Caudill v. Baldwin et al

Filing 8

MERIT REVIEW OPINION - Entered by Judge Harold A. Baker on 9/21/2017. Rule 16 Deadline 11/20/2017. The clerk is directed to enter the standard qualified protective order pursuant to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. The cle rk is directed to terminate James Baldwin and Wexford Medical as defendants. The clerk is directed to attempt service on the remaining defendants pursuant to the standard procedures. Plaintiffs motion for counsel 3 is denied, with leave to renew. (LN, ilcd)

E-FILED

Thursday, 21 September, 2017 03:54:15 PM
Clerk, U.S. District Court, ILCD

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
CENTRAL DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS
CHRIS CAUDILL,
Plaintiff,
v.
JAMES BALDWIN, et al.,
Defendants.

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17-CV-3184

MERIT REVIEW AND CASE MANAGEMENT ORDER
The plaintiff, proceeding pro se, and currently incarcerated at
Graham Correctional Center, was granted leave to proceed in forma
pauperis. The case is now before the court for a merit review of
plaintiff’s claims. The court is required by 28 U.S.C. § 1915A to
“screen” the plaintiff’s complaint, and through such process to
identify and dismiss any legally insufficient claim, or the entire
action if warranted. A claim is legally insufficient if it “(1) is
frivolous, malicious, or fails to state a claim upon which relief may
be granted; or (2) seeks monetary relief from a defendant who is
immune from such relief.” 28 U.S.C. § 1915A.
In reviewing the complaint, the court accepts the factual
allegations as true, liberally construing them in the plaintiff's favor.
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)(citation
omitted). The court has reviewed the complaint and has also held a
merit review hearing in order to give the plaintiff a chance to
personally explain his claims to the court.
Plaintiff filed this lawsuit pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983
alleging he was savagely beaten by his cellmate after following his
psychologist’s (Defendant Nwajei) advice to not share his
electronics. Plaintiff alleges that, in the weeks leading up to the
attack, he told Defendants Busby and Nwajei that he feared a
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physical attack from his cellmate, but that the defendants did
nothing. Plaintiff also alleges that his assailant had a known
propensity for violence against other inmates.
Plaintiff states an Eighth Amendment claim for failure to
protect from harm against Defendants Busby and Nwajei. See
Farmer v. Brennan, 511 U.S. 825, 837 (1994). Defendant Baldwin,
the IDOC director, cannot be sued merely because of his
supervisory position. See Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662, 676
(2009). Further, no plausible inference arises that Defendant
Wexford Health Sources, Inc., the private company contracted to
provide medical services to the prison, caused plaintiff’s alleged
injuries through an unconstitutional policy. See Monell v. Dep’t of
Soc. Srvcs. Of City of New York, 436 U.S. 658 (1978). Therefore,
Defendants Baldwin and Wexford Health Sources, Inc., (sued as
Wexford Medical), should be dismissed.
IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED:
1.
Pursuant to its merit review of the complaint under 28
U.S.C. § 1915A, the court finds that the plaintiff states an Eighth
Amendment claim for failure to protect against Defendants Busby
and Nwajei. 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. The plaintiff is
advised to wait until counsel has appeared for the defendants
before filing any motions, in order to give the 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. The 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 the defendants by
mailing each defendant a waiver of service. The defendants have 60
days from the date the waiver is sent to file an answer. If the
defendants have not filed answers or appeared through counsel
within 90 days of the entry of this order, the plaintiff may file a
motion requesting the status of service. After the defendants have
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been served, the court will enter an order setting discovery and
dispositive motion deadlines.
4.
With respect to a defendant who no longer works at the
address provided by the 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.
The 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 the defendants' positions. The court does not rule
on the merits of those positions unless and until a motion is filed by
the 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
filed by the plaintiff with the clerk. The plaintiff does not need to
mail to defense counsel copies of motions and other papers that the
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. The 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 the defendants is hereby granted leave to
depose the plaintiff at his place of confinement. Counsel for the
defendants shall arrange the time for the deposition.
8.
The plaintiff shall immediately notify the court, in
writing, of any change in his mailing address and telephone
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number. The 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.
9.
If a defendant 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.
Marshals 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. The clerk is directed to enter the standard qualified
protective order pursuant to the Health Insurance Portability and
Accountability Act.
11. The clerk is directed to terminate James Baldwin and
Wexford Medical as defendants.
12. The clerk is directed to attempt service on the remaining
defendants pursuant to the standard procedures.
13. Plaintiff’s motion for counsel (#3) is denied, with leave to
renew. Plaintiff has no constitutional or statutory right to counsel
in this case. In considering the Plaintiff’s motion, the court asks: (1)
has the indigent Plaintiff made a reasonable attempt to obtain
counsel or been effectively precluded from doing so; and if so, (2)
given the difficulty of the case, does the plaintiff appear competent
to litigate it himself? Pruitt v. Mote, 503 F.3d 647, 654-55 (7th Cir.
2007). Plaintiff indicates that he is still waiting for a response from
some of the lawyers he has written. Plaintiff may renew his motion,
if necessary, once he receives a response from the attorneys. If
Plaintiff renews his motion, he should also 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.
Entered this 21st day of Sepember, 2017
/s/ Harold A. Baker
___________________________________________
HAROLD A. BAKER
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
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