Pachinger v. United States Bureau of Prisons et al

Filing 71

ORDER denying docket entry # 62 Plaintiff's Motion for Reconsideration. Signed by Magistrate Judge J. Thomas Ray on 08/18/2011. (kcs)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
EASTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS
EASTERN DIVISION

KENNETH JOHN PACHINGER,
Reg. #30219-074
V.

PLAINTIFF

2:10CV00161 JTR

TOLLIVER, Physicians Assistant,
FCI-Forrest City, et al.

DEFENDANTS
ORDER1

I. Introduction
Plaintiff, Kenneth John Pachinger, has filed a Motion asking the Court to
reconsider the June 21, 2011 Order denying his Motion for a Preliminary Injunction.
See docket entries #65 and #62. Defendants have filed a Response, and Plaintiff has
filed a Reply. See docket entries #68 and #69. For the following reasons, the Motion
for Reconsideration will be denied.
II. Discussion
Plaintiff, who is a federal prisoner, has commenced this action alleging that
Defendants have provided him with constitutionally inadequate and negligent medical
care for perianal warts caused by the human papilloma virus. See docket entry #2.

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On June 16, 2011, the parties consented to proceed before a United States
Magistrate Judge. See docket entry #51.

On April 28, 2010, Plaintiff had several perianal warts surgically removed. See
docket entry #36. As a result of the surgery, he experienced chronic itching caused
by a reduction in elasticity and anal dryness. Id. Defendants prescribed several
different topical ointments to treat the condition, but Plaintiff claimed that none were
effective. Id.
On April 22, 2011, Plaintiff filed a Motion seeking a preliminary injunction
requiring an immediate examination by “competent physicians trained in the field and
capable of diagnosing” his “chronic anal itching problem.” Id. at 3.
On June 21, 2011, the Court denied Plaintiff’s Motion because he “failed to
come forward with any facts or evidence demonstrating that he will prevail on the
merits of his case or that he will suffer irreparable harm if his request for preliminary
injunctive relief is denied.” See docket entry #55 at 3. When reaching that conclusion,
the Court noted that: (1) Defendants were treating Plaintiff’s chronic anal itching with
ointments; (2) Defendants had explained proper hygiene and moisturizing techniques
to Plaintiff; and (3) Plaintiff had not sought treatment for perianal warts and/or itching
since January 12, 2011. Id. (citing the sworn Declaration of Defendant RiversGraham at docket entry #49, Ex. 1).
On June 29, 2011, Plaintiff filed a Motion for Reconsideration that included an
April 12, 2011 prescription suggesting that he did, in fact, seek treatment for perianal
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itching after January 12, 2011. See docket entry #62 at 5. Plaintiff also produced
medical records suggesting that, in December of 2003, he had several precancerous
growth removed from his rectum, and the surgeon recommended that he be physically
examined every three months for the next two years.2 Based on these medical records,
Plaintiff argues that he is currently in danger of developing anal cancer and that
Defendants are failing to give him quarterly physical exams to ensure that he has not
developed that condition. Id.
Plaintiff’s argument is flawed because the December 2003 recommendation for
quarterly physical exams expired in 2005. Further, Plaintiff has not come forward
with any evidence demonstrating that: (1) precancerous growths were discovered
during his more recent, April 2010 surgery; or (2) the surgeon recommended, in April
of 2010, that Plaintiff receive periodic rectal exams.3
More importantly, Defendants have produced undisputed medical records

2

The surgical notes state that “multiple anal condyloma with mild to moderate
atypia” were removed. See docket entry #62 at 5.
3

In his Motion for Reconsideration, Plaintiff states that he does not have the
records from his 2010 surgery, which he has recently requested. See docket entry #62.
He also argues that Defendants have offered “no evidence that there is no threat of
irreparable harm.” Id. at 1. This argument improperly shifts the burden of proof onto
Defendants’ shoulders. To the contrary, it is well settled that the movant,which in this
case is the Plaintiff, has the “heavy burden” of proving irreparable harm. United
Indus. Corp. v. Clorox Co., 140 F.3d 1175, 1179 (8th Cir. 1998); Goff v. Harper, 60
F.3d 518, 520 (8th Cir. 1995).
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demonstrating that, on July 7, 2011 (which was approximately a week after Plaintiff
filed his Motion for Reconsideration), Dr. Nader Peiker physically examined
Plaintiff’s rectum and perianal area.4 See docket entry #68, Ex. 2. During that exam,
Dr. Peiker did not detect any warts, growths, or abnormalities. Id. However, he did
find a keloid scar inside of Plaintiff’s rectum that was caused by his prior surgeries.
Id. Dr. Peikar explained to Plaintiff that surgical correction of the keloid scar could
result in further reduction in muscle stretchability and increase his symptoms. Id. He
then gave Plaintiff an ointment to use twice a day to alleviate anal itching and
discomfort. Id.
Based on this undisputed evidence, the Court concludes that Plaintiff has, once
again, failed to satisfy his heavy burden of demonstrating that he is entitled to
preliminary injunctive relief.
III. Conclusion
IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED THAT Plaintiff’s Motion for Reconsideration

4

In his July 7, 2011 notes, Dr. Peikar states that, on an unspecified date,
Plaintiff declined a rectal examination. See docket entry #68, Ex. 2. In his sworn
Declaration, Dr. Peikar states that the date of refusal was January 12, 2011. Id., Ex.
1. Plaintiff vehemently denies ever refusing a rectal exam. See docket entry #69.
Additionally, he correctly points out that the January 12, 2011 progress notes make
no mention of Plaintiff refusing a rectal exam. See docket entry #49, Ex. 1.
The factual dispute of whether Plaintiff refused a rectal exam is immaterial to
the resolution of current Motion because it is undisputed that, on July 7, 2011,
Plaintiff received a rectal examination with no abnormal findings.
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(docket entry #62) is DENIED.
Dated this 18th day of August, 2011.

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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