Jackson v. Wexford Health Source Inc et al
Filing
9
MERIT REVIEW OPINION entered by Judge Sue E. Myerscough on 08/18/2017. SEE WRITTEN OPINION. Pursuant to its merit review of the Complaint under 28 U.S.C. § 1915A, the Court finds that Plaintiff states an Eighth Amendment claim for deliberate in difference to his serious medical needs. This case is now in the process of service. Plaintiff's motion for the Court to appoint counsel is denied ( 5 ), with leave to renew after Plaintiff demonstrates that he has made reasonable efforts to find counsel on his own. The clerk is directed to enter the standard order granting Plaintiff's in forma pauperis petition and assessing an initial partial filing fee, if not already done, and to attempt service on Defendants pursuant to the standard procedures. The Clerk is directed to enter the standard qualified protective order pursuant to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. (DM, ilcd)
E-FILED
Friday, 18 August, 2017 08:54:02 AM
Clerk, U.S. District Court, ILCD
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE CENTRAL DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS
MARTINO JACKSON,
Plaintiff,
v.
WEXFORD HEALTH SOURCES,
INC., et al.
Defendants.
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17-CV-3162
MERIT REVIEW OPINION
SUE E. MYERSCOUGH, U.S. District Judge.
Plaintiff proceeds pro se from his incarceration in Dixon
Correctional Center on claims of substandard medical care in
Western Illinois Correctional Center. His Complaint is before the
Court for a merit review 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 had an infected cyst or boil the size of
a softball on the back of his head during his incarceration in
Western Illinois Correctional Center. Dr. Butler refused to send
Plaintiff to a specialist, instead trying twice to lance and cut the boil
himself. The procedure went awry, and Plaintiff wound up being
sent to the hospital for emergency surgery to stop the bleeding.
Plaintiff also allegedly did not receive adequate pain medicine
during this experience.
Plaintiff states an arguable Eighth Amendment claim for
deliberate indifference against Dr. Butler. Determinations of
whether a basis for liability exists against the nurse defendants or
Wexford should await a developed record.
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
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Amendment claim for deliberate indifference to his serious medical
needs.
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)
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.
3)
The Court will attempt service on Defendants by mailing
each Defendant a waiver of service. Defendants have 60 days from
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.
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4)
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.
5)
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
Defendants. Therefore, no response to the answer is necessary or
will be considered.
6)
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
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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.
7)
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.
8)
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.
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9)
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).
10)
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.
11)
Plaintiff’s motion for the Court to appoint counsel is
denied (5), with leave to renew after Plaintiff demonstrates that he
has made reasonable efforts to find counsel on his own. Pruitt v.
Mote, 503 F.3d 647, 654-55 (7th Cir. 2007). This typically requires
writing to several lawyers and attaching the responses. If Plaintiff
renews his motion, he should set forth how far he 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.
12)
The clerk is directed to enter the standard order
granting Plaintiff's in forma pauperis petition and assessing an
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initial partial filing fee, if not already done, and to attempt
service on Defendants pursuant to the standard procedures.
13)
The Clerk is directed to enter the standard qualified
protective order pursuant to the Health Insurance Portability
and Accountability Act.
ENTERED: August 18, 2017
FOR THE COURT:
s/Sue E. Myersough
SUE E. MYERSCOUGH
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
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