referring to 3 Fed. R. Civ. P. 8(e)(1)
How later courts described this case
- referring to 3 Fed. R. Civ. P. 8(e)(1)
Written by the judges who cited it.
The opinion
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8 IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
9 FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA
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11 ZAYA S. REED, No. 2:23-CV-1574-TLN-DMC-P
12 Plaintiff,
13 v. FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
14 SOLANO COUNTY JUSTICE CENTER,
et al.,
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Defendants.
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18 Plaintiff, a prisoner proceeding pro se, brings this civil rights action pursuant to
19 42 U.S.C. § 1983. Pending before the Court is Plaintiff’s first amended complaint, ECF No. 10.
20 The Court is required to screen complaints brought by prisoners seeking relief
21 against a governmental entity or officer or employee of a governmental entity. See 28 U.S.C.
22 § 1915A(a). This provision also applies if the plaintiff was incarcerated at the time the action was
23 initiated even if the litigant was subsequently released from custody. See Olivas v. Nevada ex rel.
24 Dep’t of Corr., 856 F.3d 1281, 1282 (9th Cir. 2017). The Court must dismiss a complaint or
25 portion thereof if it: (1) is frivolous or malicious; (2) fails to state a claim upon which relief can
26 be granted; or (3) seeks monetary relief from a defendant who is immune from such relief. See
27 28 U.S.C. § 1915A(b)(1), (2). Moreover, the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure require that
28 complaints contain a “. . . short and plain statement of the claim showing that the pleader is
1 entitled to relief.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 8(a)(2). This means that claims must be stated simply,
2 concisely, and directly. See McHenry v. Renne, 84 F.3d 1172, 1177 (9th Cir. 1996) (referring to
3 Fed. R. Civ. P. 8(e)(1)). These rules are satisfied if the complaint gives the defendant fair notice
4 of the plaintiff’s claim and the grounds upon which it rests. See Kimes v. Stone, 84 F.3d 1121,
5 1129 (9th Cir. 1996). Because Plaintiff must allege with at least some degree of particularity
6 overt acts by specific defendants which support the claims, vague and conclusory allegations fail
7 to satisfy this standard. Additionally, it is impossible for the Court to conduct the screening
8 required by law when the allegations are vague and conclusory.
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10 I. BACKGROUND
11 A. Procedural History
12 Plaintiff initiated this action with a pro se complaint filed in the United States
13 District Court for the Eastern District of California on July 31, 2023. See ECF No. 1. On May
14 13, 2024, the Court issued an order addressing the sufficiency of Plaintiff’s original complaint.
15 See ECF No. 8. The Court determined the original complaint suffered multiple defects, including
16 Plaintiff’s failure to state sufficient facts to sustain a claim against the Solano County Justice
17 Center, which is a municipal entity (second claim) and Plaintiff’s failure to state an Eighth
18 Amendment claim (first and third claims). See id. As such, the Court found Plaintiff had not
19 stated any cognizable claims against the named defendants.
20 Plaintiff was provided an opportunity to file an amended complaint addressing the
21 defects identified in the Court’s May 13, 2024, order. See id. Plaintiff was cautioned that, if no
22 second amended complaint was filed within 30 days, the Court would recommend dismissal of all
23 claims and defendants. See id. Plaintiff was further cautioned that a complaint which fails to
24 comply with Rule 8 may, in the Court’s discretion, be dismissed with prejudice pursuant to Rule
25 41(b). See id. Plaintiff filed the operative first amended complaint on June 7, 2024. See ECF No.
26 10.
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1 B. Plaintiff’s Current Allegations1
2 Plaintiff names the following as defendants: (1) Solano County Justice Center, (2)
3 Wellpath Medical, provider of medical care for county inmates, (3) Dr. Matthew Wong,
4 psychiatrist, and (4) C. Nevarez, nurse. See ECF No. 10, pg. 1. Plaintiff alleges violations of her
5 Eighth Amendment rights for failure to meet Plaintiff’s medical needs. See id. at 3-6.
6 In Plaintiff’s first claim, Plaintiff contends that on May 14, 2023, Defendant Dr.
7 Wong stopped Plaintiff’s prescription for Seroquel and Melatonin, as well as increased Plaintiff’s
8 dosage on Plaintiff’s prescription for Zoloft to 100mg. See id. at 3. Plaintiff asserts that Plaintiff
9 had been taking Zoloft and Melatonin unchanged for two years prior to incarceration on
10 December 20, 2022. See id. As a result of this shift in Plaintiff’s medication, Plaintiff contends
11 Defendant Dr. Wong is responsible for overdosing Plaintiff on Zoloft, resulting in three nights of
12 insomnia and suicidal ideations that led to a suicide attempt. See id. Plaintiff additionally asserts
13 that Defendants were more concerned with Wellpath Medical's legal concerns and disregarded
14 Plaintiff’s wellbeing. See id. Plaintiff further contends Defendant Nevarez informed Plaintiff that
15 Melatonin is only prescribed on rare occasions. See id. Plaintiff claims that the shift in medication
16 resulted in mental instability, emotional distress, insomnia, mood swings, suicidal thoughts,
17 anxiety, and nightmares. See id.
18 In Plaintiff’s second claim, Plaintiff contends that Defendants Wellpath Medical
19 and Solano County Justice Center prescribed Zyprexa as an alternate medication to Plaintiff’s
20 prior prescription for Seroquel. See id. at 4. Plaintiff asserts Plaintiff had been taking Seroquel
21 since October 2021 and contends Defendants disregarded Plaintiff’s medical concerns with this
22 sudden shift in medications after arriving at the facility on December 20, 2022. See id. Plaintiff
23 further contends that the shift to Zyprexa caused liver and kidney issues which in turn resulted in
24 the need to prescribe Protocin for high blood pressure. See id. Plaintiff claims that this shift in
25 medications caused Plaintiff to experience an emotional breakdown, extreme emotional distress,
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27 1 Plaintiff’s allegations in the first amended complaint closely resemble the Court’s
summary of Plaintiff’s allegations of the original complaint set forth in the March 13, 2024,
28 order.
1 high blood pressure, extreme weight gain, vaginal infections, as well as liver and kidney
2 complications. See id.
3 In Plaintiff’s third claim, Plaintiff contends that Defendants Solano County Justice
4 Center and Wellpath Medical have neglected Plaintiff’s medical care. See id. at 5. Plaintiff asserts
5 that Plaintiff has bipolar disorder, extreme depression, and insomnia. See id. Plaintiff alleges that
6 Plaintiff has been left for days in a safety cell with no supplies to clean herself, including but
7 limited to the absence of soap, water, clean clothes, a toothbrush and toothpaste. See id. Plaintiff
8 additionally asserts that Plaintiff has experienced a severe depression following an insomniac
9 episode that lasted multiple days, severe tooth decay and loss of teeth, and additional medical
10 issues including a large rash and severe acne. See id. Plaintiff asserts that Plaintiff went to the
11 dentist after complaining about extreme pain on one side of Plaintiff’s mouth. See id. Plaintiff,
12 however, contends the dentist said nothing was wrong and asserts her tooth broke off two days
13 later. See id. Plaintiff claims this neglect of Plaintiff’s medical care resulted in loss of teeth,
14 extreme pain, and anxiety regarding infection on her face. See id.
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16 II. DISCUSSION
17 Plaintiff’s amended complaint fails to allege facts sufficient to establish an Eighth
18 Amendment claim against any named defendants.
19 A. Medical Care Claim (as to all Defendants)
20 The treatment a prisoner receives in prison and the conditions under which the
21 prisoner is confined are subject to scrutiny under the Eighth Amendment, which prohibits cruel
22 and unusual punishment. See Helling v. McKinney, 509 U.S. 25, 31 (1993); Farmer v. Brennan,
23 511 U.S. 825, 832 (1994). The Eighth Amendment “. . .embodies broad and idealistic concepts of
24 dignity, civilized standards, humanity, and decency.” Estelle v. Gamble, 429 U.S. 97, 102
25 (1976). Conditions of confinement may, however, be harsh and restrictive. See Rhodes v.
26 Chapman, 452 U.S. 337, 347 (1981). Nonetheless, prison officials must provide prisoners with
27 “food, clothing, shelter, sanitation, medical care, and personal safety.” Toussaint v. McCarthy,
28 801 F.2d 1080, 1107 (9th Cir. 1986). A prison official violates the Eighth Amendment only when
1 two requirements are met: (1) objectively, the official’s act or omission must be so serious such
2 that it results in the denial of the minimal civilized measure of life’s necessities; and (2)
3 subjectively, the prison official must have acted unnecessarily and wantonly for the purpose of
4 inflicting harm. See Farmer, 511 U.S. at 834. Thus, to violate the Eighth Amendment, a prison
5 official must have a “sufficiently culpable mind.” See id.
6 Deliberate indifference to a prisoner’s serious illness or injury, or risks of serious
7 injury or illness, gives rise to a claim under the Eighth Amendment. See Estelle, 429 U.S. at 105;
8 see also Farmer, 511 U.S. at 837. This applies to physical as well as dental and mental health
9 needs. See Hoptowit v. Ray, 682 F.2d 1237, 1253 (9th Cir. 1982), abrogated on other grounds by
10 Sandin v. Conner, 515 U.S. 472 (1995). An injury or illness is sufficiently serious if the failure to
11 treat a prisoner’s condition could result in further significant injury or the “. . . unnecessary and
12 wanton infliction of pain.” McGuckin v. Smith, 974 F.2d 1050, 1059 (9th Cir. 1992), overruled
13 on other grounds by WMX Techs., Inc. v. Miller, 104 F.3d 1133 (9th Cir. 1997) (en banc); see
14 also Doty v. County of Lassen, 37 F.3d 540, 546 (9th Cir. 1994). Factors indicating seriousness
15 are: (1) whether a reasonable doctor would think that the condition is worthy of comment; (2)
16 whether the condition significantly impacts the prisoner’s daily activities; and (3) whether the
17 condition is chronic and accompanied by substantial pain. See Lopez v. Smith, 203 F.3d 1122,
18 1131-32 (9th Cir. 2000) (en banc).
19 The requirement of deliberate indifference is less stringent in medical needs cases
20 than in other Eighth Amendment contexts because the responsibility to provide inmates with
21 medical care does not generally conflict with competing penological concerns. See McGuckin,
22 974 F.2d at 1060. Thus, deference need not be given to the judgment of prison officials as to
23 decisions concerning medical needs. See Hunt v. Dental Dep’t, 865 F.2d 198, 200 (9th Cir.
24 1989). The complete denial of medical attention may constitute deliberate indifference. See
25 Toussaint v. McCarthy, 801 F.2d 1080, 1111 (9th Cir. 1986). Delay in providing medical
26 treatment, or interference with medical treatment, may also constitute deliberate indifference. See
27 Lopez, 203 F.3d at 1131. Where delay is alleged, however, the prisoner must also demonstrate
28 that the delay led to further injury. See McGuckin, 974 F.2d at 1060.
1 Negligence in diagnosing or treating a medical condition does not, however, give
2 rise to a claim under the Eighth Amendment. See Estelle, 429 U.S. at 106. Moreover, a
3 difference of opinion between the prisoner and medical providers concerning the appropriate
4 course of treatment does not generally give rise to an Eighth Amendment claim. See Jackson v.
5 McIntosh, 90 F.3d 330, 332 (9th Cir. 1996). However, a claim involving alternate courses of
6 treatment may succeed where the plaintiff shows: (1) the chosen course of treatment was
7 medically unacceptable under the circumstances; and (2) the alternative treatment was chosen in
8 conscious disregard of an excessive risk to the prisoner’s health. See Toguchi v. Chung, 391 F.3d
9 1051, 1058 (9th Cir. 2004).
10 In addressing the original complaint, the Court stated:
11 Plaintiff asserts Defendants deliberately disregarded
Plaintiff’s medical concerns by increasing Plaintiff’s prescription of
12 Zoloft, stopping Plaintiff’s prescription for Seroquel and melatonin, and
prescribing Zyprexa instead of Seroquel. Plaintiff contends that
13 Defendants were negligent in treating Plaintiff. Negligence in diagnosing
or treating a medical condition does not give rise to a claim under the
14 Eighth Amendment. While this defect cannot be cured through
amendment, given Plaintiff’s pro se status, the Court will permit Plaintiff
15 an opportunity to amend to allege facts, if any exist, demonstrating that
Plaintiff’s claim amounts to more than a claim of medical negligence.
16
ECF No. 8, pg. 6.
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18 Plaintiff’s amended complaint does not allege any new facts. In the first amended
19 complaint, Plaintiff alleges the same facts as the original complaint. As such, Plaintiff’s first
20 amended complaint continues to fail to state an Eighth Amendment medical care claim as to all
21 defendants because the claim is a negligence claim, and not an indifference claim. Further leave
22 to amend is not warranted.
23 B. Municipal Entity Liability (as to Defendant Solano County Justice Center)
24 Municipalities and other local government units are among those “persons” to
25 whom § 1983 liability applies. See Monell v. Dep’t of Soc. Servs., 436 U.S. 658, 690 (1978).
26 Counties and municipal government officials are also “persons” for purposes of § 1983. See id. at
27 691; see also Thompson v. City of Los Angeles, 885 F.2d 1439, 1443 (9th Cir. 1989). A local
28 government unit, however, may not be held responsible for the acts of its employees or officials
1 under a respondeat superior theory of liability. See Bd. of County Comm’rs v. Brown, 520 U.S.
2 397, 403 (1997). Thus, municipal liability must rest on the actions of the municipality, and not of
3 the actions of its employees or officers. See id. To assert municipal liability, therefore, the
4 plaintiff must allege that the constitutional deprivation complained of resulted from a policy or
5 custom of the municipality. See id.
6 Here, Plaintiff names the Solano County Justice Center as Defendant. Solana
7 County Justice Center is a division of Solano County, a municipal entity. As with the original
8 complaint, Plaintiff has not alleged facts in the first amended complaint indicating any sort of
9 policy or custom of this defendant which was the cause of a constitutional violation. Further
10 leave to amend is not warranted.
11 C. Private Entity Liability (as to Defendant Wellpath Medical)
12 A § 1983 claim can only hold liable a “person” that acted under color of state law.
13 42 U.S.C. § 1983. Private entities are generally not considered suable persons under § 1983. See
14 Price v. Hawaii, 939 F.2d 702, 707-08 (9th Cir. 1991); Simmons v. Sacramento Cty. Superior
15 Court, 318 F.3d 1156, 1161 (9th Cir. 2003). However, if a private entity performs a function that
16 is traditionally and historically the “exclusive” function of the state, it can become a state actor.
17 See Flagg Bros. v. Brooks, 436 U.S. 149, 157-58 (1978); Jackson v. Metro. Edison Co., 419 U.S.
18 345, 352 (1974).
19 The Eleventh Amendment prohibits federal courts from hearing suits brought
20 against a state both by its own citizens, as well as by citizens of other states. See Brooks v.
21 Sulphur Springs Valley Elec. Coop., 951 F.2d 1050, 1053 (9th Cir. 1991). This prohibition
22 extends to suits against states themselves, and to suits against state agencies. See Lucas v. Dep’t
23 of Corr., 66 F.3d 245, 248 (9th Cir. 1995) (per curiam); Taylor v. List, 880 F.2d 1040, 1045 (9th
24 Cir. 1989). A state’s agency responsible for incarceration and correction of prisoners is a state
25 agency for purposes of the Eleventh Amendment. See Alabama v. Pugh, 438 U.S. 781, 782
26 (1978) (per curiam); Hale v. Arizona, 993 F.2d 1387, 1398-99 (9th Cir. 1993) (en banc).
27 Therefore, when a private entity steps in for the state itself, it is immune from § 1983 liability
28 under the Eleventh Amendment.
1 Unlike the state itself, municipalities and local government units are “persons”
2 under § 1983. See Monell v. Dep’t of Soc. Servs., 436 U.S. 658, 690 (1978). To hold a
3 municipal entity liable, a plaintiff must show that the municipality had a custom or policy that
4 was the “moving force” behind a violation of the plaintiff’s constitutional rights. See id. at 694.
5 Therefore, when a private entity steps in for a municipality or other local government unit, a
6 plaintiff must show that there was a custom or policy implemented by the entity that resulted in a
7 violation of the plaintiff’s constitutional rights.
8 Here, Wellpath Medical steps in to provide medical care for Solano County Justice
9 Center’s inmates. Solano County Justice Center is a division of Solano County, a municipal
10 entity. Wellpath Medical is thus a “person” under § 1983 because it steps in for a municipal
11 entity, namely Solano County Justice Center. However, as with the original complaint and as
12 discussed above with respect to Defendant Solano County Justice Center, Plaintiff has again not
13 alleged facts indicating any sort of policy or custom which was the cause of a constitutional
14 violation. Further leave to amend is not warranted.
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16 III. CONCLUSION
17 Because it does not appear possible that the deficiencies identified herein can be
18 cured by amending the complaint, Plaintiff is not entitled to leave to amend prior to dismissal of
19 the entire action. See Lopez v. Smith, 203 F.3d 1122, 1126, 1131 (9th Cir. 2000) (en banc).
20 Based on the foregoing, the undersigned recommends that this action be dismissed
21 with prejudice for failure to state a claim.
22 These findings and recommendations are submitted to the United States District
23 Judge assigned to the case, pursuant to the provisions of 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(l). Within 14 days
24 after being served with these findings and recommendations, any party may file written objections
25 with the Court. Responses to objections shall be filed within 14 days after service of objections.
26 / / /
27 / / /
28 / / /
1 | Failure to file objections within the specified time may waive the right to appeal. See Martinez v.
2 || Yist, 951 F.2d 1153 (9th Cir. 1991).
3
4 || Dated: August 27, 2024 Svc
> DENNIS M. COTA
6 UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE
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