Ricks v. Onyeje et al

Filing 51

FINDINGS and RECOMMENDATIONS recommending that Defendant's Onyeje's 41 Motion for Summary Judgment,be Granted ; referred to Judge Ishii,signed by Magistrate Judge Barbara A. McAuliffe on 03/12/2018. Objections to F&R due by 3/29/2018 (Martin-Gill, S)

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

9

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

10
11

SCOTT K. RICKS,

12

Plaintiff,

13
14

v.
O. ONYEJE, et al.,

15

Defendants.

16

)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)

Case No.: 1:15-cv-01148-AWI-BAM (PC)
FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
RECOMMENDING DEFENDANTS’
MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT
BE GRANTED
(ECF No. 41)
FOURTEEN (14) DAY DEADLINE

17
18

Plaintiff Scott K. Ricks is a state prisoner proceeding pro se and in forma pauperis in this

19

civil rights action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. This action is related to Ricks v. Austria, 1:15-

20

cv-1147-AWI-BAM, and Ricks v. Levine, et al., 1:15-cv-1150-AWI-BAM.

21

I.

Background

22

This case proceeds on Plaintiff’s complaint against Defendant Dr. O. Onyeje and

23

Defendant S. Navarro for deliberate indifference to Plaintiff’s serious medical need in violation

24

of the Eighth Amendment. (ECF No. 1.) As discussed in more detail below, Plaintiff’s claim

25

concerns the denial of a request for hernia surgery in late 2014. (Id.)

26

Currently before the Court is Defendant Onyeje’s motion for summary judgment under

27

Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 56, filed on November 1, 2017. (ECF No. 41.) On December 4,

28

2017, Plaintiff filed an opposition to the motion for summary judgment. (ECF No. 42.)
1

1

On December 11, 2017, Defendant then sought an extension of time to file a reply to

2

Plaintiff’s opposition to the motion for summary judgment, (ECF No. 43), which was granted,

3

(ECF No. 44). On January 18, 2018, Defendant timely filed a reply. (ECF No. 47.)
The above motions are deemed submitted, without oral argument. Local Rule 230(l).

4
5

II.

Motion for Summary Judgment

6

A.

Legal Standards

7

Summary judgment is appropriate when the pleadings, disclosure materials, discovery,

8

and any affidavits provided establish that “there is no genuine dispute as to any material fact and

9

the movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(a). A material fact is

10

one that may affect the outcome of the case under the applicable law. See Anderson v. Liberty

11

Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 248 (1986). A dispute is genuine “if the evidence is such that a

12

reasonable [trier of fact] could return a verdict for the nonmoving party.” Id.

13

The party seeking summary judgment “always bears the initial responsibility of

14

informing the district court of the basis for its motion, and identifying those portions of the

15

pleadings, depositions, answers to interrogatories, and admissions on file, together with the

16

affidavits, if any, which it believes demonstrate the absence of a genuine issue of material fact.”

17

Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 323 (1986). The exact nature of this responsibility varies

18

depending on whether the issue on which summary judgment is sought is one in which the

19

movant or the nonmoving party carries the ultimate burden of proof. See Soremekun v. Thrifty

20

Payless, Inc., 509 F.3d 978, 984 (9th Cir. 2007). If the movant will have the burden of proof at

21

trial, it must “affirmatively demonstrate that no reasonable trier of fact could find other than for

22

the moving party.” Id. (citing Celotex, 477 U.S. at 323). In contrast, if the nonmoving party will

23

have the burden of proof at trial, “the movant can prevail merely by pointing out that there is an

24

absence of evidence to support the nonmoving party’s case.” Id.

25

If the movant satisfies its initial burden, the nonmoving party must go beyond the

26

allegations in its pleadings to “show a genuine issue of material fact by presenting affirmative

27

evidence from which a jury could find in [its] favor.” F.T.C. v. Stefanchik, 559 F.3d 924, 929

28

(9th Cir. 2009) (emphasis omitted). “[B]ald assertions or a mere scintilla of evidence” will not
2

1

suffice in this regard. Id.; see also Matsushita Electric Indus. Co. v. Zenith Radio Corp., 475

2

U.S. 574, 586 (1986) (“When the moving party has carried its burden under Rule 56[ ], its

3

opponent must do more than simply show that there is some metaphysical doubt as to the

4

material facts.”) (citation omitted). “Where the record taken as a whole could not lead a rational

5

trier of fact to find for the non-moving party, there is no ‘genuine issue for trial.’” Matsushita,

6

475 U.S. at 587 (quoting First Nat’l Bank of Arizona v. Cities Serv. Co., 391 U.S. 253, 289

7

(1968)).

8

In resolving a summary judgment motion, “the court does not make credibility

9

determinations or weigh conflicting evidence.” Soremekun, 509 F.3d at 984. Instead, “[t]he

10

evidence of the [nonmoving party] is to be believed, and all justifiable inferences are to be drawn

11

in [its] favor.” Anderson, 477 U.S. at 255. Inferences, however, are not drawn out of the air; the

12

nonmoving party must produce a factual predicate from which the inference may reasonably be

13

drawn. See Richards v. Nielsen Freight Lines, 602 F. Supp. 1224, 1244–45 (E.D. Cal. 1985),

14

aff’d, 810 F.2d 898 (9th Cir. 1987).

15

In arriving at these findings and recommendations, the Court carefully reviewed and

16

considered all arguments, points and authorities, declarations, exhibits, statements of undisputed

17

facts and responses thereto, if any, objections, and other papers filed by the parties. Omission of

18

reference to an argument, document, paper, or objection is not to be construed to the effect that

19

this Court did not consider the argument, document, paper, or objection. This Court thoroughly

20

reviewed and considered the evidence it deemed admissible, material, and appropriate.

21

B.

Summary of Complaint Allegations

22

Plaintiff is an inmate in the custody of the California Department of Corrections and

23

Rehabilitation (“CDCR”) at Salinas Valley State Prison. The events at issue occurred while

24

Plaintiff was incarcerated at Pleasant Valley State Prison (“PVSP”).

25

Plaintiff alleges, in pertinent part, as follows: While Plaintiff was housed in a California

26

State Prison, he had two separate, failed, botched hernia surgeries, on May 6, 2010 and April 21,

27

2011. These surgeries left Plaintiff with three ruptured, ventral hernias. Plaintiff is in severe,

28

unbearable, excruciating pain.
3

1
2

On May 29, 2014, Plaintiff was transferred to PVSP. After the transfer, Plaintiff filed
various requests to be seen by a doctor for hernia surgery, as well as various appeals.

3

On June 17, 2014, Plaintiff was seen by J. Fortune, a physician’s assistant at PVSP.

4

Plaintiff informed PA Fortune that Plaintiff was in excruciating pain due to three ruptured,

5

ventral hernias, which required urgent surgery. PA Fortune initially refused to examine

6

Plaintiff’s hernias, stating “[y]ou are only here today to renew your seizure meds!” After

7

Plaintiff threatened PA Fortune with a lawsuit, he examined Plaintiff’s abdomen. Plaintiff

8

“finally convinced PA Fortune to put [him] in, to see the surgeon.” Plaintiff put in several more

9

requests to be seen by a physician, as well as several appeals.

10

On July 10, 2014, Plaintiff was finally allowed to see J. Chokatos, a physician at PVSP.

11

Dr. Chokatos said “[h]ow long have you had those hernias? They look terrible! I am going to

12

recommend you for surgery. You should see the surgeon soon.” Plaintiff also filled out a pain

13

assessment. Plaintiff listed his pain as “severe, extreme” and a 7 on a scale of 1 to 10, and a 9

14

regarding its effect on daily activities.

15

On July 16, 2014, Plaintiff was seen by a surgeon, Dr. Monfore. Dr. Monfore examined

16

Plaintiff’s hernias and declared “[t]hey (CDCR) really fucked you up, didn’t they? You need

17

urgent surgery!” That same day, Dr. Monfore wrote “recommendations: major repair required.”

18

On August 4, 2014, Plaintiff filed another appeal requesting hernia surgery. That appeal

19

was lost by the appeals coordinator, Defendant S. Navarro. Plaintiff continued to file prison

20

forms and appeals requesting surgery.

21

On September 23, 2014, Plaintiff was taken to San Joaquin Community Hospital in

22

Bakersfield, California, to be seen by a gastroenterologist surgeon, Dr. M. Michael. Dr. Michael

23

told Plaintiff “in all my years of medicine, those are the worst hernias that I have ever seen! They

24

(CDCR) should have done surgery on you right away! You need major surgery; we can’t even do

25

that here. I will have to send you to USC Medical Center, in LA.” Dr. Michael wrote in his order

26

“[n]eeds component separation repair—refer to USC.”

27

On October 2, 2014, Plaintiff was seen, but not examined, by Dr. Chokatos. Dr. Chokatos

28

told Plaintiff “I have the reports from both of the surgeons that you saw. They can’t do the
4

1

surgery at Bakersfield, so they are sending you to USC. You should have the surgery in a month

2

or two.”

3

Plaintiff continued to seek assistance inside and outside the prison, including from the

4

American Civil Liberties Union and the Office of Internal Affairs. Plaintiff alleges that

5

Defendant Navarro in particular was the health care appeals coordinator, and one of the prison

6

officials who failed to permit the surgery in response to Plaintiff’s various prison appeals.

7

On October 14, 2014, Plaintiff received notification that Defendant Dr. O. Onyeje denied

8

Plaintiff’s request for hernia surgery. Defendant Onyeje claimed that Plaintiff was examined by

9

Dr. Chokatos on October 9, 2014, and that surgery could not be performed. According to

10

Plaintiff, that was an “out-right lie and fabrication of records.”

11

On November 2, 2014, Plaintiff received paperwork from the prison law office claiming

12

that Defendant Onyeje had examined Plaintiff and instead of surgery, had written a chrono for an

13

abdominal binder, and then issued an abdominal binder. Plaintiff claims that is another outright

14

lie and fabrication and that Plaintiff had never met, let alone been examined by, Defendant

15

Onyeje. Additionally, Plaintiff claims that he was never issued an abdominal binder. Plaintiff

16

filed various appeals and complaints related to this issue.

17

On December 26, 2014, Plaintiff was seen by another doctor, M. Conanan. No physical

18

examination took place, although paperwork later claimed that the doctor issued an abdominal

19

binder, which was untrue. Plaintiff also filled out a pain assessment form, in which Plaintiff

20

reported severe, extreme pain. On June 2, 2015, Dr. Conanan examined Plaintiff’s hernias.

21

Plaintiff continued to pursue appeals and complaints inside and outside the prison.

22

Plaintiff was never interviewed by any medical staff, nor examined by any medical staff, as a

23

direct result of his appeals. Plaintiff’s “abdomen looks disgusting, it looks like there is a

24

volleyball sticking out on the left side, and two soft balls sticking out on the right side.

25

Meanwhile [he] has been living with unbearable, excruciating pain in [his] abdomen, for the past

26

five years.”

27
28

Plaintiff also alleges that Defendant Onyeje reviewed the appeals that Plaintiff filed
against him, denying every single one.
5

Undisputed Material Facts1

1

C.

2

Plaintiff is a currently-incarcerated state inmate. (Pl.’s Dep. 8:24-9:16.) Plaintiff has no

3

formal education in the medical or mental health fields. (Pl.’s Dep. 10:5-21.) Plaintiff has never

4

worked in the medical or mental health field. (Pl.’s Dep. 10:22-11:1.)

5

1.

6

Plaintiff was housed at Sierra Conservation Center from February 25, 2009, until he was

7

Sierra Conservation Center

paroled on February 27, 2012. (Feinberg Decl., ECF No. 41, ¶ 7, Ex B.)

8

Dr. Forster was Plaintiff’s primary care physician at Sierra Conservation Center,

9

beginning around August 28, 2009. (Forster Decl. ¶ 5.) On December 4, 2009, Plaintiff was seen

10

by Dr. Forster concerning a hernia that presented about two years prior. Dr. Forster submitted a

11

referral for a general surgery consult. (First Am. Compl., ECF No. 25, at 4; 12/4/2009 Forster

12

Notes, ECF No. 25, at 56.)

13

Plaintiff received a CT scan on February 22, 2010, which showed a ventral hernia

14

containing colon, but without obstruction. Dr. Forster referred Plaintiff to Dr. Levine for surgical

15

evaluation. (3/4/2010 Forster Notes, ECF No. 25, at 65; Mark Twain Hospital Reports, No. 49-2,

16

at 35-46; Decl. of Barry Gardiner (“Gardiner Decl.”), ECF No. 49-2, ¶ 4(c).)

17

On May 6, 2010, Plaintiff underwent hernia repair surgery performed by Dr. Levine at

18

Mark Twain St. Joseph’s Hospital. (Feinberg Decl. ¶ 9, Ex H; Forster Decl. ¶¶ 6-11.) Prior to the

19

surgery, Dr. Levine discussed with Plaintiff using mesh to repair the hernia, and Dr. Levine had

20

an Ultrapro mesh system available during the procedure. (Levine Decl. ¶ 3.)

21

Once Dr. Levine examined Plaintiff intraoperatively, Plaintiff was found to have a small

22

epigastric hernia, a small umbilical hernia, and diastasis of rectus sheath. During the procedure,

23

Dr. Levine repaired the ventral hernia and a smaller umbilical hernia. Both hernias were repaired

24

without using mesh, and instead using sutures to close the hernias. (5/14/2010 Forster Notes,

25

ECF No. 25, at 69; Levine Decl. ¶ 3.) Dr. Levine determined that suturing the hernia would be

26

1

27

See Defendants’ Statement of Undisputed Facts in Support of Motion for Summary Judgment, (ECF No.
41, at 25-32), and Plaintiff’s Response to Defendants’ Statement of Undisputed Facts In Support of
Motion for Summary Judgment and Opposition to Granting Summary Judgment, (ECF No. 42).

28
6

1

more appropriate than the use of an Ultrapro mesh system due to Plaintiff’s age, as well as the

2

nature and location of the defects. (Levine Decl. ¶ 3.)

3

On January 18, 2011, Dr. Forster saw Plaintiff for the recurrence of the hernia. (Feinberg

4

Decl. ¶ 10, Ex I; Forster Decl. ¶¶ 12-15.) The supra-umbilical hernia recurred, and Plaintiff was

5

again referred to Dr. Levine by Defendant Forster. Imaging confirmed that the supra-umbilical

6

hernia had recurred. The umbilical hernia did not recur. (Mark Twain Hospital Reports.)

7

On April 21, 2011, Dr. Levine performed a second surgical hernia repair on Plaintiff.

8

(Feinberg Decl. ¶ 10, Ex J; Forster Decl. ¶ 16; Mark Twain Hospital Records.) During the

9

procedure, Dr. Levine used an underlay technique to place a 20x15 cm piece of surgical mesh

10

which was then sutured into the abdominal wall. The procedure was completed without

11

complication. Plaintiff was discharged from the hospital on April 25, 2011. (Mark Twain

12

Hospital Records.)

13

Dr. Levine continued to follow Plaintiff after his procedure and through July of 2011,

14

when Dr. Levine discharged Plaintiff in an asymptomatic condition from his clinic back to Dr.

15

Forster. (Id.; Levine Decl. ¶ 5.) Specifically, Plaintiff’s medical records state that in July 2011,

16

he was discharged as having zero “issues or problems,” that his incision was “well-healed” and

17

that there was no recurrence. (7/26/2011 Consultation Notes, ECF No. 60-6, at 15.)
Plaintiff claims that the hernia recurred a second time on or about August 2011. (Pl’s

18
19

Dep. 63:5-9; 63:5-14.)2

20

On August 4, 2011, Plaintiff refused a scheduled follow-up appointment to see Dr.

21

Forster regarding his hernia. Plaintiff wrote on the refusal form, “I just saw Dr. Forster 3 weeks

22

ago. I don’t need to see him again. This is an unnecessary appointment. Thank you.” (Forster

23

Decl. ¶ 21, Ex. E.)
On August 19, 2011, Plaintiff refused a regularly scheduled appointment to see Dr.

24
25

Forster. He wrote on his refusal form, as follows:

26

///

27
28

2

The parties dispute whether the hernia in fact recurred at this time, but agree for the purposes of these
motions that Plaintiff asserts that the hernia recurred at some point on or about August 2011.

7

I am refusing the Dr. Forster appointment for 8-19-2011. I did NOT request this
appointment; Dr. Forster did NOT request this appointment. I just saw him on 66-2011, and I will see him again in September for my chronic care update. Do not
re-ducat me until then.

1
2
3
4

(Forster Decl. ¶ 22, Ex. F.)

5

On September 22, 2011, Dr. Forster met with Plaintiff for a regularly scheduled

6

appointment regarding his chronic medical conditions. Dr. Forster wrote that Plaintiff did not

7

have any complaints regarding his hernia, and Plaintiff had healed from his hernia surgery earlier

8

in the year. (Forster Decl.¶ 23.)

9

On October 18, 2011, Plaintiff saw Dr. Forster to request modifications in his chronos;

10

specifically, to have a tall table at visiting due to complaints of chronic back pain. Dr. Forster’s

11

notes reflect that Plaintiff had no complaints related to his prior hernia or hernia surgeries.

12

(10/28/2011 Medical Progress Note, ECF No. 49-2, at 64.)

13

On February 6, 2012, Plaintiff refused to submit to blood tests for scheduled lab tests. On

14

the refusal form regarding this treatment, Plaintiff wrote, “I refuse to give blood on 2-6-2012. I

15

refuse this and any/all future lab ducats. I go home in 3 weeks – thanks anyway.” Later, on

16

February 13 and 14, 2012, Plaintiff refused several prescribed medications. (Forster Decl.¶ 24,

17

Ex. H.)

18

On February 23, 2012, Plaintiff refused to attend his final scheduled appointment with

19

Dr. Forster before being paroled. Plaintiff wrote on the refusal form, “I am being released in 3

20

days, and I do not need to be seen by Dr. Forster or any other medical staff. I did not request to

21

be seen by Dr. Forster. He can renew my parole meds without me! Thank you.” (Forster Decl.¶

22

25, Ex. I.)

23

2.

24

For nearly a year-and-a-half, from February 27, 2012 to June 2013, Plaintiff was out on

25

parole. (Pl.’s Dep. 14:17:1; 71:13-17.) In June 2013, Plaintiff re-offended while on parole and

26

was re-incarcerated. (Pl.’s Dep. 71:13-17.) After Plaintiff was re-incarcerated, he was housed at

27

North Kern State Prison from December 19, 2013, to May 29, 2014. (Feinberg Decl. ¶ 13, Ex B.)

28

///

Parole and Re-Incarceration at North Kern State Prison

8

1

Plaintiff had an intake examination at North Kern State Prison on December 23, 2013,

2

conducted by Nurse Practitioner (“NP”) Chernekoff. NP Chernekoff noted in the examination

3

report that Plaintiff’s hernias had recurred. (Feinberg Decl. ¶ 14, Ex. Q.) NP Chernekoff also

4

noted a lack of abdominal pains/cramps, bowel sounds present in all four quadrants, and

5

therefore that Plaintiff’s hernias were not incarcerated, and thus, his hernias were not an acute or

6

emergency condition. (Feinberg Decl. ¶ 14, Ex. Q; Austria Decl. ¶¶ 3, 12.)

7

While at North Kern State Prison, Plaintiff saw Dr. Austria on January 10, 2014,

8

February 18, 2014, April 1, 2014 and April 29, 2014. (Feinberg Decl. ¶¶ 15-20, Ex. Q; Pl.’s Dep.

9

72:14-25; Austria Decl. ¶ 2.) On those dates, Dr. Austria saw Plaintiff for treatment of seizures,

10

his lower back condition, and about the renewal of his anti-diarrhea medication. (Feinberg Decl.

11

¶¶ 15-20; Pl’s Dep. 74:10-75:6; 76:1-7; Austria Decl. ¶ 2.)

12

Specifically, Plaintiff first saw Dr. Austria on January 10, 2014. Dr. Austria noted that

13

Plaintiff’s chief complaint was “seizures,” and he complained of a seizure a month prior.

14

(1/10/14 Progress Note, ECF No. 43-5, at 52.) Dr. Austria also noted that Plaintiff’s anti-seizure

15

medication Dilantin was under the therapeutic standard, and increased Plaintiff’s Dilantin, and

16

made a notation which stated, “[v]entral hernia stable, non-tender.” (Id.)

17

On February 18, 2014, Plaintiff submitted a Health Care Services Request Form stating

18

that he had a seizure that morning, and it was his third seizure in thirty-five days. (2/18/14 Health

19

Care Services Request Form, id. at 54.) Plaintiff also wrote that he wanted to see his primary

20

care physician to increase his seizure medication. (Id.) Dr. Austria saw Plaintiff that same day,

21

and again noted that Plaintiff’s chief complaint was seizures. (2/18/14 Progress Note, id. at 56.)

22

Plaintiff also complained of lower back pain. (Id.) Dr. Austria noted that Plaintiff’s ventral

23

hernia was “stable.” (Id.) Dr. Austria ordered x-rays of Plaintiff’s lower back, and ordered blood

24

work to check Plaintiff’s levels of Dilantin. (Id.)

25

Plaintiff’s blood was drawn that same day, and the blood test showed that Plaintiff’s

26

Dilantin level was lower than therapeutic levels. (2/18/14 Report, id. at 58.) Dr. Austria ordered

27

that Plaintiff’s Dilantin prescription be increased, and for Plaintiff’s levels to be re-checked in

28

two weeks. (Id.)
9

The next month, a follow-up blood test on March 5, 2014, showed that Plaintiff’s

1
2

Dilantin levels were within proper limits. (3/5/14 Report, id at 60.)

3

Plaintiff’s x-rays were done on February 18, 2014, and showed that Plaintiff had mild

4

degenerative changes at L4 and L5. (Lumbar Spine X-ray, id. at 62.) Finding that this is not

5

uncommon to see in an obese, forty-seven-year-old man, and was not an acute condition that

6

required urgent treatment, Dr. Austria continued Plaintiff’s pain medication for Plaintiff’s lower

7

back pain. (Austria Decl., ECF No. 43-4, ¶ 8.)

8

On April 1, 2014, Dr. Austria saw Plaintiff for an auto-refill for Loperamide, an anti-

9

diarrheal. (4/1/14 Progress Note, ECF No. 43-5, at 64.) Plaintiff claimed that his anti-depression

10

medication, Sertraline (Zoloft) gave him diarrhea. (Id.) Lopermide cannot be auto-refilled, and

11

must instead be reviewed by a physician upon each refill, so Dr. Austria found that a Lopermide

12

prescription should be monitored and an auto-refill was not in Plaintiff’s best interest. (Austria

13

Decl. ¶ 9.) . Dr. Austria also noted in his progress notes that Plaintiff’s “[v]entral hernia [was]

14

stable [and to] continue with activity precaution.” (4/1/14 Progress Note.)

15

Dr. Austria saw Plaintiff for the last time on April 29, 2014, for a medication evaluation.

16

(4/29/14 Progress Note, id. at 66.) Plaintiff again requested an auto-refill for Loperamide, which

17

was again denied. (Id.) Dr. Austria noted that he told Plaintiff to notify the Licensed Vocational

18

Nurse three days before he runs out, and that Plaintiff agreed with this plan. Dr. Austria also

19

noted that Plaintiff “has no other issues at this time” and “[v]entral hernia stable continue activity

20

precaution.” (Id.)

21

3.

22

On May 29, 2014, Plaintiff left North Kern State Prison and was housed at Pleasant

23

Valley State Prison. (Feinberg Decl. ¶ 21; Pl’s Dep. 75:7-11.) Defendant Dr. Onyeje was the

24

Chief Medical Officer at Pleasant Valley State Prison. (Feinberg Decl. ¶ 21; Pl.’s Dep. 78:23-

25

79:2.) Typically, the Chief Medical Executive does not personally examine and treat inmate

26

patients, but oversees the inmate’s care that other physicians directly provide. (Feinberg Decl. ¶

27

21.) Defendant S. Navarro was the Health Care Appeals Coordinator at PVSP.

28

///

Pleasant Valley State Prison

10

1

On July 28, 2014, Defendant Onyeje approved Dr. La Sierra’s request for a hernia repair

2

surgical consultation. (Feinberg Decl. ¶ 22, Ex. Z.) On September 23, 2014, Dr. Michael (an

3

outside surgeon associated with San Joaquin Community Hospital and Mercy Hospital,

4

Bakersfield) examined Plaintiff. Dr. Michael’s report states that Plaintiff had a “13 year Hx of

5

hernia repair recurred,” needed component separation repair, and suggested that Plaintiff be sent

6

to USC’s tertiary care center. (Feinberg Decl. ¶ 22, Ex. AA.) A tertiary care center involves

7

advanced and complex procedures and treatments, performed by medical specialists in state-of-

8

the-art facilities. (Feinberg Decl. ¶ 22; Pl.’s Dep. 21:1-2.)

9

On October 28, 2014, Defendant Onyeje spoke to Dr. Michael regarding Plaintiff’s

10

hernias. Dr. Michael told Defendant Onyeje that because of the large size of the hernia, the

11

likelihood of incarceration (or strangulation) of the hernia was very low. Dr. Michael warned that

12

surgical repair, or herniorrhaphy, in Plaintiff’s case was dangerous: “associated with both high

13

morbidity and high mortality risks.” (Feinberg Decl. 24, Ex. CC.) Dr. Michael further agreed that

14

a conservative approach, by use of an abdominal binder, would be the safest treatment at that

15

time, and if surgical repair is required, it should be performed at a tertiary surgical center. (Id.)

16

On October 2, 2014, Dr. Chokatos, a board certified doctor of internal medicine, saw

17

Plaintiff. Dr. Chokatos wrote in his medical progress notes for the visit that Plaintiff’s

18

“abdominal wall looked very thin and the organs could be felt right through the skin without any

19

difficulty. There was little abdominal muscle that could be felt.” (Feinberg Decl. ¶ 23, Ex. BB.)

20

Dr. Chokatos opined that due to Plaintiff’s lack of abdominal muscle, surgery was not likely to

21

succeed, and he recommended conservative treatment, i.e., an abdominal binder and discussed

22

the case with Dr. Onyeje. (Feinberg Decl. ¶ 23, Ex. BB.) Dr. Chokatos’ report stated: “The case

23

was discussed with the Chief Medical Officer Onyeje. A general surgeon had seen him locally,

24

but says that closure could not be performed in their facility as the hernias are too large and the

25

anatomy is difficult. For that reason, the patient wants to be referred to a Tertiary Care Center.

26

Unfortunately, the huge hernia would require developed abdominal wall tissue to effect closure.

27

This is not the case; his musculature is essentially atrophic. He has already failed mesh closure.

28

The best option is an abdominal binder.” (Feinberg Decl. ¶ 23, Ex. BB.)
11

1

On June 3, 2015, Dr. Onyeje again considered surgical hernia repair at the request of Dr.

2

Conanan. Dr. Onyeje referred the issue to the Medical Authorization Review (MAR) Committee.

3

(Feinberg Decl. ¶ 25, Ex. DD.) The MAR Committee consists of representatives from the health

4

care staff of each institution and no less than three staff physicians. (Feinberg Decl. ¶ 25, Ex.

5

DD.) On June 9, 2015, the MAR Committee held that the risk of surgery outweighed the

6

benefits, and recommended conservative treatment. (Feinberg Decl. ¶ 25, Ex. DD.)

7

Dr. B. Feinberg, Chief Medical Consultant for the California Correctional Health Care

8

Services, reviewed Plaintiff’s health history, the complaint, and a transcript of Plaintiff’s

9

deposition in this case, and submitted an opinion in this case. (Feinberg Decl. ¶¶ 3-5.) Dr.

10

Feinberg opines that the denial of a third corrective surgery at this time was medically acceptable

11

under the circumstances. (See id. at ¶ 6.) The relevant facts include that Dr. Chokatos thought

12

surgery was not likely to succeed based on Plaintiff’s medical condition and the failure of the

13

earlier mesh closure, and Dr. Chokatos discussed this opinion with Dr. Onyeje. Dr. Onyeje had

14

also consulted with Dr. Michael, who thought that incarceration or strangulation of Plaintiff’s

15

hernia was unlikely, and that surgical repair presented high risks, including of death. (See id. at

16

¶¶ 23-25.) Thus, Dr. Onyeje had approved surgical consultations with outside surgeons,

17

considered their opinions, and based on their consultations and Plaintiff’s condition, Dr. Onyeje

18

and the MAR Committee advised against the surgery. According to Dr. Feinberg, such a decision

19

was medically acceptable and within the standard of care. (See id. at ¶¶ 25, 30.)

20

4.

Salinas Valley State Prison

21

On February 1, 2016, Plaintiff was transferred from Pleasant Valley State Prison to

22

Salinas Valley State Prison. (Feinberg Decl. ¶ 26, Ex. B at 1.) While at Salinas Valley State

23

Prison, Plaintiff’s case was referred to medical staff at San Joaquin General Hospital and Twin

24

Cities Community Hospital for consultation regarding the possibility of a surgical repair for his

25

recurrent hernia. These hospitals refused to perform the procedure. (Feinberg Decl. ¶ 26; Pl.’s

26

Dep. 18:8-24; 21:9-23:13; 26:3-11; 27:18-28:12.)

27

Plaintiff had a third hernia corrective surgery on February 27, 2017, at Stanford

28

University Medical Center (“Stanford”). (Feinberg Decl. ¶ 27; Pl.’s Dep. 17: 20-24; 21:1-4.)
12

1

Stanford is a tertiary care center and one of the best hospitals in the United States with very high

2

quality medical care. (Feinberg Decl. ¶¶ 22, 26; Pl.’s Dep. 17:24-18:7.)

3

Dr. Spain, a surgeon at Stanford, first saw Plaintiff on November 1, 2016, and told

4

Plaintiff he would do the surgery. (Feinberg Decl. ¶ 27; Pl.’s Dep. 26:16-25.) Dr. Spain gave

5

Plaintiff the option of not having the surgery at all and simply living with the condition as it was.

6

(Feinberg Decl. ¶ 28; Pl.’s Dep. 30:5-12.) Dr. Spain warned Plaintiff that risks of surgery

7

included bowel injury and other complications. (Feinberg Decl. ¶ 27.) Dr. Spain warned Plaintiff

8

that one of the risks of surgery was death. (Pl’s Dep. 37:1-9.) Dr. Spain warned Plaintiff that one

9

of the risks of surgery was recurrence of the hernias. (Feinberg Decl. ¶ 28; Pl’s Dep. 38:10-21.)

10

Specifically, Dr. Spain’s notes place the risk of complication at 20%, a significant percentage,

11

with a 5% chance of serious complications and a 20% chance of recurrence. (Feinberg Decl. Ex.

12

EE.)

13

At the time of the third corrective surgery, Plaintiff was forty-nine years old, obese, and

14

in poor physical condition. Plaintiff’s age and physical condition greatly increased the risks of

15

surgery and the possibility of a third recurrence. (Feinberg Decl. ¶ 30(b).) Plaintiff’s seizure

16

disorder substantially increased the risks of surgery. (Feinberg Decl. ¶ 30(c).)

17

A few days after surgery, while Plaintiff was still at Stanford, he “coded” in the middle of

18

the night and went into a coma which lasted a week. (Pl.’s Dep. 37:8-14.) The Stanford records

19

indicate that Plaintiff suffered acute postoperative respiratory insufficiency, pleural effusion and

20

acute pulmonary embolism, which is often fatal. (Feinberg Decl. ¶ 29.) Further, while Plaintiff

21

was recovering from surgery at Stanford, he contracted an infection at the surgery site and had a

22

102.9-degree temperature. (Feinberg Decl. ¶ 29; Pl.’s Dep. 37:18-24.)

23

D.

Discussion

24

Plaintiff asserts in this case that Defendants were deliberately indifferent in violation of

25

the Eighth Amendment by denying him a third hernia surgery. Defendants argue that summary

26

judgment is appropriate because the undisputed facts show that the decision to forgo the third

27

corrective surgery was medically acceptable and within the standard of care.

28

///
13

1

While the Eighth Amendment entitles an inmate to medical care, it is violated only when

2

a prison official acts with deliberate indifference to an inmate’s serious medical needs. Snow v.

3

McDaniel, 681 F.3d 978, 985 (9th Cir. 2012), overruled in part on other grounds, Peralta v.

4

Dillard, 744 F.3d 1076, 1082–83 (9th Cir. 2014); Wilhelm v. Rotman, 680 F.3d 1113, 1122 (9th

5

Cir. 2012); Jett v. Penner, 439 F.3d 1091, 1096 (9th Cir. 2006). Plaintiff “must show (1) a

6

serious medical need by demonstrating that failure to treat [his] condition could result in further

7

significant injury or the unnecessary and wanton infliction of pain,” and (2) that “the defendant’s

8

response to the need was deliberately indifferent.” Wilhelm, 680 F.3d at 1122 (citing Jett, 439

9

F.3d at 1096); McGuckin v. Smith, 974 F.2d 1050, 1059 (9th Cir. 1991), overruled on other

10

grounds, WMX Techs., Inc. v. Miller, 104 F.3d 1133 (9th Cir. 1997) (en banc).

11

Deliberate indifference is shown by “(a) a purposeful act or failure to respond to a

12

prisoner’s pain or possible medical need, and (b) harm caused by the indifference.” Wilhelm, 680

13

F.3d at 1122 (citing Jett, 439 F.3d at 1096). The requisite state of mind is one of subjective

14

recklessness, which entails more than ordinary lack of due care. Snow, 681 F.3d at 985 (citation

15

and quotation marks omitted); Wilhelm, 680 F.3d at 1122.

16

“A difference of opinion between a physician and the prisoner—or between medical

17

professionals—concerning what medical care is appropriate does not amount to deliberate

18

indifference.” Snow, 681 F.3d at 987 (citing Sanchez v. Vild, 891 F.2d 240, 242 (9th Cir. 1989));

19

Wilhelm, 680 F.3d at 1122-23 (citing Jackson v. McIntosh, 90 F.3d 330, 332 (9th Cir. 1986)).

20

Rather, plaintiff “must show that the course of treatment the doctors chose was medically

21

unacceptable under the circumstances and that the defendants chose this course in conscious

22

disregard of an excessive risk to [his] health.” Snow, 681 F.3d at 988 (citing Jackson, 90 F.3d at

23

332) (internal quotation marks omitted). In other words, so long as a defendant decides on a

24

medically acceptable course of treatment, his actions will not be considered deliberately

25

indifferent even if an alternative course of treatment was available. Id. Deliberate indifference

26

may also be found if defendants “deny, delay, or intentionally interfere with [a prisoner’s serious

27

need for] medical treatment.” Hallet v. Morgan, 296 F.3d 732, 734 (9th Cir. 2002).

28

///
14

1

In evaluating whether a medical provider’s choice of care was medically acceptable, the

2

inquiry is focused on whether the services are “at a level reasonably commensurate with modern

3

medical science and of a quality acceptable within prudent professional standards.” Morales

4

Feliciano v. Rossello Gonzalez, 13 F. Supp. 2d 151, 208 (D. Puerto Rico 1998) (quoting U.S. v.

5

DeCologero, 821 F.2d 39, 43 (1st Cir. 1987)). “The standard does not include the ‘most

6

sophisticated that money can buy’ . . . but only that which is reasonably appropriate, ‘within

7

modern and prudent professional standards’ in the field of medicine and health.” Id. “Society

8

does not expect that prisoners will have unqualified access to health care[.]” Hudson v.

9

McMillian, 503 U.S. 1, 9 (1992).

10

In this case, Dr. Onyeje approved multiple requests for a hernia repair surgical

11

consultation for Plaintiff. First, Dr. Michael, an outside surgeon, examined Plaintiff, and

12

informed Dr. Onyeje that the risks of surgery outweighed the benefits, and instead a conservative

13

approach, by use of an abdominal binder, would be the safest treatment. Dr. Onyeje also

14

consulted with Dr. Chokatos, who opined that because of Plaintiff’s lack of abdominal muscle,

15

surgery was not likely to succeed. Finally, Dr. Onyeje referred the issue to the MAR Committee,

16

and they held that the risk of surgery outweighed the benefits. Dr. Feinberg’s opinion is that if

17

any Defendant denied the third surgery, it was not deliberately indifferent under the

18

circumstances, but instead such a determination was medically acceptable and within the

19

standard of care.

20

Plaintiff does not raise any material dispute of fact regarding this evidence. Plaintiff

21

argues without any support that Dr. Onyeje, as the Chief Medical Officer, was required to

22

examine him because Plaintiff allegedly filed a medical appeal against his primary care

23

physician. Plaintiff appears to argue that the failure to examine him before denying his surgical

24

requests under these circumstances constituted deliberate indifference. Although Plaintiff as an

25

inmate may testify as to his personal experiences in the prison, he is not qualified to provide

26

evidence outside of his personal knowledge on prison procedures or policies regarding the duties

27

of a Chief Medical Officer. See, e.g., Hansen v. United States, 7 F.3d 137, 138 (9th Cir.1993)

28

(“When the non-moving party relies on its own affidavits to oppose summary judgment, it
15

1

cannot rely on conclusory allegations unsupported by factual data to create an issue of material

2

fact.”); Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(c)(4) ( “An affidavit or declaration used to support or oppose a motion

3

must be made on personal knowledge, set out facts that would be admissible in evidence, and

4

show that the affiant or declarant is competent to testify on the matters stated.”). Plaintiff has

5

presented no competent evidence from which a reasonable trier of fact could determine that Dr.

6

Onyeje violated any policies or regulations here. Nor does the Court find that any such violation

7

would be sufficient to show deliberate indifference to a serious medical need, under the

8

standards explained above.

9

Plaintiff also contends that on July 28, 2014, he was seen by a surgeon, Dr. T. Monfore,

10

who told Plaintiff that Plaintiff urgently needed surgery. Plaintiff appears to intend to use this

11

statement as evidence that he in fact urgently needed surgery. First, it should be disregarded as

12

inadmissible hearsay. See Beyene v. Coleman Sec. Servs., Inc., 854 F.2d 1179, 1181 (9th Cir.

13

1988) (“[O]nly admissible evidence may be considered by the trial court in ruling on a motion

14

for summary judgment.”). Second, the statement is a brief exclamation, and it is not clear it

15

would raise more than a difference of opinions between medical professionals about what

16

medical care was appropriate for Plaintiff, which is insufficient to show deliberate indifference.

17

Nor has Plaintiff shown that Defendants were made aware of Dr. Monfore’s alleged

18

hearsay statement, and disregarded it in a way that constitutes a breach of the standard of care, as

19

opposed to a medically acceptable choice between two alternative courses of treatment. In fact,

20

Plaintiff’s own notes show that Dr. Spain, the surgeon who eventually operated on Plaintiff,

21

considered the option of doing nothing to be a medical acceptable alternative to having the

22

surgery. Thus, Plaintiff has not raised a genuine issue of fact here based on the alleged hearsay

23

statement by Dr. Monfore.

24

Plaintiff also argues that there is a genuine issue of material fact because Dr. Chokotas,

25

upon whom Defendants and Dr. Feinberg relied in part, did not actually physically examine him,

26

and instead relied on medical reports. Plaintiff also contends that Dr. Chokotas stated that

27

Plaintiff would have the surgery in a month or two. The latter statement regarding surgery is also

28

inadmissible hearsay which should be disregarded, and is not sufficient to create a genuine issue
16

1

of fact for the same reasons discussed above regarding Dr. Monfore’s alleged hearsay

2

statements. The undisputed evidence is that, even if Dr. Chokotas’ opinion was based on medical

3

reports rather than a direct physical examination, it was a recommendation against surgery that

4

was conveyed to Dr. Onyeje and was set forth in Dr. Chokotas’ report. Plaintiff has not shown

5

any genuine dispute of material fact here based on the alleged hearsay statements by Dr.

6

Chokotas.

7

Plaintiff agrees that Dr. Chokatos and Dr. Onyeje spoke to discuss his case, but also

8

contends that he spoke with Dr. Chokatos about that conversation, and that Dr. Chokatos stated,

9

that Dr. Onyeje stated, that the recommended surgery was costly. Plaintiff appears to assert that

10

this statement shows that any denial by Dr. Onyeje constituted deliberate indifference. As

11

Plaintiff is raising Dr. Onyeje’s alleged statement to Dr. Chokatos, which was then conveyed to

12

Plaintiff, as evidence that costs was a reason for Dr. Onyeje’s denial, this is arguablydouble

13

inadmissible hearsay. In any event, it does not raise a genuine issue of material fact here. As

14

noted above, Plaintiff is not entitled to the most sophisticated medical treatment money can buy,

15

nor unqualified access to the medical care of his choice. Under the Eighth Amendment, Plaintiff

16

is only entitled to care that is reasonably appropriate under prudent medical professional

17

standards. Thus, even if Dr. Onyeje made a comment about costs and considered costs in

18

denying Plaintiff’s surgical request, so long as the denial was medically acceptable, then the

19

denial does not constitute deliberate indifference.

20

Plaintiff has not made any showing that the denial was medically unacceptable under the

21

circumstances. Plaintiff attempts to rely on the fact that a third hernia surgery was ultimately

22

performed by Dr. Spain to make this showing. However, it is undisputed that even in 2016, when

23

Plaintiff was referred to outside hospitals for consultation regarding the potential surgery, those

24

hospitals refused to do the procedure. Instead, in Plaintiff’s own words, they “referred me to

25

what’s called a tertiary care center or a specialty or specialist because they were not experienced

26

enough to perform the extensive surgery that I required.” (Pl.’s Dep. 20:13-16.) It is further

27

undisputed that the tertiary care center which performed Plaintiff’s surgery involves advanced

28

and complex procedures and treatments, performed by medical specialists in state-of-the-art
17

1

facilities. Thus, the option for surgery in this case was limited to highest level of care available in

2

the medical profession. Yet even at that level of expertise and care, Plaintiff’s notes show that

3

Dr. Spain advised him that one of his options was to do nothing. Further, the notes state that the

4

likelihood of the risks of complication from the surgery was 20%, with a 5% chance of serious

5

complications and a 20% chance of recurrence. Plaintiff also does not dispute that even with the

6

best care in the country, he indeed suffered complications and nearly died.

7

Plaintiff gives the unsupported opinion that these medical risks were “fairly minor,”

8

(ECF No. 46 at ¶ 56.) This is not sufficient to dispute that this was Dr. Spain’s estimate of the

9

risks to him despite being treated at one of the best hospitals in the United States. Further,

10

Defendants have submitted the opinion Dr. Feinberg that these were significant risks, and that

11

they outweighed the benefits of surgery. (Feinberg Decl. ¶ 30. j, k.) At most, Plaintiff may have

12

shown a difference in medical opinions regarding the risks of surgery between these doctors,

13

which is not sufficient to show that Defendants acted with deliberate indifference in denying his

14

third request for surgery. See Toguchi, 391 F.3d 1057-58.

15

In this case, the undisputed evidence shows that the surgical option for Plaintiff’s hernia

16

condition was more than what was reasonably appropriate, and therefore any denial by

17

Defendants of Plaintiff’s requests for surgery under the circumstances was not deliberate

18

indifference. Therefore, the Court finds that there is insufficient evidence for a reasonable finder

19

of fact to determine that Defendants were deliberately indifferent to a serious medical need in

20

this case, and summary judgment should be granted.

21

Defendants also assert that the Court should grant summary judgment on the basis of

22

qualified immunity. However, the Court finds that this argument need not be reached, based

23

upon the above determination regarding the undisputed facts in this case.

24

III.

25
26

Conclusion and Recommendations
For the reasons explained above, IT IS HEREBY RECOMMENDED that Defendant’s

Onyeje’s motion for summary judgment (ECF No. 41), be granted.

27

These Findings and Recommendations will be submitted to the United States District

28

Judge assigned to the case, pursuant to the provisions of 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(l). Within fourteen
18

1

(14) days after being served with these Findings and Recommendations, the parties may file

2

written objections with the Court. The document should be captioned “Objections to Magistrate

3

Judge’s Findings and Recommendations.” The parties are advised that failure to file objections

4

within the specified time may result in the waiver of rights on appeal. Wilkerson v. Wheeler, 772

5

F.3d 834, 838-39 (9th Cir. 2014) (citing Baxter v. Sullivan, 923 F.2d 1391, 1394 (9th Cir. 1991)).

6
7
8
9

IT IS SO ORDERED.
Dated:

/s/ Barbara

March 12, 2018

A. McAuliffe

_

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
19