Johnson v. Davis
2:18-cv-00007 | N.D. Tex. | Feb 2, 2021
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FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS
AMARILLO DIVISION FEB-2 2021
MICHAEL BENJAMIN JOHNSON,
U.S. DISTRICT COURT
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT EER ED OF TEXAS
CLERK, U.S. DISTRICT COURT
BYE os ———
"4
TDCJ-CID No. 1992023,
Plaintiff,
v. 2:18-CV-007-Z
LORIE DAVIS, et al.,
CO? COD (OP CO? (OD CO? CO? (OD (OO? CO?
Defendants.
MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER
DISMISSING CIVIL RIGHTS COMPLAINT
Plaintiff Michael Benjamin Johnson, acting pro se and while a prisoner incarcerated in the
Texas Department of Criminal Justice (“TDCJ”), Correctional Institutions Division, has filed suit
pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983 complaining against the above-referenced Defendants and has been
granted permission to proceed in forma pauperis. For the following reasons, Plaintiff's civil rights
Complaint is DISMISSED with prejudice.
Plaintiff has also moved to amend his Amended Complaint (ECF No. 25). However, it is
clear from the pleading that Plaintiff wishes to supplement his claims with this filing. Thus, the
Court will consider the statements in Plaintiff's pleading but will DENY his request to file his
pleading as an Amended Complaint.
FACTUAL BACKGROUND
Plaintiff alleges that Defendants were deliberately indifferent to his serious medical needs
by failing to “fix his teeth,” delayed or cancelled medical appointments, and failure to consistently
provide him his prescribed medication. See ECF No. 14, at 4-5; ECF No. 25 at 1-2.
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LEGAL STANDARDS
When a prisoner confined in any jail, prison, or other correctional facility brings an action
with respect to prison conditions under any federal law, the Court may evaluate the complaint and
dismiss it without service of process, Ali v. Higgs, 892 F.2d 438" date_filed="1990-01-25" court="5th Cir." case_name="Bilal Muhammad Ali v. Max Higgs">892 F.2d 438, 440 (Sth Cir. 1990), if it is
frivolous,' malicious, fails to state a claim upon which relief can be granted, or seeks monetary
relief from a defendant who is immune from such relief. 28 U.S.C. §§ 1915A, 1915(e)(2). The
same standards will support dismissal of a suit brought under any federal law by a prisoner
confined in any jail, prison, or other correctional facility, where such suit concerns prison
conditions. 42 U.S.C. 1997e(c)(1). A Spears hearing need not be conducted for every pro se
complaint. Wilson v. Barrientos, 926 F.2d 480" date_filed="1991-04-10" court="5th Cir." case_name="Dennis Wayne Wilson v. Enrique M. Barrientos, Terry W. Huntsberry v. Byrd">926 F.2d 480, 483 n.4 (Sth Cir. 1991).
ANALYSIS
“[D]eliberate indifference to serious medical needs of prisoners constitutes the
‘unnecessary and wanton infliction of pain’ .. . proscribed by the Eighth Amendment.” Estelle v.
Gamble, 429 U.S. 97" date_filed="1976-11-30" court="SCOTUS" case_name="Estelle v. Gamble">429 U.S. 97, 104 (1976). Such indifference may be “manifested by prison doctors in their
response to the prisoner’s needs or by prison guards in intentionally denying or delaying access to
medical care or intentionally interfering with the treatment once prescribed.” Jd. Medical records
showing sick calls, examinations, diagnoses, and medications may rebut an inmate’s allegations
of deliberate indifference. Banuelos v. McFarland, 41 F.3d 232" date_filed="1995-01-04" court="5th Cir." case_name="Banuelos v. McFarland">41 F.3d 232, 235 (Sth Cir. 1995). A delay in
medical care to a prisoner can constitute an Eighth Amendment violation only if there has been
! A claim is frivolous if it lacks an arguable basis in law or in fact. Booker v. Koonce, 2 F.3d 114" date_filed="1993-09-13" court="5th Cir." case_name="Booker v. Koonce">2 F.3d 114, 115 (5th Cir, 1993).
2 Green vs. McKaskle, 788 F.2d 1116" date_filed="1986-05-05" court="5th Cir." case_name="Isiah Carl Green v. Dan v. McKaskle Acting Director, Texas Department of Corrections">788 F.2d 1116, 1120 (5th Cir. 1986) (“Of course, our discussion of Spears should not be
interpreted to mean that all or even most prisoner claims require or deserve a Spears hearing. A district court should
be able to dismiss as frivolous a significant number of prisoner suits on the complaint alone or the complaint together
with the Watson questionnaire.”)
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deliberate indifference, which results in substantial harm. Mendoza v. Lynaugh, 989 F.2d 191" date_filed="1993-04-28" court="5th Cir." case_name="Raymundo R. Mendoza v. James A. Lynaugh, Director, Texas Department of Criminal Justice">989 F.2d 191, 195
(Sth Cir. 1993).
Deliberate indifference “is an extremely high standard to meet.” Hernandez v. Tex. Dep't
of Protective & Regulatory Servs., 380 F.3d 872" date_filed="2004-08-31" court="5th Cir." case_name="Hernandez v. Texas Department of Protective & Regulatory Services">380 F.3d 872, 882 (5th Cir. 2004). (“We begin by emphasizing
that our court has interpreted the test of deliberate indifference as a significantly high burden for
plaintiffs to overcome.”). A prison official acts with deliberate indifference “only if (A) he knows
that inmates face a substantial risk of serious bodily harm and (B) he disregards that risk by failing
to take reasonable measures to abate it.” Gobert v. Caldwell, 463 F.3d 339" date_filed="2006-08-29" court="5th Cir." case_name="Gobert v. Caldwell">463 F.3d 339, 346 (Sth Cir. 2006)
(citing Farmer v. Brennan, 511 U.S. 825" date_filed="1994-06-06" court="SCOTUS" case_name="Farmer v. Brennan">511 U.S. 825, 847 (1994)); see also Reeves v. Collins, 27 F.3d 174" date_filed="1994-08-30" court="5th Cir." case_name="Wayne Morris Reeves, Jr. v. James A. Collins, Director, Texas Dept. Of Criminal Justice, Institutional Division">27 F.3d 174,
176-77 (5th Cir. 1994). Unsuccessful medical treatment, acts of negligence or medical malpractice
do not constitute deliberate indifference, nor does a prisoner’s disagreement with his medical
treatment, absent exceptional circumstances. Hall v. Thomas, 190 F.3d 693" date_filed="1999-09-29" court="5th Cir." case_name="Hall v. Thomas">190 F.3d 693 (Sth Cir. 1999);
Stewart v. Murphy, 174 F.3d 530" date_filed="1999-04-27" court="5th Cir." case_name="Bessie Stewart Pearl Stewart Gross v. Stewart Murphy Ed Hargett Richard Knutson">174 F.3d 530, 537 (Sth Cir.1999); Banuelos v. McFarland, 41 F.3d 232" date_filed="1995-01-04" court="5th Cir." case_name="Banuelos v. McFarland">41 F.3d 232, 235
(5th Cir. 1995); Varnado v. Lynaugh, 920 F.2d 320" date_filed="1991-01-09" court="5th Cir." case_name="Edward Charles Varnado v. James A. Lynaugh, Director, Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Institutional Division">920 F.2d 320, 321 (Sth Cir. 1991).
A showing of deliberate indifference requires the prisoner to submit evidence that prison
officials “refused to treat him, ignored his complaints, intentionally treated him incorrectly, or
engaged in any similar conduct that would clearly evince a wanton disregard for any serious
medical needs.” Johnson v. Treen, 759 F.2d 1236" date_filed="1985-05-13" court="5th Cir." case_name="Joseph W. Johnson v. David C. Treen">759 F.2d 1236, 1238 (5th Cir. 1985). The Fifth Circuit has
defined a “serious medical need” as “one for which treatment has been recommended or for which
the need is so apparent that even a layman would recognize that care is required.” Gobert, 463
F.3d at 345 n.12 (emphasis added).
Plaintiff presents no allegation of deliberate indifference. Rather, Plaintiff, at best, presents
an allegation of medical malpractice or negligence. Section 1983, however, is not a general tort
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statute, and mere negligence does not meet the standard for liability under Section 1983. Daniels
v. Williams, 474 U.S. 327" date_filed="1986-01-21" court="SCOTUS" case_name="Daniels v. Williams">474 U.S. 327, 331-34 (1986). In fact, Plaintiff, despite his use of the term “deliberate
indifference,” claims he is filing a tort action. ECF No. 3 at 7. Plaintiff uses phrases “malicious”
and “indifferent” and “illegal” to describe his medical care, but he provides no factual scenario
showing how any Defendant deliberately denied him medical care. Rather, he repeatedly claims
that his appointments are moved, cancelled, or delayed. ECF No. 10 at 1, ECF No. 19 at 1, ECF
No. 21 at 19-23, 30, ECF No. 22 at 3-7. However, Plaintiff does not indicate how any specific
delay of an appointment resulted in serious physical danger to himself.
In fact, Plaintiff repeatedly states that his primary concern is TDCJ’s overall refusal to “fix
his teeth.” ECF No. 3 at 4, ECF No. 14 at 5, ECF No. 25 at 1-2. Plaintiff sues Defendants Judith
Thomas, R.N., ECF No. 14 at 3, Barbara Bayer, P.A., ECF No. 14 at 3, Frank Jones, D.D.S., ECF
No. 14 at 4, Ryan Brewster, D.D.S., ECF No. 14 at 4, Thomas Lamborn, D.D.S., ECF No. 14 at
4, Amanda Guerra, ECF No. 14 at 4, Kathy Wages, R.N., ECF No. 14 at 4, Dr. Teague, ECF No.
25 at 1, FHA Page, ECF No. 25 at 1, and FHA Wilke, ECF No. 25 at 1. Overall, Plaintiff claims
these individuals collectively failed to treat his serious medical needs by refusing to “fix his teeth”
and/or denying him medication. ECF No. 14 at 4-5, ECF No. 25 at 1.
Plaintiff's submissions to the Court indicate that he was very dissatisfied with the medical
treatment he has received while housed in various TDCJ units, and frequently sought additional
medical care for his complaints. ECF No. 21 at 30 (“I submit a sick call almost every day.”). The
documents submitted also indicate that Plaintiff was seen by medical personnel, but Plaintiff
frequently writes comments on grievances responses indicating that “nothing was done” following
visits with medical personnel. ECF No. 21 at 19-33; ECF No. 22 at 3-7. However, Plaintiff fails
to articulate how any skipped or delayed appointment correspondence with an urgent medical need
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and resulted in any injury to the Plaintiff. Although he quotes general case law that “pain”
experienced while waiting for an appointment can amount to an Eighth Amendment violation,
ECF No. 25 at 1-2, Plaintiff does not indicate when he requested and was denied pain medication
by one of the named Defendants.
As to Plaintiff's claim about “fixing his teeth,” Plaintiff alleges that Defendants have
shown deliberate indifference to his need for dental care. The Constitution requires humane
conditions of confinement, which includes the receipt of adequate medical care. Farmer, 511 U.S.
at 832. “An inmate’s right of access to medical care includes the right to see a dentist when the
conditions of his teeth or gums have a serious affect on his health and well being.” Avila v.
Landgrebe, No. H-12-2315, 2013 WL 1336586, at *5 (S.D. Tex. Mar. 29, 2013) (citing Williams
v. Mason, 210 Fed. Appx 389, 390 (5th Cir. 2006)). Plaintiff complains about the type of medical
treatment he received, as well as a delay in medical treatment. Mere disagreement with the level
and type of medical treatment is insufficient to state a claim. Gibbs v. Grimmette, 254 F.3d 545" date_filed="2001-06-15" court="5th Cir." case_name="Gibbs v. Grimmette">254 F.3d 545,
549 (5th Cir. 2001). Failed treatment also does not constitute deliberate indifference to medical
care. Domino v. Texas Dep’t of Criminal Justice, 239 F.3d 752" date_filed="2001-02-07" court="5th Cir." case_name="Domino v. Texas Department of Criminal Justice">239 F.3d 752, 755 (Sth Cir. 2001). A failure to
provide additional treatment may show medical malpractice, but it does not show deliberate
indifference because decisions to provide additional treatment are matters of medical judgment.
Estelle, 429 U.S. 97" date_filed="1976-11-30" court="SCOTUS" case_name="Estelle v. Gamble">429 U.S. at 107; Domino, 239 F.3d 752" date_filed="2001-02-07" court="5th Cir." case_name="Domino v. Texas Department of Criminal Justice">239 F.3d at 756. “[A]lthough inadequate medical treatment may,
at a certain point, rise to the level of a constitutional violation, malpractice or negligent care does
not.” Stewart v. Murphy, 174 F.3d 530" date_filed="1999-04-27" court="5th Cir." case_name="Bessie Stewart Pearl Stewart Gross v. Stewart Murphy Ed Hargett Richard Knutson">174 F.3d 530, 534 (5th Cir. 1999). Plaintiffs allegations do not rise to
the level of deliberate indifference. Plaintiff was seen by multiple dentists, multiple mental health
practitioners, multiple nurses and other medical personnel in response to his sick-call requests.
ECF Nos. 10, 19, 21, 22. Plaintiff has not indicated how any specific Defendant deliberately
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ignored his serious medical needs by any alleged delay in treatment, and Plaintiff has not
articulated a set of facts showing how any Defendant’s refusal to “fix his teeth” was a result of
deliberate indifference.
Plaintiff's claims against Defendants Lorie Davis, Kevin Foley, and Ric Vogelgesang are
based solely on supervisory capacity. In Section 1983 suits, liability of government officials for
the unconstitutional conduct of their subordinates may not rest solely upon a theory of respondeat
superior or vicarious liability. Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662" date_filed="2009-05-18" court="SCOTUS" case_name="Ashcroft v. Iqbal">556 U.S. 662, 676 (2009) (citing Robertson v.
Sichel, 127 U.S. 507" date_filed="1888-05-14" court="SCOTUS" case_name="Robertson v. Sichel">127 U.S. 507, 515-16 (1888)); see also Roberts v. City of Shreveport, 397 F.3d 287" date_filed="2005-01-13" court="5th Cir." case_name="Roberts v. City of Shreveport">397 F.3d 287, 292
(Sth Cir. 2005) (“Under section 1983, supervisory officials are not liable for the actions of
subordinates on any theory of vicarious liability.”). Thus, supervisory officials are not subject to
vicarious liability under Section 1983 for the acts or omissions of their subordinates. See Mouille
v. City of Live Oak, 977 F.2d 924" date_filed="1993-01-15" court="5th Cir." case_name="Ken Mouille, Leroy Liberda v. The City of Live Oak, Texas, Mark E. Jackley, Douglas Faesler, and Timothy Britt">977 F.2d 924, 929 (Sth Cir. 1992).
Absent direct personal participation in the alleged constitutional violation, a plaintiff must
prove that each individual defendant either implemented an unconstitutional policy that directly
resulted in injury to the plaintiff or failed to properly train a subordinate employee. See Porter v.
Epps, 659 F.3d 440" date_filed="2011-09-28" court="5th Cir." case_name="Porter v. Epps">659 F.3d 440, 446 (Sth Cir. 2011); Thompkins v. Belt, 828 F.2d 298" date_filed="1987-09-29" court="5th Cir." case_name="George Thompkins, Cross-Appellee v. Bill Belt, Sheriff, Avoyelles Parish, Cross">828 F.2d 298, 303-04 (Sth Cir. 1987).
Plaintiff has not asserted any direct involvement by these Defendants in his claims, and Plaintiff
has not pleaded allegations showing that Defendants have implemented a policy of deliberate
indifference to medical needs. In fact, as discussed above, Plaintiff has not pleaded facts showing
deliberate indifference to his medical needs by medical personnel supervised by these Defendants
in any case. Thus, Plaintiff's claims against these defendants are dismissed with prejudice.
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CONCLUSION
For the reasons set forth above and pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §§ 1915A, 1915(e)(2) and 42
U.S.C. § 1997e(a), it is ORDERED that the Civil Rights Complaint by Plaintiff filed pursuant to
42 U.S.C. § 1983 be DISMISSED with prejudice as frivolous and for failure to state a claim upon
which relief can be granted. Plaintiffs Motion to Amend (ECF NO. 25) is DENIED as
unnecessary, as the Court considers the pleading a supplement to his Amended Complaint.
SO ORDERED.
February £, 2021. Nyy naif
MATAHEW J. KACSMARYK
ED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE