Balfour v. Tilden et al

Filing 7

MERIT REVIEW OPINION: Plaintiff's motion for the Court to appoint counsel is denied 5 . The Clerk is directed to terminate Defendant Wexford. The Clerk is directed to enter the standard qualified protective order pursuant to HIPAA. The Clerk is directed attempt service on Defendants Tilden and Sullivan pursuant to the standard procedures. SEE WRITTEN OPINION. Entered by Judge Sue Myerscough on 10/5/17. (SKN, ilcd)

E-FILED

Thursday, 05 October, 2017 10:57:33 AM
Clerk, U.S. District Court, ILCD

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE CENTRAL DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS
WILLIAM BALFOUR,
Plaintiff,
v.
DR. A. TILDEN, NURSE
STEPHANIE SULLIVAN, and
WEFORD,
Defendants.

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17-CV-1364

MERIT REVIEW OPINION
SUE E. MYERSCOUGH, U.S. District Judge.
Plaintiff proceeds pro se from his incarceration in Pontiac
Correctional Center. He has paid the filing fee in full, but the Court
must still review Plaintiff’s complaint pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §
1915A. This section requires the Court to identify cognizable claims
stated by the Complaint or dismiss claims that are not cognizable.1
In reviewing the complaint, the Court accepts the factual allegations
as true, liberally construing them in Plaintiff's favor and taking

1

 A prisoner  who has had three prior actions dismissed for failure to state a claim or as frivolous or malicious can 
no longer proceed in forma pauperis unless the prisoner is under “imminent danger of serious physical injury.”  28 
U.S.C. § 1915(g). 

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Plaintiff’s pro se status into account. Turley v. Rednour, 729 F.3d
645, 649 (7th Cir. 2013). However, conclusory statements and
labels are insufficient. Enough facts must be provided to "'state a
claim for relief that is plausible on its face.'" Alexander v. U.S., 721
F.3d 418, 422 (7th Cir. 2013)(quoted cite omitted).
Plaintiff alleges that he broke his finger on August 11, 2016,
and that he received inadequate care, primarily from the delay in
treatment, the incorrect placement of a splint, and the prolonged
use of the splint. Plaintiff alleges that his finger has healed
incorrectly and that the mobility in his finger is diminished.
Plaintiff also alleges delays and refusals in providing him pain
medicine.
On these allegations the Court cannot rule out an Eighth
Amendment claim against Plaintiff’s treating medical
professionals—Defendants Tilden and Sullivan. However, no
plausible claim is stated against Wexford. Wexford cannot be held
liable simply because Wexford employs Tilden and Sullivan, and no
plausible inference arises that Wexford itself caused the alleged
inadequate medical care through some corporate policy or practice.
Perez v. Fenoglio, 792 F.3d 768, 780 (7th Cir. 2015)(“a private
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corporation cannot be held liable under § 1983 unless it maintained
an unconstitutional policy or custom.”).
IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED:
1)

Pursuant to its merit review of the Complaint under 28

U.S.C. § 1915A, the Court finds that Plaintiff states an Eighth
Amendment claim against Defendants Tilden and Sullivan.

This

case proceeds solely on the claims identified in this paragraph.
Any additional claims shall not be included in the case, except at
the Court’s discretion on motion by a party for good cause shown or
pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 15.
2)

Defendant Wexford is dismissed, without prejudice.

3)

This case is now in the process of service. Plaintiff is

advised to wait until counsel has appeared for Defendants before
filing any motions, in order to give Defendants notice and an
opportunity to respond to those motions. Motions filed before
Defendants' counsel has filed an appearance will generally be
denied as premature. Plaintiff need not submit any evidence to the
Court at this time, unless otherwise directed by the Court.
4)

The Court will attempt service on Defendants by mailing

each Defendant a waiver of service. Defendants have 60 days from
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the date the waiver is sent to file an Answer. If Defendants have not
filed Answers or appeared through counsel within 90 days of the
entry of this order, Plaintiff may file a motion requesting the status
of service. After Defendants have been served, the Court will enter
an order setting discovery and dispositive motion deadlines.
5)

With respect to a Defendant who no longer works at the

address provided by Plaintiff, the entity for whom that Defendant
worked while at that address shall provide to the Clerk said
Defendant's current work address, or, if not known, said
Defendant's forwarding address. This information shall be used
only for effectuating service. Documentation of forwarding
addresses shall be retained only by the Clerk and shall not be
maintained in the public docket nor disclosed by the Clerk.
6)

Defendants shall file an answer within 60 days of the

date the waiver is sent by the Clerk. A motion to dismiss is not an
answer. The answer should include all defenses appropriate under
the Federal Rules. The answer and subsequent pleadings shall be
to the issues and claims stated in this Opinion. In general, an
answer sets forth Defendants' positions. The Court does not rule
on the merits of those positions unless and until a motion is filed by
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Defendants. Therefore, no response to the answer is necessary or
will be considered.
7)

This District uses electronic filing, which means that,

after Defense counsel has filed an appearance, Defense counsel will
automatically receive electronic notice of any motion or other paper
filed by Plaintiff with the Clerk. Plaintiff does not need to mail to
Defense counsel copies of motions and other papers that Plaintiff
has filed with the Clerk. However, this does not apply to discovery
requests and responses. Discovery requests and responses are not
filed with the Clerk. Plaintiff must mail his discovery requests and
responses directly to Defendants' counsel. Discovery requests or
responses sent to the Clerk will be returned unfiled, unless they are
attached to and the subject of a motion to compel. Discovery does
not begin until Defense counsel has filed an appearance and the
Court has entered a scheduling order, which will explain the
discovery process in more detail.
8)

Counsel for Defendants is hereby granted leave to depose

Plaintiff at his place of confinement. Counsel for Defendants shall
arrange the time for the deposition.

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9)

Plaintiff shall immediately notify the Court, in writing, of

any change in his mailing address and telephone number.
Plaintiff's failure to notify the Court of a change in mailing address
or phone number will result in dismissal of this lawsuit, with
prejudice.
10)

If a Defendants fails to sign and return a waiver of service

to the clerk within 30 days after the waiver is sent, the Court will
take appropriate steps to effect formal service through the U.S.
Marshal's service on that Defendant and will require that Defendant
to pay the full costs of formal service pursuant to Federal Rule of
Civil Procedure 4(d)(2).
11)

Within 10 days of receiving from Defendants' counsel an

authorization to release medical records, Plaintiff is directed to sign
and return the authorization to Defendants' counsel.
12)

Plaintiff’s motion for the Court to appoint counsel is

denied (5), with leave to renew setting forth how far Plaintiff has
gone in school, any jobs he has held inside and outside of prison,
any classes he has taken in prison, and any prior litigation
experience he has.

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13)

The Clerk is directed to terminate Defendant

Wexford.
14)

The Clerk is directed to enter the standard qualified

protective order pursuant to the Health Insurance Portability
and Accountability Act.
15)

The Clerk is directed to attempt service on

Defendants Tilden and Sullivan pursuant to the standard
procedures.
ENTERED: 10/05/2017
FOR THE COURT:
s/Sue E. Myerscough
SUE E. MYERSCOUGH
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

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