McNeill v. Snow et al.

Filing 18

MEMORANDUM. Signed by Judge Gregory M. Sleet on 4/26/2017. (nmg)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF DELAWARE
DALE KEVIN MCNEILL,
Plaintiff,
V.

DONALD SNOW, et al.,
Defendants.

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) Civ. Action No. 16-757-GMS
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MEMORANDUM
I.

INTRODUCTION
The plaintiff, Dale Kevin McNeill ("McNeill"), an inmate at the Howard R. Young

Correctional Institution ("HRYCI"), Wilmington, Delaware, commenced this civil rights action
pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983 on August 29, 2016.
II.

BACKGROUND
On March 15, 2017, McN eill filed a letter/motion for injunctive relief seeking medical

care for injuries he sustained on March 7, 2017 when he slipped and fell while at work in the
kitchen. (D.I. 12.) McNeill also refers to his medical condition as a result of a May 17, 2015
assault. McNeill states that his condition is such that he should not be forced to work in the
kitchen but, if he refuses, he will receive a write-up and be placed in the hole. Warden Steven
Wesley ("Warden Wesley") opposes. (D.I. 16, 17.)
III.

ST AND ARD OF REVIEW
A party seeking a preliminary injunction must show: ( 1) a likelihood of success on the

merits; (2) that it will suffer irreparable harm if the injunction is denied; (3) that granting
preliminary relief will not result in even greater harm to the nonmoving party; and (4) that the

public interest favors such relief. Kos Pharmaceuticals, Inc. v. Andrx Corp., 369 F.3d 700, 708
(3d Cir. 2004) (citation omitted). "Preliminary injunctive relief is 'an extraordinary remedy' and
'should be granted only in limited circumstances."' Id. (citations omitted). Because of the
intractable problems of prison administration, a request for injunctive relief in the prison context
must be viewed with considerable caution. Abraham v. Danberg, 322 F. App'x 169, 170 (3d Cir.
2009) (unpublished) (citing Goffv. Harper, 60 F.3d 518, 520 (8th Cir. 1995)).

IV.

DISCUSSION
Warden Wesley states that there is no documentation that McNeil! was injured in the

kitchen. McNeil! did not submit a grievance regarding the kitchen conditions and there are no
incident reports documenting a fall or injury in the kitchen. Medical records submitted to the
court indicate that McNeil! was triaged on March 9, 2017 with a swollen right knee and ankle,
and, on March 14, 2017, when he complained of back and knee discomfort. (D.I. 17-1 at 40, 42.)
He was seen by medical on March 21, 201 7 and complained of pain and swelling in the right
knee and since March 7, 2017. (Id. at 1.) McNeil! presented a history that he slipped, but did not
fall, he pulled something, and his knee popped. McNeil! also indicated that his ankle "has been
like this" since 2015. (Id.) McNeil! asked to see a provider regarding his condition.
"[A] prisoner has no right to choose a specific form of medical treatment," so long as the
treatment provided is reasonable. Harrison v. Barkley, 219 F.3d 132, 138-140 (2d Cir. 2000).
An inmate's claims against members of a prison medical department are not viable under§ 1983

where the inmate receives continuing care, but believes that more should be done by way of
diagnosis and treatment and maintains that options available to medical personnel were not
pursued on the inmate's behalf. Estelle v. Gamble, 429 U.S. 97, 107 (1976). Finally, "mere

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disagreement as to the proper medical treatment" is insufficient to state a constitutional violation.
See Spruill v. Gillis, 372 F.3d 218, 235 (3d Cir. 2004) (citations omitted).
Notably, McNeill's motion for injunctive relief is dated March 12, 2017 and, it seems,
was filed prematurely in light of the fact that his medical records indicate he received medical
care on March 14 and 21, 2017. Given the record before the court, McNeill has not
demonstrated that he will suffer irreparable harm if the motion is denied or the likelihood of
success on the merits. Therefore, injunctive relief is not appropriate.

V.

CONCLUSION
For the above reasons, the court will deny the plaintiffs letter/motion for injunctive

relief. (D.I. 12.)
An appropriate order will be entered.

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')..f)
'2017
Wilmington, Delaware

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