Langham v. Sood et al
Filing
6
MERIT REVIEW OPINION entered by Judge Sue E. Myerscough on 10/4/2016. Pursuant to its merit review of the Complaint under 28 U.S.C. § 1915A, the Court finds that the Plaintiff states a constitutional claim for deliberate indifference to his seri ous medical needs. This case is now in the process of service. Plaintiff's motion for the Court to try to find pro bono counsel to represent him is denied, d/e 5 , with leave to renew after Plaintiff demonstrates that he has made reasonable efforts to find counsel on his own. (SEE WRITTEN OPINION) (MAS, ilcd)
E-FILED
Tuesday, 04 October, 2016 09:11:35 AM
Clerk, U.S. District Court, ILCD
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE CENTRAL DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS
ERIC LANGHAM,
Plaintiff,
v.
DR. KUL SOOD AND
WEXFORD HEALTH
SOURCES, INC., et al.
Defendants.
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16-CV-4169
MERIT REVIEW OPINION
SUE E. MYERSCOUGH, U.S. District Judge.
Plaintiff filed this case pro se from the Hill 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 Plaintiff’s pro se status into account.
Turley v. Rednour, 729 F.3d 645, 649 (7th Cir. 2013). However,
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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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 began developing postules on the back
of his head in September 2014, which spread and became infected.
Dr. Sood allegedly diagnosed ingrown hairs and failed to provide
any treatment. By February 2015, Plaintiff had developed severe
keloids. Dr. Sood then provided some ointment and a weak
antibiotic, which had no effect. A nurse eventually determined by
culturing Plaintiff’s skin that he had pseudo folliculitis. A stronger
antibiotic was given which helped, but then the problem recurred.
At this point Dr. Sood told Plaintiff all that could be done was to
prescribe the same medicine and that more aggressive measures
could not be taken because the condition is cosmetic. Plaintiff
alleges that he “has been made to endure unnecessary pain,
discomfort, and at times ridicule from the site from these continued
infections due to the massive keloid scarrs [sic] . . . .” He appears
to allege that Wexford has a policy of denying more aggressive
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treatment for his condition because Wexford has classified the
condition as cosmetic.
Whether Plaintiff has a serious medical need is unclear but
the inference cannot be ruled out on these allegations. Accordingly,
the case will proceed on an Eighth Amendment claim for deliberate
indifference to Plaintiff’s serious medical needs.
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 a constitutional
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
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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.
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
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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
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.
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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.
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)
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.
12)
The Clerk is directed to enter the standard qualified
protective order pursuant to the Health Insurance Portability
and Accountability Act.
13)
Plaintiff’s motion for the Court to try to find pro
bono counsel to represent him 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 his
prior litigation experience.
ENTERED: October 4, 2016
FOR THE COURT:
s/Sue E. Myerscough
SUE E. MYERSCOUGH
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
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