although Robinson asserts that he was denied access

102 See also Med. Defs.’ Mot. Summ. J., Ex. A, at 110 [Doc. No. 73-4] (notes from Dr. Abney reauthorizing

Robinson’s wheelchair use on June 12, 2018 while describing his “significant [history] of cervical degenerative

disease” and diagnosing potential anterior cervical discectomy and fusion based on the results of his EMG test).

103 Pl.’s Resp. Opp’n Med. Defs.’ Mot. Summ. J., Ex. 8, at 1–3 [Doc. No. 76-8].

104 Med. Defs.’ Mot. Summ. J., Ex. A, at 6 [Doc. No. 73-4].

105 Crowe v. Maxa, No. 16-175, 2019 WL 4101236, at *4 (W.D. Pa. Aug. 29, 2019); see also, e.g., Wisniewski v.

Frommer, 751 F. App’x 192, 193–96 (3d Cir. 2018) (affirming dismissal of a plaintiff’s § 1983 claim where medical

prison staff stopped prescribing an opioid pain medication and advised the plaintiff to purchase Motrin from the

prison commissary); Talbert v. Corr. Dental Assocs., No. 18-5112, 2020 WL 890212, at *6 (E.D. Pa. Feb. 21, 2020)

to any pain medications during the relevant period—NSAIDs or otherwise—he cites no evidence

in the record in support of that contention, which is contradicted by medical records showing

ongoing prescriptions for non-narcotic pain medications during the period at issue.106

Accordingly, the Court grants the Medical Defendants’ motion for summary judgment on

Robinson’s Eighth Amendment claim solely with respect to their decisions to prescribe pain

medications other than Ultram, Tylenol #4, or other narcotic pain medications. However, for the

reasons previously stated, the Court will deny summary judgment on Robinson’s adequacy of

care claim under the Eighth Amendment regarding the discontinuation of his wheelchair access.

B. Count I: First Amendment Retaliation

Robinson also brings a retaliation claim against the Medical Defendants under § 1983. He

contends that the taking of his wheelchair and the withholding of effective pain medications were

retaliation for grievances he had filed, as well as other oral complaints he had made about the

quality of care he was receiving. The Medical Defendants respond that they are entitled to

summary judgment because there is no genuine dispute that their decisions were motivated by

proper medical judgment rather than retaliatory animus.

The First Amendment prohibits government officials from subjecting an individual to

retaliatory actions for engaging in constitutionally protected speech.107 “Official retaliation for

protected speech ‘offends the Constitution [because] it threatens to inhibit exercise of the

(holding that prisoner’s belief that he should have been treated with stronger pain medication than he was given

amounted to a “mere disagreement as to the proper medical treatment [needed]”).

106 Med. Defs.’ Mot. Summ. J., Ex. A, at 400–33 [Doc. No. 73-5] (records from Sapphire eMAR, the DOC’s

electronic health record platform, reflecting active prescriptions from October 2017 to April 2018 for drugs

including carbamazepine, diclofenac, and gabapentin).

107 Hartman v. Moore, 547 U.S. 250, 256 (2006) (“[T]he law is settled that as a general matter the First Amendment

prohibits government officials from subjecting an individual to retaliatory actions . . . for speaking out . . . .” (citing

Crawford-El v. Britton, 523 U.S. 574, 592 (1998); Perry v. Sindermann, 408 U.S. 593, 597 (1972))).

protected right.’”108 A plaintiff bringing a First Amendment retaliation claim must establish

“(1) constitutionally protected conduct, (2) retaliatory action sufficient to deter a person of

ordinary firmness from exercising his constitutional rights, and (3) a causal link between the

constitutionally protected conduct and the retaliatory action.”109

An inmate who files a grievance has engaged in protected speech.110 Oral complaints

against prison staff are also protected expression. Rather than challenging the protected nature of

Robinson’s speech, the Medical Defendants instead cite their own deposition testimony stating

that they were unaware of the grievances filed against them.111 In other words, the Medical

Defendants contend that because they did not know about Robinson’s complaints, he cannot

show a causal connection between the protected speech and the allegedly retaliatory conduct.

To the contrary, the cited portions of the deposition transcripts indicate that Dr. Smyth

and Nurse Ridings merely could not recall learning about Robinson’s grievances against them

(as distinguishable from their testimony about their general practices surrounding inmate

grievances).112 Moreover, Robinson again cites the sworn declarations from two other inmates

who overheard statements from Nurse Ridings which not only suggest that she knew about the

grievances, but also that she made the decision to take Robinson’s wheelchair (under the

108 Starnes v. Butler Cnty. Ct. Com. Pl., 971 F.3d 416, 429 (3d Cir. 2020) (quoting Hartman, 547 U.S. at 256).

109 Mirabella v. Villard, 853 F.3d 641, 649 (3d Cir. 2017) (quoting Thomas v. Independence Township, 463 F.3d

285, 296 (3d Cir. 2006)).

110 Watson v. Rozum, 834 F.3d 417, 422 (3d Cir. 2016) (noting that the filing of a grievance by an inmate

“implicate[s] conduct protected by the First Amendment” (quoting Mitchell v. Horn, 318 F.3d 523, 530 (3d Cir.

2003))).

111 Med. Defs.’ Mot. Summ. J. at 22 [Doc. No. 73-2] (citing Med. Defs.’ Mot. Summ. J., Ex. C, Smyth Dep. Tr. 9:1–

4 [Doc. No. 73-7]; Med. Defs.’ Mot. Summ. J., Ex. D, Ridings Dep. Tr. 15:3–13 [Doc. No 73-8]).

112 See Med. Defs.’ Mot. Summ. J., Ex. C, Smyth Dep. Tr. 9:4–8 [Doc. No. 73-7] (“Q. . . . [D]o you recall them ever

mentioning anything to you about [grievances filed by] Mr. Robinson? A. Like I said, that was six years ago. I do

not recall.”); Med. Defs.’ Mot. Summ. J., Ex. D, Ridings Dep. Tr. 15:8–15 [Doc. No 73-8] (“Q. . . . Would there

have been times where on occasion you may not even become aware that a grievance had been filed against you?

A. Multiple times. Q. Do you recall if that happened in this instance? A. I do not recall.”).

supervision and authorization of Dr. Smyth) because of the grievances.113 This evidence creates

a triable issue of fact under the causation prong of Robinson’s retaliation claim.

The Medical Defendants further contend that there is no dispute over whether an adverse

action was taken against Robinson.114 They assert that the treatment Robinson received was

objectively reasonable, and medically appropriate treatment cannot be considered “adverse” for

purposes of a First Amendment retaliation claim. Upon review of the present record, the Court

agrees, but only with respect to the Medical Defendants’ (and other non-party providers’)

decisions to prescribe Robinson certain medications over others. As previously stated, Robinson

has not identified evidence supporting his claim that the Medical Defendants withheld all pain

medications (regardless of type) during the relevant period.115 To the extent that the physicians at

SCI-Greene did not give Robinson the specific pain medications he wanted, such prescribing

decisions cannot constitute an adverse action, barring evidence that the providers knew the

medications they prescribed were ineffective. Robinson has not presented sufficient evidence to

create a genuine dispute on this point. Accordingly, the Court will grant the Medical Defendants’

motion for summary judgment on Robinson’s retaliation claim based on the alleged withholding

or refusal to prescribe certain pain medications.

By contrast, the Medical Defendants cannot appeal to medical appropriateness with

respect to the taking of Robinson’s wheelchair. The Court has already concluded, in its analysis

regarding Robinson’s Eighth Amendment claim, that there is a genuine dispute as to whether

Robinson’s medical needs (his back pain and inability to walk) were serious, and whether the

113 Pl.’s Resp. Opp’n Med. Defs.’ Mot. Summ. J., Ex. 5, at 1 [Doc. No. 76-5] (Declaration of Jose Busanet); Pl.’s

Resp. Opp’n Med. Defs.’ Mot. Summ. J., Ex. 4, at 2 [Doc. No. 76-4] (Declaration of Darien Houser).

114 Med. Defs.’ Mot. Summ. J. at 22 [Doc. No. 73-2].

115 See supra Section III.A.2.

withholding of his wheelchair was adequate medical treatment.116 Applying those conclusions to

Robinson’s retaliation claim, the question a jury would be required to address under the “adverse

action” prong is an objective one: Would taking a wheelchair away from a person of ordinary

firmness deter him from exercising his constitutional rights where, as here, he cannot walk

without assistance? The Court holds that a reasonable jury could resolve that question in

Robinson’s favor.117 The Medical Defendants’ motion for summary judgment will be denied on

Robinson’s retaliation claim based on the taking of his wheelchair.

C. Count III: ADA and § 504 of the Rehabilitation Act

Robinson asserts that the DOC violated the ADA and RA by taking his wheelchair. He

also contends that the DOC violated the ADA by implementing a deficient accommodation

policy which fails to require DOC personnel to submit accommodation request forms on

inmates’ behalf and fails to specify the circumstances under which DOC staff would be required

to submit such request forms.

Title II of the ADA118 provides that “no qualified individual with a disability shall, by

reason of such disability, be excluded from participation in or be denied the benefits of the

services, programs or activities of a public entity, or be subjected to discrimination by any such

entity.”119 The ADA covers state prisons.120 The RA, which is interpreted the same as the ADA,

116 Id.

117 The Court makes a necessary point of clarification: The record reflects that Robinson continued to file grievances

after his wheelchair was taken away. That does not necessarily defeat his ability to prove the adverse action prong.

A First Amendment retaliation claim requires an objective showing of deterrence—viewed from the perspective of a

person of ordinary firmness—and not a subjective inquiry into whether Robinson was in fact deterred. See Bistrian

v. Levi, 696 F.3d 352, 376 (3d Cir. 2012) (deterrence for a retaliation claim “is an objective inquiry”).

118 42 U.S.C. §§ 12131–65.

119 42 U.S.C. § 12132; see also Disability Rights N.J., Inc. v. Comm’r, N.J. Dep’t of Human Servs., 796 F.3d 293,

301 (3d Cir. 2015) (citing Tennessee v. Lane, 541 U.S. 509, 517 (2004)).

120 Pa. Dep’t of Corr. v. Yeskey, 524 U.S. 206, 209 (1998).

prohibits discrimination by entities receiving federal funding.121 “When a public entity . . . is

sued under Title II, the entity is vicariously liable for the acts of its employees.”122 The Court

will refer solely to the ADA in addressing Robinson’s claims under both the ADA and RA.

To establish a claim under the ADA, a plaintiff must show that he is: (1) a qualified

individual; (2) with a disability; (3) who was excluded from participation in or denied the

benefits of the services, programs, or activities of a public entity, or was subjected to

discrimination by any such entity; (4) by reason of his disability.123 If a plaintiff seeks

compensatory damages, as Robinson does here, he “must also show intentional discrimination

under a deliberate indifference standard.”124 To show deliberate indifference for purposes of an

ADA claim, a plaintiff must present evidence of: “(1) knowledge that a federally protected right

is substantially likely to be violated . . . , and (2) failure to act despite that knowledge.”125

1. Exhaustion

The Prison Litigation Reform Act (“PLRA”) requires a plaintiff inmate to exhaust the

administrative remedies available to him before bringing any action under federal law, including

the ADA and RA.126 “[E]xhaustion of administrative remedies under the PLRA is a question of

law to be determined by the judge”127 and requires “‘substantial’ compliance with the prison’s

121 Yeskey v. Pa. Dep’t of Corr., 118 F.3d 168, 170 (3d Cir. 1997).

122 Waters v. Amtrak, 456 F. Supp. 3d 666, 671 (E.D. Pa. 2020) (citations omitted). The Third Circuit has also held

that “state officers can be sued for damages in their official capacities for purposes of the ADA and RA, unless

barred by the Eleventh Amendment.” Durham v. Kelley, 82 F.4th 217, 224 (3d Cir. 2023) (citing Garcia v. S.U.N.Y.

Health Scis. Ctr. of Brooklyn, 280 F.3d 98, 107 (2d Cir. 2001)). The Third Circuit confirmed in Durham v. Kelley

that the ADA validly abrogates state sovereign immunity under section 5 of the Fourteenth Amendment where, as

here, a plaintiff pursues relief for an actual violation of the Eighth Amendment (which independently violates the

substantive provisions of the Fourteenth Amendment). 82 F.4th at 228–29.

123 Durham, 82 F.4th at 225 (citing Haberle v. Troxell, 885 F.3d 170, 178 (3d Cir. 2018)).

124 Durham, 82 F.4th at 225 (citing Furgess v. Pa. Dep’t of Corr., 933 F.3d 285, 289 (3d Cir. 2019)).

125 S.H. ex rel. Durrell v. Lower Merion Sch. Dist., 729 F.3d 248, 265 (3d Cir. 2013).

126 42 U.S.C. § 1997e(a); see also Downey v. Pa. Dep’t of Corr., 968 F.3d 299, 305 (3d Cir. 2020).

127 Drippe v. Tobelinski, 604 F.3d 778, 782 (3d Cir. 2010).

grievance procedures.”128 “If there is no genuine dispute of material fact, then the exhaustion

defense may be evaluated as a matter of law at summary judgment. If there is a genuine dispute

of material fact related to exhaustion, then summary judgment is inappropriate . . . .”129

The DOC’s primary argument in support of summary judgment is that Robinson failed to

exhaust all administrative remedies available to him regarding his disability discrimination

claims under the ADA and RA.130 The DOC states that it has promulgated Policy No. DC-ADM

006, Section 2A of which provides that “[a]n inmate seeking an accommodation for a disability

shall submit to the Corrections Health Care Administrator . . . a request using the Inmate

Disability Accommodation Request Form . . . .”131 Robinson responds that he did submit a

request form pursuant to DC-ADM 006, a copy of which is attached to his response to the

DOC’s motion.132 The DOC strongly contests the authenticity of the form.133 The Court need not

determine here whether the request form Robinson submitted is authentic—setting aside that it

would be inappropriate for the Court to resolve what appears to be a genuine factual dispute at

the summary judgment stage—because Robinson has produced evidence showing that he

submitted and fully appealed a request for a wheelchair against Sergeant Jenkins and a DOC

Unit Manager pursuant to Policy No. DC-ADM 804, the DOC’s general grievance policy.134

128 Small v. Camden County, 728 F.3d 265, 272 (3d Cir. 2013) (citations omitted).

129 West v. Emig, 787 F. App’x 812, 814 (3d Cir. 2019).

130 DOC’s Mot. Summ. J. at 5–7 [Doc. No. 74]; DOC’s Reply Supp. Mot. Summ. J. at 2 [Doc. No. 80].

131 DOC’s Mot. Summ. J., Ex. A, at ECF p. 14 [Doc. No. 74-1] (DOC Policy No. DC-ADM 006).

132 Pl.’s Resp. Opp’n DOC’s Mot. Summ. J., Ex. 4, at 2 [Doc. No. 77-4] (Accommodation Request Form).

133 Fackler Decl. at 3 [Doc. No. 74-1] (noting that the March 5, 2018 date handwritten at the top of the form appears

above a crossed-out original date, there are no signatures from the DOC designates responsible for processing such

requests, and the DOC has no records of anyone having ever received or reviewed such a request from Robinson

during the six-month period he was without his wheelchair).

134 DOC’s Mot. Summ. J., Ex. E, at 1–6 [Doc. No. 74-3] (Grievance #703294 against U/M Felice and Sergeant

Jenkins, initial decision, and appellate record); see also Pl.’s Resp. Opp’n DOC’s Mot. Summ. J., Ex. 3, Robinson

Dep. Tr. 96:15–22 [Doc. No. 77-3] (“Q. Did you ever file a grievance against Sergeant Jenkins for taking your

wheelchair . . . ? A. . . . Yeah, there was one filed against him for ADA violation that resulted in me being denied the

The DOC cites a Third Circuit decision for the proposition that an inmate who fails to file

an Accommodation Request Form pursuant to DC-ADM 006 has failed to exhaust his

administrative remedies. However, that case, Zamichieli v. Pennsylvania Department of

Corrections, affirmed the district court’s finding of a failure to exhaust only because the plaintiff

“did not submit a formal request for accommodation pursuant to . . . DC-ADM 006, . . . nor an

official grievance pursuant to PA DOC’s general grievance policy, DC-ADM 804 . . . .”135 The

PLRA’s exhaustion requirement demands only “substantial” compliance with a prison’s

grievance procedures,136 and “a prison grievance system’s procedural requirements [must] not be

imposed in a way that offends the Federal Constitution or the federal policy embodied in

§ 1997e(a).”137 Given that the wheelchair was discontinued by formal order from SCI-Greene’s

medical staff after multiple appointments, it would have been futile for Robinson to pursue yet

another avenue of administrative review by filing an Accommodation Request Form after his

grievance had been fully exhausted.138 The Court holds that Robinson sufficiently exhausted his

administrative remedies for purposes of bring his present ADA and RA claims against the DOC.

wheelchair.”); id. at 97:12–13 (“A. Yes. The number of it is 703294. And it was filed on 10-24-17 . . . .”); id. at

107:15–19 (“Q. Okay. To your knowledge, what was the result of your grievance against Sergeant Jenkins? . . .

A. They denied that one . . . .”).

135 Zamichieli v. Pa. Dep’t of Corr., No. 19-3305, 2022 WL 777201, at *2 (3d Cir. Mar. 14, 2022)

(non-precedential) (emphasis added).

136 Spruill, 372 F.3d at 232 (quotation marks omitted) (quoting Nyhuis v. Reno, 204 F.3d 65, 77–78 (3d Cir. 2000)).

137 Spruill, 372 F.3d at 232.

138 According to a declaration from the DOC’s representative, once an inmate submits an Inmate Disability

Accommodation Request Form under DC-ADM 006, it is reviewed by a Corrections Health Care Administrator

(“CHCA”), who refers his or her evaluation to the Facility Manager, who then submits a recommendation to the

Central Office Inmate Disability Accommodation Committee (“COIDAC”). Fackler Decl. at 2 [Doc. No. 74-1]. At

the initial review stage, the CHCA must “arrange for a current clinical evaluation of the inmate’s alleged disability

and/or impairment by a medical practitioner in order to validate the accommodation request . . . .” DOC’s Mot.

Summ. J., Ex. A, at ECF p. 14 [Doc. No. 74-1]. If an inmate is dissatisfied with COIDAC’s determination on appeal,

he is directed to “submit a grievance under Department policy DC-ADM 804 . . . .” Id. at ECF p. 15.

At the time he filed Grievance #703294 pursuant to DC-ADM 804, Robinson had already received a clinical

evaluation from several providers—including Dr. Smyth, the Medical Director at SCI-Greene—and his wheelchair

access had been formally discontinued by order of the medical staff. On initial review, a grievance coordinator

2. Challenge to DOC Accommodation Policy / Punitive Damages

The DOC contends that Robinson cannot raise a challenge to its accommodation policy

because such a claim would be one seeking equitable relief, and the Amended Complaint seeks

only monetary damages. The DOC also asserts that Robinson’s wheelchair has been returned,

therefore he no longer has standing to sue for an injunction. The Court agrees with both

arguments. The Amended Complaint, by its plain language, seeks only compensatory damages,

punitive damages, and attorney’s fees.139 If Robinson were to succeed in his challenge to the

DOC’s accommodation policy, the available relief would necessarily be injunctive (and therefore

prospective in nature), whereas damages are a retrospective remedy. Moreover, even if Robinson

were to be pursuing injunctive relief in this case, his claim is subject to dismissal under the

mootness doctrine because all parties agree that Robinson’s access to a wheelchair has been

restored and he continues to use one daily.140 The Court will dismiss Robinson’s challenge to the

DOC’s accommodation policy for lack of jurisdiction.141

denied Robinson’s request pursuant to the medical department’s order; the Facility Manager affirmed; and SOIGA,

in its final denial on March 8, 2018, did not instruct Robinson to submit an Accommodation Request Form if he was

dissatisfied, but rather “encouraged [him] to sign up for sick call to have [his] concerns addressed with medical

staff.” DOC’s Mot. Summ. J., Ex. E, at 1, 3, 5 [Doc. No. 74-3]. The Court is not persuaded that the PLRA required

Robinson to do more. See Ross v. Blake, 578 U.S. 632, 643 (2016) (holding that an administrative procedure must be

“available”—i.e., it must provide the possibility of relief and a real chance of success).

139 Am. Compl. at 14–15 [Doc. No. 60].

140 See Chafin v. Chafin, 568 U.S. 165, 172 (2013) (“There is thus no case or controversy, and a suit becomes moot,

‘when the issues presented are no longer “live” or the parties lack a legally cognizable interest in the outcome.’”

(quoting Already, LLC v. Nike, Inc., 568 U.S. 85, 91 (2013))).

141 See Ballentine v. United States, 486 F.3d 806, 810 (3d Cir. 2007) (“[S]tanding is a jurisdictional matter.”); Steele

v. Blackman, 236 F.3d 130, 134 n.4 (3d Cir. 2001) (holding that courts are “required to raise issues of standing sua

sponte if such issues exist” (citation omitted)). The Court notes that Robinson’s challenge to the DOC’s policy was

raised for the first time in his Amended Complaint, which was filed after the Court’s adjudication of the parties’

motions to dismiss on Robinson’s initial pro se Complaint.

Additionally, the DOC correctly argues that punitive damages are unavailable under the

ADA.142 The Court will grant summary judgment in favor of the DOC to the extent that

Robinson seeks punitive damages on his ADA claim.

3. Qualified Individual

The Court now considers the substantive elements of Robinson’s claim under the ADA

based on the confiscation of his wheelchair. For purposes of its present motion, the DOC does

not contest that Robinson has a disability under the second element.143 Rather, it summarily

disputes the first element, on the basis that Robinson was not a “qualified individual” because he

was approved for the use of a cane. The DOC misunderstands this element. The Supreme Court

has held that a state prisoner is a “qualified individual” under the ADA, which defines the term

to include anyone with a disability who “meets the essential eligibility requirements for the

receipt of services or the participation in programs or activities provided by a public entity.”144

Whether Robinson was issued a cane is irrelevant to his eligibility for, e.g., accessing the prison

law library.145 The DOC’s cursory argument as to the first element is without merit.

4. Excluded from Services, Programs, or Activities By Reason of Disability /

Deliberate Indifference

The Court considers the remaining elements together, including the showing of deliberate

indifference required for compensatory damages under the ADA. The DOC contends that

Robinson has failed to present sufficient evidence on the third and fourth elements. Specifically,

the DOC contests Robinson’s “claims he was denied use of the showers and law library at SCI

142 Barnes v. Gorman, 536 U.S. 181, 189 (2002).

143 DOC’s Mot. Summ. J. at 1 n.2, 8 [Doc. No. 74].

144 Yeskey, 524 U.S. at 210 (quotation marks omitted) (quoting 42 U.S.C. § 12131(2)).

145 See Yeskey, 524 U.S. at 211.

Greene” because “there is no record evidence of this.”146 Moreover, the DOC asserts that there is

no genuine dispute as to whether the DOC’s officers were deliberately indifferent to Robinson’s

needs, because its correctional officers deferred to the medical judgment of the providers who

treated him, and such officers are “not qualified to second-guess—let alone overrule—[the]

medical judgment” of health care providers.147 The DOC cites Robinson’s testimony during his

deposition that he did not name any individual correctional officers as defendants in his initial

Complaint “because they were told to do that by medical staff . . . .”148

“Deliberate indifference requires actual knowledge . . . .”149 The Third Circuit has made

clear that non-medical prison officials cannot be said to be deliberately indifferent to an inmate’s

medical needs “absent a reason to believe (or actual knowledge) that prison doctors or their

assistants are mistreating (or not treating) a prisoner . . . .”150 Therefore, Robinson must point to

evidence showing that the DOC’s officials actually knew that Robinson’s federally protected

rights under the ADA were substantially likely to be violated when his wheelchair was taken

away—i.e., knowledge that Robinson would likely be unable to use the toilet, access showers,

visit the law library, or enjoy the prison yard without a wheelchair—and that those officials

nevertheless failed to act in the face of that knowledge. Moreover, because Robinson was

actively being treated by the medical staff, he must cite evidence that the prison officials knew

the treatment he was receiving was inadequate or was driven by improper motivations.

146 DOC’s Mot. Summ. J. at 2 [Doc. No. 74].

147 DOC’s Mot. Summ. J. at 9 [Doc. No. 74] (citing Durmer, 991 F.2d at 68).

148 Pl.’s Resp. Opp’n DOC’s Mot. Summ. J., Ex. 3, Robinson Dep. Tr. 98:5–9 [Doc. No. 77-3].

149 S.H. ex rel. Durrell, 729 F.3d at 266 n.26 (emphasis omitted).

150 Spruill, 372 F.3d at 236 (defining parameters of deliberate indifference requirement in Eighth Amendment

context); see also S.H. ex rel. Durrell, 729 F.3d at 263 n.23 (holding that the “definition of deliberate indifference in

the RA and the ADA context is consistent with [the] standard of deliberate indifference in the context of § 1983

suits by prison inmates,” including under the Eighth Amendment).

Robinson has satisfied that threshold. He has identified ample supporting evidence,

including his own deposition testimony, declarations from witnesses, and his own medical

records (discussed at length throughout this Memorandum Opinion), which create a genuine

dispute as to whether Sergeant Jenkins and other correctional officers knew both that Robinson

could not walk without assistance and that the wheelchair was taken away for improper and non-

medical reasons. Accordingly, the Court will deny summary judgment as to Robinson’s ADA

claim based on the confiscation of his wheelchair.

IV. CONCLUSION

For the reasons stated herein, the Medical Defendants’ motion for summary judgment

will be granted in part and denied in part, and the DOC’s motion for summary judgment will be

granted in part and denied in part. An appropriate order follows.