“The district court is not 8 required to comb the record to find some reason to deny a motion for summary 9 judgment.”
How later courts described this case
- “The district court is not 8 required to comb the record to find some reason to deny a motion for summary 9 judgment.”
- nonmoving party must 14 present specific, significant probative evidence, not simply “some metaphysical doubt”
Written by the judges who cited it.
The opinion
1
2
3
4
5
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
6 WESTERN DISTRICT OF WASHINGTON
AT TACOMA
7
JERRY LYNN DAVIS, CASE NO. C20-5433 BHS
8
Plaintiff, ORDER ON CROSS-MOTIONS
9 v. FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT
10 DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS,
et al.,
11
Defendants.
12
13
This matter comes before the Court on Plaintiff Jerry Davis’s and Defendant
14
Michael Furst’s cross-motions for summary judgment, Dkts. 77, 79, and Davis’s and
15
Defendants Department of Corrections (“DOC”), Timothy Hull, Tonya Pleines, Marci
16
Newlon, Sasha Bangs, Jason Butz, Aaron Pollard, and Timothy Taylor’s (collectively
17
“DOC Defendants”) cross-motions for summary judgment, Dkts. 81, 83. The Court has
18
considered the briefing filed in support of and in opposition to the motions and the
19
remainder of the file and hereby rules as follows.
20
21
22
1 I. FACTUAL & PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND
2 A. Overview
3 In June 2018, Davis was convicted of Possession of a Stolen Motor Vehicle,
4 Attempting to Elude a Police Vehicle, and Making or Having Burglar Tools and was
5 sentenced to 25 months confinement. Dkt. 84-11 at 41–50. Davis was initially held at
6 Washington Corrections Center (“WCC”) from June until August 2018 and was then
7 transferred to Olympic Corrections Center (“OCC”). Dkt. 83 at 2. Davis remained at
8 OCC until February 2019, was briefly transferred back to WCC for approximately two
9 weeks, and was finally housed at Stafford Creek Corrections Center (“SCCC”) until his
10 release on September 9, 2019. Id.
11 This case arises from Davis’s incarceration at OCC and SCCC. Four months prior
12 to his conviction, in February 2018, Davis had neck surgery to address injuries he
13 sustained in a motor vehicle accident. Dkt. 80-1 at 1–6. He primarily alleges that
14 Defendants violated his Eighth Amendment rights by being deliberately indifferent to his
15 serious medical needs that resulted from his neck surgery. Dkt. 66, ¶ 1. He brings suit
16 against DOC and current and former DOC employees: Timothy Hull, OCC Corrections
17 Sergeant; Marci Newlon, OCC Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner; Tonya Pleines,
18 OCC Grievance Coordinator; Sasha Bangs, SCCC Certified Physician’s Assistant; Dr.
19 Michael Furst, Contract Psychiatrist at SCCC; Timothy Taylor, SCCC Health Services
20 Manager 1; Aaron Pollard, SCCC Corrections Officer; and Jason Butz, SCCC
21 Corrections Officer. Id. ¶¶ 4–12.
22
1 B. Health Care at OCC
2 Before his transfer to OCC, Davis was housed at WCC. While at WCC, Davis was
3 examined and cleared to be in general population. A DOC medical professional also
4 referred Davis for a physical therapy evaluation and issued a Health Status Report
5 (“HSR”), or medical directive. Dkt. 84-11 at 4, 35. The HSR directed that Davis was not
6 to be placed in a top bunk in a cell, id. at 35, and Davis was given a cervical neck pillow,
7 see Dkt. 82-1 at 2.
8 On August 13, 2018, Davis was transferred to OCC. Dkt. 84-11 at 3. DOC
9 Defendants assert that, upon arrival, Davis underwent orientation, received an orientation
10 handbook explaining that he could kite an Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”)
11 coordinator, and signed a written acknowledgement reflecting receipt of the handbook.
12 See Dkt. 102 at 3. They further assert that Davis was given OCC camp rules which stated
13 that each bunk is assigned one mattress. Id.; see also Dkt. 104-2 at 14.
14 Davis’s work assignments were restricted by his sentence, and he was initially
15 assigned to food services. See Dkt. 103-6 at 15; Dkt. 82-2 at 14. Before his assignment,
16 he sent a medical kite asking that his chronic neck pain be taken into consideration
17 regarding his job assignment. Dkt. 82-1 at 3. Defendant Newlon responded that Davis
18 needed to bring his request to his inmate counselor and DOC counselor. Id.; see also Dkt.
19 82-3, Deposition of Martha Newlon (“Newlon Depo.”), at 50:13–18. An appointment
20 with Davis’s counselors was made. Dkt. 82-1 at 3. The results of the appointment are
21 unclear.
22
1 On September 6, 2018, Davis met with Newlon for the first time for his
2 complaints of pain, among other things. Dkt. 105-3. Newlon prescribed Davis
3 Amitriptyline (25mg to end November 15, 2018) to address his pain complaints and
4 noted that Davis had a cervical pillow. See Dkt. 105, Declaration of Marci Newlon
5 (“Newlon Decl.”), ¶ 6. Between September and November 2018, Newlon evaluated
6 Davis approximately five times. See id. ¶¶ 6–14. Newlon adjusted Davis’s medications,
7 reviewed his outside medical records, and ordered an MRI and x-rays for Davis. See id.
8 On November 9, 2018, Davis had a physical therapy session where he requested a lifting
9 restriction from his physical therapist. Id. ¶ 13. Newlon declares that Davis did not
10 previously request a lifting restriction from her, nor did she assess that one was medically
11 indicated. Id. But after reviewing the physical therapist’s notes, Newlon recommended
12 and wrote an HSR for a 10 lb. lifting restriction for Davis on November 21, 2018. Id.; see
13 also Dkt. 105-10. Davis was subsequently cleared and assigned to work as the chaplain’s
14 clerk. Dkt. 103-6 at 16.
15 On September 12, 2018, Davis sent a kite to Newlon asking for a second and/or
16 thicker mattress. Dkt. 105-4. Newlon responded on September 17, explaining that an
17 extra mattress could not be requested or ordered by an HSR. Id. The only kind of mattress
18 that medical (i.e., Newlon in this instance) could request via an HSR was a therapeutic
19 mattress, which Davis did not qualify for. Newlon Depo. at 67:7–11, 68:1–5. This is
20 further reflected in DOC’s medical devices policy, which states that mattresses are not
21 issued for medical reasons. Dkt. 103-6 at 18. Standard, non-therapeutic mattresses are
22 solely an issue for custody pursuant to DOC policy. Newlon Depo. at 64:21–65:1.
1 Davis was initially assigned to the F-tier of the Ozette unit while at OCC, and his
2 unit sergeant was Defendant Hull. Dkt. 87, Declaration of Timothy Hull (“Hull Decl.”),
3 ¶ 4. As a unit sergeant, upon a request for a mattress replacement, Hull would assess the
4 inmate’s mattress to determine whether the mattress is no longer serviceable and is due
5 for replacement. Id. ¶ 2. A mattress is no longer serviceable under OCC Standard
6 Operating Procedure if it has become brittle or cracked. See Dkt. 87-1. When Davis
7 moved into the F-tier, he requested a new mattress from Hull. Hull Decl., ¶ 4. Hull
8 assessed Davis’s mattress and determined that it was still serviceable because it was not
9 brittle or cracked and did not have tears exposing the mattress. Id. On November 24,
10 2018, Davis moved to the A-tier of the Ozette Unit. Id. ¶ 5. Hull assessed Davis’s
11 mattress on or about December 8, 2018 and determined that it needed to be replaced
12 because the mattress had opened. Id. Hull directed Davis to bring his mattress for a
13 replacement and replaced his mattress that same day. Id.
14 Davis argues that Newlon and Hull conspired together to prevent him from getting
15 a new mattress. See Dkt. 99 at 6. On September 6, 2018, Newlon emailed Hull regarding
16 Davis’s request for an extra mattress. Dkt. 82-1 at 10. She informed Hull that, while
17 Davis did have a documented neck issue, she could not issue an HSR for an extra
18 mattress without DOC Care Review Committee (“CRC”) approval. Id. She further stated
19 that CRC approval would be unlikely but that she would present the case if necessary. Id.
20 Hull responded, saying that he would not give an extra mattress to any offender without
21 an HSR, and Newlon stated that she could not provide an HSR for an extra mattress. Id.
22
1 at 9–10. Newlon then wrote “Then let’s just agree not to send them to each other since no
2 mattress will be forth coming from either direction.” Id. at 9.
3 On October 2, 2018, Davis sent a kite to his correctional unit supervisor asking for
4 a thicker mattress. Dkt. 82-1 at 22. He also sent a kite to medical on October 9, 2018
5 asking for a new mattress, id. at 23, and a kite to mental health on October 11, id. at 24.
6 Davis filed a grievance about Hull’s refusal to give him a new mattress on November 29,
7 2018. Id. at 26. Defendant Pleines responded on December 6, 2018, explaining that Hull
8 received Davis’s kite, that Hull would examine his mattress, and that Davis would
9 receive a new mattress if it met the criteria. Id. Pleines also explained that there was a
10 possibility of others in line to receive a new mattress ahead of Davis. Id.
11 Davis asserts that neither Newlon nor Hull referred the mattress issue to an ADA
12 coordinator and that Newlon had a duty to notify the ADA coordinator if she felt that a
13 mattress was not medical. See Dkt. 99 at 18.
14 C. Transfer to and Health Care at SCCC
15 In February 2019, Davis transferred from OCC to SCCC to await cervical surgery.
16 Prior to his transfer, in January 2019, Davis was prescribed Amitriptyline to treat his
17 PTSD; he was prescribed a two-tier regimen starting at 50mg to then increasing to
18 100mg. Dkt. 80-3 at 10–12. The 50mg prescription was entered into DOC’s Correctional
19 Institution Pharmacy Software (“CIPS”), an electronic program with information on
20 inmates’ active medications, with an order date of January 22, 2019 and an expiration
21 date of February 10, 2019. Dkt. 84-11 at 34. The entry states that Davis was to take 50mg
22 for ten days and then would increase the dosage. Dkt. 80-5. The 100mg prescription was
1 entered into CIPS as well, albeit with an incorrect year—the order date was February 1,
2 2001, expiring on May 1, 2001. Dkt. 84-11 at 34. Davis’s Medication Administration
3 Record (“MAR”), a paper record reflecting medication given to inmates, reflects Davis’s
4 Amitriptyline prescriptions and the 100mg prescription’s incorrect date. Id. Davis’s
5 prescriptions were to be kept on his person rather than dispensed at the “pill line.” Dkt.
6 78, ¶ 6.
7 In preparation for Davis’s transfer, Dr. Elizabeth Zeiger, a SCCC psychologist,
8 emailed Defendant Furst on February 7, 2019 to inform him of Davis’s transfer. Dkt. 80-
9 7 at 1. In her email, Zeiger informs Furst that Davis’s medications were to expire on
10 February 10 and requested that he “review and determine what needs to be done.” Id.
11 When Davis transferred from OCC to SCCC on February 19, 2019, DOC personnel
12 confiscated his prescriptions. Dkt. 66, ¶ 30. DOC Defendants assert that, as part of the
13 transfer process, medications are removed from inmates’ control and, provided the
14 prescriptions are active, eventually returned to them at the receiving facility. Dkt. 83 at 6.
15 On February 22, 2019, Davis sent a health services kite to Furst and explained that
16 he had not received his medication for his PTSD, i.e., his Amitriptyline prescription, and
17 that he was having severe complications. Dkt. 78-3. Furst reviewed Davis’s medical
18 record and CIPS and responded to his kite on February 28, 2019, stating that Davis could
19 request an assessment from Zeiger for psychological testing. Id.; Dkt. 78, ¶ 9. Furst states
20 that he likely received the kite on February 28 and may not have been at SCCC before
21 that date that week. Dkt. 78-1, Deposition of Michael Furst (“Furst Depo.”), at 91:7–25.
22 Furst asserts that the CIPS record documented that Davis had been taking 50mg of
1 Amitriptyline for ten days only and that the 100mg prescription was not documented in
2 CIPS. Dkt. 78, ¶ 11. Furst testified that his review of Davis’s record led him to believe
3 that there were inconsistencies and that he thus referred Davis to an assessment with
4 Zeiger. Furst Depo. at 90:4–20.
5 On February 21, 2019, Davis filed a grievance claiming that medical personnel
6 took a medication from him upon entering SCCC and that they did not return it, causing a
7 medical emergency. Dkt. 84-11 at 39. SCCC received the grievance on February 25,
8 2019. Id. A grievance coordinator responded on March 5, 2019, noting that Davis’s
9 grievance was not emergent. Id. The grievance coordinator then asked Defendant Taylor
10 to investigate Davis’s grievance. Dkt. 91, Declaration of Timothy Taylor (“Taylor
11 Decl.”), ¶ 3. Taylor reviewed Davis’s MAR as part of his investigation, which showed
12 Davis’s Amitriptyline prescription with the incorrect 2001 date, and interviewed Davis on
13 March 12, 2019. Id. In the interview, Taylor recommended that Davis send a kite to
14 Zeiger, who could then refer him to Furst, and encouraged him to keep working with
15 Stafford Creek Health Services. Id. A formal response to Davis’s February 21 grievance
16 was filed on March 13, 2019 explaining that Davis’s Amitriptyline prescription expired
17 on February 10 and reflecting Taylor’s conversation with Davis. Dkt. 91-2.
18 Davis met with Zeiger on March 11, 2019 and expressed his primary complaint
19 that his 100mg Amitriptyline prescription was stopped “cold turkey” when he arrived at
20 SCCC. Dkt. 84-11 at 25–29. Zeiger’s notes state that Davis did not participate enough in
21 their interview for her to verify his diagnoses. Id. at 27. Her notes also reflect the
22
1 incorrect entry in CIPS that his Amitriptyline prescription was last prescribed on January
2 22, 2019 with a stop date of February 10, 2019. Id. at 25.
3 The following day, on March 12, 2019, Davis sent a kite to Furst explaining that
4 he had met with Taylor and requesting a 25mg prescription of Amitriptyline. Dkt. 80-11
5 at 4. Furst responded the next day, telling Davis to request an appointment “if you are
6 willing to provide an adequate history.” Id. Davis contacted Furst again via kite on March
7 14, 2019. Id. at 5. Davis again pleaded with Furst to help him and prescribe him
8 Amitriptyline to treat his PTSD and chronic pain. Id. Furst responded on March 15 and
9 stated that Davis did not adequately participate in his interview with Zeiger, which was
10 typically required of inmates for a referral to see Furst. Id. Furst also told Davis that if the
11 Amitriptyline helped with his pain, to contact his medical provider to negotiate a
12 prescription. Id.
13 On March 19, 2019, Davis saw Defendant Bangs, a Certified Physician’s Assistant
14 who offered to restart Davis on a low dosage of Amitriptyline. Dkt. 78-6. Davis declined,
15 stating “Dr. Furst messed this up, it should be him that fixes it.” Id. Bangs prescribed
16 Davis 25mg of Amitriptyline for one month, but Davis never picked it up. See Dkt. 78-7.
17 Furst eventually saw Davis on March 28, 2019, completed an assessment, and prescribed
18 him 25mg of Amitriptyline. Dkt. 78, ¶ 18. When questioned during his deposition about
19 Davis’s prescription, Furst testified that he “did not think that [Davis] being on 50
20 milligrams of Amitriptyline for ten days and then having it stopped represented an urgent
21 situation, either medically or from a mental health perspective.” Furst Depo. at 116:11–
22 15.
1 Also while at SCCC, Bangs evaluated Davis on May 8, 2019 and determined that
2 he qualified for a cervical pillow. Dkt. 85-5. She wrote Davis a HSR for the medical
3 device and noted that cervical pillows were on back order. Id. Because of the back order
4 status, the HSR Bangs wrote allowed Davis one extra pillow until the cervical pillow was
5 received. Id. Davis alleges that he arrived at SCCC with a standing order for a cervical
6 pillow, see Dkt. 66, ¶ 49, but does not provide any evidence of such an order.
7 D. Transportation Post-Surgery to SCCC
8 On April 9, 2019, Davis underwent cervical surgery at Providence St. Peter’s
9 Hospital in Olympia, Washington. Dkt. 84-11 at 9–11. Defendants Butz and Pollard
10 returned Davis to SCCC two days later in a specially equipped DOC wheelchair van.
11 During transport, Davis was in a wheelchair, wore a cervical collar, and had on ankle and
12 waist restraints. Dkt. 84-5, Deposition of Jason Butz (“Butz Depo.”), at 18:19–20, 21:17–
13 22:16. Pollard loaded Davis into the van, tethered his wheelchair to the floor of the
14 vehicle, and secured Davis to his wheelchair with a lap belt and shoulder belt. Dkt. 90,
15 Declaration of Aaron Pollard (“Pollard Decl.”), ¶ 3. Davis testified that Pollard shoved
16 him into the van and was knocking him into things. Dkt. 95-6, Deposition of Jerry Davis
17 (“Davis Depo.”), at 139:20–140:14. Davis further asserts that he told Pollard to drive
18 careful and avoid bumps and that Pollard said shut up and slammed the door. Dkt. 100-7
19 at 1. Pollard testified that Davis told him to “Be careful of the bumps” and that, in
20 response, Pollard stated “Do you have any idea where we live?” seemingly in reference
21 to the quality of the roads. Dkt. 100-5, Deposition of Aaron Pollard (“Pollard Depo.”), at
22 52:21–53:1.
1 Pollard drove the DOC van, while Butz assisted in the transportation. Pollard
2 Decl., ¶¶ 3–4; Dkt. 86, Declaration of Jason Butz (“Butz Decl.”), ¶ 3. After Pollard began
3 operating the vehicle, but before getting on the I-5 freeway, Davis began to vomit. Id. ¶ 4.
4 Pollard pulled over to the side of the road and gave Davis a vomit bag. Id. Butz and
5 Pollard then contacted their shift sergeant to apprise him of the situation. Id. The trip
6 resumed, and while on the freeway, Davis vomited again. Id. Davis testified that he was
7 not nauseous before entering the van and that Pollard’s erratic driving put him in pain and
8 caused him to throw up. Davis Depo. at 141:12–22. At one point during the drive, Davis
9 told Pollard to “stop hitting the bumps.” Pollard Depo. at 26:7–9.
10 Pollard declares that he followed all the rules of the road while transporting Davis
11 back to SCCC. Pollard Decl., ¶ 4. Butz and Pollard also declare that at no time during
12 transport did Davis fall out of his wheelchair or did his wheelchair become loose or
13 untethered. Id.; Butz Decl., ¶ 4. Davis, on the other hand, testified that he “flipped
14 forward” in his wheelchair during transport. Davis Depo. at 143:21–144:1. Pollard
15 testified that he was not sure how many times Davis vomited in the van but that it may
16 have been more than ten times. Pollard Depo. at 21:17–22:1. Butz testified that Davis
17 vomited more than five times. Butz Depo. at 32:22–33:6. Butz and Pollard called SCCC
18 medical during transport to meet them upon arrival with personal protective equipment.
19 Pollard Decl., ¶ 4.
20 Upon arrival, Butz and Pollard donned personal protective equipment to remove
21 Davis from the van. Id. ¶ 5; Butz Decl., ¶ 6. Pollard declares that he attempted to remove
22 Davis, but that Davis became immobile and refused to move. Pollard Decl., ¶ 5. Pollard
1 was ultimately able to remove him from the van and accompanied him to the medical
2 department at SCCC. Id.
3 E. Relevant Procedural History
4 Davis sued in May 2020, Dkt. 2, primarily alleging that Defendants violated his
5 Eighth Amendment rights, see Dkt. 66, ¶¶ 41 (Newlon, Hull, and Pleines), 47–51 (Bangs,
6 Furst, and Taylor), 52–53 (Butz and Pollard). Davis further alleges that DOC violated
7 Title II of the ADA, 42 U.S.C. § 12131, et seq., id ¶¶ 42–44, that Hull, Pleines, and
8 Pollard violated his First Amendment rights by retaliating against him, id. ¶¶ 45–46, 52–
9 53, and that Butz and Pollard violated his Fourth Amendment rights through using
10 excessive force, id. ¶¶ 52–53. He additionally brings state law claims against DOC for
11 negligence and professional negligence, id. ¶¶ 55–57, against Butz for negligence, id. ¶
12 55, against Pollard for negligence, outrage, and negligent infliction of emotional distress,
13 id. ¶¶ 54–55, and against Taylor and Furst for professional negligence, id. ¶¶ 56–57.
14 DOC Defendants move for summary judgment on all claims against them, Dkt.
15 83, and Davis moves for summary judgment as to his Eighth Amendment claims against
16 Hull and Newlon and as to his ADA claim against DOC, Dkt. 81.1 Davis additionally
17 moves for a preliminary or permanent injunction against DOC and requests that the Court
18 order DOC to comply with the ADA, stating that he will be remanded back to DOC
19 custody.2 Id. at 24–25. Furst and Davis bring cross-motions for partial summary
20
1 DOC Defendants’ reply includes a request to strike. To the extent that the Court needs
21 to rely upon objected-to evidence, the Court will only discuss the relevant objection.
2 Davis also filed a notice of supplemental authority reflecting his new judgment and
22 sentence to support his arguments for an injunction. Dkt. 118.
1 judgment only on Davis’s Eighth Amendment claim. Dkt. 77 (Furst’s motion), Dkt. 79
2 (Davis’s motion).
3 II. DISCUSSION
4 A. Summary Judgment Standard
5 Summary judgment is proper only if the pleadings, the discovery and disclosure
6 materials on file, and any affidavits show that there is no genuine issue as to any material
7 fact and that the movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(a).
8 The moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law when the nonmoving party
9 fails to make a sufficient showing on an essential element of a claim in the case on which
10 the nonmoving party has the burden of proof. Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 323
11 (1986). There is no genuine issue of fact for trial where the record, taken as a whole,
12 could not lead a rational trier of fact to find for the nonmoving party. Matsushita Elec.
13 Indus. Co. v. Zenith Radio Corp., 475 U.S. 574, 586 (1986) (nonmoving party must
14 present specific, significant probative evidence, not simply “some metaphysical doubt”).
15 Conversely, a genuine dispute over a material fact exists if there is sufficient evidence
16 supporting the claimed factual dispute, requiring a judge or jury to resolve the differing
17 versions of the truth. Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 253 (1986); T.W.
18 Elec. Serv., Inc. v. Pac. Elec. Contractors Ass’n, 809 F.2d 626, 630 (9th Cir. 1987).
19 The determination of the existence of a material fact is often a close question. The
20 Court must consider the substantive evidentiary burden that the nonmoving party must
21 meet at trial—e.g., a preponderance of the evidence in most civil cases. Anderson, 477
22 U.S. at 254; T.W. Elec. Serv., Inc., 809 F.2d at 630. The Court must resolve any factual
1 issues of controversy in favor of the nonmoving party only when the facts specifically
2 attested by that party contradict facts specifically attested by the moving party. The
3 nonmoving party may not merely state that it will discredit the moving party’s evidence
4 at trial, in the hopes that evidence can be developed at trial to support the claim. T.W.
5 Elec. Serv., Inc., 809 F.2d at 630 (relying on Anderson, 477 U.S. at 255). Conclusory,
6 nonspecific statements in affidavits are not sufficient, and missing facts will not be
7 presumed. Lujan v. Nat’l Wildlife Fed’n, 497 U.S. 871, 888–89 (1990).
8 B. Qualified Immunity
9 Davis primarily asserts constitutional violations pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. In
10 turn, the individually named Defendants argue that they are entitled to qualified
11 immunity on those claims. “Government officials performing discretionary functions
12 enjoy qualified immunity from civil damages so long as their conduct does not violate
13 ‘clearly established statutory or constitutional rights of which a reasonable person would
14 have known.’” F.E. Trotter, Inc. v. Watkins, 869 F.2d 1312, 1314 (9th Cir. 1989)
15 (quoting Harlow v. Fitzgerald, 457 U.S. 800, 818 (1982)). In analyzing a qualified
16 immunity defense, the Court must determine: (1) whether a constitutional right would
17 have been violated on the facts alleged, taken in the light most favorable to the party
18 asserting the injury; and (2) whether the right was clearly established when viewed in the
19 specific context of the case. Saucier v. Katz, 533 U.S. 194, 201 (2001). “The relevant,
20 dispositive inquiry in determining whether a right is clearly established is whether it
21 would be clear to a reasonable officer that his conduct was unlawful in the situation he
22 confronted.” Id. at 202. In analyzing a qualified immunity defense, courts are “permitted
1 to exercise their sound discretion in deciding which of the two prongs of the qualified
2 immunity analysis should be addressed first in light of the circumstances in the particular
3 case at hand.” Pearson v. Callahan, 555 U.S. 223, 236 (2009).
4 The Court here will first determine whether Davis’s constitutional rights were
5 violated and then determine if his rights were clearly established under the relevant
6 circumstances, if necessary.
7 C. Defendants Newlon & Hull
8 Davis asserts that Newlon violated his Eighth Amendment rights while he was
9 incarcerated at OCC by refusing to provide a sufficient mattress, a cervical pillow,
10 occupational lifting weight restricts, and physical/occupational therapy. Dkt. 66, ¶ 41.
11 Davis and Newlon filed cross-motions for summary judgment on this claim.
12 As to Hull, Davis similarly asserts that Hull violated his Eighth Amendment rights
13 while he was incarcerated at OCC and also alleges that Hull violated his First
14 Amendment rights by retaliating against him. Dkt. 66, ¶¶ 41, 45. Davis and Hull both
15 move for summary judgment on Davis’s Eighth Amendment claim, and Hull moves for
16 summary judgment as to Davis’s First Amendment retaliation claim.
17 1. Eighth Amendment Claim
18 Inmates alleging Eighth Amendment violations based on prison conditions must
19 demonstrate that prison officials were deliberately indifferent to their health or safety by
20 subjecting them to a substantial risk of harm. Farmer v. Brennan, 511 U.S. 825, 834
21 (1994). “Deliberate indifference to serious medical needs of prisoners” constitutes an
22 Eighth Amendment violation. Estelle v. Gamble, 429 U.S. 97, 104 (1976). Prison
1 officials display a deliberate indifference to an inmate’s well-being when they
2 consciously disregard an excessive risk of harm to the inmate’s health or safety. Farmer,
3 511 U.S. at 838–40.
4 In the Ninth Circuit, the test for a deliberate indifference Eighth Amendment claim
5 has two parts. Jett v. Penner, 439 F.3d 1091, 1096 (9th Cir. 2006). First, the plaintiff
6 must show a “serious medical need,” and second, “the plaintiff must show the
7 defendant’s response to the need was deliberately indifferent.” Id. (internal citations
8 omitted). With regard to deliberate indifference, a prison official is not liable “unless the
9 official knows of and disregards an excessive risk to inmate health or safety; the official
10 must both be aware of facts from which the inference could be drawn that a substantial
11 risk of serious harm exists, and he must also draw the inference.” Farmer, 511 U.S. at
12 837. A court may “infer the existence of this subjective state of mind from the fact that
13 the risk of harm is obvious.” Hope v. Pelzer, 536 U.S. 730, 738 (2002) (citing Farmer,
14 511 U.S. at 842).
15 a. Serious Medical Need
16 Hull and Newlon argue that Davis has failed to establish that he had a serious
17 medical need. Dkt. 83 at 13. Davis, in turn, argues that he had a serious medical need for
18 a “decent” sleeping mat. Dkt. 81 at 11.
19 A “serious” medical need exists if the failure to treat a prisoner’s condition could
20 result in further significant injury or the “unnecessary and wanton infliction of pain.”
21 McGuckin v. Smith, 974 F.2d 1050, 1059 (9th Cir. 1992), overruled on other grounds by
22 WMX Techs., Inc. v. Miller, 104 F.3d 1133, 1136 (9th Cir. 1997) (en banc) (quoting
1 Estelle, 429 U.S. at 104). A medical need is serious where there is (1) “[t]he existence of
2 an injury that a reasonable doctor or patient would find important and worthy of comment
3 or treatment;” (2) “the presence of a medical condition that significantly affects an
4 individual’s daily activities;” or (3) “the existence of chronic and substantial pain.” Id. at
5 1059–60 (internal citations omitted).
6 Davis argues that his spinal cord injury resulted in chronic pain worthy of
7 comment and treatment. He asserts that he had a medical need for a decent mattress. Dkt.
8 81 at 11. Newlon and Hull argue that there is no evidence that any lack of medical
9 devices, including a sufficient mattress, a cervical pillow, occupational lifting weight
10 restrictions, and physical therapy would lead to the substantial risk of serious harm to
11 Davis. Dkt. 83 at 10. They argue that Davis details his chronic pain but that he attempts
12 to frame his serious medical need as a specific demand for a type of equipment—a new
13 mattress.
14 It is arguable that Davis had a serious medical need due to his chronic and
15 substantial pain resulting from his spinal surgery before he was housed at OCC. A
16 reasonable factfinder could find that his medical condition amounted to a serious medical
17 need because a reasonable doctor or patient could find his spinal injury worthy of
18 comment or treatment. Indeed, Newlon treated Davis on approximately five occasions to
19 address Davis’s ongoing symptoms from his spinal cord injury. A reasonable factfinder
20 could also find that his condition resulted in chronic and substantial pain. See, e.g.,
21 Newlon Depo. at 152:15–22 (“[T]he first time I saw him, I characterized his pain as
22 chronic and related to his prior trauma to his neck, and he was provided medications.”).
1 But it is well established that the Eighth Amendment “requires neither that prisons
2 be comfortable nor that they provide every amenity that one might find desirable.”
3 Hallett v. Morgan, 296 F.3d 732, 745 (9th Cir. 2002) (quoting Hoptowit v. Ray, 682 F.2d
4 1237, 1246 (9th Cir. 1982), overruled on other grounds by Sandin v. Conner, 515 U.S.
5 472 (1995)); accord Forbes v. Edgar, 112 F.3d 262, 267 (7th Cir. 1997) (“Under the
6 Eighth Amendment, [an inmate] is not entitled to demand specific care.”). Therefore,
7 while the Court concludes that there is a question of fact as to whether Davis had a
8 serious medical need, this serious medical need is not inclusive of his specific demands
9 of medical care.
10 The question is whether Davis had a serious medical need (which the Court
11 concludes it may not determine as a matter of law at this juncture) and whether Newlon
12 and Hull were deliberately indifferent to his serious medical needs by failing to provide
13 him a new mattress and other medical devices as alleged.
14 b. Deliberate Indifference
15 While the Court concludes there is a question of fact as to the objective standard
16 of whether Davis had a serious medical need, the Court can conclude as a matter of law
17 that neither Newlon nor Hull were deliberately indifferent.
18 As to Newlon, to show deliberate indifference, Davis “must show that the course
19 of treatment the doctors chose was medically unacceptable under the circumstances and
20 that the defendants chose this course in conscious disregard of an excessive risk to [his]
21 health.” Snow v. McDaniel, 681 F.3d 978, 988 (9th Cir. 2012), overruled on other
22 grounds by Peralta v. Dillard, 744 F.3d 1076, 1083 (9th Cir. 2014) (internal quotation
1 omitted). But “[a] difference of opinion between a physician and the prisoner—or
2 between medical professionals—concerning what medical care is appropriate does not
3 amount to deliberate indifference.” Id. (internal citation omitted).
4 Davis alleges that Newlon was deliberately indifferent by refusing to issue him a
5 sufficient mattress, cervical pillow, occupational weight-lifting restrictions, and
6 physical/occupational therapy. Dkt. 66, ¶ 41. But Davis has not presented evidence from
7 which a reasonable factfinder could draw the conclusion that Newlon’s course of
8 treatment was medically unacceptable or that she chose the treatment in conscious
9 disregard of an excessive risk to his health.
10 Davis primarily argues in his response to Newlon’s motion and in his own motion
11 that Newlon was deliberately indifferent to his need for a mattress and for an
12 occupational weight-lifting restriction. The Court will address each allegation in turn.
13 First, when Newlon first evaluated Davis in September 2018, Davis already had already
14 been provided a cervical pillow. See Dkt. 88-3 at 2. Davis argues that he was completely
15 deprived of a neck-stabilizing pillow but provides no evidence to support that argument
16 or to support that Newlon was involved in any deprivation.
17 Next, Davis underwent physical therapy in September and November 2018 while
18 housed at OCC, see Dkt. 84-11 at 5, 7–8, but Newlon did not initiate on-going physical
19 therapy after Davis expressed reluctance to undergo it, see Dkt. 89-2 at 2. Davis has not
20 presented evidence that Newlon’s decision regarding on-going physical therapy was
21 medically unacceptable or that she made the decision in conscious disregard of an
22 excessive risk to his health.
1 As to the occupational weight-lifting restriction, Davis originally sent medical kite
2 asking that his chronic neck pain be taken into consideration regarding his job
3 assignment. Dkt. 82-1 at 3. Newlon responded advising Davis to bring his request to his
4 inmate counselor and DOC counselor. Id. Prior to Davis’s request for a lifting restriction
5 in November 2018 to his physical therapist, Davis did not request a lifting restriction
6 from Newlon, nor did she assess that one was medically indicated. Newlon Decl., ¶ 13.
7 But once a formalized request was made, Newlon investigated and ultimately prescribed
8 a lifting restriction. See Dkt. 105-10. There is no evidence that Newlon intentionally
9 delayed a lifting restriction for Davis or that she chose to not prescribe him a restriction
10 prior to November 2018 in conscious disregard to an excessive risk to Davis’s health.
11 Rather, Newlon declares that she did not believe one was medically necessary prior to
12 November 2018.
13 Finally, the thrust of Davis’s claim is that Newlon was deliberately indifferent to
14 his need for a new mattress. Davis’s motion largely focuses on whether Newlon had the
15 authority to order him a mattress and argues that she should have done more. See Dkt. 81
16 at 12–15. But this is not the standard of deliberate indifference—the issue is whether
17 Newlon’s course of treatment was medically unacceptable under the circumstances and
18 whether she chose the course of treatment in conscious disregard to an excessive risk
19 Davis’s health. See Snow, 681 F.3d at 987. Davis has not adduced evidence of what the
20 excessive risk his health was or evidence that Newlon was consciously aware of the risk
21 and disregarded it. If Newlon should have been aware of a risk, but was not, she has not
22
1 violated the Eighth Amendment. See Toguchi v. Chung, 391 F.3d 1051, 1057 (9th Cir.
2 2004).
3 In sum, Davis has not presented sufficient evidence to create as question of fact as
4 to whether Newlon was deliberately indifferent to a serious medical need. Her actions do
5 not meet the high standard of deliberate indifference as a matter of law. Davis’s motion
6 for summary judgment is therefore DENIED, and Newlon’s motion for summary
7 judgment is GRANTED. Davis’s Eighth Amendment claim against Newlon is
8 DISMISSED with prejudice.
9 As to Hull, “a prison administrator can be liable for deliberate indifference to a
10 prisoner’s medical needs if he ‘knowingly fail[s] to respond to an inmate’s requests for
11 help.’” Peralta, 744 F.3d at 1085–86 (quoting Jett, 439 F.3d at 1098). The evidence
12 presented by Davis and Hull shows that Hull did respond to Davis’s requests for a new
13 mattress. First, while Davis was housed at the F-tier, Hull assessed Davis’s mattress and
14 determined that it was still serviceable and not eligible for replacement. Hull Decl., ¶ 4.
15 Second, when Davis moved to the A-tier and requested a new mattress, Hull again
16 assessed the mattress, determined it was eligible to replaced, and replaced the mattress
17 that same day. Id. ¶ 5. Hull’s course of action in responding to Davis’s requests for a new
18 or second mattress does not amount to deliberate indifference.
19 Furthermore, Davis has not presented evidence that there was a substantial risk of
20 harm if his mattress was not replaced and that Hull in fact drew such an inference. See
21 Farmer, 511 U.S. at 837. Davis appears to argue that Hull should have made the
22 inference because he was aware that Davis had chronic pain issues. See Dkt. 81 at 17–18.
1 But that does not meet the deliberate indifference standard: “If a prison official should
2 have been aware of the risk, but was not, then the official has not violated the Eighth
3 Amendment, no matter how severe the risk.” Toguchi, 391 F.3d at 1057 (internal
4 quotation and alternations omitted). Davis also lacks evidence that any delay on Hull’s
5 part caused him harm; there is no showing of causation of injury. Absent this evidence,
6 Davis’s Eighth Amendment claim against Hull fails.
7 Therefore, Davis’s motion for summary judgment is DENIED, and Hull’s motion
8 for summary judgment is GRANTED. Davis’s Eighth Amendment claim against Hull is
9 DISMISSED with prejudice.
10 c. Conspiracy
11 Davis’s complaint does not assert a conspiracy claim. See Dkt. 66. His partial
12 summary judgment motion argues for the first time that Hull and Newlon conspired
13 together to violate his Eighth Amendment rights. See Dkt. 81 at 18–19. He asserts that
14 Hull and Newlon took concerted action to prevent him from sleeping on a decent
15 mattress. Id.
16 Newlon and Hull argue, and the Court agrees, that Davis’s assertion of a
17 conspiracy claim in his motion for summary judgment is procedurally improper. See Dkt.
18 102 at 16. Davis replies that his conspiracy claim did not need to be pled because the
19 email exchange between Newlon and Hull was not produced until after his amended
20 complaint was filed. Dkt. 108 at 7. But a complaint must “give the defendant fair notice
21 of what the claim is and the grounds upon which it rests.” Bell Atl. Corp. v. Twombly, 550
22 U.S. 544, 555 (internal citations and alternations omitted). And the Federal Rules of Civil
1 Procedure allow for amendment after the deadline for amending the pleadings for good
2 cause. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 16(b)(4); In re W. States Wholesale Nat. Gas Antitrust Litig.,
3 715 F.3d 716, 737 (9th Cir. 2013). Davis’s assertion of a new conspiracy claim at this
4 stage is improper, and he provides no authority to support his assertion that he may do so
5 at this juncture.
6 In any event, neither Newlon nor Hull are individually liable for an Eighth
7 Amendment violation so any conspiracy claim, even if properly pled, necessarily fails.
8 Davis’s motion for summary judgment on his newly asserted conspiracy claim is,
9 therefore, DENIED.
10 2. First Amendment Retaliation Claim
11 Within the prison context, a claim of First Amendment retaliation requires five
12 elements: “(1) An assertion that a state actor took some adverse action against an inmate
13 (2) because of (3) that prisoner’s protected conduct, and that such action (4) chilled the
14 inmate’s exercise of his First Amendment rights, and (5) the action did not reasonably
15 advance a legitimate correctional goal.” Rhodes v. Robinson, 408 F.3d 559, 567–68 (9th
16 Cir. 2005).
17 Davis argues that a reasonable jury could find that Hull deliberately ignored his
18 need for a new mattress because of his speech and use of the kite and grievance systems
19 and that Hull’s actions chilled his exercise of his First Amendment rights without any
20 penological justification. Dkt. 99 at 18–19. Hull, on the other hand, argues that there is no
21 evidence of adverse action or causation. Dkt. 83 at 16–17; Dkt. 109 at 6–7.
22
1 Davis cites to excerpts of his deposition in support of his argument that Hull
2 retaliated against him, see Dkt. 99 at 19 (quoting Davis Depo. at 48:5–73:23). Hull
3 objects to that testimony in part because the quote includes substantive edits by Davis’s
4 counsel and highlights that the citation spans over twenty pages of deposition testimony.
5 Dkt. 109 at 2–3. He also argues that the testimony contains hearsay. While the Court
6 agrees that the substantive edits do not accurately reflect Davis’s complete testimony, it is
7 possible that the testimony could be presented in admissible form at trial. If evidence
8 could be presented in admissible form, those contents may be considered on summary
9 judgment even if the evidence itself is hearsay. See Fraser v. Goodale, 342 F.3d 1032,
10 1037 (9th Cir. 2003). The Court has reviewed the entirety of Davis’s citation to his own
11 testimony and will consider it because it appears that the testimony could be presented in
12 admissible form as an opposing party’s statement, see Fed. R. Evid. 801(d)(2), for
13 example.
14 Hull also argues that Davis is trying to amend his retaliation claim to incorporate
15 his complaints in general to Hull. Davis’s complaint alleges that Hull retaliated against
16 Davis for “grieving,” see Dkt. 66, ¶ 45, and now it appears that Davis is arguing Hull
17 retaliated against him because of his speech and use of the grievance systems, see Dkt. 99
18 at 19. Davis’s responds that Hull retailed against him because of his speech in general,
19 like speaking to Hull outside of Hull’s office asking for a new mattress, and not just his
20 use of the formal grievance system.
21 “[S]ummary judgment is not a procedural second chance to flesh out inadequate
22 pleadings.” Wasco Prods., Inc. v. Southwall Techs., Inc., 435 F.3d 989, 992 (9th Cir.
1 2006) (internal quotation omitted). Davis’s retaliation claim is limited to how it was
2 pled—that Hull allegedly retaliated against Davis by ignoring his request for a new
3 mattress because of his grievances.
4 Therefore, whether Davis’s testimony is admissible or not, Davis has not
5 presented evidence that Hull took any adverse action or that Hull did so because Davis
6 engaged in the grieving process. Davis filed his formal grievance against Hull on
7 November 29, 2018. Dkt. 82-1 at 26. Pleines responded on December 6, explaining that
8 Hull received Davis’s kite for a new mattress and would assess his current mattress. Id.
9 Hull did just that and examined and replaced Davis’s mattress on or about December 8.
10 Hull Decl., ¶ 5. It is unclear to the Court how this timeline of events reflects an adverse
11 action. Rather, it appears that the grievance process was effective and that Davis received
12 a new mattress because his mattress was no longer serviceable. Davis has not presented
13 evidence of the requisite elements of a retaliation claim.
14 Summary judgment is therefore GRANTED, and Davis’s retaliation claim against
15 Hull is DISMISSED with prejudice.
16 D. Defendant Taylor
17 Davis asserts claims against Taylor for deliberate indifference to Davis’s medical
18 needs in violation of the Eighth Amendment and for professional negligence related to
19 Davis’s transfer to SCCC. Dkt. 66, ¶¶ 47–51, 56–57. Taylor moves for summary
20 judgment on both claims. Dkt. 83.
21
22
1 1. Eighth Amendment Claim
2 Davis argues that Taylor’s investigation into his February 21 grievance was
3 flawed and caused his Amitriptyline prescription to be cut off for at least seven of the
4 approximately thirty days Davis was without medication. Dkt. 99 at 20. He further asserts
5 Taylor refused to contact providers or look at his “actual” prescriptions. Id. Taylor
6 declares that he reviewed Davis’s MAR and did not see an active prescription for
7 Amitriptyline. Taylor Decl., ¶ 3.
8 “[A] prison administrator can be liable for deliberate indifference to a prisoner’s
9 medical needs if he ‘knowingly fail[s] to respond to an inmate’s requests for help.’”
10 Peralta, 744 F.3d at 1085–86 (quoting Jett, 439 F.3d at 1098). At this stage, Davis must
11 present evidence that Taylor was “aware of facts from which the inference could be
12 drawn that a substantial risk of serious harm exist[ed]” and that Taylor in fact drew the
13 inference. Farmer, 511 U.S. at 837. He has not met that burden.
14 Taylor was aware of Davis’s grievance that his medications were removed when
15 he transferred to SCCC, but Davis’s MAR reflected (incorrectly) that his Amitriptyline
16 expired on February 10. Davis has not presented evidence or arguments establishing that
17 an inference of a substantial risk of serious harm could be drawn from the facts that were
18 presented to Taylor at that time and that Taylor drew the inference. Rather, Taylor
19 interviewed Davis, reviewed his medical chart, apparently did not infer any substantial
20 risk of serious harm, and responded to his grievance. See Dkt. 91-2. “If a prison official
21 should have been aware of the risk, but was not, then the official has not violated the
22
1 Eighth Amendment, no matter how severe the risk.” Toguchi, 391 F.3d at 1057 (internal
2 quotation and alternations omitted).
3 Davis has not presented evidence of Taylor’s subjective state of mind and has not
4 established an Eighth Amendment claim. Summary judgment is therefore GRANTED,
5 and Davis’s Eighth Amendment claim against Taylor is DISMISSED with prejudice.
6 2. Professional Negligence Claim
7 Davis asserts a claim of professional negligence against Taylor, alleging that his
8 conduct “fell below the standard of care expected of a reasonably prudent health care
9 provider.” Dkt. 66, ¶ 56. “In Washington, a claim for professional negligence exists
10 against a limited group of licensed professionals, such as health care providers, attorneys,
11 real estate professionals, accountants, clergy, and insurance agents.” Swartz v. Deutsche
12 Bank, No. C03-1252MJP, 2008 WL 1968948, at *23 (W.D. Wash. May 2, 2008)
13 (collecting cases). Davis now seeks to convert his professional negligence claim to a
14 negligence claim because Taylor is not medically licensed. Dkt. 99 at 24.
15 A complaint must “give the defendant fair notice of what the claim is and the
16 grounds upon which it rests.” Twombly, 550 U.S. at 545 (internal citations and
17 alternations omitted). It is not clear to the Court that Davis can convert his negligence
18 claim against Taylor without amendment, and Davis does not provide authority to
19 support his position. Cf. Wasco Prods., 435 F.3d at 992. But even assuming such a
20 conversion would be permissible under the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, Davis has
21 failed to identify the duty owed to him by Taylor.
22
1 Davis argues that Taylor owed him “a duty of care because of the ‘special
2 relationship that results when a custodian has complete control over a prisoner deprived
3 of liberty.’” Dkt. 99 at 24 (quoting Shea v. City of Spokane, 17 Wn. App. 236, 242
4 (1977), aff’d 90 Wn.2d 43 (1978)). But Shea addressed the liability of a city for the
5 negligence of its jail physician, not the duty of a Health Services Manager or another
6 comparable position. See 17 Wn. App. at 241. Moreover, Davis’s expert was unable to
7 testify on what Taylor’s standard of care would be, though she stated that he had an
8 obligation to alert those who could remedy the situation involving Davis’s Amitriptyline
9 prescription. See Dkt. 95-3, Deposition of Caroline Fisher, M.D. (“Fisher Dep.”), at
10 92:23–93:8, 94:2–9. But absent authority supporting his expert’s assertion that Taylor
11 had such an obligation, Davis has failed to establish that Taylor owed him a duty either
12 under a professional negligence or negligence claim.
13 Summary judgment is therefore GRANTED, and Davis’s professional negligence
14 claim against Taylor is DISMISSED with prejudice.
15 E. Defendant Furst
16 Davis and Furst bring cross-motions for summary judgment on Davis’s Eighth
17 Amendment claim. Dkts. 77, 79. Furst argues that Davis lacks evidence to sustain his
18 claim that Furst was deliberately indifferent to his serious medical needs when Davis was
19 transferred to SCCC and his Amitriptyline prescription was inadvertently discontinued.
20 See Dkt. 77. Davis, on the other hand, argues that Furst subjectively knew of and
21 disregarded Davis’s serious medical needs. See Dkt. 79.
22
1 1. Motion to Strike
2 As a preliminary matter, Davis moves to strike evidence filed in support of Furst’s
3 motion. Dkt. 94 at 5–7. The majority of Davis’s objections are denied as moot because
4 the Court does not rely on the objected to evidence in reaching its decision here. For
5 example, the Court does not rely upon Davis’s request to start at a lower dosage of
6 Amitriptyline in determining whether Furst was deliberately indifferent. But, relevant to
7 the issues at hand, Davis moves to strike “all testimonial evidence about what may or
8 may not have been included on the CIPS screen or any mention of CIPS . . . .” Id. at 7.
9 He argues that because the contents of CIPS cannot be admitted as a writing and because
10 CIPS is not a medical chart, it should be excluded under Federal Rules of Evidence 1002
11 and 403. But what Furst and other medical care providers saw in CIPS is relevant to the
12 motions at hand. Solely for the purposes of these motions, the Court concludes that the
13 testimony regarding CIPS would likely be admissible under Federal Rule of Evidence
14 1004, and thus the Court will consider the testimony.
15 2. Eighth Amendment Claim
16 Davis argues that he had a serious medical need when his Amitriptyline
17 prescription was taken from him upon transfer to SCCC and that Furst subjectively knew
18 of and disregarded Davis’s serious medical need. Dkt. 66, ¶¶ 47–48.
19 A “serious” medical need exists if the failure to treat a prisoner’s condition could
20 result in further significant injury or the “unnecessary and wanton infliction of pain.”
21 McGuckin, 974 F.2d at 1059 (quoting Estelle, 429 U.S. at 104). A medical need is serious
22 where there is (1) “[t]he existence of an injury that a reasonable doctor or patient would
1 find important and worthy of comment or treatment;” (2) “the presence of a medical
2 condition that significantly affects an individual’s daily activities;” or (3) “the existence
3 of chronic and substantial pain.” Id. at 1059–60 (internal citations omitted).
4 Davis’s Amitriptyline was taken from him upon transfer to SCCC, and he
5 immediately sent a kite in an attempt to have his medication returned. While Furst
6 testified that he did not think that Davis being on 50mg Amitriptyline for ten days was a
7 serious medical need, see Furst Depo. at 116:11–15, Davis’s expert reached the opposite
8 conclusion. Dr. Caroline Fisher opines that Davis likely experienced at least five weeks
9 and up to several months of no or incomplete treatment of his symptoms secondary to the
10 cessation of his Amitriptyline prescription. See Dkt. 80-9 at 8. This difference in opinion
11 creates a genuine dispute of material fact as to whether stopping Davis’s Amitriptyline
12 prescription constituted a serious medical need. Whether a reasonable doctor or patient
13 would find the cessation of Amitriptyline and Davis’s symptoms important and worthy of
14 comment or treatment is ultimately a question a finder of fact must determine and cannot
15 be decided at this juncture.
16 However, there is not sufficient evidence to create a question of fact as to whether
17 Furst was deliberately indifferent. Deliberate indifference is the subjective component of
18 an Eighth Amendment claim, requiring a plaintiff to show that the defendant was “aware
19 of facts from which the inference could be drawn that a substantial risk of serious harm
20 exist[ed]” and that he in fact drew the inference. Farmer, 511 U.S. at 837. It is arguable
21 that Furst was aware of facts from which an inference could be drawn that Davis had a
22 substantial risk of serious harm. Davis kited Furst five times endeavoring to have his
1 Amitriptyline prescription re-started. But Furst unequivocally testified that he did not
2 make such an inference. He stated that he “did not think that [Davis] being on 50
3 milligrams of Amitriptyline for ten days and then having it stopped represented an urgent
4 situation, either medically or from a mental health perspective.” Furst Depo. at 116:11–
5 15.
6 Davis appears to argue that Furst should have drawn an inference and should have
7 done more. See Dkt. 79 at 9–11. These arguments sound in negligence, not deliberate
8 indifference. A physician’s negligence “in diagnosing or treating a medical condition
9 does not state a valid claim of medical mistreatment under the Eighth Amendment.”
10 Estelle, 429 U.S. at 106. Davis has not presented evidence that Furst deliberately or
11 purposefully acted (or failed to respond) to Davis’s serious medical needs. See Jett, 439
12 F.3d at 1096. Absent evidence of this essential element, Davis’s Eighth Amendment
13 claim fails as a matter of law. See Celotex Corp., 477 U.S. at 323.
14 Furst’s motion for summary judgment is therefore GRANTED, and Davis’s
15 motion for summary judgment is DENIED. Davis’s Eighth Amendment claim against
16 Furst is DISMISSED with prejudice.
17 F. Defendants Butz & Pollard
18 Davis brings claims against Butz and Pollard related to his medical transportation
19 following spinal surgery and returning to SCCC. He alleges that both Butz and Pollard
20 violated his Eighth Amendment rights, or alternatively his Fourth Amendment rights, and
21 that Pollard retaliated against him in violation of his First Amendment rights. Dkt. 66,
22 ¶¶ 52–53. Davis also brings a negligence claim against Butz and Pollard as well as claims
1 of intentional infliction of emotional distress (commonly referred to as “outrage”) and
2 negligent infliction of emotional distress against Pollard. Id. ¶¶ 54–55. Butz and Pollard
3 move for summary judgment on all claims. Dkt. 83.
4 1. Fourth Amendment & Eighth Amendment Claims
5 First, Davis cannot maintain a Fourth Amendment excessive use of force claim as
6 a matter of law. As Butz and Pollard correctly note, the Fourth Amendment applies only
7 to those not yet convicted. See Graham v. Connor, 490 U.S. 386, 395 n.10 (1989);
8 Hawkins v. Comparet-Cassani, 251 F.3d 1230, 1238 (9th Cir. 2011). After conviction,
9 the Eighth Amendment “serves as the primary source of substantive protection to
10 convicted prisoners,” including cases where the prisoner challenges a deliberate use of
11 force as excessive and unjustified. Whitley v. Albers, 475 U.S. 312, 327 (1986). Davis
12 fails to cite any authority supporting his position that he, as a convicted, incarcerated
13 felon, may bring a Fourth Amendment excessive use of force claim. Therefore, Butz and
14 Pollard’s motion for summary judgment on Davis’s alternative Fourth Amendment claim
15 is GRANTED, and that claim is DISMISSED with prejudice.
16 Second, it is not entirely clear to the Court under what theory Davis brings his
17 Eighth Amendment claim against Butz and Pollard. Davis’s complaint alleges that Butz
18 and Pollard were deliberately indifferent during the medical transport but also that
19 Pollard “intentionally and sadistically used excessive force” and that Butz “participated.”
20 Dkt. 66, ¶ 52. Davis’s response to DOC Defendants’ motion for summary judgment does
21 not clarify his theory. See Dkt. 99 at 21.
22
1 An Eighth Amendment claim generally takes one of three forms. One type of
2 claim arises when prison officials are deliberately indifferent to a prisoner’s serious
3 medical needs. See Estelle, 429 U.S. at 104. A closely related claim involves a prisoner’s
4 challenges to their conditions of confinement. See Hope, 536 U.S. at 737–38. And finally,
5 the third type of claim asserts that prison staff used excessive force. See Whitley, 475
6 U.S. at 327; Hudson v. McMillian, 503 U.S. 1, 5–7 (1992).
7 Like a deliberate indifference claim, an excessive use of force claim under the
8 Eighth Amendment consists of an objective and a subjective component. The objective
9 component is “contextual and responsive to ‘contemporary standards of decency.’”
10 Hudson, 503 U.S. at 8 (quoting Estelle, 429 U.S. at 103). The Supreme Court has rejected
11 the notion that “serious injury” is required to establish the objective component of an
12 excessive use of force claim but has noted that de minimis force is not actionable so long
13 as it is not “of a sort ‘repugnant to the conscience of mankind.’” Id. at 9–10 (quoting
14 Whitley, 475 U.S. at 327). Consistent with the Supreme Court’s jurisprudence, the Ninth
15 Circuit has held that a prisoner “must objectively show that he was deprived of something
16 sufficiently serious.” Watison v. Carter, 668 F.3d 1108, 1112 (9th Cir. 2012) (internal
17 quotation omitted). The subjective component for excessive force claims “turns on
18 whether force was applied in a good faith effort to maintain or restore discipline or
19 maliciously and sadistically for the very purpose of causing harm.” Hudson, 503 U.S. at 6
20 (internal quotation omitted).
21 The Court thus considers five factors in analyzing an excessive force claim under
22 the Eighth Amendment: “(1) the extent of injury suffered by an inmate; (2) the need for
1 application of force; (3) the relationship between that need and the amount of force used;
2 (4) the threat reasonably perceived by the responsible officials; and (5) any efforts made
3 to temper the severity of a forceful response.” Bearchild v. Cobban, 947 F.3d 1130, 1141
4 (9th Cir. 2020) (quoting Furnace v. Sullivan, 705 F.3d 1021, 1028 (9th Cir. 2013)).
5 Davis fails to provide evidence for the Court to consider an excessive use of force
6 claim against either Pollard or Butz. The Court cannot discern whether Pollard applied
7 force “maliciously and sadistically,” Hudson, 503 U.S. at 6, or whether Butz
8 “participated,” Dkt. 66, ¶ 52. The same can be said of an analysis under the deliberate
9 indifference standard. There is no evidence that Butz or Pollard knew of and disregarded
10 an excessive risk to Davis’s health and safety. See Farmer, 511 U.S. at 837. It would be
11 prejudicial to Butz and Pollard for the Court to make inferences from evidence not cited
12 by Davis. It is Davis’s duty, not the Court’s, to present evidence sufficient to survive
13 summary judgment. See Celotex Corp., 477 U.S. at 323.
14 Summary judgment is therefore GRANTED, and Davis’s Eighth Amendment
15 claim against Butz and Pollard is DISMISSED with prejudice.
16 2. Negligence
17 Davis argues that Butz and Pollard owed him a duty “to ensure health, welfare,
18 and safety,” Gregoire v. City of Oak Harbor, 170 Wn.2d 628, 635 (2010), as corrections
19 officers. Dkt. 99 at 23–24. Davis further asserts that Pollard breached that duty by driving
20 erratically to intentionally harm him and that Butz breached his duty to intervene. Id.
21 While Davis does not cite any authority as to Butz’s duty to intervene, the Court agrees
22 that Butz and Pollard owed him a duty to ensure his health, welfare, and safety due to
1 their relationship to Davis as jailers and inmate. See Gregoire, 170 Wn.2d at 635–36
2 (discussing duty owed).
3 Davis argues that Butz and Pollard owed him a duty, that they breached that duty,
4 and that he suffered damages. However, Davis does not address whether the breach of
5 duty caused his damages. “Negligence requires duty, breach and resultant injury; and the
6 breach of duty must be shown to be a proximate cause of the injury.” Baughn v. Honda
7 Motor Co., Ltd., 107 Wn.2d 127, 142 (1986) (internal citations omitted). Proximate cause
8 encompasses (1) cause in fact and (2) legal causation, and both must be satisfied. Id.; see
9 also Ayers v. Johnson & Johnson Baby Prods. Co., 117 Wn.2d 747, 753 (1991). “Cause
10 in fact refers to the ‘but for’ consequences of an act—the physical connection between an
11 act and an injury.” Hartley v. State, 103 Wn.2d 768, 778 (1985). Legal causation
12 “involves a determination of whether liability should attach as a matter of law given the
13 existence of cause in fact.” Id. at 779 (emphasis in original).
14 Proximate cause is generally a question for the finder of fact, see Baughn, 107
15 Wn.2d at 142, but Davis has failed to articulate any evidence or authority to establish that
16 Butz and Pollard proximately caused him damage. A moving party is entitled to judgment
17 as a matter of law when the nonmoving party fails to make a sufficient showing on an
18 essential element of a claim in the case on which the nonmoving party has the burden of
19 proof. Celotex Corp., 477 U.S. at 323. Specifically, Davis has not presented evidence
20 that, “but for” Pollard’s driving, he would not have suffered damages. Moreover, as
21 Pollard and Butz highlight, Davis has not disclosed any expert testimony to support his
22 claim. Expert testimony is not always required, but it is necessary “to establish causation
1 where the nature of the injury involves ‘obscure medical factors which are beyond an
2 ordinary lay person’s knowledge, necessitating speculation in making a finding.’”
3 Fabrique v. Choice Hotels Int’l, Inc., 144 Wn. App. 675, 685 (2008) (quoting Riggins v.
4 Bechtel Power Corp., 44 Wn. App. 244, 254 (1986)). Absent evidence of this essential
5 element, Davis’s claim fails as a matter of law.
6 Summary judgment is therefore GRANTED, and Davis’s negligence claim against
7 Butz and Pollard is DISMISSED with prejudice.
8 3. First Amendment Retaliation Claim
9 Davis alleges that Pollard retaliated against him for asking Pollard to drive with
10 care in violation of his First Amendment rights. Dkt. 66, ¶ 53. Pollard seeks summary
11 judgment on this claim.
12 A retaliation claim requires: “(1) An assertion that a state actor took some adverse
13 action against an inmate (2) because of (3) that prisoner’s protected conduct, and that
14 such action (4) chilled the inmate’s exercise of his First Amendment rights, and (5) the
15 action did not reasonably advance a legitimate correctional goal.” Rhodes, 408 F.3d at
16 567–68.
17 Davis argues that, viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to him, a
18 reasonable jury could find that his request to Pollard to “take it easy,” followed by
19 Pollard telling him to “shut up” and then “driving like a maniac” is a sufficient retaliation
20 claim. Dkt. 99 at 21. These allegations may survive a motion to dismiss, but they are not
21 enough on a motion for summary judgment. While a well-pled “chronology of events
22 from which retaliation can be inferred is sufficient to survive dismissal,” Watison, 668
1 F.3d at 1114 (internal citations omitted), Davis must assert more than allegations and
2 provide evidence of his claim because he carries the burden of proof, see Lujan, 497 U.S.
3 888–89. It is not the Court’s duty “to scour the record in search of a genuine issue of
4 triable fact. We rely on the nonmoving party to identify with reasonable particularity the
5 evidence that precludes summary judgment.” Keenan v. Allan, 91 F.3d 1275, 1279 (9th
6 Cir. 1996). Furthermore, Davis has not presented evidence of causation and fails to
7 establish, through expert testimony or otherwise, that any retaliatory action through
8 intentional, erratic driving was the but-for cause of his vomiting or any other alleged
9 harm. Davis has not presented evidence creating genuine questions of material fact as to
10 whether Pollard retaliated against him.
11 Summary judgment is therefore GRANTED, and Davis’s First Amendment claim
12 against Pollard is DISMISSED with prejudice.
13 4. Outrage Claim
14 “Outrage requires proof of three elements: (1) extreme and outrageous conduct,
15 (2) intentional or reckless infliction of emotional distress, and (3) actual result to plaintiff
16 of severe emotional distress.” Robinson v. Pierce Cnty., 539 F. Supp. 2d 1316, 1332
17 (W.D. Wash. 2008) (citing Kloepfel v. Bokor, 149 Wn.2d 192, 195 (2003)). “The alleged
18 conduct must be ‘so outrageous in character, and so extreme in degree, as to go beyond
19 all possible bounds of decency, and to be regarded as atrocious, and utterly intolerable in
20 a civilized community.’” Id. at 1332–33 (2008) (quoting Grimsby v. Samson, 85 Wn.2d
21 52, 59 (1975)). “Whether the conduct is sufficiently outrageous is ordinarily a question
22 for the jury, but courts must initially determine if reasonable minds could differ as to
1 whether the conduct was sufficiently extreme to result in liability.” Id. at 1333 (citing
2 Phillips v. Hardwick, 29 Wn. App. 382, 387 (1981)). “To prevail on an outrage claim, a
3 plaintiff is required to come forward with evidence that he or she actually suffered severe
4 emotional distress as a result of the defendant’s conduct.” Sutton v. Tacoma Sch. Dist.
5 No. 10, 180 Wn. App. 859, 871 (2014) (citing Kloepfel, 149 Wn.2d at 203).
6 Pollard argues that poor driving does not constitute outrage. Dkt. 83 at 23. The
7 Court concludes that reasonable minds could differ as to whether Pollard’s conduct in
8 transporting Davis back to SCCC was sufficiently extreme to result in liability. Pollard
9 declares that he followed all the rules of the road and safely transported Davis, Pollard
10 Decl., ¶ 4, while Davis testified that Pollard drove erratically and caused him immense
11 pain, see, e.g., Davis Depo. at 141:12–22. Driving in such a manner that Davis describes
12 and causing a post-operative patient pain could be sufficiently extreme to establish an
13 outrage claim. The facts surrounding Pollard’s driving are plainly disputed, and a trier of
14 fact, viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to Davis, could find in Davis’s
15 favor that Pollard’s driving was extreme and outrageous conduct.
16 The issue, however, is that Davis has failed to present evidence that Pollard drove
17 erratically to intentionally or recklessly cause him emotional distress. He argues that the
18 Court must presume that Pollard’s “maniacal driving” occurred for the purposes of this
19 motion, Dkt. 99 at 24, but that is the standard for a motion to dismiss under Rule 12, not a
20 motion for summary judgment. While the Court views the evidence presented in the light
21 most favorable to the nonmoving party, the non-moving party must present evidence. See
22 Lujan, 497 U.S. at 888–89; Celotex Corp., 477 U.S. at 323. The Court may not presume
1 at this stage that Pollard’s actions in driving Davis back to SCCC was done with the
2 intention to cause him emotional distress without evidence to support such a conclusion.
3 Like his retaliation claim, Davis has not presented evidence of causation and fails
4 to establish the but-for cause of his harm. “It is the parties’ responsibility to cite to the
5 materials in the record they wish the Court to consider.” Graham-Sult v. Clainos, No. C
6 10-4877 CW, 2016 WL 324347, at *2 (N.D. Cal. Jan. 27, 2016) (citing Forsberg v. Pac.
7 N.W. Bell Tel. Co., 840 F.2d 1409, 1417–18 (9th Cir. 1988) (“The district court is not
8 required to comb the record to find some reason to deny a motion for summary
9 judgment.”)). It would be prejudicial to Pollard for the Court to draw conclusions from
10 facts Davis did not brief.
11 Absent evidence of these essential elements of Pollard’s subjective intent and
12 causation, Davis’s claim of outrage fails. Summary judgment is therefore GRANTED,
13 and Davis’s claim of outrage against Pollard is DISMISSED with prejudice.
14 5. Negligent Infliction of Emotional Dismiss Claim
15 “The tort of [negligent infliction of emotional distress] is a limited, judicially-
16 created cause of action that allows bystander family members to obtain damages for
17 ‘foreseeable’ intangible injuries caused by viewing a physically-injured loved one shortly
18 after a traumatic accident.” Colbert v. Moomba Sports, Inc., 132 Wn. App. 916, 923
19 (2006) (internal citations omitted). Davis does not claim that he witnessed a family
20 member involved in a traumatic accident or that a family member witnessed him in such
21 an accident. His claim thus fails as a matter of law. Indeed, Davis concedes that this
22 claim was errantly pleaded. See Dkt. 99 at 24. Defendants’ motion for summary judgment
1 is therefore GRANTED, and Davis’s negligent infliction of emotional distress claim
2 against Pollard is DISMISSED with prejudice.
3 G. Defendant DOC
4 Davis alleges violations of Title II of the ADA for the denial of accommodations
5 while housed at OCC and SCCC. Dkt. 66, ¶¶ 42–44. Both Davis and DOC move for
6 summary judgment on this claim, and Davis moves for an injunction against DOC
7 ordering it to comply with the ADA. Davis additionally asserts a negligence claim against
8 DOC arising out of his medical transport, id. ¶ 55, and a professional negligence claim
9 arising out of his transfer to SCCC, id., ¶ 57. DOC moves for summary judgment as to
10 these two negligence-based claims. Dkt. 83.
11 1. ADA Title II Claim
12 Title II of the ADA provides that “no qualified individual with a disability shall,
13 by reason of such disability, be excluded from participation in or be denied the benefits of
14 the services, programs, or activities of a public entity, or be subjected to discrimination
15 by any such entity.” 42 U.S.C. § 12132. The Supreme Court has held that Title II applies
16 to state prisons. Pa. Dep’t of Corr. v. Yeskey, 524 U.S. 206, 210 (1998); see also Lee v.
17 City of Los Angeles, 250 F.3d 668, 691 (9th Cir. 2001).
18 To establish a claim under Title II of the ADA, a plaintiff must prove:
19 (1) he is an individual with a disability; (2) he is otherwise qualified to
participate in or receive the benefit of some public entity’s services,
20 programs, or activities; (3) he was either excluded from participation in or
denied the benefits of the public entity’s services, programs, or activities, or
21 was otherwise discriminated against by the public entity; and (4) such
exclusion, denial of benefits, or discrimination was by reason of [his]
22 disability.
1
McGary v. City of Portland, 386 F.3d 1259, 1265 (9th Cir. 2004) (internal quotations
2
omitted). A public entity may be liable under Title II “if it intentionally or with deliberate
3
indifference fails to provide meaningful access or reasonable accommodation to disabled
4
persons.” Mark H. v. Lemahieu, 513 F.3d 922, 938 (9th Cir. 2008).3 The “failure to
5
provide reasonable accommodation can constitute discrimination.” Vinson v. Thomas,
6
288 F.3d 1145, 1154 (9th Cir. 2002).
7
Davis argues that he had a disability and that he had a “right to reasonable ADA
8
accommodations of a decent sleeping mat, suitable job duties, and a lifting weight
9
restriction while incarcerated at OCC, and to a cervical pillow while at SCCC.” Dkt 81 at
10
19. DOC argues that there is no evidence of a causal connection between Davis’s claimed
11
disability and any denial of services, programs, or benefits. Dkt. 83 at 14–15. It also
12
argues that Davis has not presented any evidence regarding the nature, severity, or
13
duration of his claimed disability. Dkt. 102 at 19–22.
14
The thrust of Davis’s argument is that DOC violates Title II of the ADA by having
15
a “two silos” system to approve medical devices: one system by which health care
16
providers can provide medically necessary accommodations, and another by which ADA
17
coordinators provide ADA accommodations. It appears that Davis argues that his
18
requested accommodations should have been granted under the ADA but were instead
19
20
3 There is no significant difference in the analysis of rights and obligations created by the
21 ADA and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S.C. § 701, et seq. See 42 U.S.C. § 12133; Vinson
v. Thomas, 288 F.3d 1145, 1152 n.7 (9th Cir. 2002). The Court uses case law from both ADA
22 and Rehabilitations Act claims accordingly.
1 routed to medical providers and denied. Davis’s arguments are hard to follow, but the
2 Court understands his argument to be that DOC did not provide him reasonable
3 accommodations through a mattress, lifting weight restrictions, and a cervical pillow
4 because of the “two silos” system and that this failure to provide reasonable
5 accommodations violated the ADA.
6 Even assuming the other elements have been met, the issue with Davis’s “two
7 silos” argument is that he has not presented evidence or argument that he was denied a
8 reasonable accommodation because of his disability. To recover monetary damages under
9 Title II, “a plaintiff must prove intentional discrimination on the part of the defendant.”
10 Duvall v. Cnty. of Kitsap, 260 F.3d 1124, 1138 (9th Cir. 2001) (internal citations
11 omitted). “To show intentional discrimination, this circuit requires that the plaintiff show
12 that a defendant acted with ‘deliberate indifference,’ which requires ‘both knowledge that
13 a harm to a federally protected right is substantially likely, and a failure to act upon
14 that . . . likelihood.’” Updike v. Multnomah Cnty., 870 F.3d 939, 950–51 (9th Cir. 2017)
15 (quoting Duvall, 260 F.3d at 1139). Davis does not address this standard, let alone
16 provide evidence in support of DOC’s alleged intentional discrimination. The standard
17 for deliberate indifference under the Eighth Amendment is not equivalent to the
18 deliberate indifference standard under the ADA. Any alleged deliberate indifference by
19 the individually named defendants cannot be used to establish liability under the ADA
20 against DOC.
21 Therefore, absent evidence of an essential element, DOC is entitled to summary
22 judgment on Davis’s ADA Title II claim against it. DOC’s motion for summary judgment
1 is GRANTED, and Davis’s motion is DENIED. Davis’s ADA Title II claim is
2 DISMISSED with prejudice.
3 2. Request for Injunction
4 In his motion for partial summary judgment, Davis asserts that he has recently
5 been arrested and has been remanded back to DOC custody. Dkt. 81 at 24–25; see also
6 Dkt. 118. He seeks for the first time an injunction (either preliminary or permanent)
7 “ensuring DOC compliance with its own Policy 690.400 and all recommendations of the
8 Ombuds Report of November 22, 2019.” Dkt. 81 at 10. DOC argues that it is
9 procedurally improper for Davis to request an injunction when he has not pled a request
10 for such relief. Dkt. 102 at 22–24. It further asserts that Davis is not seeking a remedy
11 that is of the same nature the Court could ultimately grant in the lawsuit at hand.
12 “When a plaintiff seeks injunctive relief based on claims not pled in the complaint,
13 the court does not have the authority to issue an injunction.” Pac. Radiation Oncology,
14 LLC v. Queen’s Med. Ctr., 810 F.3d 631, 633 (9th Cir. 2015). There must be a “sufficient
15 nexus” between the claims raised in the motion for injunctive relief and the claims in the
16 underlying complaint. Id. at 636. “The relationship between the preliminary injunction
17 and the underlying complaint is sufficiently strong where the preliminary injunction
18 would grant ‘relief of the same character as that which may be granted finally.’” Id.
19 (quoting De Beers Consol. Mines v. United States, 325 U.S. 212, 220 (1945)).
20 Davis’s ADA claims against DOC arise out of his incarceration from 2018 to
21 2019, not out of any current or future incarceration. Davis may have pled that DOC
22 violated Title II of the ADA while he was previously incarcerated, see Dkt. 66, ¶¶ 42–44,
1 but those allegations alone do not establish a sufficient nexus between his alleged claim
2 and his request for injunctive relief. “A court’s equitable power lies only over the merits
3 of the case or controversy before it.” Pac. Radiation Oncology, 810 F.3d at 633. The
4 Court does not have the power to grant the equitable relief requested because the
5 preliminary injunction does not relate to the specific controversy currently before the
6 Court.
7 Even assuming the Court could grant the requested injunctive relief, Davis has not
8 established the requisite elements for a preliminary injunction. “A plaintiff seeking a
9 preliminary injunction must establish that he is likely to succeed on the merits, that he is
10 likely to suffer irreparable harm in the absence of preliminary relief, that the balance of
11 equities tips in his favor, and that an injunction is in the public interest.” Winter v. Nat.
12 Res. Def. Council, Inc., 555 U.S. 7, 20 (2008) (internal citations omitted). “Under Winter,
13 plaintiffs must establish that irreparable harm is likely, not just possible, in order to obtain
14 a preliminary injunction.” All. for the Wild Rockies v. Cottrell, 632 F.3d 1127, 1131 (9th
15 Cir. 2011) (emphasis in original). Davis has not presented evidence or arguments that he
16 is likely to suffer irreparable harm. He merely argues that, since he is returning to DOC
17 custody, he has standing to request an injunction. This does not satisfy Winter, and, even
18 if the Court could grant injunctive relief, Davis fails to establish the need for such
19 equitable relief.
20 Davis’s request for an injunction is, therefore, DENIED.
21
22
1 3. Negligence Claim
2 It appears that Davis brings a claim of negligence against DOC arising out of
3 Defendants Butz and Pollard’s medical transport following Davis’s surgery back to
4 SCCC. See Dkt. 66, ¶ 55. Davis does not clarify his negligence claim against DOC in his
5 response, and it is the Court’s understanding that he brings this claim under the doctrine
6 of respondeat superior. As discussed above, Davis’s negligence claim against Butz and
7 Pollard fails as matter of law, and thus his claim against DOC under the same theory
8 fails. DOC’s motion for summary judgment is therefore GRANTED, and Davis’s
9 negligence claim against it is DISMISSED with prejudice.
10 4. Professional Negligence Claim
11 It similarly appears that Davis asserts a professional negligence claim against
12 DOC arising out of Davis’s Amitriptyline prescription and transfer to SCCC. See Dkt. 66,
13 ¶ 57. DOC moves for summary judgment under the theory that Davis intends to place
14 secondary liability on DOC through Defendant Taylor’s actions. Dkt. 83 at 24–25. Davis
15 did not respond to this argument nor did he clarify his theory of liability.
16 It is the Court’s understanding based on Davis’s allegations that he seeks to
17 impose vicarious liability on DOC because of Taylor’s actions. But as discussed above,
18 Davis’s professional negligence or negligence claim against Taylor fails as a matter of
19 law, and thus his professional negligence claim against DOC fails. DOC’s motion for
20 summary judgment is therefore GRANTED, and Davis’s professional negligence claim
21 against it is DISMISSED with prejudice.
22
1 H. Defendants Pleines and Bangs
2 Davis alleges that Defendant Pleines violated his Eighth Amendment and First
3 Amendment rights while he was housed at OCC, Dkt. 66, ¶¶ 41, 45–46, and that
4 Defendant Bangs violated his Eighth Amendment rights when he was transferred to
5 SCCC, id. ¶¶ 47–51. Davis, in response to DOC Defendants’ motion for summary
6 judgment, concedes their dismissal. Dkt. 99 at 4 n.2, 17.
7 However, in Davis’s reply to his motion for partial summary judgment against
8 DOC, Hull, and Newlon, he asserts that if the Court finds that his claim involving his
9 cervical pillow at SCCC is not cognizable under the ADA, he does not concede dismissal
10 of his Eighth Amendment claim regarding the cervical pillow against Bangs. Dkt. 108 at
11 5. But Davis failed to present evidence or arguments in opposition to the motion.
12 Where facts asserted by the moving party in an unopposed motion are concerned,
13 the court may “consider the fact undisputed for purposes of the motion.” Fed. R. Civ. P.
14 56(e)(2). Bangs wrote a HSR for a cervical pillow, see Dkt. 85, ¶ 9; Dkt. 85-5, and it is
15 not demonstrated how her conduct meets the Eighth Amendment deliberate indifference
16 standard detailed above. Further, “a plaintiff cannot bring an action under 42 U.S.C.
17 § 1983 against a State official in her individual capacity to vindicate rights created by
18 Title II of the ADA.” Vinson, 288 F.3d at 1156.
19 Therefore, summary judgment is GRANTED, and Davis’s claims against Pleines
20 and Bangs are DISMISSED with prejudice.
21
22
1 I. Supplemental Jurisdiction
2 The sole remaining claim in this case is Davis’s state law professional negligence
3 claim against Furst. Neither party moved for summary judgment on this claim.
4 Under 28 U.S.C. § 1367(a), a federal court may assume supplemental jurisdiction
5 over “all other claims that are so related to claims in the action within [the court’s]
6 original jurisdiction so that they form part of the same case or controversy.” The Court
7 may decline to exercise this supplemental jurisdiction if the district court has dismissed
8 all claims over which it has original jurisdiction. 28 U.S.C. § 1367(c)(3). The district
9 court should “consider and weigh in each case, at every stage of the litigation, the values
10 of judicial economy, convenience, fairness, and comity in order to decide whether to
11 exercise jurisdiction over a case brought in that court involving pendent state-law
12 claims.” Carnegie-Mellon Univ. v. Cohill, 484 U.S. 343, 350 (1988).
13 Considering the factors laid out in Cohill, the Court declines to exercise
14 supplemental jurisdiction over the remaining state law claim against Furst. The Court has
15 dismissed all claims over which it has original jurisdiction, and the remaining parties
16 would not be prejudiced by declining supplemental jurisdiction. Indeed, Davis has moved
17 to continue the February 15, 2022 trial date. See Dkt. 119. The state court is better
18 situated to handle this single remaining claim.
19 Davis’s professional negligence claim against Furst is therefore DISMISSED
20 without prejudice.
21
22
1 III. ORDER
2 Therefore, it is hereby ORDERED that Furst’s motion for summary judgment,
3 Dkt. 77, is GRANTED and that Davis’s motion for partial summary judgment against
4 Furst, Dkt. 79, is DENIED. It is hereby further ORDERED that DOC Defendants’
5 motion for summary judgment, Dkt. 83, is GRANTED and that Davis’s motion for
6 partial summary judgment against Defendants Hull and Newlon and for injunction
7 against Defendant DOC, Dkt. 81, is DENIED. Davis’s professional negligence claim
8 against Furst is DISMISSED without prejudice, and all remaining claims are
9 DISMISSED with prejudice.
10 The remaining pending motions, Dkts. 119, 120, 121, 122, 124, are DENIED as
11 moot.
12 The Clerk shall enter JUDGMENT and close the case.
13 Dated this 11th day of January, 2022.
A
14
15
BENJAMIN H. SETTLE
16 United States District Judge
17
18
19
20
21
22