Lyle #222501 v. Aiken et al

Filing 5

OPINION; signed by Chief Judge Paul L. Maloney (Chief Judge Paul L. Maloney, acr)

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE WESTERN DISTRICT OF MICHIGAN
SOUTHERN DIVISION

ALEX LYLE,
Plaintiff,

Case No. 1:14-cv-1109

v.

Honorable Paul L. Maloney

SABRINA AIKEN et al.,
Defendants.
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OPINION
This is a civil rights action brought by a state prisoner pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983.
The Court has granted Plaintiff leave to proceed in forma pauperis. Under the Prison Litigation
Reform Act, PUB. L. NO. 104-134, 110 STAT. 1321 (1996), the Court is required to dismiss any
prisoner action brought under federal law if the complaint is frivolous, malicious, fails to state a
claim upon which relief can be granted, or seeks monetary relief from a defendant immune from such
relief. 28 U.S.C. §§ 1915(e)(2), 1915A; 42 U.S.C. § 1997e(c). The Court must read Plaintiff’s pro
se complaint indulgently, see Haines v. Kerner, 404 U.S. 519, 520 (1972), and accept Plaintiff’s
allegations as true, unless they are clearly irrational or wholly incredible. Denton v. Hernandez, 504
U.S. 25, 33 (1992). Applying these standards, Plaintiff’s action will be dismissed for failure to state
a claim.

Factual Allegations
Plaintiff Alex Lyle is a state prisoner incarcerated by the Michigan Department of
Corrections (MDOC) at the Earnest C. Brooks Correctional Facility, though the events giving rise
to the complaint occurred while he was incarcerated at the Michigan Reformatory. Most of the
Defendants are registered nurses employed by the MDOC, including: Todd Lambart and Health Unit
Manager Bryan Deeren, both of whom are located at the Michigan Reformatory; Clinical
Administrative Assistant Sabrina Aiken, who is located at “Jackson Health Care Office
Administration” in Jackson, Michigan; and S. Laughhunn, who is located at the MDOC’s Bureau
of Health Services in Lansing, Michigan. (Attach. A to Compl., docket #1-1, Page ID#5.) Plaintiff
also sues “Unknown John Does and Mary Does MDOC Health Care Employees” located in Lansing,
Michigan (“Unknown Part(y)(ies) #1”) and “Unknown John Does and Mary Does CORIZON Health
Care Employees,” located in Lansing Michigan (“Unknown Part(y)(ies) #2”). (Id.)
Plaintiff asserts that he has been complaining about “continuing pain in his penis and
groin area, hernia, vomiting, dizziness, rectal bleeding and a foul body odor” since 2005.1 (Attach.
B to Compl., docket #1, Page ID#6.) Despite his complaints, Plaintiff has not been allowed to see
a doctor. Instead, he is seen by registered nurses who tell him that nothing is wrong, refer him to a
psychologist, and “run interference” so that he is never able to see a doctor. (Id.) Plaintiff contends
that Defendants admitted the existence of his condition in response to a grievance that he filed. In
addition, Plaintiff contends that they admitted that tests were ordered for him; however, he contends

1
Indeed, Plaintiff filed a similar action in 2008, claiming that officials at the Baraga Maximum Correctional
Facility failed to provide adequate medical care for the same conditions at issue in this case, i.e., a hernia, abdominal
pain, rectal bleeding, and foul body odor. See Lyle v. Warren et al., No. 2:08-cv-29 (W.D. Mich.). That case concluded
in 2010, when the court granted summary judgment in favor of the defendants.

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that they have not disclosed the results of those tests. Also, Defendants have allegedly told him that
he could pay for a second opinion at his own expense. Plaintiff cannot afford to do so, however.
According to the attachments to the complaint, Plaintiff filed a grievance in December
2013, asserting that he had complained to “nurses” and a “practitioner” (specifically, “Nurse RN.
Anna M. Cassese”) about pain in his penis and groin area, a hernia in his stomach, vomiting, foul
body odor, and dizziness; however, he was “being delayed adequate health care treatment.” (MDOC
Prisoner/Parolee Grievance No. RMI 1312255012E1, docket #1-2, Page ID#8.) Defendants Lambart
and Deeren denied the grievance, noting that he submitted a healthcare request on November 24 and
was seen by a nursing provider on November 26, 2013. (Step I Grievance Response, docket #1-2,
Page ID#9.) The nurse “issued him a treatment plan including OTC analgesic medication, education,
reassurance, and recommendations.” (Id.) In addition, Lambart and Deeren noted that he was seen
by a “medical practitioner” on November 1, 2013. (Id.)
Plaintiff appealed the denial of his grievance; his appeal was denied by Defendant
Aiken, who summarized the details regarding his care as follows:
Upon investigation of the EMR (Electronic Medical Records) Grievant was seen by
MP on 11/1/13; educated, FOBT, labs & EKG ordered and informed to follow up as
needed. Labs & EKG completed. 11/12 HCR received, Grievant assessed by RN on
11/14 for multitude of somatic complaints and informed Mr. Lyle the labs were
WNR. The MP did a CRV; Labs, vitals and Visit with exam reviewed from 11/1/13.
Weight no change, labs good. No action needed at this time.
The EMR reflects on 11/22[,] Mr. Lyle admitted that he doesn’t like locking at RMI
and would like a transfer. 11/24 HCR; Stomach pains, hernia, occasional vomiting,
headaches, dizziness, foul body odor. Grievant assessed by RN on 11/26; Anxiety
r/t fear of being poisoned in past? Somatic complaints. It was noted by RN; these
same complaints go all the back to 2005. On 12/1 HCR; multiple complaints,
Grievant scheduled to see RN on 12/3, however he was transferred to LRF on
12/3/13. LRF RN appt on 12/1/2; No body odor detected at this time. Will refer to
OPT for evaluation. Instructed pt to contact HS if symptoms worsen or don’t
improve. Pt verbalized understanding.
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Mr. Lyle was seen by OPT on 12/13; PP can be seen as needed as delusions appear
to be somewhat fixed and non responsive to medications.
Grievant’s allegations are not substantiated by the evidence. Review of the evidence
supports that Grievant’s medical needs are being addressed.
If the Grievant believes something more should be done for him medically, he has
the option to seek a second opinion at his own expense . . . .
(Step II Grievance Appeal Response, docket #1-2, Page ID#11.)
Plaintiff subsequently appealed his grievance to Step III of the grievance process.
Defendant Laughhunn denied the appeal, concluding that the grievance was appropriately addressed
at Steps I and II. (Step III Grievance Response, docket #1-2, Page ID#12.)
In short, Plaintiff claims that he has been denied adequate medical treatment. As
relief, he seeks: a determination that he has been denied treatment by employees of the MDOC
and/or Corizon; an order requiring the MDOC or Corizon to have him evaluated by specialists and
then treated appropriately; an order sanctioning those responsible for the denial of his medical care
“for all these years”; and damages. (Compl., docket #1, Page ID#4.)
Discussion
I.

Failure to state a claim

A complaint may be dismissed for failure to state a claim if it fails “‘to give the
defendant fair notice of what the . . . claim is and the grounds upon which it rests.’” Bell Atl. Corp.
v. Twombly, 550 U.S. 544, 555 (2007) (quoting Conley v. Gibson, 355 U.S. 41, 47 (1957)). While
a complaint need not contain detailed factual allegations, a plaintiff’s allegations must include more
than labels and conclusions. Twombly, 550 U.S. at 555; Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662, 678 (2009)
(“Threadbare recitals of the elements of a cause of action, supported by mere conclusory statements,
do not suffice.”). The court must determine whether the complaint contains “enough facts to state

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a claim to relief that is plausible on its face.” Twombly, 550 U.S. at 570. “A claim has facial
plausibility when the plaintiff pleads factual content that allows the court to draw the reasonable
inference that the defendant is liable for the misconduct alleged.” Iqbal, 556 U.S. at 679. Although
the plausibility standard is not equivalent to a “‘probability requirement,’ . . . it asks for more than
a sheer possibility that a defendant has acted unlawfully.” Iqbal, 556 U.S. at 678 (quoting Twombly,
550 U.S. at 556). “[W]here the well-pleaded facts do not permit the court to infer more than the
mere possibility of misconduct, the complaint has alleged – but it has not ‘show[n]’ – that the
pleader is entitled to relief.” Iqbal, 556 U.S. at 679 (quoting FED. R. CIV. P. 8(a)(2)); see also Hill
v. Lappin, 630 F.3d 468, 470-71 (6th Cir. 2010) (holding that the Twombly/Iqbal plausibility
standard applies to dismissals of prisoner cases on initial review under 28 U.S.C. §§ 1915A(b)(1)
and 1915(e)(2)(B)(i)).
To state a claim under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, a plaintiff must allege the violation of a right
secured by the federal Constitution or laws and must show that the deprivation was committed by
a person acting under color of state law. West v. Atkins, 487 U.S. 42, 48 (1988); Dominguez v. Corr.
Med. Servs., 555 F.3d 543, 549 (6th Cir. 2009). Because § 1983 is a method for vindicating federal
rights, not a source of substantive rights itself, the first step in an action under § 1983 is to identify
the specific constitutional right allegedly infringed. Albright v. Oliver, 510 U.S. 266, 271 (1994).
In addition, a claimed constitutional violation must be based upon active
unconstitutional behavior. Grinter v. Knight, 532 F.3d 567, 575-76 (6th Cir. 2008); Greene v.
Barber, 310 F.3d 889, 899 (6th Cir. 2002). Government officials may not be held liable for the
unconstitutional conduct of their subordinates under a theory of respondeat superior or vicarious
liability. Iqbal, 556 U.S. at 676; Monell v. New York City Dep’t of Soc. Servs., 436 U.S. 658,
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691(1978); Everson v. Leis, 556 F.3d 484, 495 (6th Cir. 2009). The acts of one’s subordinates are
not enough, nor can supervisory liability be based upon the mere failure to act. Grinter, 532 F.3d
at 576; Greene, 310 F.3d at 899; Summers v. Leis, 368 F.3d 881, 888 (6th Cir. 2004). Moreover,
§ 1983 liability may not be imposed simply because a supervisor denied an administrative grievance
or failed to act based upon information contained in a grievance. See Shehee v. Luttrell, 199 F.3d
295, 300 (6th Cir. 1999). “[A] plaintiff must plead that each Government-official defendant, through
the official’s own individual actions, has violated the Constitution.” Iqbal, 556 U.S. at 676.
A. Defendants Aiken, Deeren, Lambart and Laughhunn
With respect to Defendants Aiken, Deeren, Lambart and Laughhunn, Plaintiff
ostensibly claims that they were deliberately indifferent to his need for medical care in violation of
the Eighth Amendment. The Eighth Amendment obligates prison authorities to provide medical care
to incarcerated individuals, as a failure to provide such care would be inconsistent with
contemporary standards of decency. Estelle v. Gamble, 429 U.S. 102, 103-04 (1976). The Eighth
Amendment is violated when a prison official is deliberately indifferent to the serious medical needs
of a prisoner. Id. at 104-05; Comstock v. McCrary, 273 F.3d 693, 702 (6th Cir. 2001).
The complaint, however, does not allege facts from which to infer that Defendants
were directly involved in his medical care, or were responsible for the lack of treatment. Instead,
his claim against them appears to be based solely on the fact that they rejected his grievance
concerning the lack of care by other officials. As indicated, Defendants cannot be held liable for the
conduct of other officials, or because they denied a prisoner grievance. See Shehee, 199 F.3d at 300.
“The denial of a prisoner’s grievance does not by itself support a § 1983 deliberate-indifference

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claim.” Mitchell v. Hininger, 553 F. App’x 602, 608 (6th Cir. 2014). Consequently, Plaintiff does
not state a claim against Defendants Aiken, Deeren, Lambart, and Laughhunn.
B. Unknown Part(y)(ies) #1, Unknown Part(y)(ies) #2
Plaintiff’s allegations against the remaining Defendants, Unknown Part(y)(ies) #1 and
Unknown Part(y)(ies) #2, also do not state a claim. Plaintiff asserts that these Defendants are
employees of the MDOC and Corizon located in Lansing, Michigan. However, the complaint
contains no allegations pertaining to conduct by individuals in Lansing, other than Defendant
Laughhunn. During the time in question, Plaintiff was housed at the Michigan Reformatory, which
is located in Ionia, Michigan. (See Attach. A to Compl., docket #1-1, Page ID#5.) The officials
directly responsible for Plaintiff’s medical care were located at that facility. (See Attach. B to
Compl., docket #1-1, Page ID#6 (alleging that Plaintiff was “assigned only to RNs at the prison
facility,” and that these nurses refused to treat him).) There is no plausible basis for inferring any
unconstitutional conduct by individuals in Lansing. It is a basic pleading essential that a plaintiff
attribute factual allegations to particular defendants. See Twombly, 550 U.S. at 544 (holding that,
in order to state a claim, a plaintiff must make sufficient allegations to give a defendant fair notice
of the claim). Where a person is named as a defendant without an allegation of specific conduct, the
complaint is subject to dismissal, even under the liberal construction afforded to pro se complaints.
See Gilmore v. Corr. Corp. of Am., 92 F. App’x 188, 190 (6th Cir. 2004) (dismissing complaint
where plaintiff failed to allege how any named defendant was involved in the violation of his rights);
Frazier v. Michigan, 41 F. App’x 762, 764 (6th Cir. 2002) (dismissing plaintiff’s claims where the
complaint did not allege with any degree of specificity which of the named defendants were
personally involved in or responsible for each alleged violation of rights); Griffin v. Montgomery,
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No. 00-3402, 2000 WL 1800569, at *2 (6th Cir. Nov. 30, 2000) (requiring allegations of personal
involvement against each defendant); Rodriguez v. Jabe, No. 90-1010, 1990 WL 82722, at *1 (6th
Cir. June 19, 1990) (“Plaintiff’s claims against those individuals are without a basis in law as the
complaint is totally devoid of allegations as to them which would suggest their involvement in the
events leading to his injuries”). Because Plaintiff has not alleged any conduct by Unknown
Part(y)(ies) #1 or Unknown Part(y)(ies) #2, his complaint against them falls far short of the minimal
pleading standards under FED. R. CIV. P. 8 (requiring “a short and plain statement of the claim
showing that the pleader is entitled to relief”). Consequently, these Defendants will be dismissed
for failure to state a claim.
Conclusion
Having conducted the review required by the Prison Litigation Reform Act, the Court
determines that Plaintiff’s action will be dismissed for failure to state a claim pursuant to 28 U.S.C.
§§ 1915(e)(2) and 1915A(b), and 42 U.S.C. § 1997e(c).
The Court must next decide whether an appeal of this action would be in good faith
within the meaning of 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a)(3). See McGore v. Wrigglesworth, 114 F.3d 601, 611
(6th Cir. 1997). For the same reasons that the Court dismisses the action, the Court discerns no
good-faith basis for an appeal. Should Plaintiff appeal this decision, the Court will assess the
$505.00 appellate filing fee pursuant to § 1915(b)(1), see McGore, 114 F.3d at 610-11, unless
Plaintiff is barred from proceeding in forma pauperis, e.g., by the “three-strikes” rule of § 1915(g).
If he is barred, he will be required to pay the $505.00 appellate filing fee in one lump sum.

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This is a dismissal as described by 28 U.S.C. § 1915(g).
A Judgment consistent with this Opinion will be entered.

Dated: January 30, 2015

/s/ Paul L. Maloney
Paul L. Maloney
Chief United States District Judge

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