Hanna v. Chudy et al

Filing 12

ORDER by Judge Lucy H. Koh denying 4 Motion for order of examination; denying 6 Motion for Discovery; denying 1 Motion for Extension of Time to File (Attachments: # 1 certificate of mailing) (mpb, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 5/25/2011)

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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 9 FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 10 11 TIMOTHY HANNA, 12 13 14 15 16 ) ) Plaintiff, ) ) v. ) ) J. CHUDY, G. ELLIS, C. HAMMOND, ) and D. FOSTON, ) ) Defendants. ) ) No. C 11-0862 LHK (PR) ORDER ADDRESSING PENDING MOTIONS; DIRECTING PLAINTIFF TO FILE PROOFS OF SERVICE (Docket Nos. 1, 4, 6) 17 18 Plaintiff, a state prisoner proceeding pro se, filed the instant civil rights complaint 19 pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983, the Americans With Disabilities Act (“ADA”), and Section 504 of 20 the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, concerning the conditions of his confinement at CTF - Soledad. 21 Plaintiff has paid the filing fee. For the reasons stated below, the Court will direct Plaintiff to 22 file proofs of service on Defendants. 23 24 DISCUSSION A. Standard of Review 25 Federal courts must engage in a preliminary screening of cases in which prisoners seek 26 redress from a governmental entity or officer or employee of a governmental entity. 28 U.S.C. 27 § 1915A(a). In its review the Court must identify any cognizable claims, and dismiss any claims 28 that are frivolous, malicious, fail to state a claim upon which relief may be granted, or seek Order Addressing Pending Motions; Directing Plaintiff to File Proofs of Service P:\PRO-SE\SJ.LHK\CR.11\Hanna862psrv.wpd 1 monetary relief from a defendant who is immune from such relief. 28 U.S.C § 1915A(b)(1), (2). 2 Pro se pleadings must be liberally construed. Balistreri v. Pacifica Police Dep’t, 901 F.2d 696, 3 699 (9th Cir. 1990). 4 To state a claim under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, a plaintiff must allege that a person acting under 5 the color of state law committed a violation of a right secured by the Constitution or laws of the 6 United States. West v. Atkins, 487 U.S. 42, 48 (1988). 7 B. 8 9 10 11 Plaintiff’s Claims Liberally construed, Plaintiff has alleged cognizable claims of deliberate indifference to his serious medical needs, and a violation of the ADA and Rehabilitation Act. C. Plaintiff’s Pending Motions Plaintiff commenced this suit by filing a motion for enlargement of time to file his civil 12 rights complaint. It appears he filed the motion in an effort to prevent his complaint from being 13 dismissed as time-barred. In the motion, Plaintiff requested that the Court not dismiss his 14 complaint for being untimely. At this time, the Court does not have enough information to 15 determine whether any statute of limitation would bar Plaintiff’s suit. The motion is DENIED 16 without prejudice to renewing the argument in an opposition to Defendants’ dispositive motion 17 to dismiss the action as untimely, should they file such a motion. 18 19 20 Plaintiff has also filed a motion for a Court-ordered medical examination by a podiatrist. Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 35 provides, in relevant part: 21 The Court where the action is pending may order a party whose mental or physical condition - including blood group - is in controversy to submit to a physical or mental examination by a suitably licensed or certified examiner. 22 Fed. R. Civ. P. 35(a)(1). Plaintiff argues he needs to have a podiatrist examination because it 23 will negate Defendants’ assertion that Plaintiff is “self-diagnosing.” Although a district court, 24 pursuant to Rule 35, may, under appropriate circumstances, order a party to submit to a physical 25 examination at the request of an opposing party, Rule 35 “does not vest the Court with authority 26 to appoint an expert to examine a party wishing an examination of himself.” Smith v. Carroll, 27 602 F. Supp. 2d 521, 526 (D. Del. 2009); see, e.g., Baker v. Hatch, 2010 WL 3212859, *3 (E.D. 28 Cal. 2010) (finding no authority under Rule 35(a) to grant pro se prisoner plaintiff’s request for Order Addressing Pending Motions; Directing Plaintiff to File Proofs of Service 2 P:\PRO-SE\SJ.LHK\CR.11\Hanna862psrv.wpd 1 medical examination); Adams v. Epps, 2008 WL 4861926, *1 (S.D. Miss. 2008) (same); Cabrera 2 v. Williams, 2007 WL 2682163, *2 (D. Neb. 2007) (same). Accordingly, Plaintiff’s request for a 3 Court-ordered podiatrist examination pursuant to Rule 35 is DENIED. Plaintiff is not precluded, 4 however, from retaining his own expert medical witness to examine him and render a medical 5 opinion. 6 Finally, Plaintiff requests a Court-order to compel Defendants to permit him to review his 7 Central File via an “Olsen Review.” It appears that Plaintiff believes he needs to review his file 8 in order to file the underlying federal civil rights complaint. Because Plaintiff has already filed 9 his complaint, the motion is DENIED as moot. 10 11 D. Service As plaintiff is not proceeding in forma pauperis in this action, he may not rely on the 12 United States Marshal or the officers of the Court for service. Cf. 28 U.S.C. § 1915(d); Fed. R. 13 Civ. P. 4(c)(2). Plaintiff is responsible for service of all of the named Defendants. No 14 Defendant has made an appearance in this action. There is no indication in any of the papers 15 filed herein that any Defendant has been served with the summons or complaint in accordance 16 with the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. 17 Plaintiff shall bear in mind that Rule 4(m) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure require 18 service of the summons and complaint upon Defendants within 120 days after the filing of the 19 complaint. Fed. R. Civ. P. 4(m). Failure to do so may result in dismissal of the action without 20 prejudice as to that Defendant. 21 Accordingly, by July 26, 2011, Plaintiff is directed to provide the Court with proof of 22 service of the summons and complaint on all defendants or show good cause why the unserved 23 Defendants should not be dismissed. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 4(l), 4(m). Failure to comply by 24 October 5, 2009 will result in the dismissal of the unserved Defendants. 25 26 CONCLUSION 1. Plaintiff’s motion for enlargement of time is DENIED without prejudice. 27 Plaintiff’s motion for issuance of an order of examination is DENIED. Plaintiff’s motion for 28 order to move Defendants to release discovery is DENIED. Order Addressing Pending Motions; Directing Plaintiff to File Proofs of Service 3 P:\PRO-SE\SJ.LHK\CR.11\Hanna862psrv.wpd 1 2. Plaintiff is directed to file proofs of service on Defendants on or before July 26, 2 2011, or show good cause for the failure. Failure to comply by July 26, 2011, will result in 3 dismissal of the unserved Defendants. 4 3. It is Plaintiff’s responsibility to prosecute this case. Plaintiff must keep the 5 court informed of any change of address by filing a separate paper with the Clerk headed “Notice 6 of Change of Address.” Plaintiff must comply with the Court’s orders in a timely fashion or ask 7 for an extension of time to do so. Failure to comply may result in the dismissal of this action 8 pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 41(b). 9 10 11 12 This order terminates docket nos. 1, 4, and 6. IT IS SO ORDERED. DATED: 5/25/11 LUCY H. KOH United States District Judge 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Order Addressing Pending Motions; Directing Plaintiff to File Proofs of Service 4 P:\PRO-SE\SJ.LHK\CR.11\Hanna862psrv.wpd

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