Cobb v. Outlaw et al

Filing 45

ORDER granting 34 Motion for Summary Judgment. Cobb has not demonstrated a genuine issue of material fact about whether any of the Defendants were deliberately indifferent to his health and safety. Signed by Judge D. P. Marshall Jr. on 12/29/2014. (jak)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
EASTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS
EASTERN DIVISION
MARVIN COBB
Reg #09419-076

v.

PLAINTIFF

No. 2:13-cv-115-DPM

T. C. OUTLAW, Warden, Forrest City Complex;
RONALD SMITH, Safety Manager, FCC Forrest City;
and A. HAYNES, Warden, FCC Forrest City

DEFENDANTS

ORDER
Considering all evidence of record in a light most favorable to Cobb, the
Court grants the motion for summary judgment. Cobb hasn't demonstrated
a genuine issue of material fact about whether any of the Defendants were
deliberately indifferent to his health and safety. Farmer v. Brennan, 511 U.S.
825, 834 (1994).

Smith took several steps to remedy the mold problems:

sending staff to mold remediation training, repairing leaking pipes, washing
walls with bleach and water, removing and replacing infested sheetrock,
repainting walls with mold-resistant paint, and adjusting air ducts to improve
air flow. NQ 35-2 ; May v. United States, 501 Fed. Appx. 597 (8th Cir. 2013);
Amerson v. Outlaw, 2013 WL 656478, at *7 (E.D. Ark. Jan. 29, 2013). Smith,

moreover, as well as Outlaw and Haynes, retired before the dates Cobb

mentions in his new evidentiary materials. NQ 35-1 at 2; NQ 29; NQ 38; & NQ 41.
Perhaps most importantly, Cobb hasn't provided any medical evidence
linking his ailments to any current black mold exposure. Some new mold
problems were discovered in the summer of 2014. But Cobb has no claim
about them against these defendants, as Cobb acknowledges. NQ 44 at 5.
Rather than ignoring the situation, Prison officials seem to be addressing it.
NQ 36 at ~~ 12-15 & NQ 35-3 at ~~ 7-8. Defendants are therefore entitled to

judgment as a matter of law. Schoelch v. Mitchell, 625 F.3d 1041, 1046 (8th Cir.
2010). Motion, NQ 34, granted.
So Ordered.