# Sutherland v. Akins

> District Court, N.D. Texas · May 4, 2022

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/cases/10451456

## Case

- **Court:** District Court, N.D. Texas
- **Decided:** May 4, 2022
- **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/10451456

## How later opinions describe it (automated extraction)

- holding that even if an inmate was able to establish a Constitutional violation, his transfer to another prison rendered moot his claim for declaratory and injunctive relief

## Opinion text

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS
FORT WORTH DIVISION

RONALD SUTHERLAND, §
(aka Ronald David Sutherland), §
§
Plaintiff, §
§
VS. § Civil Action No. 4:19-cv-216-O
§
LANE AKIN, Sheriff, §
Wise County, Texas, et al., §
§
Defendants. §

MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER
RESOLVING PENDING DISPOSITIVE MOTIONS

Pending before the Court are Defendants Officer Gay and Aaron Shaw, M.D.’s motions
to dismiss under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(b)(6). Mots. to Dism., ECF Nos. 69, 72.
Plaintiff Ronald Sutherland (“Sutherland”) filed a response to each motion, and Defendants Gay
and Dr. Shaw filed replies. ECF Nos. 75, 76, 79, 80. Also pending is Defendants Kaci Sartor and
Monica Doughty’s combined motion for summary judgment. ECF Nos. 81, 82, 83. After
considering the motions, all briefing, and the applicable law, the Court GRANTS each motion.
I. BACKGROUND
A. Case History/Amended Complaint
Plaintiff Sutherland initially filed a civil-rights complaint form with attachment pages.
Compl., ECF No.1. Sutherland, without seeking leave of Court, subsequently filed several
handwritten pleadings, including: a “First Amendment/Supplement” (ECF No. 11); a “Second
Amendment/Supplement” (ECF No. 12); and a “Third Amendment/ Supplement” (ECF No. 13).
The Court directed Sutherland to file a form civil-rights complaint with any attachment pages as
1
an amended complaint and informed him that “once the form amended civil-rights complaint is
filed, the Court [would] look only to that document with any attachment pages in reviewing his
claims.” Order, ECF No. 14 (emphasis in original). In accordance with the Court’s order,
Sutherland filed an amended complaint with attachment pages. Am. Compl.1-26, ECF No. 15.
That amended complaint included numerous claims against a large number of defendants arising

from different periods of time when Sutherland was an inmate at the Wise County Jail and later
at the Tarrant County Jail. Id.
On February 9, 2021, the Court dismissed some of Sutherland’s claims and defendants in
the amended complaint under 28 U.S.C. § 1915A(b)(1). Op. and Order, ECF Nos. 26, 27. But
the Court allowed Sutherland to obtain service of process of his remaining claims under 42
U.S.C. § 1983 against several individual defendants, including Wise County nurse Kaci Sartor
(“Sartor”); Wise County healthcare provider Sue Fleming (“Fleming”); Wise County physician
Dr. Charles Tibbels (“Dr. Tibbels”); Tarrant County physician Dr. Aaron Shaw (“Dr. Shaw”);
Tarrant County Officer Erick Gay (“Gay”); Tarrant County Jail nurse Lavonia Messick

(“Messick”); and Wise County officer Monica Doughty (“Doughty”) (ECF Nos. 26, 28, 29).
B. Status of Parties
The first defendant to appear was Dr. Tibbels, and though the Court denied his motion to
dismiss, he has now filed an answer and remains before the Court. ECF Nos. 37, 64, and 67.
Nurse Messick also filed a motion to dismiss, and the Court granted her motion and Sutherland’s
claims against her were dismissed with prejudice. ECF Nos. 46, 64. After providing Sutherland
additional time to effect service of process on other defendants, because he failed to timely effect
proper service upon three of them by a deadline of August 23, 2021, the Court initially dismissed
Fleming, Gay, and Dr. Shaw under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 4(m). Order of Dismissal,
2
ECF No. 58; Rule 54(b) Judgment, ECF No. 59. In a post-judgment motion, however, Sutherland
provided evidence that he had completed service upon Officer Gay and Dr. Shaw, such that the
Court vacated its prior order, in part, and provided time for an answer from Gay and Dr. Shaw.
As noted, they have each appeared through motions to dismiss that are ripe for review.
Subsequently, Wise County defendants Sartor and Doughty have filed a motion for summary

judgment, and their collective motion is ripe for review. Thus, at this time, only five defendants
remain before the Court, and Sutherland’s claims against four of them are addressed herein.
II. MOTIONS TO DISMISS OF DEFENDANTS GAY and SHAW
A. Rule 12(b)(6) Standard Applicable to both Motions
A motion to dismiss for failure to state a claim under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure
12(b)(6) is generally viewed with disfavor. Lowrey v. Tex. A & M Univ. Sys., 117 F.3d 242, 247
(5th Cir.1997). The court must accept all well-pleaded facts in the complaint as true and view
them in the light most favorable to the plaintiff. Bustos v. Martini Club Inc, 599 F.3d 458, 461
(5th Cir. 2010) (citing True v. Robles, 571 F.3d 412, 417 (5th Cir. 2009)). Rule 12 must be

interpreted in conjunction with Rule 8(a), which sets forth the requirements for pleading a claim
for relief in federal court and calls for “a short and plain statement of the claim showing that the
pleader is entitled to relief.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 8(a)(2). The Court cannot look beyond the face of the
pleadings in resolving a Rule 12(b)(6) motion. Doe ex rel. Magee v. Covington Cnty, Sch. Dist.,
649 F.3d 335, 341 (5th Cir. 2011) (explaining that “[w]e examine only the allegations within the
four corners of the complaint”), aff’d on rehearing en banc, 675 F.3d 849 (5th Cir. 2012). A
plaintiff, however, must plead specific facts, not mere conclusory allegations, to avoid dismissal.
See Schultea v. Wood, 47 F.3d 1427, 1431 (5th Cir. 1995) (en banc); see also Taylor v. Books A

3
Million, Inc., 296 F.3d 376, 378 (5th Cir. 2002) (“[C]onclusory allegations or legal conclusions
masquerading as factual conclusions will not suffice to prevent a motion to dismiss”) (citation
omitted)). Rule of Civil Procedure 8 “demands more than an unadorned, the-defendant-
unlawfully-harmed-me-accusation.” Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662, 678 (2009).

As the United States Supreme Court explained in Bell Atlantic Corp. v. Twombly, the
plaintiff must plead “enough facts to state a claim to relief that is plausible on its face” and his
“factual allegations must be enough to raise a right to relief above the speculative level, on the
assumption that all the allegations in the complaint are true (even if doubtful in fact).” Twombly,
550 U.S. 544, 555 (2007) (abrogating Conley v. Gibson, 355 U.S. 41, 45-46 (1957), to the extent
the Court concluded therein that a plaintiff can survive a motion to dismiss “unless it appears
beyond doubt that the plaintiff can prove no set of facts in support of his claims which would
entitle him to relief”). Then, in Ashcroft v. Iqbal, the Supreme Court clarified that review of a

12(b)(6) motion is guided by two principles: (1) a court must apply the presumption of
truthfulness only to factual matters and not to legal conclusions; and (2) only a complaint that
states a plausible claim for relief survives a motion to dismiss. “Determining whether a
complaint states a plausible claim for relief . . . [is] a context-specific task that requires the
reviewing court to draw on its judicial experience and common sense.” Iqbal, 556 U.S. at 678-
680. If the pleadings fail to meet the requirements of Iqbal and Twombly no viable claim is stated
and the pleadings are subject to dismissal.
B. Officer Gay’s Motion to Dismiss
1. Overview of Sutherland’s Claims Against Officer Gay
Sutherland’s live remaining claims stated against Officer Gay are as follows:

4
1. Claim of liability against Officer Gay for alleged violation of rights under
42 U.S.C. § 1983 for a claim of alleged “inhumane conditions of
confinement exposure” at the Tarrant County Jail (Am. Compl. 4, 12,
ECF No. 15);

2. Sutherland seeks declaratory and injunctive relief (Am. Compl. 4-5
Section V, “Statement of Claim” ¶ 1, and Section VI “Relief,” ECF No.
15); and

3. Sutherrland also seeks punitive damages (Am. Compl. 4-5 Section VI
“Relief,” ECF No. 15).

2. Failure to State a Violation of a Constitutional Right
a. No Showing of a Personal Involvement by Officer Gay

Personal involvement is a fundamental element of any civil rights cause of action against
an individual. Hinojosa v. Livingston, 807 F.3d 657, 668 (5th Cir. 2015) (citing Thompson v.
Steele, 709 F.2d 381, 382 (5th Cir. 1983) (other citations omitted)). Sutherland fails to state any
facts that show Officer Gay had any personal involvement with him and/or knowledge of the
alleged “inhumane conditions” within Sutherland’s jail cell. Am. Compl. 12, ECF No. 15.
Officer Gay is scarcely mentioned in Sutherland’s amended complaint. Am. Compl. 4,
12, ECF No. 15. Sutherland generally asserts that due to unspecified acts or omissions of Gay, he
was subjected to “inhumane conditions of confinement exposure.” Am. Compl. 4, ECF No. 15.
Sutherland also asserts that Officer Gay moved him from the Wise County Jail to the Lon Evans
Corrections Center. Am. Compl. 9, 11, and 12, ECF No. 15. Other than Officer Gay moving
Sutherland to the Lon Evans Corrections Center, Sutherland states no other act or omission
involving Officer Gay.
Sutherland states he was subjected to deplorable conditions inside the Lon Evans Jail
5
facility. Am. Compl. 12, ECF No. 15. But he states no facts asserting that Officer Gay was
involved in creating the conditions, aware of the conditions and took no corrective measures, or
had any involvement whatsoever in the so-called deplorable inhumane conditions inside the jail.
Such conclusory assertions are insufficient to plausibly suggest Sutherland is entitled to relief
against Officer Gay. Iqbal, 556 U.S. at 679, 680. For this reason alone, the claims against Officer
Gay fail. The claims also fail for other reasons as explained below.

b. Sutherland’s Claims Against Officer Gay Do Not State a Constitutional
Violation

The Constitution does not mandate comfortable prisons. Rhodes v. Chapman, 452 U.S.
337, 349 (1981). Nor does the Constitution “require that prisons be completely sanitized or as
clean or free from potential hazards as one’s home might be.” McAllister v. Strain, No. 09-2823,
2009 WL 5178316 *3 (E.D. La. Dec. 23, 2009) (citations omitted). Prison conditions may be
restrictive–even harsh–without violating the Eighth Amendment. Rhodes, 452 U.S. at 347.
In order to establish a Constitutional violation regarding conditions of confinement, an
inmate must establish (1) that the deprivation alleged was sufficiently serious, i.e., an official’s
act or omission must have resulted in the denial of “the minimal civilized measure of life’s
necessities;” and (2) that the prison official possessed a sufficiently culpable state of mind.
Herman v. Holiday, 238 F.3d 660, 664 (5th Cir. 2001) (citing Farmer v. Brennan, 511 U.S. 825
(1994)). The required state of mind is one of deliberate indifference to inmate health or safety.
Id. (citing Palmer v. Johnson, 193 F.3d 346, 352 (5th Cir. 1999)). Deliberate indifference is
established by showing that prison officials (1) were aware of facts from which an inference of
excessive risk to the prisoner’s health or safety could be drawn; and (2) that they actually drew
an inference that such potential for harm existed. Id. (citing Bradley v. Puckett, 157 F.3d 1022,
1025 (5th Cir. 1998)).
Sutherland asserts no facts that suggest Officer Gay did anything other than transport him
to the Lon Evans Corrections Center in Tarrant County [from the Wise County Jail]. Sutherland
makes no factual allegation that Officer Gay was aware of the alleged deplorable conditions.
Further, Sutherland includes no factual allegation that Officer Gay possessed a sufficiently
culpable state of mind, that is Sutherland does not allege that Officer Gay was actually aware of
the cell conditions and/or that Officer Gay actually drew an inference that a potential for harm
from such conditions existed. Herman, 283 F.3d at 664.
Thus, Sutherland’s claims against Officer Gay fail to state a constitutional violation.
c. Failure to Allege a Physical Injury under § 1997e(e) of the PRLA

As the Court previously explained, because Sutherland was a “prisoner” as defined under
§ 1915(A)(c) of the PRLA at the time suit was filed, the PRLA still applies even though Plaintiff
has been released from confinement. Op. and Order 9, n.2, ECF No. 26; see also Johnson v. Hill,
965 F. Supp. 1487, 1488 n.2 (E.D. Va. 1997); accord Rackley v. Gusman, CA No. 08-0825, 2009
WL 159170 at *1 (E.D. La. Jan. 16, 2009). Section 1997e(e) of the PRLA provides that a
Plaintiff asserting recovery for constitutional violations is not entitled to recover compensatory
damages “for mental or emotional injuries unless there is a prior showing of physical injury…”
42 U.S.C. § 1997e(e).
Here, Sutherland does not allege that he sustained a physical injury as a result of the
alleged “deplorable conditions” that he endured while confined in the Lon Evans Corrections
Center. Sutherland alleges that there was the “smell of feces” from the walls and around the
toilet and that there was bloody bandages and decaying food present. Am. Compl. 11, 12, and

19, ECF No. 15. These allegations are essentially that he was housed in an unsanitary
environment, which he stated lasted “for days” until he was ultimately moved. Id. The facts
alleged by Sutherland show that, at best, he suffered a de minimis injury (if any), which is not
enough under § 1997e(e). See Alexander v. Tippah County, Miss., 351 F.3d 626, 630-31 (5th Cir.
2003) (concluding that two inmates could not recover damages from their temporary exposure to
“deplorable conditions” because the only injury alleged was nausea from the smell of raw
sewage); Desroche v. Strain, 507 F. Supp. 2d 571, 581 (E.D. La. 2007) (finding detainee’s
episodic act or omission claim against officials for confinement in an unsanitary cell for a period
of 10 days failed because “a short term sanitation restriction or problem, although admittedly
unpleasant, does not amount to a constitutional violation”) (citation omitted); Letizia v.
Gonzalez, No. H-18-4814, 2019 WL 2185518 at *2 (S.D. Tex. May 21, 2019) (dismissing
inmate’s conditions of confinement claims due to a lack of sufficient physical injury even though
inmates alleged they were forced to defecate in plastic bags and urinate in the shower for a

period of 5 days due to “no water service”).
Because Sutherland has not alleged a sufficient physical injury to recover compensatory
monetary damages, his claims for such relief must be dismissed.
3. Claims Seeking Declaratory and Injunctive Relief are now Moot

Sutherland also seeks declaratory and injunctive relief. Am. Compl. 5, ECF No. 15.
Those claims, however, are rendered moot by the fact that Sutherland is no longer housed at the
Lon Evans facility. See April 8, 2022 Notice of Change of Address, ECF No. 87 (listing his on-
the-street address in Wichita Falls, Texas); see Herman, 238 F.3d at 665 (holding that even if an
inmate was able to establish a Constitutional violation, his transfer to another prison rendered
moot his claim for declaratory and injunctive relief); see Hood v. Alford, 3:04-cv-0473-D, 2004
WL 1146582 at *1 (N.D. Tex. May 20, 2004), rep. and rec. adopted, 2004 WL 1393374 (N.D.
Tex. June 21, 2004) (“Plaintiff is no longer incarcerated at the Johnson County Jail. His transfers
to TDCJ-CID renders his claims for declaratory and injunctive relief moot as to all
Defendants.”). Moreover, Sutherland concedes that his claims for injunctive relief against
Officer Gay are moot. Resp. to Gay Mot. Dism.5, ECF No. 76. Thus, Sutherland’s claims for
declaratory and injunctive relief against Officer Gay must be dismissed for failure to state a
claim upon which relief can be granted.
4. No Facts Sufficient to Support a Claim for Punitive Damages
Sutherland also seeks punitive damages. Am. Compl. 5, Section VI “Relief,” ECF No.
15. Punitive damages, however, cannot be recovered unless there is an award of actual damages.
Because Sutherland has not stated a claim under federal law that would support a right to recover
actual damages, punitive damages cannot be recovered. Furthermore, an award of punitive
damages under federal law requires a showing of the requisite intent, together with a violation of
a constitutional right, which Sutherland has not shown. There is no abstract value of a

constitutional right to be addressed with compensatory or punitive damages. See generally
Memphis Community School District v. Stachura, 477 U.S. 299, 306 (1986).
For the foregoing reasons, the Court GRANTS Officer Gay’s motion to dismiss for
failure to state a claim upon which relief may be granted, such that all Sutherland’s claims for
relief against Officer Gay must be dismissed with prejudice.1
B. Dr. Shaw’s Motion to Dismiss

1. Sutherland’s Claims against Dr. Shaw

Sutherland asserts two discrete claims against Dr. Shaw under 42 U.S.C. § 1983. First, he

1 Officer Gay also assets that Sutherland’s claims are barred by the statute of limitations. Gay’s
Mot. Dism. 10-14, ECF No. 69. Because the Court can resolve the motion to dismiss on other grounds, it
does not reach the limitations defense. The Court observes, however, this case was subject to screening
under 28 U.S.C. § 1915A for a lengthy period of time, and Sutherland was then granted extensions of
time to effect service of process. ECF Nos. 10, 28, 29, 53, 55, 62.
Officer Gay also asserts the defense of qualified immunity. Gay’s Mot. Dism. 14-15, 18-19, ECF
No. 69. Because the Court can resolve the motion to dismiss on other presented grounds, the Court need
not reach the qualified immunity defense.
alleges Dr. Shaw provided him inadequate medical care while he was at the Tarrant County Jail.
Second, Sutherland alleges that Dr. Shaw violated his constitutional rights in that he was exposed
to “inhumane conditions of confinement [and] exposure.” Am. Compl. 4, ECF No. 15.
Sutherland asserts that the conduct at issue involving Dr. Shaw occurred between October 2018
and February 2019 at the Lon Evans facility of the Tarrant County Jail.2 Id. at 10-11. Dr.Shaw is
referenced five times in Sutherland’s amended complaint. See id. at 10, 11, 19. Sutherland

alleges that:
• On or about October 29, 2018, Sutherland was transported to Tarrant County
Jail. During this time, he was treated by Dr. Shaw. Dr. Shaw ordered Plaintiff be
provided access to a handicap shower and toilet, a cane, an extra blanket and an
extra mattress. Despite Dr. Shaw’s order, however, Sutherland never received
these items, nor a walker or wheelchair. Id. at 10-11.

• During the time Dr. Shaw was treating Sutherland, he referred him to an “ortho”
– Dr. Patel – for his shoulder. Dr. Patel opined that Sutherland’s shoulder was in
such a condition that repair, if attempted, would be difficult if not futile. Dr. Patel
still allegedly ordered surgery, which Dr. Shaw “did not follow through with.” Id.
at 11. This treatment was recommended in January 2019. Id. at 17.

• On December 22, 2018, Sutherland was moved to the Lon Evans facility. Id. at
p. 12. Sutherland was subjected to “deplorable inhumane conditions that
continued for days including “feces on the walls” and “around the toilet,” “bloody
bandages,” decaying food, and trash all over the cell. Id.

• Nurse Messick and Dr. Shaw made rounds daily and were allegedly responsible
for the care of two men and allegedly allowed the care of these two men (not
Plaintiff) to allegedly “lapse into the inmates living in feces, bloody bandages,
and trash.” Id. at 19. “A condition that was compounded by officers’ lack of
concern and lack of cleaning that constituted the deplorable conditions Sutherland
was introduced into and lived in for days.” Id.

2The amended complaint actually references “10/29/2019,” but based upon the remaining
allegations in the amended complaint, including Sutherland’s claim that he “was transferred back to Wise
County Jail [from Tarrant County Jail] on 2/8/2019,” this appears to be a typographical error. See Am.
Compl. at 10-11, ECF No. 15.
• Sutherland “was basically forced to care for [two fellow] inmates and change
diapers, clean feces without gloves or proper protection for over 2 weeks until he
was moved.” Id.

As previously noted, Sutherland is no longer housed at the Lon Evans facility, and has
been released from confinement.
2. Law Applicable to Claims of Denial of Medical Care.

Sutherland alleges that Dr. Shaw failed to provide him adequate medical care while he
was a pretrial detainee at the Tarrant County Jail. Am. Compl. 21, ECF No. 15. As an alleged
pretrial detainee at the time of the events made the basis of this case, Sutherland’s rights flow
from the procedural and substantive guarantees of the Fourteenth Amendment. Olabisiomotosho
v. City of Houston, 185 F.3d 521, 525-26 (5th Cir. 1999). The Fourteenth Amendment protects a
detainee’s right to be free from punishment prior to an adjudication of guilt. See Bell v. Wolfish,
441 U.S. 520, 535 n.16 (1979). The Fourteenth Amendment also requires the state to provide for
the basic human needs of pretrial detainees, including the right to adequate medical care. Lacy v.
Shaw, 357 F. App’x 607, 609 (5th Cir. 2009) (citing Hare v. City of Corinth, 74 F.3d 633, 639
(5th Cir. 1996)). “The Fourteenth Amendment guarantees pretrial detainees a right ‘not to have
their serious medical needs met with deliberate indifference on the part of the confining
officials.’” Dyer v. Houston, 964 F.3d 374, 380 (5th Cir. 2020) (citing Thompson v. Upshur
Cnty., 245 F.3d 447, 457 (5th Cir. 2001) (internal citation omitted)). In order to establish a
violation of this constitutional right, a detainee must show that a defendant acted with deliberate
indifference to his serious medical needs. Lacy, 357 F. App’x at 609. To state a plausible claim
of deliberate indifference, a plaintiff must demonstrate that the defendant has actual subjective
knowledge of a substantial risk of serious harm, but responds with deliberate indifference to that
11
risk. Id. (citing Hare, 74 F.3d at 647-48). Such a finding of deliberate indifference “must rest on
facts clearly evincing ‘wanton’ actions on the parts of the defendants.” Johnson v. Treen, 759
F.2d 1236, 1238 (5th Cir. 1985); see also Wilson v. Seiter, 501 U.S. 294, 297 (1991).
In the medical care context, a detainee must show that a defendant “refused to treat him,
ignored his complaints, intentionally treated him incorrectly, or engaged in any similar conduct
that would clearly evince a wanton disregard for any serious medical needs.” Lacy, 357 F. App’x
at 609 (citing Johnson, 759 F.2d at 1238). A delay in providing medical care is not a violation of
this constitutional right unless it results in substantial harm. Mendoza v. Lynaugh, 989 F.2d 191,

195 (5th Cir. 1993). Allegations of negligence in the provision of medical care are not sufficient
to maintain an action under 42 U.S.C. § 1983. See, e.g., Daniels v. Williams, 474 U.S. 327, 328
(1986) (concluding that the Constitution “is simply not implicated by a negligent act of an
official causing unintended loss of or injury to life, liberty, or property”); Thompson, 245 F.3d at
458-59 (noting that deliberate indifference cannot be inferred from “negligent or even a grossly
negligent response to a substantial risk of serious harm.”)
3. Application of Law to Sutherland’s Denial of Medical Care Claims
Against Dr. Shaw

Sutherland devotes a substantial portion of the amended complaint to describing the
preexisting nature of his injuries. For example, he alleges that immediately prior to his arrival at
Tarrant County Jail, he was requesting medical care at Wise County Jail related to an injury for
which he had undergone surgery three times. Am. Compl. 7-8, ECF No. 15. Months before his
arrival at Tarrant County Jail, he lost a substantial amount of weight due to health issues. Id. at
11. He had also previously undergone “emergent surgery” at John Peter Smith Hospital related to
12
“severely compressed nerves.” Id. at p. 9. He also claims to have had a “10-inch wound” and “C-
spine stenosis.” Id. at 10. Some or all of these conditions extend back to April 2018, if not
earlier. Id. at 6 (describing diagnoses by U.T. Southwestern and Baylor Hospital) and 14
(detailing a 2013 lawsuit filed related to medical conditions).
Perhaps noting Sutherland’s lengthy medical history, “upon [Plaintiff’s] arrival at Tarrant
County Jail,” Dr. Shaw is alleged to have ordered that he receive certain accommodations or
items to make him more comfortable. For example, Sutherland alleges Dr. Shaw ordered him to
be provided access to a handicap shower and toilet, a cane, an extra blanket, and an extra

mattress. Id. at 10-11. Despite Dr. Shaw’s orders that Sutherland be provided with each of these
items, Sutherland claims he never received “a cane or walker or wheelchair, no extra mattresses
or blankets, nothing to accommodate the obvious need not to lay on a steel bunk.” Id. at 10.
These allegations regarding lack of access to certain accommodations or equipment fall
short of the type of deliberate indifference actionable under § 1983. Sutherland does not
plausibly allege that he suffered any physical injury as a result of Dr. Shaw’s action with respect
to provision of “a cane or walker or wheelchair [,or] an extra blanket and extra mattress.” Id. He
does not allege what Dr. Shaw could have or should have done to assure his receipt of these
items. In fact, Sutherland does not allege Dr. Shaw was aware (or should have been aware) that
he never received these items. Finally, he does not allege that he suffered any injury due to lack
of access to these items.
Sutherland also complains that Dr. Shaw “failed to follow through with . . . orders by an
ortho specialist.” Id. at 11. Specifically, he complains that Dr. Shaw did not ensure he received a
surgical procedure recommended by Dr. Patel, an orthopedic specialist who also treated him

13
while he was an inmate at Tarrant County Jail. Given other facts contained in the amended
complaint, these allegations about a failure to “follow through” with surgery are likewise not
actionable under § 1983.
Sutherland alleges that he was an inmate in Tarrant County Jail from “on or about”
October, 29, 2018,3 until February 8, 2019. Am. Compl. 10-11, ECF No. 15. He alleges Dr. Patel
did not even recommend surgery until “January 2019.” Id. at 17. Depending on when in “January
2019” Dr. Patel treated Sutherland and recommended surgery, at most he remained in custody at
Tarrant County jail for an additional one to six weeks. Sutherland does not establish how a few

weeks delay in performing surgery on a preexisting condition constitutes the sort of deliberate
indifference actionable under § 1983. See Johnson, 759 F.2d at 1238 (explaining that a finding of
deliberate indifference “must rest on facts clearly evincing ‘wanton’ actions on the parts of the
defendants”). In addition, Sutherland has not established any injury caused by the delay. Based
upon the facts pleaded by Sutherland, it is just as plausible as not that his condition would not
have improved had he received the surgery.
Moreover, Sutherland alleges that it was Dr. Shaw who treated him in the first place and
referred him to Dr. Patel for his shoulder issues. Am. Compl. 11, ECF No. 15. In other words,
Dr. Shaw was providing Sutherland with medical care. Sutherland also alleges Dr. Patel opined
any attempt to repair his shoulder surgery would likely be futile. Id. (“repair would be difficult, if
it did not fail.”), but nevertheless recommended it be attempted. These allegations belie any
contention by Sutherland that Dr. Shaw’s care amounted to deliberate indifference to state a

3See supra, note 2.
14
constitutional violation.
For all of these reasons, Sutherland’s claims against Dr. Shaw for failing to provide
adequate medical care must be dismissed for failure to state a claim upon which relief may be
granted.
4. Sutherland has Failed to State a Claim Against Dr. Shaw Based Upon
Exposure to Inhumane Conditions of Confinement

Sutherland separately alleges claims against Dr. Shaw for what he describes as
“deplorable conditions” of his jail cell and arising from his having to provide care to two of his
fellow inmates. For the following reasons, Dr. Shaw is entitled to dismissal of these claims.
a. Sutherland Fails to State a Constitutional Violation

As noted above, in order to establish a constitutional violation regarding conditions of
confinement, an inmate must establish (1) that the deprivation alleged was sufficiently serious,
i.e., an official's act or omission must have resulted in the denial of “the minimal civilized
measure of life's necessities;” and (2) that the prison official possessed a sufficiently culpable
state of mind. Herman, 238 F.3d at 664. The required state of mind is one of deliberate
indifference to inmate health or safety. Id. Deliberate indifference is established by showing that
prison officials (1) were aware of facts from which an inference of excessive risk to the
prisoner's health or safety could be drawn; and (2) that they actually drew an inference that such
potential for harm existed. Id.
Sutherland’s complaint regarding the uncleanliness of his cell does not concern Dr. Shaw
but the jail officers. Am. Compl. 12, ECF No. 15 (“A condition that was compounded by
officers’ lack of concern and lack of cleaning . . .” also alleging that “officers put blankets in
15
front of the door to contain smell.”) Id. Dr. Shaw is not liable under §1983 for the alleged
actions of another official. See Estate of Munoz by Ruelas v. Ford, 402 F. Supp. 3d 344, 350
(E.D. Tex. 2019) (“Officials are not liable for the conduct of other officials. Instead, each
official's liability depends upon his or her ‘own actions’”) (citing Hinojosa, 807 F.3d at 668
(other citations omitted)). Thus, to the extent Sutherland’s claims against Dr. Shaw involve the
alleged sanitary conditions pertaining to his cell not being cleaned, such claims must be
dismissed.
Moreover, Sutherland states that Dr. “Shaw was in charge of this medical unit.” Resp. 2,

ECF No. 75. Thus, Sutherland acknowledges that Dr. Shaw was not in charge of the jail officers,
but rather the medical team. In this regard, he asserts, “Shaw was responsible for and created the
deplorable conditions, and he failed to remedy those conditions” as well as “[t]hese were not
perceived conditions and it is not debatable whether week long stretches of feces and bloody
bandages and other filth causes by Shaw’s placement in unsafe conditions and unsanitary living
spaces rose to the level of a constitutional violation” while also referencing that Dr. Shaw “could
not help but smell and see” the conditions. Resp. 1, 4, ECF No. 75. But awareness does not equal
responsibility, and Sutherland has provided no more than conclusory statements to demonstrate
any responsibility on the part of Dr. Shaw. Moreover, Sutherland references other officers who
“had placed a blanket in front of the door” of his cell. Resp. 5, ECF No. 75. This claim is simply
not plausible because, as Sutherland himself acknowledges, Dr. Shaw was affiliated with the
medical unit, not with the prison officials or any sort of maintenance team, and, as such,
Sutherland simply cannot maintain this claim against Dr. Shaw. In other words, even accepting
Sutherland’s allegations regarding the conditions in the jail cell as true, Dr. Shaw cannot be held

16
liable, and Sutherland’s claim must be dismissed accordingly.
Lastly, Sutherland’s claims related to the care that Dr. Shaw allegedly provided to two
other inmates--neither of which are parties to this suit--are also not actionable under § 1983. Am.
Compl. 21, ECF No. 15. To the extent Sutherland seeks to assert claims on behalf of these other
inmates, he lacks standing to bring medical treatment claims on behalf of other inmates. See
Dodson v. Wilkinson, 304 Fed. Appx. 434, 438 (6th Cir. 2008); Wilson v. Caldwell Corr. Ctr.,
No. 3:16-CV-1321, 2016 WL 7840735, at *2 (W.D. La. Dec. 5, 2016), rep. and rec. adopted,
2017 WL 244749 (W.D. La. Jan. 18, 2017). Also, such allegations do not state a condition of

confinement claim. Although Sutherland contends he had to change diapers and care for these
inmates, he does not allege that it was Dr. Shaw who forced him to do this. As such, to the
extent these claims are asserted against Dr. Shaw, they must be dismissed for failure to state a
claim upon which relief can be granted.
b. Sutherland has Failed to Allege any Physical Injury Against Shaw
to be Entitled to Compensatory Damages.

As with regard to Defendant Gay, because Sutherland was a “prisoner” as defined under
§ 1915(A)(c) of the PRLA, he is not entitled to recover compensatory damages under section
1997e(e) of the PRLA “for mental or emotional injuries unless there is a prior showing of
physical injury . . . .” 42 U.S.C. § 1997e(e).
Here, Sutherland has not pleaded a physical injury as a result of the alleged “deplorable
conditions” alleged to have resulted from Dr. Shaw’s acts and omissions. Sutherland complains
of the “smell of feces” from the walls and around the toilet, and of the presence of bloody
bandages and decaying food. Am. Compl. 10, 17, ECF No. 15. These complaints are essentially
17
that he was housed in an unsanitary environment, which allegedly lasted “for days” until he was
ultimately moved. Id. The facts alleged by Plaintiff show that at best he suffered a de minimis
injury (if any), which is not enough under §1997e(e). See Alexander, 351 F.3d at 630–31;
Desroche, 507 F. Supp. 2d at 581; and Letizia v. Gonzalez, No. H-18-4814, 2019 WL 2185518,
at *2. As such, Sutherland is not entitled to compensatory damages against Dr. Shaw and any
such claims must be dismissed for failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted.
4. Claims Against Dr. Shaw for Declaratory or Injunctive Relief are Moot

Sutherland also asserts claims for declaratory and injunctive relief. Am. Compl. 5, ECF
No. 15. As previously noted, such claims are rendered moot by the fact that Sutherland is no
longer housed at the Tarrant County Lon Evans jail facility. See April 8, 2022 Notice of Change
of Address, ECF No. 87 (listing his on-the-street address in Wichita Falls, Texas). Sutherland
concedes that his claims for injunctive relief against Dr. Shaw are moot. Resp. to Shaw Mot. 6,
ECF No. 75. As such, Sutherland’s claims for declaratory and injunctive relief against Dr. Shaw
must be dismissed for failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted.
For all of these reasons, the Court finds that Dr. Shaw’s motion to dismiss under Federal
Rule of Civil Procedure 12(b)(6) must be granted, such that all Sutherland’s claims against Dr.
Shaw will be dismissed with prejudice.4
III. MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT OF SARTOR AND DOUGHTY

A. Overview

4Dr. Shaw also asserts the defenses of state immunity under the Texas Health and Safety Code §§
281.0286 and 281.0565 and qualified immunity. Dr. Shaw’s Mot. Dism, 18-20, ECF No. 72. Because the
Court has resolved the motion to dismiss on other grounds, the Court need not reach theses defenses.
18
Sutherland’s claims against Defendants Sartor and Doughty stem from his detention in
Wise County. Sutherland complains that Sartor and Doughty denied him adequate medical care
while he was detained at the Wise County Jail, from May 17, 2018 through October 25, 2018,
and again from February 8, 2019 through August 13, 2019. Record summaries reveal that, during
these time periods, Sutherland was treated by several doctors and nurses, had back surgery,

physical therapy, was provided antibiotics and other medications, and he was taken to and treated
at the Wise County Regional Hospital and John Peter Smith (“JPS”) Hospital in Fort Worth.
As set forth in detail below, Sutherland has not met the applicable standards in the Fifth
Circuit to state claims against Sartor and Doughty for constitutionally inadequate medical care.
Accordingly, Defendants are entitled to summary judgment on their assertion of the defense of
qualified immunity.
B. Summary Judgment Standard
When the record establishes “that there is no genuine dispute as to any material fact and
the movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law,” summary judgment is appropriate. Fed. R.
Civ. P. 56(a). “[A dispute] is ‘genuine’ if it is real and substantial, as opposed to merely formal,

pretended, or a sham.” Bazan v. Hidalgo Cnty., 246 F.3d 481, 489 (5th Cir. 2001) (citation
omitted). A fact is “material” if it “might affect the outcome of the suit under governing law.”
Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 248 (1986).
To demonstrate that a particular fact cannot be genuinely in dispute, a defendant movant
must (a) cite to particular parts of materials in the record (e.g., affidavits, depositions, etc.), or (b)
show either that (1) the plaintiff cannot produce admissible evidence to support that particular

19
fact, or (2) if the plaintiff has cited any materials in response, show that those materials do not
establish the presence of a genuine dispute as to that fact. Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(c)(1). Although the
Court is required to consider only the cited materials, it may consider other materials in the
record. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(c)(3). Nevertheless, Rule 56 “does not impose on the district court
a duty to sift through the record in search of evidence to support a party's opposition to summary

judgment. . ..” Skotak v. Tenneco Resins, Inc., 953 F.2d 909, 915 & n.7 (5th Cir. 1992). Instead,
parties should “identify specific evidence in the record, and . . . articulate the ‘precise manner’ in
which that evidence support[s] their claim.” Forsyth v. Barr, 19 F.3d 1527, 1537 (5th Cir. 1994)
(citing Topalian v. Ehrman, 954 F.2d 1125, 1131 (5th Cir. 1992) (other citation omitted)). In
evaluating whether summary judgment is appropriate, the Court “views the evidence in the light
most favorable to the nonmovant, drawing all reasonable inferences in the nonmovant’s favor.”
Sanders-Burns v. City of Plano, 594 F.3d 366, 380 (5th Cir. 2010) (citation omitted) (internal
quotation marks omitted). “After the non-movant [here, Sutherland] has been given the
opportunity to raise a genuine factual [dispute], if no reasonable juror could find for the non-
movant, summary judgment will be granted.” Byers v. Dallas Morning News, Inc., 209 F.3d 419,

424 (5th Cir. 2000) (citing Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 322 (1986)).
C. Application of Qualified Immunity
“A qualified immunity defense alters the usual summary judgment burden of proof. Once
an official pleads the defense, the burden then shifts to the plaintiff, who must rebut the defense
by establishing a genuine fact issue as to whether the official’s allegedly wrongful conduct
violated clearly established law.” Brown v. Callahan, 623 F.3d 249, 253 (5th Cir. 2010) (citing

20
Michalik v. Hermann, 422 F.3d 252, 262 (5th Cir. 2005)). In order to “negate a defense of
qualified immunity and avoid summary judgment, the plaintiff need not present ‘absolute proof,’
but mut offer more than mere allegations.’” Ontiveros v. City of Rosenberg, Tex., 564 F.3d 379,
(5th Cir. 2009) (quoting Reese v. Anderson, 926 F.2d 494, 499 (5th Cir. 1991)). Qualified
immunity protects government officials who perform discretionary functions from liability if

their conduct does not violate clearly established statutory or constitutional rights of which a
reasonable official would have known. Glenn v. City of Tyler, 242 F.3d 307, 312 (5th Cir. 2001).
The traditional approach to qualified immunity involves the two-prong analysis: (1)
whether an official’s conduct violated a constitutional right of the plaintiff, and (2) whether the
right was clearly established at the time of the violation. Mullinex v. Luna, 577 U.S. 7, 11 (2015)
(per curium); Manis v. Lawson, 585 F.3d 839, 843 (5th Cir. 2009). Thus, when a defendant
asserts that he is entitled to qualified immunity, “a court has two options: It can decide that the
plaintiff’s constitutional claims lack merit, or it can decide that the defendant’s conduct did not
violate clearly established law. Which path to take is committed to [the court’s] ‘sound
discretion.’” Smith v. Heap, No. 21-20329, 2022 WL 1117711, at *3 (5th Cir. April 14, 2022)

(citing Pearson v. Callahan, 555 U.S. 223, 236 (2009) (“We choose to address the merits, and
there are none. Smith has not pleaded a constitutional violation – not even close.”). Similarly, in
this case, the Court can and does resolve that Sutherland has failed to state plausible claims of
constitutional violations against Sartor and Doughty.
D. Sutherland’s Claims against Sartor and Doughty
The court summarizes Sutherland’s claims against defendants Sartor and Doughty in the

21
same manner listed by the Defendants:
1. Sartor and Doughty told him his records had been “sent for” after his arrival in
the Jail. Am. Compl. 7, ECF No. 15.

2. Sartor claimed she could not find Dr. Amby [and thus presumably obtain his
records]. Id. at 8.

3. Two days after failure to treat by [Nurses] Fleming and Sartor, Suthreland lost
feeling in his legs because of compressed nerves [in his back]. He fell injuring his
head and hand. He admits, however, that he was transported to hospitals in Wise
County and then John Peter Smith Hospital (“JPS”). Id. at 4, 9.

4. Sutherland complains about JPS, but admits he received back surgery there. Id.
at 9. He gives no time frames for these allegations.

5. When Sutherland was sent back to Wise County Jail, he claims he had to
change his own bandages and had to lay in blood and fluids (no time period
specified). He alleges he developed an infection. Id. at 9 (no dates given).

6. Sutherland claims he was transferred to Tarrant County Jail on or about
October 29, 2019 [sic].5 He admits that the Wise County Jail doctor, Dr. Tibbels,
referred him to a shoulder specialist. Id. at 10.

7. After complaining about treatment at “Lon Evans” [sic], Sutherland recites that
these Defendants routinely displayed his medical information in the main hallway
of the Jail. Id. at 13.

8. Sutherland states that Defendant Sartor erroneously claimed his medical
records did not accompany him from JPS and Tarrant County. Id. at 19.

9. Sutherland describes the fall for which he was transported to an emergency
room on May 7, 2019, and also concedes he was seen by the Jail doctor after the
fall. Id. at 12-22. There is no claim that Sartor or Doughty’s deliberate
indifference caused the fall—if there was a fall.

5Sutherland was transferred to the Tarrant County Jail in Fort Worth on a Tarrant
County bench warrant on October 18, 2018 through February 8, 2019. Summ. J Brief 12
n.5, ECF No. 82.
22
10. Sutherland also admits he was again seen by “JPS ortho” on June 3, 2019. Id.
at 22. He was released approximately two months later.

E. Summary Judgment Evidence
In support of their Motion for Summary Judgment, Defendants attach the following
summary judgment evidence in an Appendix (“App”):
Exhibit 1: November 8, 2021 Affidavit of Kaci Sartor, App. 4-5, ECF No. 83;
Exhibit 2: Federal Rule of Evidence 1006 Summary of Medical Treatment, App. 6-8,
ECF No. 83; and

Exhibit 3: December 2, 2021 Affidavit of Monica Doughty. App. 9-10, ECF No. 83.

Sutherland did not timely file any response to the motion for summary judgment or
present any evidence to contest Defendants’ summary judgment motion.
1. Facts Stated in Defendants’ Affidavits and Records Summary
Sutherland was booked into Wise County Jail on a parole violation on May 17, 2018 and
was released on August 13, 2019. App. (Record Summary) 6-8, ECF No. 83. Prior to his arrest,
he was injured in a car accident so the Jail obtained his medical records from Baylor Scott &
White (“BSW”). App. (Record Entry May 22, 2018), 6, ECF No. 83. BSW’s records indicate the
accident occurred on or about April 8, 2018. During his book-in, Sutherland said he had some
medical issues because he “fell down stairs.” Id. (Record entry for May 17, 2018).
Records show that Sutherland received frequent medical attention after he was jailed.
Defendants summarized the voluminous records in an attachment to the Sartor Affidavit pursuant

23
to Federal Rule of Evidence 1006.6 App. (Record Summary) 6-8, ECF No. 83.
Within days of his arrival at the Wise County Jail, Sutherland received treatment for pain,
blood pressure, and was given medications. App. (Record entry June 21, 2018), ECF No. 83.
Some of the medicine had been previously prescribed and was in his possession at the time of
arrest. Id. (Record entries for May 28, 2018 and June 21, 2018) (medications Lisinopril,

Amlodipine, Besylate, Gemfibrozil).
On June 21, 2018, Sutherland saw Nurse Practitioner Suzann Fleming for the first time.
She prescribed pain and other medications. Id. (Record entry for June 21, 2018). Thereafter,
Sutherland saw the Nurse Practitioner approximately nine times. Id. (Record entries for July 3,
July 6, July 17, August 9, August 14, August 30, October 2, 2018 and February 8 and May 9,
2019).
On June 24, 2018, the Jail had Sutherland transported to John Peter Smith (“JPS”)
Hospital in Fort Worth for surgery on his back. Id. (Record entries for June 24-29, 2018). This
was a pre-existing problem probably resulting from an earlier car wreck, which he had
complained about when booked into the Jail. The Jail dedicated personnel to the matter from

June 24 through June 29 since he was a prisoner. Id.
After his back surgery, Sutherland was sent to the local hospital for lipid tests. Id.
(Record entry for July 12, 2018). In the meantime, the records show that he was also seen by a
doctor on July 6, July 27, and July 30, 2018. Id. (Record entries for these dates).

6 Defendants inform the Court that Sutherland’s medical records were previously copied and made
available to him in 2021 in response to his open records request. Summ. J. Brief 13, ECF No. 82.

24
In August 2018, after Sutherland complained of back pain, new medications were
prescribed and LVN Doughty was also involved in administering those to him. Id. (Record entry
for August 9, 2018). On August 30, Defendant Sartor, also an LVN, saw Sutherland and
dispensed nerve medicine per instructions. Id. (Record entry for this date).
In April 2019, Sutherland complained of left shoulder and hand pain and was again sent

to JPS where he was seen by an orthopedic doctor and a hand specialist. Id. (Record entry for
April 5, 2019). Other JPS records indicate Sutherland asked for more surgery—this time on his
shoulder. No decision was made by the doctors in Fort Worth. Id.
In May 2019, Sutherland reported that he fell in his jail cell, and he was taken to the Wise
County Regional Medical Center, where he was treated and discharged. Id. (Record entry for
May 8, 2019).
In June and July 2019, Wise County officials arranged to have Sutherland see Dr. Tibbels
and Dr. Cameron Hogsett at JPS for his shoulder. Neither doctor ordered surgery at that time, but
Dr. Hogsett indicated a plan for shoulder surgery would be put in place. Id. (Record entries for
June 6, 7, and July 25, 2019). Appointments were scheduled for August 15 and September 9,

2019. Id. (Record entry for July 25, 2019).
On August 13, 2019, Sutherland was released from Wise County custody. Id. (Record
entry for this date).
F. Summary Judgment Analysis
1. Law Applicable to Sutherland’s Claims of Inadequate Medical Care
As a reminder, 42 U.S.C. § 1983 provides a remedy for the deprivation of “rights,

25
privileges, or immunities secured by the Constitution and laws” of the United States. 42 U.S.C. §
1983. In order to recover under § 1983, a plaintiff must demonstrate (1) a violation of the
Constitution or federal law committed by a person acting under color of state law, and (2) that
the violation was committed by a person acting under color of state law. See Hawkins v.
Montague Cnty., No. 7:10-cv-19-O, 2010 WL 4514641, at *5 (N.D. Tex. Nov. 1, 2010) (citing

Atteberry v. Nocona Gen. Hosp., 430 F.3d 245, 252–53 (5th Cir. 2005)).
As noted in the review of Sutherland’s denial of medical care claims against Dr. Shaw, as
an alleged pretrial detainee7at the time of the events made the basis of this case, Sutherland’s
rights flow from the procedural and substantive guarantees of the Fourteenth Amendment.
Olabisiomotosho, 185 F.3d at 525-26. The Fourteenth Amendment also requires the state to
provide for the basic human needs of pretrial detainees, including the right to adequate medical
care. Lacy, 357 F. App’x at 609. “The Fourteenth Amendment guarantees pretrial detainees a
right ‘not to have their serious medical needs met with deliberate indifference on the part of the
confining officials.’” Dyer, 964 F.3d at 380. In order to establish a violation of this constitutional
right, a detainee must show that a defendant acted with deliberate indifference to his serious

medical needs. Lacy, 357 F. App’x at 609. To state a plausible claim of deliberate indifference, a

7 As noted above, Sutherland asserts he was a pre-trial detainee for the events made the basis of
this suit. Defendants recite that at the time of the events of this suit, Sutherland may have been a detained
parolee. Summ. J. Brief 15, ECF No. 82. To the extent he was a detained parolee, the Fifth Circuit has
held that both the 14th and 8th Amendments’ standards apply. Ard v. Rushing,597 Fed. App’x 213 (5th
Cir. 2014) (citing Hamilton v. Lyons, 74 F.3d 99, 106 (5th Cir. 1996)). In any event, the analysis under
the Fourteenth and Eighth Amendments is the same in this case. See id. (explaining that claims for failure
to protect are analyzed under the deliberate indifference standard under both the Eighth and Fourteenth
Amendments). See also Gibbs v. Grimmette, 254 F.3d 545, 548 (5th Cir. 2001) (“[T]here is no significant
distinction between pretrial detainees and convicted inmates concerning basic human needs such as
medical care.”)
26
plaintiff must demonstrate that the defendant has actual subjective knowledge of a substantial
risk of serious harm but responds with deliberate indifference to that risk. Id. (citing Hare, 74
F.3d at 647-48).
“Deliberate indifference is an extremely high standard to meet.” Sanchez v. Young Cnty.,
866 F.3d 274, 280 (5th Cir. 2017) (citing Stewart v. Murphy, 174 F.3d 530, 534 (5th Cir. 1999)).

It requires “a degree of culpability beyond mere negligence or even gross negligence; it must
amount to an intentional choice, not merely negligent oversight.” James v. Harris Cnty, 577 F.3d
612, 617 (5th Cir. 2009) (internal quotations omitted). Indeed, “[a]n official with subjective
knowledge of a risk may still be free from liability if he or she ‘responded reasonably to the risk,
even if the harm ultimately was not averted.’”Perniciaro v. Lea, 901 F.3d 241, 257 (5th Cir.
2018) (citing Farmer, 511 U.S. at 844). To prevail on a claim of inadequate medical care, a
plaintiff “must show that the official ‘refused to treat him, ignored his complaints, intentionally
treated him incorrectly, or engaged in similar conduct that would clearly evince a wanton
disregard for any serious medical needs.’” Mason v. Lafayette City-Parish Consol. Gov’t, 806
F.3d 268, 279 (5th Cir. 2015) (citations omitted). In addition, unsuccessful medical treatment,

medical malpractice, or disagreement with medical treatment “do not constitute deliberate
indifference.” Gobert v. Caldwell, 463 F.3d 339, 346 (5th Cir. 2006).
2. Review of Sutherland Claims under Applicable Law
Review of the summary judgment evidence demonstrates that there was no constitutional
violation by Sartor or Doughty. At no time was Sartor or Doughty deliberately indifferent to an
excessive risk of harm to Sutherland. There is no evidence showing a genuine dispute of fact as

27
to whether Defendants: (1) were subjectively aware of a substantial or excessive risk of harm to
Plaintiff; (2) acted with deliberate indifference to that substantial or excessive risk; or (3) caused
a violation of Plaintiff’s constitutional rights. See Estate of Henson v. Wichita Cnty., 795 F.3d
456, 464 (5th Cir. 2015). Even as the Court examines the evidence in a light most favorable to
Sutherland, no other conclusion is possible other than that Sutherland has failed to allege viable

constitutional violations.
The records summary chart provided in Defendants’ appendix demonstrates that
Sutherland was seen and treated by multiple medical professionals at Wise County Jail, including
Defendants Sartor and Doughty, shortly after he was arrested. At intake, he complained of
injuries from falling down stairs and pain in his back, shoulder, and hand. App. 6 (Record entry
for May 22, 2018). Sutherland also reported having been involved in a prior car accident. Id.
(Record entry for June 21, 2018). As a result of this information, a jail nurse ordered copies of
Sutherland’s prior medical records. Id. When those records were received, Plaintiff was
examined, treated, and prescribed medications. Id. (Record entry for June 24-29, 2018).
Sutherland was also transported to JPS in June 2018, where he had back surgery, and he

was taken to the hospital for lipid tests after his surgery. Id. (Record entries for June 24-28, and
July 12, 2018). Sutherland was returned to JPS in April 2019 after complaining of shoulder and
hand pain, and he was taken to the Wise County Regional Medical Center in May 2019, after
claiming he fell in his jail cell. Id. (Record entries for April 5 and May 8, 2019). In addition to
these occasions when Sutherland was treated at local hospitals, he was seen, evaluated, and
treated by Jail medical staff at least fifteen (15) different times over approximately twelve (12)

28
months, which included prescribing him medications on numerous occasions. Id. at 3-5 (various
Record entries described as either “Record of Inmate Doctor Visit,” “Nursing Clinic Note,” or
“Inmate Prescriptions form.”).
Review of this summary record evidence refutes Sutherland’s claims. Defendants Sartor
and Doughty never denied Sutherland adequate medical care or otherwise violated his

constitutional rights. Neither Defendant was deliberately indifferent to any risk of harm. See
App. at 2 (Sartor Affidavit ¶¶ 6-7); and at 6-7 (Doughy Affidavit ¶¶ 5-7), ECF No. 83. While
Sutherland was in Wise County custody, neither Defendants Sartor or Doughty “refused to treat
him, ignored his complaints, intentionally treated him incorrectly, or engaged in similar conduct
that would clearly evince a wanton disregard for any serious medical needs.” See Mason, 806
F.3d at 279. Sutherland’s allegations fall far short of the required “extremely high standard” for
deliberate indifference Id. Accordingly, Defendants are entitled to summary judgment, and
Plaintiff’s claims against them should be dismissed with prejudice.
3. Review of Sutherland’s Particular Allegations

Defendants have shown that Sutherland’s particular claims fail to raise any genuine
disputes of material fact.
a. Complaint about Bandages and Bed Conditions.
Sutherland alleges that he was exposed to bad bed conditions and forced to change his
own bandages after his back surgery at JPS. Am. Compl. 9, ECF No. 15. Sutherland’s
allegations, however, are vague, generalized allegations with no specific time period referenced.

This alone dooms the claim because only substantial incidents involving deliberate indifference
29
are actionable. See Johnson, 759 F.2d at 1238 (a showing of deliberate indifference “must rest on
facts clearly evincing ‘wanton’ actions on the parts of the defendants.”). Similarly, although
Sutherland’s claims Defendants “ignored” the situation, there is no claim by Sutherland as to
when this occurred or for how long. Based on Fifth Circuit law, in order to have been
deliberately indifferent, Defendants would have had to know of a substantial risk of serious harm

and “ignore” the situation for an extended period that resulted in substantial harm. See Mendoza,
989 F.2d at 195 (delays in providing medical care are not actionable unless it results in
substantial harm). In sum, Sutherland’s allegations are too vague and sparse to support any claim
against either Defendant. Rather, these allegations are refuted by the evidence. See App. (Sartor
Affidavit) 4-5; 6-8 (Several Record entries for July 2018); (Doughty Affidavit) 9-10, ECF No.
83.
b. Complaint about medical records.
At page 16 of the amended complaint, Sutherland claims that Defendant Sartor lied about
her knowledge of receipt of medical records from JPS. Am. Compl. 16, ECF No. 15. This
exchange appears to have happened after February 8, 2019, when Sutherland was returned to the

Wise County Jail. But there is no indication this caused any damage to Sutherland. See Mendoza,
989 F.2d at 195 (substantial harm required).
In fact, Wise County Jail’s records indicate medications were ordered on February 8,
2019. App. (Record entry for that date), ECF No. 83. Also, Sutherland again saw his JPS doctor
on April 5, and those records were ordered and received. Id. (Record entries for February 8 and
April 5, 2019). Open records were forwarded from Wise County Health System on May 8, 2019.

30
Id. (Record entry for this date). Thus, the claim has no merit and should be dismissed.
c. Claims Relating to Failure to Treat.
Sutherland asserts that Sartor failed to treat him in October 2018 and implies that Sartor
and/or Doughty were responsible for other such failures. See e.g., Am. Compl. 21, ECF No. 15
(claim regarding lack of handicap facilities). But under Texas law, both of these Defendants were

licensed vocational nurses whose work was performed under the supervision of a registered
nurse, physician, or physician’s assistant at the Jail. See generally Tex. Occ. Code § 301.353.
Thus, it was beyond the responsibility of these LVN’s to prescribe medicine, and/or install
disability equipment. Sutherland’s suggestion the Defendants had such an obligation is not
supported by the facts or applicable law.
Sutherland also asserts that, at some completely unspecified time, he was seen by the
Nurse Practitioner (Fleming) and Defendant Sartor and told them he could not feel his legs and
that walking was difficult. Am. Compl. 7, ECF No. 13.

[Fleming] simulated a neuro exam. When Sutherland displayed no reflexes, she
became agitated and grabbed his foot and made a knee jerk. She also said
Sutherland walked to the appt. [sic] so he must be okay and should be able to
heel/toe walk . . . . It is well documented that even before the accident,8
Sutherland had little to no knee jerk on left and nothing below ankle.

Id. at 7-8. But as established above, Sartor would have only taken any action in response to this
complaint if directed by the Nurse Practitioner who was also present. Thus, this claim does not
state any violation by Sartor.
The records provided by Defendants Sartor and Doughty show that Sutherland came into

8The accident referred to is presumably a car accident just before his arrest.
31
the Wise County Jail with preexisting injuries, some of which he had already received
compensation for via Social Security. Others, such as his back issue, were addressed by medical
providers. Doughty or Sartor acted only as vocational nurses, and they have shown that neither
of them had any substantial role in Sutherland’s care and treatment.
For all of the foregoing reasons, Defendants Sartor and Doughty are entitled to summary

judgment that all Sutherland’s claims against them fail to state viable claims of a violation of a
constitutional right, such that each of them are entitled to qualified immunity.
IV. CONCLUSION and ORDER
It is therefore ORDERED that Defendant Officer Gay’s motion to dismiss under Federal
Rule of Civil Procedure 12(b)(6) (ECF No. 69) is GRANTED, such that all Sutherland’s
remaining claims against Officer Gay are DISMISSED WITH PREJUDICE.9

It is further ORDERED that Defendant Dr. Shaw’s motion to dismiss under Federal Rule
of Civil Procedure 12(b)(6) (ECF No. 72) is GRANTED, such that all Sutherland’s remaining
claims against Dr. Shaw are DISMISSED WITH PREJUDICE.
It is further ORDERED that the motion for summary judgment of Defendants Kaci
Sartor and Monica Doughty (ECF No. 81) is GRANTED, such that all Sutherland’s remaining
claims against Kaci Sartor and Moncia Doughty are DISMISSED with prejudice.
SO ORDERED this 4th day of May, 2022.

9Officer Gay also moves the Court to declare that Sutherland is a vexatious litigant subject to a
sanction bar related to any future lawsuits. Gay Mot. Dism, 20-23, ECF No. 69. The Court will hold
consideration of this request until the issuance of any final order resolving all claims in this case.
32

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/cases/10451456. Public record. Not legal advice.