Jones v. Jones et al (INMATE 2)

Filing 13

ORDER ADOPTING RECOMMENDATION: 1) The Magistrate Judge's 5 Recommendation is ADOPTED in part; 2) The 7 Objection is OVERRULED; 3) Plf's § 1983 claim (Doc. # 1 ) is DISMISSED prior to service of process, pursuant to 28 USC § 1915(e)(2)(B); and 4) Supplemental jurisdiction over Plf's negligence and medical malpractice claims is DECLINED, pursuant to 28 USC § 1367(c). Signed by Chief Judge William Keith Watkins on 6/27/2011. (wcl, )

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE MIDDLE DISTRICT OF ALABAMA
NORTHERN DIVISION
HENRY JONES, # 226 148,
Plaintiff,
v.
DR. ALLEN JONES, et al.,
Defendants.

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) CASE NO. 2:11-CV-164-WKW
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ORDER ADOPTING RECOMMENDATION
On April 5, 2011, the Magistrate Judge filed a Recommendation (Doc. # 5) to
dismiss Plaintiff’s 42 U.S.C. § 1983 claim prior to service of process pursuant to 28
U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B), and without prejudice to any state law claims for negligence
and/or medical malpractice.

Plaintiff has filed a timely Objection to the

Recommendation. (Doc. # 7.) The court reviews de novo the portion of the
Recommendation to which the Objection applies. 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1). For the
reasons that follow, the Objection is due to be overruled and the Recommendation
adopted in part.
The thrust of Plaintiff’s Objection is that he can “prove his claims.” (Doc. # 7,
at 1.) However, there appears to be some confusion regarding Plaintiff’s basis for
relief. Although the Complaint was filed on an inmate § 1983 template, Plaintiff
makes no reference to any violation of constitutional rights in his factual narrative and

he lists “medical malpractice and negligence” as his only grounds for relief. (Doc. #
1.) It appears that the only nexus between Plaintiff’s allegations and § 1983 is the fact
that Plaintiff filed his Complaint on an inmate § 1983 template. Because the court is
to liberally construe pro se pleadings, see H&R Block E. Enters. v. Morris, 606 F.3d
1285, 1288 n.1 (11th Cir. 2010), Plaintiff’s Complaint will be construed as alleging
a § 1983 claim and state law claims for negligence and medical malpractice.
Pursuing a § 1983 and Eighth Amendment denial of medical treatment claim
requires a showing of deliberate indifference by a state actor to the prisoner’s serious
medical needs. Estelle v. Gamble, 429 U.S. 97, 104 (1976); Taylor v. Adams, 221
F.3d 1254, 1258 (11th Cir. 2000). As set forth by the Magistrate Judge, unsuccessful
treatment, or even negligence or medical malpractice, does not meet the constitutional
standard of deliberate indifference by a state actor. (Doc. # 5, at 3.) Taking as true
Plaintiff’s factual allegations, the court finds that there is no factual or legal support
for § 1983 relief,1 and Plaintiff’s § 1983 claim will be dismissed. Furthermore, the
court will decline to exercise supplemental jurisdiction, pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §
1367(c), over Plaintiff’s negligence and medical malpractice claims.2
Accordingly, it is ORDERED:
1

The Magistrate Judge’s reference to “frivolous” refers to application of legal standards
to the Eighth Amendment claim. It is not a reference to Plaintiff’s injuries.
2

Plaintiff is reminded that “the period of limitations for [his negligence and medical
malpractice claims] . . . shall be tolled while the claim is pending and for a period of 30 days
after it is dismissed unless State law provides for a longer tolling period.” 28 U.S.C. § 1367(d).
2

1.

The Magistrate Judge’s Recommendation (Doc. # 5) is ADOPTED in
part;

2.

The Objection (Doc. # 7) is OVERRULED;

3.

Plaintiff’s § 1983 claim (Doc. # 1) is DISMISSED prior to service of
process, pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B); and

4.

Supplemental jurisdiction over Plaintiff’s negligence and medical
malpractice claims is DECLINED, pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1367(c).

DONE this 27th day of June, 2011.
/s/ W. Keith Watkins
CHIEF UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

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