Castro v. United States of America et al

Filing 11

ORDER REFERRING CASE to Magistrate Judge Philip M. Frazier. The Clerk of Court is DIRECTED to complete, on Plaintiff's behalf, a summons and form USM-285 for service of process on Defendants SZOKE, WINCLEMEYER, BAGWELL, CASTILLO, and CULLERS; t he Clerk shall issue the completed summons. The United States Marshal SHALL serve Defendants SZOKE, WINCLEMEYER, BAGWELL, CASTILLO, and CULLERS pursuant to Rule 4(e) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. Signed by Judge J. Phil Gilbert on 7/10/2013. (tjk)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS
ANTHONY CASTRO, # 02614-029,
Plaintiff,
vs.
UNITED STATES of AMERICA,
DR. SZOKE, WINCLEMEYER,
BAGWELL, CASTILLO,
and CULLERS,
Defendants.

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Case No. 13-cv-571-JPG

MEMORANDUM AND ORDER
GILBERT, District Judge:
Plaintiff, currently incarcerated at USP-Marion (“Marion”), has brought this pro se action
under the Federal Tort Claims Act (“FTCA”), 28 U.S.C. § 1346(b); § 2671 et seq. He also asserts
a civil rights claim for alleged violations of his constitutional rights by persons acting under the
color of federal authority. See Bivens v. Six Unknown Named Agents, 403 U.S. 388 (1971).
Specifically, Plaintiff states that on July 11, 2012, he slipped and fell on a wet floor,
which had not been marked with any warning signs after it was mopped (Doc. 1, p. 6). The area
where Plaintiff fell was a ramp with a 20-25% grade, which contributed to his painful back
injury.
Plaintiff sought emergency medical attention later on the day of his injury, and again
requested help over the next few weeks. He was seen by Defendants Castillo and Bagwell
(physician’s assistants), and by Defendant Dr. Szoke, but states that none of these practitioners
examined him. Further, although Plaintiff continued to request treatment at sick call (operated
by Defendant Cullers, a nurse), and by speaking directly to Defendant Winclemeyer (medical
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administrator) none was given nor was he administered any medical tests. Consequently, he has
endured severe pain over the past year following his injury due to the medical Defendants’
deliberate indifference. Plaintiff’s tort claim was denied on January 16, 2013 (Doc. 6, p. 6).
Only recently have these Defendants recognized that he was in fact injured in the fall, and they
have begun treatment and testing to address his needs (Doc. 6., pp. 2-5).
Merits Review Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915A
Under § 1915A, the Court is required to conduct a prompt threshold review of the
complaint, and to dismiss any claims that are frivolous, malicious, fail to state a claim on which
relief may be granted, or seek monetary relief from an immune defendant.
Accepting Plaintiff’s allegations as true, the Court finds that Plaintiff has articulated a
colorable Federal Tort Claim against the United States (Count 1). In addition, the complaint
states an Eighth Amendment claim for deliberate indifference to medical needs for the delay in
treating Plaintiff’s injuries, against Defendants Szoke, Winclemeyer, Bagwell, Castillo, and
Cullers (Count 2). Both claims shall receive further review.
Pending Motion
Plaintiff’s motion for recruitment of counsel (Doc. 3) shall be referred to United States
Magistrate Judge Frazier for further consideration.
Disposition
The Clerk of Court is DIRECTED to complete, on Plaintiff’s behalf, a summons
and form USM-285 for service of process on Defendants SZOKE, WINCLEMEYER,
BAGWELL, CASTILLO, and CULLERS; the Clerk shall issue the completed summons. The
United States Marshal SHALL serve Defendants SZOKE, WINCLEMEYER, BAGWELL,
CASTILLO, and CULLERS pursuant to Rule 4(e) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. All

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costs of service shall be advanced by the United States, and the Clerk shall provide all necessary
materials and copies to the United States Marshals Service.
In order to effect service on Defendant UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, the
Clerk of Court is DIRECTED to complete, on Plaintiff’s behalf, a summons for service of
process on the United States; the Clerk shall issue the completed summons. Pursuant to Federal
Rule of Civil Procedure 4(i), the Clerk shall (1) personally deliver to or send by registered or
certified mail addressed to the civil-process clerk at the office of the United States Attorney for
the Southern District of Illinois a copy of the summons, the complaint, and this Memorandum
and Order; and (2) send by registered or certified mail to the Attorney General of the United
States at Washington, D.C., a copy of the summons, the complaint, and this Memorandum and
Order.
Plaintiff shall serve upon Defendants (or upon defense counsel once an appearance is
entered), a copy of every pleading or other document submitted for consideration by the Court.
Plaintiff shall include with the original paper to be filed a certificate stating the date on which a
true and correct copy of the document was served on Defendants or counsel. Any paper received
by a district judge or magistrate judge that has not been filed with the Clerk or that fails to
include a certificate of service will be disregarded by the Court.
Defendants are ORDERED to timely file an appropriate responsive pleading to the
complaint and shall not waive filing a reply pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1997e(g).
Pursuant to Local Rule 72.1(a)(2), this action is REFERRED to United States Magistrate
Judge Philip M. Frazier for further pre-trial proceedings, which shall include a determination on
the pending motion for recruitment of counsel (Doc. 3).
Further, this entire matter shall be REFERRED to United States Magistrate Judge

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Frazier for disposition, pursuant to Local Rule 72.2(b)(2) and 28 U.S.C. § 636(c), if all parties
consent to such a referral.
If judgment is rendered against Plaintiff, and the judgment includes the payment of costs
under § 1915, Plaintiff will be required to pay the full amount of the costs, notwithstanding that
his application to proceed in forma pauperis has been granted. See 28 U.S.C. § 1915(f)(2)(A).
Plaintiff is ADVISED that at the time application was made under 28 U.S.C. § 1915 for
leave to commence this civil action without being required to prepay fees and costs or give
security for the same, the applicant and his or her attorney were deemed to have entered into a
stipulation that the recovery, if any, secured in the action shall be paid to the Clerk of the Court,
who shall pay therefrom all unpaid costs taxed against plaintiff and remit the balance to plaintiff.
Local Rule 3.1(c)(1).
Finally, Plaintiff is ADVISED that he is under a continuing obligation to keep the Clerk
of Court and each opposing party informed of any change in his address; the Court will not
independently investigate his whereabouts. This shall be done in writing and not later than 7
days after a transfer or other change in address occurs. Failure to comply with this order will
cause a delay in the transmission of court documents and may result in dismissal of this action
for want of prosecution. See FED. R. CIV. P. 41(b).
IT IS SO ORDERED.
DATED: July 10, 2013
s/ J. PHIL GILBERT
United States District Judge

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