party charged with constitutional deprivation must be a 21 governmental actor because “§ 1983 excludes from its reach merely private conduct, no matter 22 how discriminatory or wrong”
How later courts described this case
- party charged with constitutional deprivation must be a 21 governmental actor because “§ 1983 excludes from its reach merely private conduct, no matter 22 how discriminatory or wrong”
Written by the judges who cited it.
The opinion
1
2
3
4
5 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
6 EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA
7
8 JAIME CESAR GONZALES, Case No. 1:23-cv-01506-BAM (PC)
9 Plaintiff, ORDER DIRECTING CLERK OF COURT TO
RANDOMLY ASSIGN DISTRICT JUDGE TO
10 v. ACTION
11 AKHAVAN, et al., FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
REGARDING DISMISSAL OF CERTAIN
12 Defendants. CLAIMS AND DEFENDANTS
13
ECF No. 18
14
FOURTEEN (14) DEADLINE
15
16
17
Plaintiff Jaime Cesar Gonzalez (“Plaintiff”) is a state prisoner proceeding pro se and in
18
forma pauperis in this civil rights action under 42 U.S.C. § 1983. The Court screened Plaintiff’s
19
complaint and he was granted leave to amend. Plaintiff’s first amended complaint is currently
20
before this Court for screening.1 (ECF No. 18.)
21
I. Screening Requirement and Standard
22
The Court is required to screen complaints brought by prisoners seeking relief against a
23
governmental entity and/or against an officer or employee of a governmental entity. 28 U.S.C.
24
§ 1915A(a). Plaintiff’s complaint, or any portion thereof, is subject to dismissal if it is frivolous
25
26
27 1 After filing the first amended complaint, Plaintiff filed an untitled document which appears to
relate this case to other cases: 23-1505-SAB; 23-1505-SAB 23-1359-GSA, and possibly 2:23-
28 8961 (possibly pending in the Central District of California).
1 or malicious, if it fails to state a claim upon which relief may be granted, or if it seeks monetary
2 relief from a defendant who is immune from such relief. 28 U.S.C. §§ 1915A(b).
3 A complaint must contain “a short and plain statement of the claim showing that the
4 pleader is entitled to relief . . . .” Fed. R. Civ. P. 8(a)(2). Detailed factual allegations are not
5 required, but “[t]hreadbare recitals of the elements of a cause of action, supported by mere
6 conclusory statements, do not suffice.” Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662, 678 (2009) (citing Bell
7 Atlantic Corp. v. Twombly, 550 U.S. 544, 555 (2007)). While a plaintiff’s allegations are taken as
8 true, courts “are not required to indulge unwarranted inferences.” Doe I v. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.,
9 572 F.3d 677, 681 (9th Cir. 2009) (internal quotation marks and citation omitted).
10 To survive screening, Plaintiff’s claims must be facially plausible, which requires
11 sufficient factual detail to allow the Court to reasonably infer that each named defendant is liable
12 for the misconduct alleged. Iqbal, 556 U.S. at 678 (quotation marks omitted); Moss v. U.S. Secret
13 Serv., 572 F.3d 962, 969 (9th Cir. 2009). The sheer possibility that a defendant acted unlawfully
is not sufficient, and mere consistency with liability falls short of satisfying the plausibility
14
standard. Iqbal, 556 U.S. at 678 (quotation marks omitted); Moss, 572 F.3d at 969.
15
II. Plaintiff’s Allegations
16
Plaintiff is currently housed at California State Prison at Lancaster. Plaintiff alleges the
17
events in the complaint occurred at Advantist2 Hospital in Bakersfield, California, at California
18
City Correctional facility (“CAC”) and at Ironwood State Prison. Plaintiff names as defendants,
19
(1) Roberts Port,3 medical doctor at Advantist, (2) P. Pampino, medical doctor, (3) Jane Doe, “Lt.
20
in charge of I/p’s floor at Advantist,” (4) Martinez, correctional officer, (5) E. Jackson,
21
correctional officer at California City, (6) R. Ruiz, sergeant at California City, (7) J. Huff,
22
correctional officer at California City, (8) C. Jhonson (as spelled by Plaintiff), correctional officer
23
at California City, (9) Judith Ruiz, registered nurse at California City, (10) Penida, registered
24
nurse at California City, (11) S. Callega, registered nurse at Ironwood State Prison, (12) H. Bond,
25
registered nurse at Ironwood State Prison, (13) J. McLaughlin, registered nurse at Ironwood State
26
27
2 Plaintiff spells the name of the hospital as “Advantist.”
28 3 Plaintiff identities this defendant at “Port, Roberts.”
1 Prison, (14) C. Jarell, medical doctor at Ironwood State Prison, (15) Pan, medical doctor at
2 Ironwood State Prison, (16) John Doe,4 watch commander at Ironwood State Prison, (17)
3 “Wardens, LTs, Sgts, C/Os, RNs, et al.”
4 In claim 1, Plaintiff alleges an Eighth Amendment right and medical negligence. After
5 being denied and neglected essential medical care to his fracture spine at Advantist, Plaintiff was
6 sent back to CAC where his medical needs got worse and ignored 48 hours later, Plaintiff was
7 finally seen and to Bakersfield Advantist on 4/27/23. Plaintiff spoke and explained to several
8 RNs and MDs that Plaintiff was assaulted by c/os at CAC facility 1. Plaintiff spoke with
9 Akhavan, Port, PamPano on being assaulted by c/os and complications from excessive force.
10 They chose to neglect and not report staff misconduct or document visual injuries. Discharge
11 physician ignored and refused any request to be provided a wheelchair. Once Plaintiff realized
12 CAC medical neglected to provided one on purpose, Plaintiff asked Lt Jane Doe in charge of i/ps
13 at Advantist if she could provide Plaintiff a wheelchair for discharge. She said that “if MDs
wanted you to have one they would have provided you w/one.” Lt Jane Doe said to correctional
14
officer Martinez and correction officer John Doe “that if I was so concerned for the wheel chair I
15
should’ve thought about that before battering staff.” Lt. Jane Doe further said to correctional
16
officer Martinez “to make sure he gets on this van cause I’m not having you guys stay another 4
17
hrs for a wheelchair to be brought back from CAC.” Correctional officer Martinez and John Doe
18
forced Plaintiff up the ADA van steps. This ADA van was reordered especially for Plaintiff. The
19
first van was not wheelchair equipped and we waited for 4 hours for this van and Plaintiff was
20
forced and intimidated up the steps in pain and agony after major back surgery with no wheel
21
chair as punishment for battering staff. Plaintiff was transported to Ironwood State Prison with no
22
wheelchair and Plaintiff was made to balance himself upright for the duration back to CAC 4-6
23
hours swaying in pain and agony with each turn. Correctional officer Martinez said he felt wrong
24
but he was only following orders and did not what else to do.
25
In claim 2, Plaintiff alleges violation of Eighth Amendment for “covering up staff
26
27
4 Plaintiff spells this defendant as “Jhon Doe”, but the court will assume he refers to John Doe
28 and will use this spelling.
1 misconduct.” After suffering a back fracture from the use of excessive force from correctional
2 officers at CAC, a Lt and Sgt (John Doe) came to Advantist and lied and fabricated the day of the
3 interview “by over a week” to cover up visual marks and abuse. Plaintiff alleges that Lt. Jane Doe
4 as well as MDs Port, Pampiano, Quiroz, Akhavan and MD Tiggs at CAC facility could have
5 provided Plaintiff with wheelchair for transportation but they chose to stick together against
6 Plaintiff and turn a blind eye to punish Plaintiff to have to endure a 5-6 hour ride back in a van
7 with no wheelchair after having back surgery. Plaintiff had to balance himself from sliding off
8 the seal and with every bump and turn on the road and was painful.
9 In a claim 1,5 Plaintiff alleges excessive force in violation of the Eighth Amendment.6 On
10 4-25-23 at CAC, Plaintiff was called to medical. Plaintiff tried to refuse treatment but was denied
11 his right to refuse treatment and forced to stay by Sgt. Ruiz. Then, RN Ruiz administered Narcain
12 knowing that Plaintiff was not on drugs and it began giving Plaintiff a bad reaction which was
13 made worse when sedatives were administered against his will. He had instant withdrawals and
was not able to stay still. Plaintiff was in full restraints and in waist chains and leg restraints
14
laying down on a gurney. C/o Fiorella [illegible] and other correctional officer were there. They
15
became annoyed Plaintiff could not remain still. Correctional officer Fiarella, Jhonson, Shiff
16
[illegible], Jackson began restraining Plaintiff when Fiarella snatched Plaintiff off the gurney and
17
slammed Plaintiff on the floor violently like a UFC cage match, and began striking Plaintiff on
18
19
5 The Court adopts the Plaintiff’s numbering of the claims.
20
6 This claim appears to be the subject of case no. 23-cv-1501 SAB and case no. 23-cv-1359 GSA.
21 “Dismissal of the duplicative lawsuit, more so than the issuance of a stay or the enjoinment of
proceedings, promotes judicial economy and the comprehensive disposition of litigation.” Adams
22
v. Cal. Dep't of Health Servs., 487 F.3d 684, 688, 692–94 (9th Cir. 2007), overruled on other
23 grounds by Taylor v. Sturgell, 553 U.S. 880, 904 (2008). “Thus, in assessing whether the second
action is duplicative of the first, we examine whether the causes of action and relief sought, as
24 well as the parties or privies to the action, are the same.” Adams, 487 F.3d at 689 (citations
omitted). “Plaintiffs generally have no right to maintain two separate actions involving the same
25
subject matter at the same time in the same court and against the same defendant.” Id. at 688
(internal quotations and citations omitted). In case no. 23-cv-1359 GSA, Plaintiff alleges
26
excessive for an incident on 4/25/23 by correctional officer Fiorella and “other officers” for
27 snatching him off a gurney and slamming him on the floor injuring his spine. (case no. 23-cv-
1359 GSA, Doc. 1.) This claim is duplicative of a claim pending in case no. 23-cv-1359 GSA,
28 and the Court declines to screen it..
1 the side of his head, flipped him over in a choke hold while yelling for Plaintiff to stop resisting.
2 Correctional officer Jhonson, Huff, Jackson participated in the excessive force. Plaintiff left them
3 than one knee on his legs, back, neck. All these correctional officers participated and falsely
4 accused Plaintiff of battery while in full restraints. RN Ruiz, RN Penid, RN Nuul [illegible] all
5 allowed staff misconduct to go unreported MDs and RNs all failed to inform Advantist of
6 possible injuries sustained from correctional officer so that Plaintiff would intentionally not
7 receive proper medical care. MD J. Doe avoided tending to Plaintiff obvious injuries and failed
8 to hospital check his injuries and prevent Plaintiff from receiving further treatment.
9 In claim II, Plaintiff alleges as follows.7 After the correctional officers fractures
10 Plaintiff’s spine and battered Plaintiff on 4-25-23, Plaintiff was sent to Advantist Hospital and
11 treated with total disregard and deliberate indifference. Dr. Kee, Joon refused to further evaluate
12 Plaintiff’s complaints of neck and back pain and ignored obvious signs of nerve damage.
13 Plaintiff had urinated on himself and had no control over bowel movements. Dr. Kee, Joon stated
all he was asked to do was CT scan of Plaintiff’s brain and would do no more for Plaintiff .
14
Kurczeski also chose to ignore the obvious signs and complaint of severe back and neck pain. Dr.
15
Huynh, Quan, Vu also refused to right evaluate the extent of Plaintiff’s injuries or take note or
16
report staff misconduct. Plaintiff spoke to RN Edwards about Plaintiff’s neck and back pain and
17
about being battered and his response was that you should not have assaulted the correctional
18
officers. Plaintiff was falsely accused of battering officers and none of the medical personnel
19
took note of Plaintiff’s injuries of staff misconduct. Plaintiff was send back to CAC with obvious
20
signs of nerve damage to the spin, possible fracture and no treatment was provided.
21
In claim II, Plaintiff alleges a violation if HIPPA rights, medical neglect and Eighth
22
Amendment violations (at Ironwood State Prison). On 5-14-23 at 7 pm, Plaintiff was purposely
23
left on the floor for over 2-3 hours after having major back surgery as a result of the excessive
24
25 7 This claim likewise is duplicative of one pending in another case in this District, case no. 23-cv-
1505 SAB. In the duplicative case, Plaintiff claims he was sent to Adventist Hospital for a
26
fractured spine after an excessive force incident. “Plaintiff told the nurses that he was in pain, his
27 back hurt, and he lost control of urine and they told him he should not have been assaultive to
officers. Nothing was done for Plaintiff.” (Case No. 23-cv-1505 SAB (Doc. 8).) As this claim is
28 duplicative of another case, the Court declines to screen this claim.
1 force on 4/25/23. RN Callega and RN Bond violation Plaintiff’s HIPPA right by allowing John
2 Doe to determine if Plaintiff was to receive treatment and would offer a shot of Toradol for pain.
3 Plaintiff was told that no staff of his would be allowed to come in to Plaintiff’s aid unless Plaintiff
4 decided to stop fucking around and get up and cuff up. John Doe could interfere with his medical
5 care by calling down there (offsite hospital) and make sure you don’t get shit for your pain.” MD
6 Jarell was notified and Plaintiff was supposed to go to the offsite hospital for care and check for
7 structural damage. But Plaintiff was never sent nor was the Torodal shot that was ordered
8 administered. Plaintiff was left in pain and agony and lost control of urine and bowel
9 movements. Plaintiff was suffering from the recent surgery and fall. Plaintiff asked for pain
10 medication and he told Plaintiff “no it’s not good for you because you are a drug addict.” RN
11 McLoughlin tried to come into the cell to help but RN Bond and Callega would not allow her and
12 told McLaughlin not to interfere and to go start paper work.
13 In claim 1, Plaintiff alleges that Eighth Amendment violation and Retaliation an right to
medical care. Plaintiff alleges that after having back surgery, Plaintiff was housed at Ironwood
14
State Prison CTC aftercare. On 5-14-23, Plaintiff accidently fell and could not get up. RN
15
Callega and RN Bond subjected Plaintiff to ridicule and neglect by leaving Plaintiff on the floor
16
for over 2-3 hours. RNs Callega and Bond told the correctional officer that Plaintiff was faking.
17
They began telling lies about Plaintiff that he is angry, aggressive and another drug addict. Sgt
18
Jane Doe introduced herself and said she was going to allow medical staff and correctional
19
officers into the cell to help plaintiff off the floor. But she was not allowed when watch
20
commander John Doe came on the scene and went along with RNs Bond and Callega. John Doe
21
told Plaintiff through the tray slot to get up and cuff up. Watch Commander John Doe came back
22
every 20-30 minutes or so and asked if Plaintiff was ready to get up and offered a shot of Torodal.
23
After 2 hours of this interaction, he began getting upset and yelling for Plaintiff to stop fucking
24
around and get up if Plaintiff wanted the shot for pain. Later, John Doe had a cell extraction team
25
of 5 correctional officer rush in with riot shields, cuff Plaintiff, dragged Plaintiff up and tossed
26
Plaintiff on the bed. Plaintiff was not checked nor sent out to the hospital for evaluation. RN
27
Bond grabbed the riot shield while plaintiff was on the ground and yelled “hold him down while I
28
1 practice on him,” and laughing.
2 As remedies, Plaintiff seeks compensatory and punitive damages. Plaintiff also asks that
3 the court to stop 60-80% of any funds coming to Plaintiff being taking as he is without funds.
4
III. Discussion
5
Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 8
6
Pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 8, a complaint must contain “a short and plain
7
statement of the claim showing that the pleader is entitled to relief.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 8(a). Detailed
8
factual allegations are not required, but “[t]hreadbare recitals of the elements of a cause of action,
9
supported by mere conclusory statements, do not suffice.” Iqbal, 556 U.S. at 678 (citation
10
omitted). Plaintiff must set forth “sufficient factual matter, accepted as true, to ‘state a claim to
11
relief that is plausible on its face.’ ” Iqbal, 556 U.S. at 678 (quoting Twombly, 550 U.S. at 570).
12
While factual allegations are accepted as true, legal conclusions are not. Id.; see also Twombly,
13
550 U.S. at 556–57; Moss, 572 F.3d at 969.
14
Here, Plaintiff's complaint is relatively short, but it is not a plain statement of his claims
15
showing that he is entitled to relief. Plaintiff’s allegations are conclusory and are not clear as to
16
what happened, when it happened, or who was involved. General assertions regarding the failure
17
of defendants to provide him with proper medical care are not sufficient. The allegations are
18
confusing as to who did what and who was involved at what point in time. In addition, several
19
claims are pending in other federal actions and are improperly duplicative.
20
Federal Rules of Civil Procedure 18 and 20
21
To the extent Plaintiff is attempting to join unrelated claims, he is informed that he may
22
not join unrelated claims. Plaintiff may not bring unrelated claims against unrelated parties in a
23
single action. Fed. R. Civ. P. 18(a), 20(a)(2); Owens v. Hinsley, 635 F.3d 950, 952 (7th Cir.
24
2011); George v. Smith, 507 F.3d 605, 607 (7th Cir. 2007); Mackey v. Price, 2020 WL 7319420,
25
at *3–4 (E.D. Cal. Dec. 11, 2020), report and recommendation adopted, 2021 WL 843462 (E.D.
26
Cal. Mar. 5, 2021). Plaintiff may bring a claim against multiple defendants so long as (1) the
27
claim arises out of the same transaction or occurrence, or series of transactions and occurrences,
28
1 and (2) there are commons questions of law or fact. Fed. R. Civ. P. 20(a)(2); Coughlin v. Rogers,
2 130 F.3d 1348, 1351 (9th Cir. 1997). The “same transaction” requirement refers to similarity in
3 the factual background of a claim. Id. at 1349. Only if the defendants are properly joined under
4 Rule 20(a) will the Court review the other claims to determine if they may be joined under Rule
5 18(a), which permits the joinder of multiple claims against the same party.
6 Plaintiff's first amended complaint joins claims which are unrelated. Plaintiff may not
7 bring claims for events arising at CAC and for events arising at Ironwood State Prison, against
8 different defendants, in the same action. Plaintiff is attempting to bring multiple claims that arose
9 from different and unrelated occurrences and different institutions. The claims are not related
10 merely because they concern the injury to his back. As Plaintiff is attempting to bring multiple
11 claims that arose from different and unrelated occurrences, his complaint violates Federal Rules
12 of Civil Procedure 18 and 20. The Court will not screen any claim arising from any Defendants’
13 conduct while at Ironwood State Prison. Further, claims arising from conduct from defendants at
14 Ironwood, is not properly venued in Eastern District of California.
15 State Actor
16 Plaintiff names medical personnel from Advantist Hospital.
17 The term “person[s]” in § 1983 encompasses state and local officials sued in their
18 individual capacities, private individuals, and entities which act under the color of state law—
19 including local governmental entities. See Sutton v. Providence St. Joseph Medical Center, 192
20 F.3d 826, 835 (9th Cir. 1999) (party charged with constitutional deprivation must be a
21 governmental actor because Ҥ 1983 excludes from its reach merely private conduct, no matter
22 how discriminatory or wrong”). “The traditional definition of acting under color of state law
23 requires that the defendant in a § 1983 action have exercised power possessed by virtue of state
24 law and made possible only because the wrongdoer is clothed with the authority of state law.”
25 West v. Atkins, 487 U.S. 42, 49 (1988).
26 Plaintiff cannot assert a § 1983 claim against the private individual Defendants Robert S.
27 Port, medical doctor, and Peter Paul Pampiano, medical doctor, or other medical personnel at
28 Advantist unless he can plausibly allege the defendant was acting under color of state law. The
1 Supreme Court and the Ninth Circuit have recognized at least four tests that facilitate
2 identification of state action. Namely, “(1) public function; (2) joint action; (3) governmental
3 compulsion or coercion; and (4) governmental nexus.” Rawson v. Recovery Innovations, 975 F.3d
4 742, 747 (2020) (quoting Kirtley v. Rainey, 326 F.3d 1088, 1092 (9th Cir. 2003)); see Pasadena
5 Republican Club v. W. Justice Ctr., 985 F.3d 1161, 1167 (9th Cir. 2021). Satisfaction of any of
6 the tests is enough to find state action, provided no “countervailing” factor defeats a finding of
7 state action. Pasadena Republican Club, 985 F.3d at 1167; Rawson, 975 F.3d at 747. Regardless
8 of the test, the question is simply always whether a defendant has exercised power possessed and
9 made possible because state law. Pasadena Republican Club, 985 F.3d at 1167.
10 Relevantly, physicians who contract with prisons to provide healthcare to inmates are state
11 actors. See, e.g., West, 487 U.S. at 51–54; George v. Sonoma Cty. Sheriff's Dep't, 732 F. Supp. 2d
12 922, 934 (N.D. Cal. 2010). However, private doctors, nurses, and hospitals who have not assumed
13 the State's obligation to provide medical care to inmates, are not state actors just because they
14 provide one-off medical treatment to an inmate. See, e.g., West, 487 U.S. at 51–54; Calloway v.
15 Youssee, No. 1:21-CV-01450 JLT BAM(PC), 2022 WL 1409838, at *7 (E.D. Cal. May 4, 2022),
16 report and recommendation adopted, No. 1:21-CV-01450 JLT BAM(PC), 2022 WL 2193458
17 (E.D. Cal. June 17, 2022), as clarified on denial of reconsideration, No. 1:21-CV-01450 JLT
18 BAM(PC), 2022 WL 2873090 (E.D. Cal. July 21, 2022); Felix v. Casey, No. 2:18-cv-3185-KJM-
19 AC-P, 2021 WL 2209828, at *2 (E.D. Cal. June 1, 2021); Probst v. Adams Cty. Sheriff's Dep't,
20 No. 1:20-cv-00032-DCN, 2021 WL 1554064, at *3 (D. Idaho Apr. 19, 2021).
21 Defendants employed at Advantist private hospital appear to have treated Plaintiff on an
22 emergency basis. The allegations are conclusory that any of these Defendants are state actors.
23 Plaintiff has been unable to cure this defect.
24 HIPAA claim
25 Plaintiff also asserts that his HIPAA confidentiality was violated. “HIPAA itself does not
26 provide for a private right of action.” Webb v. Smart Document Solutions, LLC, 499 F.3d 1078,
27 1082 (9th Cir. 2007). Accordingly, Plaintiff cannot state a claim against any defendant based on
28 an asserted violation of HIPAA.
1 False Accusations
2 Prisoners do not have a liberty interest in being free from false accusations of misconduct.
3 The filing of a false Rules Violation Report by a prison official against a prisoner is not a per se
4 violation of the prisoner's constitutional rights. See Muhammad v. Rubia, 2010 WL 1260425, at
5 *3 (N.D. Cal., Mar. 29, 2010), aff'd, 453 Fed. App'x 751 (9th Cir. 2011) (“[A] prisoner has no
6 constitutionally guaranteed immunity from being falsely or wrongly accused of conduct which
7 may result in the deprivation of a protected liberty interest. As long as a prisoner is afforded
8 procedural due process in the disciplinary hearing, allegations of a fabricated charge fail to state a
9 claim under § 1983.”) (citations omitted); Harper v. Costa, 2009 WL 1684599, at *2–3 (E.D.
10 Cal., June 16, 2009), aff'd, 393 Fed. App'x 488 (9th Cir. 2010) (“Although the Ninth Circuit has
11 not directly addressed this issue in a published opinion, district courts throughout California ...
12 have determined that a prisoner's allegation that prison officials issued a false disciplinary charge
13 against him fails to state a cognizable claim for relief under § 1983.”). Plaintiff fails to state a
14 claim for the purportedly false accusations. Further, to the extent Plaintiff claims any defendant
15 violated Plaintiff’s constitutional rights for not reporting staff misconduct, Plaintiff is informed he
16 does not have any such constitutional right.
17 Excessive Force
18 As stated above, Plaintiff’s claims of excessive force for being snatched off the gurney
19 and slammed to the floor are duplicative of another pending case. Plaintiff fails to state a
20 cognizable claim. He may pursue these claims in the currently pending case(s).
21 Deliberate Indifference to Medical Care
22 A prisoner’s claim of inadequate medical care constitutes cruel and unusual punishment in
23 violation of the Eighth Amendment where the mistreatment rises to the level of “deliberate
24 indifference to serious medical needs.” Jett v. Penner, 439 F.3d 1091, 1096 (9th Cir. 2006)
25 (quoting Estelle v. Gamble, 429 U.S. 97, 104 (1976)). The two-part test for deliberate
26 indifference requires Plaintiff to show (1) “a ‘serious medical need’ by demonstrating that failure
27 to treat a prisoner’s condition could result in further significant injury or the ‘unnecessary and
28 wanton infliction of pain,’” and (2) “the defendant’s response to the need was deliberately
1 indifferent.” Jett, 439 F.3d at 1096.
2 A defendant does not act in a deliberately indifferent manner unless the defendant “knows
3 of and disregards an excessive risk to inmate health or safety.” Farmer v. Brennan, 511 U.S. 825,
4 837 (1994). “Deliberate indifference is a high legal standard,” Simmons v. Navajo Cty. Ariz., 609
5 F.3d 1011, 1019 (9th Cir. 2010); Toguchi v. Chung, 391 F.3d 1051, 1060 (9th Cir. 2004), and is
6 shown where there was “a purposeful act or failure to respond to a prisoner’s pain or possible
7 medical need” and the indifference caused harm. Jett, 439 F.3d at 1096. In applying this
8 standard, the Ninth Circuit has held that before it can be said that a prisoner’s civil rights have
9 been abridged, “the indifference to his medical needs must be substantial. Mere ‘indifference,’
10 ‘negligence,’ or ‘medical malpractice’ will not support this cause of action.” Broughton v. Cutter
11 Labs., 622 F.2d 458, 460 (9th Cir. 1980) (citing Estelle, 429 U.S. at 105–06). Even gross
12 negligence is insufficient to establish deliberate indifference to serious medical needs. See Wood
13 v. Housewright, 900 F.2d 1332, 1334 (9th Cir. 1990).
14 At the pleading stage, Plaintiff has alleged facts that he was in serious medical need and
15 that the response by Lt. Jane Doe, correctional officer John Doe, and correctional officer Martinez
16 was deliberately different when they forced him into a van for a 5-6 hour trip after having back
17 surgery. Plaintiff alleges Lt Jane Doe said to correctional officer Martinez and correction officer
18 John Doe “that if I was so concerned for the wheel chair I should’ve thought about that before
19 battering staff.” Lt. Jane Doe further said to correctional officer Martinez “to make sure he gets
20 on this van cause I’m not having you guys stay another 4 hrs for a wheelchair to be brought back
21 from CAC.” Correctional officer Martinez and John Doe forced Plaintiff up the ADA van steps.
22 This ADA van was reordered especially for Plaintiff. The first van was not wheelchair equipped
23 and Plaintiff waited for 4 hours for this van and Plaintiff was forced and intimidated up the steps
24 in pain and agony after major back surgery with no wheel chair as punishment for battering staff.
25 Plaintiff was transported to Ironwood State Prison with no wheelchair and Plaintiff was made to
26 balance himself upright for the duration back to CAC 4-6 hours swaying in pain and agony with
27 each turn. Liberally construing the allegations, Plaintiff states a cognizable claim.
28 Plaintiff’s claims against other defendants for the transportation are conclusory, without
1 sufficient factual support, and do not state a claim.
2 State Law Claims
3 To the extend Plaintiff purports to bring a state law claim for negligence and/or medical
4 malpractice, he fails to state a claim. The California Government Claims Act requires that a tort
5 claim against a public entity or its employees be presented to the California Victim Compensation
6 and Government Claims Board no more than six months after the cause of action accrues. Cal.
7 Gov't Code §§ 905.2, 910, 911.2, 945.4, 950-950.2. Presentation of a written claim, and action on
8 or rejection of the claim are conditions precedent to suit. State v. Superior Court of Kings County
9 (Bodde), 32 Cal.4th 1234, 1239 (Cal. 2004); Shirk v. Vista Unified School District, 42 Cal.4th
10 201, 209 (2007). The Government Claims Act requires exhaustion of Plaintiff's state law tort
11 claims with the California Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board, and Plaintiff is
12 required to specifically allege compliance in the complaint. Shirk v. Vista Unified Sch. Dist., 42
13 Cal. 4th 201, 208–09 (Cal. 2007).
14 Plaintiff fails to state allegations that he complied with the Government Claims Act.
15 Doe Defendants
16 Plaintiff names several doe defendants. “As a general rule, the use of ‘John Doe’ to
17 identify a defendant is not favored.” Gillespie v. Civiletti, 629 F.2d 637, 642 (9th Cir. 1980).
18 Plaintiff is advised that John Doe or Jane Doe defendants (i.e., unknown defendants) cannot be
19 served by the United States Marshal until Plaintiff has identified them as actual individuals and
20 amended his complaint to substitute names for John Doe or Jane Doe.
21 Injunctive Relief
22 In addition to compensatory damages, Plaintiff asks that the Court stop 60-80% of any
23 funds coming to Plaintiff being taken as he is without funds. The Court construes these
24 allegations as requests for injunctive relief. “[P]laintiff must show that he has sustained or is
25 immediately in danger of sustaining some direct injury as the result of the challenged official
26 conduct and the injury or threat of injury must be both real and immediate, not conjectural or
27 hypothetical.” Jones v. City of Los Angeles, 444 F.3d 1118, 1126 (9th Cir. 2006) (internal
28 quotations and citations omitted). “The key issue is whether the plaintiff is ‘likely to suffer
1 future injury. Jones, 444 F.3d at 1126. Furthermore, any award of equitable relief is governed
2 by the Prison Litigation Reform Act, which provides in relevant part, “Prospective relief in any
3 civil action with respect to prison conditions shall extend no further than necessary to correct
4 the violation of the Federal right of a particular plaintiff or plaintiffs. The court shall not grant
5 or approve any prospective relief unless the court finds that such relief is narrowly drawn,
6 extends no further than necessary to correct the violation of the Federal right, and is the least
7 intrusive means necessary to correct the violation of the Federal right.” 18 U.S.C. §
8 3626(a)(1)(A).
9 IV. Conclusion and Recommendation
10 For the reasons stated, the Court finds that Plaintiff states a cognizable claim for deliberate
11 indifference to medical care against Defendants Lt. Jane Doe, correctional officer John Doe, and
12 correctional officer Martinez for forcing Plaintiff into the van transport following back surgery.
13 Plaintiff’s complaint fails to state any other cognizable claims against any other defendants.
14 Despite being provided with the relevant pleading and legal standards, Plaintiff has been unable
15 to cure the identified deficiencies and further leave to amend is not warranted. Lopez v. Smith,
16 203 F.3d 1122, 1130 (9th Cir. 2000).
17 Accordingly, the Court HEREBY ORDERS the Clerk of the Court to randomly assign a
18 district judge to this action.
19 Furthermore, it is HEREBY RECOMMENDED that:
20 1. This action proceed on Plaintiff’s first amended complaint, filed July 18, 2024, (ECF No.
21 18), for deliberate indifference to medical care against Defendants Lt. Jane Doe,
22 correctional officer John Doe, and correctional officer Martinez for forcing Plaintiff into
23 the van transport following back surgery, in violation of the Eighth Amendment; and
24 2. All other claims and defendants be dismissed based on Plaintiff’s failure to state claims
25 upon which relief may be granted.
26 * * *
27 These Findings and Recommendations will be submitted to the United States District
28 Judge assigned to the case, as required by 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(l). Within fourteen (14) days after
1 being served with these Findings and Recommendations, Plaintiff may file written objections
2 with the Court. The document should be captioned “Objections to Magistrate Judge’s Findings
3 and Recommendations.” Plaintiff is advised that the failure to file objections within the specified
4 time may result in the waiver of the “right to challenge the magistrate’s factual findings” on
5 appeal. Wilkerson v. Wheeler, 772 F.3d 834, 839 (9th Cir. 2014) (citing Baxter v. Sullivan, 923
6 F.2d 1391, 1394 (9th Cir. 1991)).
7
IT IS SO ORDERED.
8
9 Dated: August 15, 2024 /s/ Barbara A. McAuliffe _
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE
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