KEEYLEN v. WEXFORD OF INDIANA, LLC et al
Filing
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ORDER granting 54 Motion for Summary Judgment. Judgment consistent with this Order shall now issue. ***SEE ORDER FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION*** Signed by Judge James R. Sweeney II on 11/17/2021. (JDC)
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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF INDIANA
INDIANAPOLIS DIVISION
VICTOR KEEYLEN,
Plaintiff,
v.
WEXFORD OF INDIANA, LLC,
PIERCE,
WILSON,
Defendants.
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No. 1:20-cv-00756-JRS-DML
ORDER GRANTING DEFENDANTS' MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT
AND DIRECTING ENTRY OF FINAL JUDGMENT
Plaintiff Victor Keeylen filed this civil action after he fell in the shower at Pendleton
Correctional Facility and hit his head against the wall. He asserts that the defendants, Wexford of
Indiana, LLC, Dr. Duan Pierce, and Nurse Practitioner Sheri Wilson, are responsible for denying
him adequate medical care to treat his injuries. The defendants seek summary judgment on the
basis that Mr. Keeylen failed to provide any evidence in support of his claims. Mr. Keeylen did
not respond. For the reasons explained below, the defendants' unopposed motion for summary
judgment, dkt [54], is granted.
I. Standard of Review
A motion for summary judgment asks the Court to find that a trial is unnecessary because
there is no genuine dispute as to any material fact and, instead, the movant is entitled to judgment
as a matter of law. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(a). The Court views the record in the light most favorable
to the non-moving party and draws all reasonable inferences in that party's favor. Skiba v. Ill.
Cent. R.R. Co., 884 F.3d 708, 717 (7th Cir. 2018). It cannot weigh evidence or make credibility
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determinations on summary judgment because those tasks are left to the fact-finder. Miller v.
Gonzalez, 761 F.3d 822, 827 (7th Cir. 2014).
"[A] party seeking summary judgment always bears the initial responsibility of informing
the district court of the basis for its motion, and identifying those portions of 'the pleadings,
depositions, answers to interrogatories, and admissions on file, together with the affidavits, if any,'
which it believes demonstrate the absence of a genuine issue of material fact." Celotex Corp. v.
Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 323 (1986). "[T]he burden on the moving party may be discharged by
'showing'—that is, pointing out to the district court—that there is an absence of evidence to support
the nonmoving party's case." Id. at 325.
In this case, the defendants have met that burden through their unopposed motion for
summary judgment. Smith v. Lamz, 321 F.3d 680, 683 (7th Cir. 2003) ("[F]ailure to respond by
the nonmovant as mandated by the local rules results in an admission."). Because the plaintiff
failed to respond to the summary judgment motion, the facts alleged in the motion are deemed
admitted so long as support for them exists in the record. See S.D. Ind. Local Rule 56-1; Smith,,
321 F.3d at683 ("[F]ailure to respond by the nonmovant as mandated by the local rules results in
an admission"). See also dkt. 57 at 1 (warning plaintiff that the failure to file a response in
opposition would result in the motion for summary judgment being considered unopposed). This
does not alter the summary judgment standard, but it does "[r]educe[] the pool" from which facts
and inferences relative to the motion may be drawn. Smith v. Severn, 129 F.3d 419, 426 (7th Cir.
1997).
II. Undisputed Facts
At all times relevant to the complaint in this matter, Mr. Keeylen was an Indiana prisoner
housed at the Pendleton Correctional Facility ("Pendleton").
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Ms. Wilson first saw Mr. Keeylen for his complaints related to his fall in the shower on
February 13, 2020. Dkt. 56-3 at 1-3. At this visit, Mr. Keeylen stated that he had slipped and fallen
in the shower on February 5, 2020 and was experiencing headaches. Mr. Keeylen was not
experiencing any neck pain and did not have a fever. Ms. Wilson educated Mr. Keeylen on the
causes of headaches and instructed him to get Tylenol or ibuprofen from commissary, but not to
take it daily. Ms. Wilson instructed Mr. Keeylen to seek reevaluation if he began experiencing
severe neck pain, high fever, numbness, or tingling. Dkt. 56-1 at ¶ 5.
On February 28, 2020, Ms. Wilson submitted an x-ray requisition for Mr. Keeylen's hip
and spine. Id. at ¶ 6; dkt. 56-3 at 4.
Dr. Pierce saw Mr. Keeylen once for his complaints related to his fall in the shower, on
March 3, 2020. Dkt. 56-2 at ¶ 5; dkt. 56-3 at 16-17. At this visit, Mr. Keeylen was complaining of
headaches, hip pain, and right-hand pain. Mr. Keeylen reported to Dr. Pierce that he did not lose
consciousness as a result of the fall. Dr. Pierce's physical examination of Mr. Keeylen's head
revealed no evidence of a skull fracture. Dr. Pierce noted that there was no visible contusion to the
back of Mr. Keeylen's head, Mr. Keeylen had a normal gait and normal range of motion of the
neck and had not suffered any memory impairment. Thus, an x-ray of Mr. Keeylen's skull was not
indicated. Dr. Pierce's physical examination of Mr. Keeylen's right hand revealed normal range of
motion and strength, normal sensation, and no visible swelling, so an x-ray of his right hand was
not indicated at this time. Mr. Keeylen was given Tylenol and a pan in which to soak his hand.
Mr. Keeylen was encouraged to continue walking and to perform range of motion exercises. Id.
On June 12, 2020, Ms. Wilson saw Mr. Keeylen again. Dkt. 56-1 at ¶ 7. At this visit,
Mr. Keeylen indicated he was still having pain, but that it had improved. Mr. Keeylen reported
that he felt his right hand had not healed properly, as it was not symmetrical to his left hand. At
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this time, Mr. Keeylen was able to perform all of his activities of daily living with no limitations,
and Ms. Wilson noted that Mr. Keeylen's range of motion and strength in his right hand appeared
normal. Ms. Wilson instructed Mr. Keeylen to use ice and heat on the affected areas as needed,
and perform gentle range of motion exercises, prescribed Tylenol and naproxen, and instructed
Mr. Keeylen to obtain other over-the-counter pain medication from the commissary if necessary.
Ms. Wilson submitted another x-ray requisition for Mr. Keeylen's right hand and hip, based on his
continued complaints of pain. Id.
The x-ray of Mr. Keeylen's right hand revealed a remote fracture of the distal second
metacarpal. The x-ray of Mr. Keeylen's right hip was normal. Id. at ¶ 8.
On June 23, 2020, Dr. Knieser reviewed Mr. Keeylen's x-rays and determined that no
action was required. Id. at ¶ 9.
On July 9, 2020, Ms. Wilson submitted another x-ray requisition for Mr. Keeylen's right
hand, to determine whether the fracture was new or old. Id. at ¶ 10. The x-ray of Mr. Keeylen's
right hand revealed the stable appearance of a healed second metacarpal fracture. Id. at ¶ 11.
Mr. Keeylen's testified in his deposition that he is suing Wexford because "Wexford is
responsible for hiring the staff and knowing that they would provide inadequate treatment." Dkt.
56-4 at 21:12–14.
III. Discussion
This action is brought pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. To state a claim under § 1983, a
plaintiff must allege the violation of a right secured by the Constitution or laws of the United States
and must show that the alleged deprivation was committed by a person acting under color of state
law. West v. Atkins, 487 U.S. 42, 48 (1988). Mr. Keeylen's allegations implicate his Eighth
Amendment rights.
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Pursuant to the Eighth Amendment, prison officials have a duty to provide humane
conditions of confinement, meaning, they must take reasonable measures to guarantee the safety
of the inmates and ensure that they receive adequate food, clothing, shelter, and medical care.
Farmer v. Brennan, 511 U.S. 825, 834 (1994). However, "not 'every claim by a prisoner that he
has not received adequate medical treatment states a violation of the Eighth Amendment.'" Eagan
v. Dempsey, 987 F.3d 667, 688 (7th Cir. 2021) (quoting Estelle v. Gamble, 429 U.S. 97, 105
(1976)). "'To determine if the Eighth Amendment has been violated in the prison medical context,
we perform a two-step analysis, first examining whether a plaintiff suffered from an objectively
serious medical condition, and then determining whether the individual defendant was deliberately
indifferent to that condition.'" Peterson v. Wexford Health Sources, Inc., 986 F.3d 746, 751 (7th
Cir. 2021) (quoting Petties v. Carter, 836 F.3d 722, 727–28 (7th Cir. 2016) (en banc)).
As to the first element, a "medical condition is serious if it 'has been diagnosed by a
physician as mandating treatment' or 'is so obvious that even a lay person would perceive the need
for a doctor's attention.'" Perry v. Sims, 990 F.3d 505, 511 (7th Cir. 2021) (quoting Greeno v.
Daley, 414 F.3d 645, 653 (7th Cir. 2005)).
"The second element of deliberate indifference is proven by demonstrating that a prison
official knows of a substantial risk of harm to an inmate and either acts or fails to act in disregard
of that risk." Donald v. Wexford Health Sources, Inc., 982 F.3d 451, 458 (7th Cir. 2020) (internal
quotations and citations omitted). A defendant must make a decision that represents "such a
substantial departure from accepted professional judgment, practice, or standards, as to
demonstrate that the person responsible actually did not base the decision on such a judgment." Id.
(quoting Sain v. Wood, 512 F.3d 886, 895 (7th Cir. 2008)). See also Estelle, 429 U.S. at 106
("Medical malpractice does not become a constitutional violation merely because the victim is a
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prisoner."). Therefore, to survive summary judgment, Mr. Keeylen must have evidence of acts or
omissions sufficiently harmful to evidence deliberate indifference to serious medical needs as to
each of the individual medical providers. For the reasons explained below, Mr. Keeylen has not
met his burden.
A. Dr. Pierce
The undisputed evidence shows that Dr. Pierce was not deliberately indifferent to
Mr. Keeylen's serious medical needs. Dr. Pierce only had one encounter with Mr. Keeylen and
treated him appropriately. Dr. Pierce's physical examination of Mr. Keeylen revealed no indication
of a skull or hand fracture. Based on his condition and symptoms, Mr. Keeylen was given Tylenol
and a pan in which to soak his hand. Mr. Keeylen was encouraged to continue walking and to
perform range of motion exercises. There is no evidence that suggests that this was not an
appropriate course of treatment based on Mr. Keeylen's physical presentation and reported
symptoms. Accordingly, Dr. Pierce was not deliberately indifferent to Mr. Keeylen's serious
medical needs, and he is entitled to judgment as a matter of law.
B. Ms. Wilson
Similarly, there is no evidence that Ms. Wilson was deliberately indifferent to
Mr. Keeylen's serious medical needs. The undisputed material facts show that Ms. Wilson
evaluated Mr. Keeylen on several occasions. During their first encounter, Mr. Keeylen
complained only of headaches. Ms. Wilson educated Mr. Keeylen on the causes of headaches,
and the best remedies, which are lots of fluid and rest. Mr. Keeylen was instructed that he could
obtain pain medications from the commissary to treat his headaches, if necessary, but that
medications should not be taken daily.
During their subsequent encounters, Mr. Keeylen continued to complain of pain, but noted
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that it was improving. Based on his continued complaints of pain, Ms. Wilson prescribed Tylenol
and naproxen, and ordered multiple x-rays of the areas complained of, the last of which showed
the stable appearance of a healed fracture.
There is no evidence that suggests that any of this was not an appropriate course of
treatment based on Mr. Keeylen's physical presentation and reported symptoms. Accordingly, Ms.
Wilson was not deliberately indifferent to Mr. Keeylen's serious medical needs, and she is entitled
to judgment as a matter of law.
C. Wexford of Indiana, LLC
Mr. Keeylen sued Wexford of Indiana, LLC, because it hired the defendant medical care
providers. Wexford argues that it is entitled to summary judgment, because Mr. Keeylen has no
evidence of any policies, practices, or procedures of Wexford that led to a violation of his
constitutional rights. Instead, the attached medical records and undisputed material facts show that
Mr. Keeylen received timely and thorough medical treatment.
Wexford acts under color of state law by providing medical care to state prisoners, so it is
treated as a government entity for purposes of Section 1983 claims. Walker v. Wexford Health
Sources, 940 F.3d 954, 966 (7th Cir. 2019). Thus, Wexford "cannot be held liable for damages
under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 on a theory of respondeat superior for constitutional violations committed
by [its] employees. [It] can, however, be held liable for unconstitutional … policies or customs."
Simpson v. Brown Cty., 860 F.3d 1001, 1005-06 (7th Cir. 2017) (citing Monell v. Dep't of Soc.l
Servs., 436 U.S. 658, 690-91 (1978)). To prevail on his claim against Wexford based on an
unconstitutional policy or custom, Mr. Keeylen must show that "he was deprived of a federal right"
and "trace the deprivation" to a Wexford policy or custom. Dean v. Wexford Health Sources, Inc.,
-- F.4th --, 2021 WL 5230855 at *13 (7th Cir. Nov. 10, 2021).
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Mr. Keeylen has not presented any evidence that his constitutional rights were violated,
nor can any deprivation of a federal right be traced to a Wexford policy or custom. As such,
Wexford of Indiana, LLC, is entitled to judgment as a matter of law.
IV. Conclusion
The defendants' unopposed motion for summary judgment, dkt [54], is granted. Judgment
consistent with this Order shall now issue.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
Date:
11/17/2021
Distribution:
VICTOR KEEYLEN
950970
PUTNAMVILLE - CF
PUTNAMVILLE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY
Electronic Service Ms.rticiMs.nt – Court Only
Douglass R. Bitner
KATZ KORIN CUNNINGHAM, P.C.
dbitner@kkclegal.com
Sarah Jean Shores-Scisney
KATZ KORIN CUNNINGHAM, P.C.
sshores@kkclegal.com
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