ROBINSON v. PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS et al
Filing
82
MEMORANDUM AND/OR OPINION. SIGNED BY DISTRICT JUDGE CYNTHIA M. RUFE ON 3/26/2024. 3/26/2024 ENTERED AND COPIES E-MAILED.(kp)
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA
HARVEY MIGUEL ROBINSON, JR.
Plaintiff,
v.
PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF
CORRECTIONS, DR. DENISE DANIEL
(f/k/a DENISE SMYTH), and
NURSE LORI SCHULTZ
(f/k/a LORI RIDINGS)
CIVIL ACTION NO. 20-2978
Defendants.
Rufe, J.
MEMORANDUM OPINION
March 26, 2024
Plaintiff Harvey Miguel Robinson, Jr., a prisoner formerly incarcerated at the State
Correctional Institution at Greene (“SCI-Greene”), brings this civil action pursuant to 42 U.S.C.
§ 1983 against Defendants Dr. Denise Daniel (f/k/a Denise Smyth) and Nurse Lori Schultz,
CRNP (f/k/a Lori Ridings) (collectively, the “Medical Defendants”), 1 alleging retaliation in
violation of the First Amendment and deliberate indifference to a serious medical need in
violation of the Eighth Amendment. Robinson also asserts claims under Title II of the Americans
with Disabilities Act and § 504 of the Rehabilitation Act against Defendant Pennsylvania
Department of Corrections (“DOC”). The Medical Defendants and the DOC have each filed
motions for summary judgment. For the reasons set forth below, both motions will be granted in
part and denied in part.
For purposes of clarity and consistency with the documents of record, the Court will hereinafter refer to the
individual Medical Defendants by their former names, “Denise Smyth” and “Lori Ridings.”
1
I.
BACKGROUND
A. Procedural History
On June 9, 2020, Robinson filed his initial Complaint pro se. 2 The Court granted his
petition to proceed in forma pauperis. 3 On March 31, 2022, the Court entered a Memorandum
Opinion and Order granting in part and denying in part the Medical Defendants’ motion to
dismiss and denying the DOC’s motion to dismiss. 4 The parties proceeded with an initial
discovery period while Robinson was pro se, which ended on September 7, 2022. 5 On November
15, 2022, Robinson obtained court-appointed counsel. 6 Shortly thereafter, Robinson filed a
counseled motion to reopen the discovery period, which the Court granted. 7 The second period
of fact discovery ended on March 24, 2023. 8
On April 21, 2023, Robinson filed an Amended Complaint, which incorporated the
factual allegations in the initial Complaint and added new claims. 9 The parties filed a joint
motion to reopen discovery a third time to address the issues newly raised by the Amended
Complaint, which the Court granted. 10 The third period of fact discovery closed on June 20,
2023. 11 Robinson’s remaining claims are for retaliation and inadequate medical care under
§ 1983 against Defendants Nurse Lori Ridings and Dr. Denise Smyth and for disability
2
Compl. [Doc. No. 2].
3
Order, Feb. 18, 2021 [Doc. No. 8].
Robinson v. Pa. Dep’t of Corr., No. 20-2978, 2022 WL 970760 (E.D. Pa. Mar. 31, 2022); Order, Mar. 31, 2022
[Doc. No. 36].
4
5
Scheduling Order, June 9, 2022 [Doc. No. 42].
6
Order, Nov. 15, 2022 [Doc. No. 49].
7
Pl.’s Mot. Extension Time to Complete Disc. [Doc. No. 50]; Order, Nov. 23, 2022 [Doc. No. 51].
8
Order, Jan. 18, 2023 [Doc. No. 55].
9
Am. Compl. [Doc. No. 60].
10
Mot. Extension Time to Complete Disc. [Doc. No. 63]; Order, May 8, 2023 [Doc. No. 64].
11
Order, May 8, 2023 [Doc. No. 64].
2
discrimination under the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) and Rehabilitation Act
(“RA”) against the DOC. 12 The Medical Defendants and the DOC have each filed motions for
summary judgment, which have been fully briefed and are now ripe for disposition. 13
B. Relevant Facts 14
At all times relevant, Plaintiff Harvey Miguel Robinson, Jr. was incarcerated at
SCI-Greene. 15 He testified at his deposition that he started having “spinal problems” after he was
assaulted in 2006 by three guards. 16 He further testified that, in 2009, the DOC began providing
him with a wheelchair at his request. 17 In March 2010, he underwent surgery on his neck at
Altoona Regional Hospital. 18 Robinson continued to use the wheelchair until the events giving
rise to this lawsuit. 19 He testified that he needed the wheelchair due to compression on his sciatic
nerve caused by stenosis in his lower back, prior lower extremity injuries, and the injury to his
neck, all of which led to him being unable to walk unassisted. 20 He also received prescriptions
for a variety of pain medications throughout the following years, including Ultram, a narcotic. 21
On June 7, 2023, Plaintiff voluntarily dismissed his claim against Wellpath, LLC, the private healthcare company
which contracts with the DOC to provide medical services at its facilities and employed the Medical Defendants
during the relevant period. Stipulation and Order [Doc. No. 69].
12
13
Med. Defs.’ Mot. Summ. J. [Doc. No. 73-2]; DOC’s Mot. Summ. J. [Doc. No. 74].
14
The parties did not submit a joint stipulation of material facts. Instead, Plaintiff filed a “Statement of Uncontested
& Contested Facts,” Doc. No. 76-1 [hereinafter Pl.’s SOF], the Medical Defendants filed their own “Concise
Statement of Material Facts,” Doc. No. 73-3, and the DOC submitted only the “Material Facts” section in its brief in
support of summary judgment. As Plaintiff is the non-moving party, the Court draws the factual background from
the uncontested section of Plaintiff’s statement of facts and the documents of record, with all inferences drawn in a
light most favorable to Plaintiff. Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(a).
15
Pl.’s SOF at 1 ¶ 1 [Doc. No. 76-1].
16
Pl.’s Resp. Opp’n Med. Defs.’ Mot. Summ. J., Ex. 6, Robinson Dep. Tr. 22:7–11 [Doc. No. 76-6].
17
Id. at 28:25–29:12; id. at 104:12–19.
18
Id. at 22:16–23:3; Med. Defs.’ Mot. Summ. J., Ex. A, at 286 [Doc. No. 73-4] (records from Allegheny Brain and
Spine Surgeons reflecting “fusion at C4–5” on March 4, 2010).
19
Pl.’s SOF at 1 ¶ 2 [Doc. No. 76-1].
20
Pl.’s Resp. Opp’n Med. Defs.’ Mot. Summ. J., Ex. 6, Robinson Dep. Tr. 100:4–13 [Doc. No. 76-6].
21
See generally Med. Defs.’ Mot. Summ. J., Ex. A [Doc. Nos. 73-4, 73-5] (Robinson medical record).
3
In May 2017, Robinson filed at least two administrative grievances against the medical
staff at SCI-Greene. The first was against Defendants Dr. Smyth and Nurse Ridings, alleging that
they were refusing to forward Robinson’s MRI results to a neurosurgeon he was scheduled to
see. 22 The second was against Nurse Ridings and “Mr. Hice” for allegedly denying him certain
medication cream, shampoo, and lotion, which he stated was necessary to treat his dermatitis. 23
During this time, Robinson also communicated frequently with the medical staff to complain
about the quality of medical care he was receiving. 24
1. Appointment with Neurosurgeon and Follow-Up Visits at SCI-Greene
On July 5, 2017, Robinson had an appointment with Dr. James Wilberger, an outside
neurosurgeon, due to complaints of constant pain in his lower back. 25 Dr. Wilberger’s notes state
as follows:
On palpation it is in the vicinity of about L3. He also complains of constant
numbness and tingling in his legs with the right side more affected than the left.
After questioning him several times there is no good indication that he is
experiencing significant pain in his legs[.] . . . He indicated that the present
symptoms have been going on for 3 years. Except for pain medications he says he
has had no specific treatment of any type. . . .
[A]n MRI of the lumbar spine was performed in the March of this year. It shows
normal alignment. There is very mild stenosis at L4–5. No disc herniations or other
abnormality. . . . Plan[:] there is no indication for neurosurgical intervention. This
should be treated conservatively with physical therapy anti-inflammatory
medications and possibly lumbar epidural steroid injections. 26
22
Pl.’s Resp. Opp’n Med. Defs.’ Mot. Summ. J., Ex. 2, at 1 [Doc. No. 76-2] (Grievance #677566, dated 5/11/2017).
23
Id. at 2 (Grievance #677568, dated 5/11/2017).
24
Pl.’s SOF at 2 ¶ 4 [Doc. No. 76-1].
Pl.’s Resp. Opp’n Med. Defs.’ Mot. Summ. J., Ex. 8, at 1–3 [Doc. No. 76-8] (neurosurgeon’s notes from July 5,
2017 appointment). Robinson’s medical records indicate that he first inquired about seeing a neurosurgeon or
neurologist on or about December 7, 2016. Med. Defs.’ Mot. Summ. J., Ex. A, at 31 [Doc. No. 73-4].
25
26
Pl.’s Resp. Opp’n Med. Defs.’ Mot. Summ. J., Ex. 8, at 1–3 [Doc. No. 76-8] (emphasis added).
4
Under the Patient Education section of his notes, Dr. Wilberger further wrote: “I would strongly
recommend the use of an anti-inflammatory medication some physical therapy and if still says
complaining of present symptoms lumbar epidural steroid injections[.]” 27
Over the following months, Robinson had additional appointments with health care
providers back at SCI-Greene. For example, Robinson’s medical record indicates that he had a
sick call appointment with Nurse Ridings on July 17, 2017, during which he asked about the
neurosurgeon’s recommendations. 28 Nurse Ridings wrote that the neurosurgeon’s
recommendations were NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) and physical therapy,
that Robinson was “not pleased [with] this answer,” and that she was declining to renew
Robinson’s previous prescription for Ultram. 29 Another handwritten note indicates that Robinson
told a nurse later on July 17, “Oh no you are going to bring me for my meds. I’m suing you . . . .
This is crazy.” 30 That day, Robinson filed a grievance against Dr. Smyth, “Mr. Hice,” and “PAC
Auston” “for purposely denying me the pain med’s [sic] I’ve been getting . . . .” 31
Robinson’s medical records reflect several more appointments and interactions with
health care providers throughout August and September 2017, including sessions with John
Kushner, a physical therapist. 32 Kushner wrote in his notes from an appointment on August 24,
2017 that Robinson was reporting episodic pain in his right leg but demonstrated “no facial
27
Id. at 5 (MyChart Visit Summary from Allegheny Health Network).
Med. Defs.’ Mot. Summ. J., Ex. A, at 13 [Doc. No. 73-4] (handwritten notes stamped with Nurse Riding’s name,
dated July 17, 2017).
28
29
Id.
30
Id.
Med. Defs.’ Mot. Summ. J., Ex. E, at 5 [Doc. No. 73-9] (Grievance #687101). This grievance received an initial
review response, was appealed to the Facility Manager, and was then denied by final decision from the DOC
Secretary’s Office of Inmate Grievances and Appeals (“SOIGA”) on December 13, 2017. Id. at 1.
31
32
Med. Defs.’ Mot. Summ. J., Ex. A, at 11–12, 311–16 [Doc. No. 73-4].
5
grimacing indicating limited by pain,” with “several inconsistencies during eval . . . .” 33
Kushner’s notes from a follow-up appointment on September 21, 2017 state that Robinson
reported frequent falls when walking, but Robinson’s “minimal effort” during testing made it
“hard to get [an] accurate assessment of” the strength in his right leg. 34
2. Discontinuation of Wheelchair Access
On October 6, 2017, correctional officers at SCI-Greene, including Sergeant Jenkins, 35
took Robinson’s wheelchair at the direction of Nurse Ridings, who in turn had consulted with
Dr. Smyth, her direct supervisor. 36 Robinson contends he was not given a cane or other mobility
device to replace the wheelchair. 37 However, the Physician’s Order Form discontinuing the
wheelchair use (as approved by Nurse Ridings) indicated that a cane would be issued. 38
According to appointment notes from Dr. Smyth on October 10, 2017, Robinson stated
that “he can’t use a cane [and] needs his [wheelchair] back,” he asked for “T4/T3 [Tylenol #4]
instead of Ultram,” and stated that “NSAIDs do not help [with] his pain.” 39 Dr. Smyth discussed
with Robinson the possibility of “increased weakness from inactivity” and she told him that she
didn’t “feel a [wheelchair] helps him [and] could make him weaker.” 40 Dr. Smyth also noted her
observations that Robinson was “[u]p in cell standing [without] problem.” 41
33
Id. at 316.
34
Id. at 313.
35
DOC’s Reply Supp. Mot. Summ. J. at 5 [Doc. No. 80].
36
Pl.’s SOF at 2 ¶ 6 [Doc. No. 76-1].
37
Id. at 2 ¶ 7.
38
Med. Defs.’ Mot. Summ. J., Ex. A, at 352 [Doc. No. 73-4] (Physician’s Order Form dated October 6, 2017 from
Nurse Ridings stating, “DC wheelchair, issue cane”); id. at 341 (form titled “Release from Responsibility for
Medical Treatment” regarding Robinson’s refusal to use a cane, but noting he had “ref[used] to sign” the form).
39
Id. at 10.
40
Id.
41
Id.
6
In a grievance Robinson filed on October 24, 2017, he stated that he reminded Sergeant
Jenkins that he “absolutely can not use a cane because of the nerve damage in [his] arms,” and
Sergeant Jenkins responded that “he knows that, but medical said [Robinson was] not approved
for a wheel chair and he can not give [him] one.” 42 Robinson contends “that he had no access to
pain medication (NSAIDs or non-NSAIDs) . . . for at least portions of this time, and that he
suffered constant and excruciating pain as a result.” 43 In additional notes from a sick call
appointment dated November 2, 2017, Nurse Ridings indicated that Robinson told her, “You are
going to renew my Ultram and T4, the court will make you.” 44 Nurse Ridings wrote that
Robinson “was walking without apparent difficulty . . . but changed gait when he saw me” and
was “very argumentative, threatening lawsuit.” 45
On the afternoon of November 7, 2017, Nurse Jodi Borchert wrote that Robinson
“voice[d] concerns re need for [wheelchair],” and, although she noted that there were no
immediate medical concerns at that time, her assessment indicated a potential “risk of fall[.]” 46
Two days later, another RN, Nurse Zebley, wrote that Robinson had been “seen for triage”
because of a “fall” leading to “[l]eft knee pain.” 47 Robinson had a follow-up appointment with a
physician assistant the next day, who noted that Robinson “would not get out of bed,” he was
DOC’s Mot. Summ. J., Ex. E, at 2 [Doc. No. 74-3] (Grievance #703294). This grievance was also pursued
through every available round of appellate review within the DOC, concluding in a final denial of relief from
SOIGA on March 8, 2018. Id. at 1.
42
Pl.’s SOF at 3 ¶ 2 [Doc. No. 76-1] (listed under “Contested Facts,” while acknowledging Medical Defendants’
position that NSAIDs were available to Robinson for purchase from the commissary and Robinson had access to
non-NSAID pain medications for portions of time during the six-month period).
43
44
Med. Defs.’ Mot. Summ. J., Ex. A, at 10 [Doc. No. 73-4].
45
Id.
46
Id. at 8.
47
Id.
7
suffering from left knee pain, and an X-ray had been ordered. 48 The X-ray results, dated
November 13, 2017, found “mild degenerative changes with narrowing of the medial joint space
with soft tissue swelling and a joint effusion,” but “no fracture or dislocation.” 49 Dr. Smyth
reviewed the X-ray results the next day. 50
3. Declarations from Other Inmates
Two fellow inmates at SCI-Greene have entered sworn declarations describing their
observations from when the wheelchair was taken and how they perceived the impact on
Robinson over the following months. One declarant, Jose Busanet, states that he overheard Nurse
Ridings tell at least one correctional officer and a sergeant “that they were taking Harvey’s
wheelchair and pain medications away to ‘teach him a lesson’ for filing grievances against the
medical staff,” and “something to the effect of: ‘Let him file a grievance about that,’” to which
the sergeant responded, “Fuck him. Let’s go get it.” 51 Busanet further recalls three incidents
demonstrating the difficulties Robinson faced without his wheelchair: (1) on one occasion,
Busanet heard Robinson fall and scream out in pain while he was attempting to go to the
bathroom; (2) on another occasion, Busanet saw that Robinson could not move himself to the
toilet and had defecated on himself in his cell, but when Busanet notified a correctional officer,
Busanet was told to “Stay out of it”; and (3) Busanet saw Robinson collapse, scream for help,
and call out that his back was hurting on his way to the prison yard, but correctional officers did
not respond until after Robinson had been lying on the ground for about 15 to 20 minutes. 52
48
Id. at 5.
49
Id. at 344.
50
Id. at 5.
51
Pl.’s Resp. Opp’n Med. Defs.’ Mot. Summ. J., Ex. 5, at 1 [Doc. No. 76-5] (Declaration of Jose Busanet).
52
Id. at 2–3.
8
Another declarant, Darien Houser, similarly states that he heard Nurse Ridings tell
Robinson in the presence of at least two correctional officers “that they were coming to take his
wheelchair because he was filing too many grievances against the medical staff . . . .” 53 Like
Busanet, Houser recalls an incident where Robinson fell while attempting to walk toward the
prison yard, but “[n]one of the guards helped him up,” they “made him crawl,” and “stood there
laughing at him.” 54 Houser states that he heard Robinson “constantly” complaining about his
pain, but when Houser tried to raise the situation with Sergeant Jenkins, a member of the
correctional staff, Jenkins responded with “something along the lines of ‘that’s what he gets,’ or
‘he complains too much,’ or simply that ‘he’s filing too many grievances.’” 55 When Houser tried
talking to Dr. Smyth about the issue, “she brushed [Houser] off,” said that it wasn’t her call, and
conveyed “that her ‘supervisor’ had made the decision.” 56 Finally, Houser recalls speaking with
another staff member, Sergeant Nelson, who responded, “F--- him. He complains too much.” 57
4. Return of Wheelchair
On April 4, 2018, a nurse wrote in Robinson’s progress notes that he “was walking to the
shower when he lowered himself to the floor” and said, “This is why I need a wheel chair.” 58 On
April 5, 2018, approximately six months after Robinson’s wheelchair was taken away,
Dr. Smyth restored Robinson’s access to a wheelchair for 60 days pending the results of an EMG
test. 59 On June 12, 2018, after the EMG test had been conducted, Robinson’s use of a wheelchair
53
Pl.’s Resp. Opp’n Med. Defs.’ Mot. Summ. J., Ex. 4, at 1 [Doc. No. 76-4] (Declaration of Darien Houser).
54
Id. at 2.
55
Id. at 2–3.
56
Id. at 3.
57
Id.
58
Med. Defs.’ Mot. Summ. J., Ex. A, at 140 [Doc. No. 73-4].
Pl.’s SOF at 2 ¶ 9 [Doc. No. 76-1]; Med. Defs.’ Mot. Summ. J., Ex. A, at 274 [Doc. No. 73-4] (Health Care Item
Receipt dated April 5, 2018, temporarily authorizing wheelchair use until June 5, 2018); id. at 135 (notes from
59
9
was renewed on a more permanent basis by another physician, Dr. Abney, per assessment
findings that Robinson “was unable to walk any distance [without] assistance,” which
“necessitates his need for a wheelchair.” 60 Dr. Abney observed that the EMG findings were
negative as to the lumbar spine “but suggestive of ACDF [anterior cervical discectomy and
fusion] as potential etiology of his current symptomatology,” with a note that Robinson had a
“significant [history] of cervical degenerative disease [with] an ACDF shown on 2007 MRI.” 61
From that point on, Robinson has continued to use a wheelchair daily. 62
II. STANDARD OF REVIEW
A court will award summary judgment on a claim or part of a claim where there is “no
genuine dispute as to any material fact and the movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of
law.” 63 A fact is “material” if it could affect the outcome of the suit, given the applicable
substantive law. 64 A dispute is “genuine” if the evidence presented “is such that a reasonable jury
could return a verdict for the nonmoving party.” 65 In evaluating a summary judgment motion, a
court “must view the facts in the light most favorable to the non-moving party,” and make every
reasonable inference in that party’s favor. 66 Further, a court may not weigh the evidence or make
Dr. Denise Daniel (f/k/a Denise Smyth) during April 5, 2018 appointment stating that Robinson “was trying to walk
to the yard and says that his legs went numb,” he “[d]oes have a history of surgery on the c-spine,” he “did have a
wheelchair in the past but this was discontinued after he was seen by the neurosurgeon,” and he “will be allowed to
use wheelchair until EMG is completed,” but “if there are no findings on the EMG to correlate with the weakness,
the wheelchair will be discontinued”).
Med. Defs.’ Mot. Summ. J., Ex. A, at 110 [Doc. No. 73-4] (notes from “Dr. Abney” on June 12, 2018, after EMG
was conducted, stating that “[a]t present [Robinson] will remain in wheelchair and will be followed routinely”).
60
61
Id.
62
Pl.’s SOF at 2 ¶ 10 [Doc. No. 76-1].
63
Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(a).
64
Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 248 (1986).
65
Id.
66
Hugh v. Butler Cnty. Family YMCA, 418 F.3d 265, 267 (3d Cir. 2005) (citation omitted).
10
credibility determinations. 67 Nevertheless, the party opposing summary judgment must support
each essential element of the opposition with concrete evidence in the record. 68 “If the evidence
is merely colorable, or is not significantly probative, summary judgment may be granted.” 69
Therefore, if, after making all reasonable inferences in favor of the non-moving party, the court
determines that there is no genuine dispute as to any material fact, summary judgment is
appropriate. 70
III. DISCUSSION
A. Count II: Eighth Amendment Deprivation of Adequate Medical Care
1. Legal Standard
“Section 1983, enacted as part of the Civil Rights Act of 1871, establishes a federal
remedy against a person who, acting under color of state law, deprives another of constitutional
rights.” 71 The Eighth Amendment prohibits the infliction of cruel and unusual punishment. 72
That prohibition imposes a requirement on prison officials to provide humane conditions of
confinement, including adequate medical care. 73 Therefore, the Supreme Court has established
that prison officials violate the Eighth Amendment when they act deliberately indifferent to a
prisoner’s serious medical needs. 74 Courts have applied this standard as a two-part framework: A
67
Boyle v. County of Allegheny, 139 F.3d 386, 393 (3d Cir. 1998).
68
Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 322–23 (1986).
69
Anderson, 477 U.S. at 249–50 (internal citations omitted).
70
Wisniewski v. Johns-Manville Corp., 812 F.2d 81, 83 (3d Cir. 1987).
Burella v. City of Philadelphia, 501 F.3d 134, 139 (3d Cir. 2007) (quotation marks and citations omitted) (quoting
McCurdy v. Dodd, 352 F.3d 820, 825 (3d Cir. 2003)). The Medical Defendants do not dispute that they were acting
under color of state law. Therefore, the Court’s inquiry is limited to determining whether Robinson was deprived of
a constitutional right.
71
72
U.S. Const. amend. VIII.
73
Farmer v. Brennan, 511 U.S. 825, 832 (1994).
74
Estelle v. Gamble, 429 U.S. 97, 104–05 (1976).
11
plaintiff bringing a medical needs claim must show (1) that the defendants were deliberately
indifferent to his medical needs, and (2) that those needs were serious. 75 A medical need is
serious if it is “one that has been diagnosed by a physician as requiring treatment or one that is so
obvious that a lay person would easily recognize the necessity for a doctor’s attention.” 76
Where, as here, a plaintiff challenges the adequacy of medical care he received (as
distinct from treatment that was delayed or denied), 77 “there are two very distinct subcomponents
to the deliberate indifference prong . . . .” 78 First, the plaintiff must make an objective showing
that the medical care he received was inadequate. 79 Second, he must make a subjective showing
that the individual defendant acted with a culpable state of mind, which, “like any other form of
scienter, [can] be proven through circumstantial evidence and witness testimony.” 80 Applying
those components to the summary judgment context, “a plaintiff can proceed to trial on an
adequacy of care claim when there is a genuine issue of fact regarding both the adequacy of care
and the defendant’s intent.” 81
As to objective inadequacy, a plaintiff who has received some amount of treatment
typically faces a high bar because “prison authorities are accorded considerable latitude in the
diagnosis and treatment of prisoners,” 82 and treatment decisions made by medical professionals
75
Pearson v. Prison Health Serv., 850 F.3d 526, 534 (3d Cir. 2017).
76
Monmouth Cnty. Corr. Inst. Inmates v. Lanzaro, 834 F.2d 326, 347 (3d Cir. 1987) (citation omitted).
See U.S. ex rel. Walker v. Fayette County, 599 F.2d 573, 575 n.2 (3d Cir. 1979) (distinguishing “cases where the
complaint alleges a complete denial of medical care and those alleging inadequate medical treatment”).
77
78
Pearson, 850 F.3d at 536.
79
Id.
80
Id. at 535 (citing Durmer v. O’Carroll, 991 F.2d 64, 69 (3d Cir. 1993)).
81
Id. at 537 (citing Durmer, 991 F.2d at 69 n.13).
82
Durmer, 991 F.2d at 67 (citing Inmates of Allegheny Cnty. Jail v. Pierce, 612 F.2d 754, 762 (3d Cir. 1979)).
12
are “presumptively valid . . . .” 83 However, the presumption of adequacy may be defeated by
showing “that the medical official did not exercise professional judgment.” 84 A plaintiff may, for
example, present evidence that the treatment provided “was ‘a substantial departure from
accepted professional judgment, practice, or standards’ such that a reasonable jury could
conclude that [the provider] ‘actually did not base [her] decision on such judgment.’” 85
As to the subjective scienter requirement, an Eighth Amendment medical needs claim is,
at its heart, one that seeks to remediate “the ‘unnecessary and wanton infliction of pain.’” 86
“Thus, a complaint that a physician has been negligent in diagnosing or treating a medical
condition does not state a valid claim of medical mistreatment . . . .” 87 The common-law tort of
medical malpractice is not actionable as a constitutional claim. 88 Rather, “[i]t is obduracy and
wantonness, not inadvertence or error in good faith, that characterize the conduct prohibited by
the Cruel and Unusual Punishments Clause . . . .” 89
2. Application
The Medical Defendants contend that Robinson received “considerable, thorough, and
ongoing medical treatment from medical providers,” including “being scheduled for various
diagnostic tests, clinical examinations, prescription of medication, and specialty care when
83
Youngberg v. Romeo, 457 U.S. 307, 323 (1982).
84
Pearson, 850 F.3d at 536.
85
Id. at 539 (quoting Youngberg, 457 U.S. at 323).
86
Estelle, 429 U.S. at 104 (quoting Gregg v. Georgia, 428 U.S. 153, 173 (1976) (plurality opinion)).
87
Estelle, 429 U.S. at 106.
Spruill v. Gillis, 372 F.3d 218, 235 (3d Cir. 2004); Estelle, 429 U.S. at 106 (“Medical malpractice does not
become a constitutional violation merely because the victim is a prisoner.”); Brown v. Borough of Chambersburg,
903 F.2d 274, 278 (3d Cir. 1990) (“Deliberate indifference to a prisoner’s serious medical needs can give rise to . . .
a constitutional violation; however, mere medical malpractice will not.” (citing Estelle, 429 U.S. at 106)).
88
89
Whitley v. Albers, 475 U.S. 312, 319 (1986).
13
needed.” 90 The Medical Defendants concede that “Robinson was previously provided a
wheelchair and Ultram prior to 2017,” but they assert that they adjusted their position based on
their reasoned medical judgment, citing the findings from the outside neurosurgeon, the
skepticism of Robinson’s physical therapist, and Dr. Smyth’s documented concerns that
continued use of the wheelchair could lead to increased weakness. 91 In short, the Medical
Defendants contend, “[t]he wheelchair and Ultram were discontinued simply because there was
no medical need for them . . . .” 92
Robinson has responded with sworn declarations from two witnesses. 93 Those
declarations create a genuine dispute about the motivations behind the Medical Defendants’
decisions (i.e., the subjective component of deliberate indifference). Viewing the evidence in the
light most favorable to Robinson—including Nurse Ridings’s alleged statements to other
correctional staff that she wanted to “teach [Robinson] a lesson” 94 and was taking away his
wheelchair and pain medications “because he was filing too many grievances” 95—a jury could
reasonably conclude that Nurse Ridings acted with the obduracy and wantonness sufficient to
establish deliberate indifference. 96 Moreover, because Nurse Ridings operated directly under the
supervision of Dr. Smyth, only the latter of whom had the final authority to adjust Robinson’s
90
Med. Defs.’ Mot. Summ. J. at 15 [Doc. No. 73-2].
91
Id. at 16.
92
Id. at 16–17.
Pl.’s Resp. Opp’n Med. Defs.’ Mot. Summ. J., Ex. 5, at 1 [Doc. No. 76-5] (Declaration of Jose Busanet); Pl.’s
Resp. Opp’n Med. Defs.’ Mot. Summ. J., Ex. 4, at 2 [Doc. No. 76-4] (Declaration of Darien Houser).
93
94
Pl.’s Resp. Opp’n Med. Defs.’ Mot. Summ. J., Ex. 5, at 1 [Doc. No. 76-5] (Declaration of Jose Busanet).
95
Pl.’s Resp. Opp’n Med. Defs.’ Mot. Summ. J., Ex. 4, at 1 [Doc. No. 76-4] (Declaration of Darien Houser).
The Medical Defendants contend that “there is no credible evidence to support [Robinson’s] belief” that the
discontinuation of his wheelchair access was driven by personal animus. Med. Defs.’ Mot. Summ. J. at 21 [Doc. No.
73-2] (emphasis added). That is not the standard courts apply on a motion for summary judgment. The Medical
Defendants have not shown that the declarations are merely colorable or are not significantly probative.
96
14
treatment plan, a jury could reasonably attribute Robinson’s evidence of an alleged improper and
non-medical motive to Dr. Smyth.
However, Robinson must do more than point to evidence of a culpable state of mind. He
must show that there is a genuine factual dispute as to whether his medical needs were serious
under the second prong of the Estelle v. Gamble framework. 97 Moreover, because this is an
adequacy of care claim and not a denial or delay of care claim, Robinson must also make an
objective showing that the treatment he received was inadequate. Reviewing the present
evidence and drawing all inferences in a light most favorable to Robinson, the Court concludes
that there is a genuine dispute of material fact regarding whether the discontinuation of
Robinson’s wheelchair access was adequate medical treatment and whether his inability to walk
was a serious medical need, but there is not a triable dispute as to the adequacy of the Medical
Defendants’ decision to discontinue Ultram, Tylenol #4, or other narcotic pain medications.
Robinson has not presented medical expert testimony, but the Third Circuit has explained
that “expert testimony ‘is not necessarily required’ where other forms of extrinsic proof may
suffice.” 98 “Indeed, expert testimony is not admissible, let alone required to create a genuine
issue of fact as to whether the care the prisoner received was adequate, if it was obvious to the
jury that the care violated professional standards.” 99 For that reason, the Third Circuit held in
Pearson v. Prison Health Service that laypersons on a jury could reasonably conclude, without
expert testimony, that a nurse who “forc[ed] a screaming patient to crawl to a wheelchair
97
429 U.S. at 104–05.
98
Pearson, 850 F.3d at 536 (quoting Brightwell v. Lehman, 637 F.3d 187, 194 n.8 (3d Cir. 2011)).
99
Pearson, 850 F.3d at 537 n.3 (citing Calhoun v. Yamaha Motor Corp. U.S.A., 350 F.3d 316, 320–21 (3d Cir.
2003)).
15
violate[d] professional standards of care,” and could further conclude that the nurse knew the
patient inmate “could not walk and deliberately failed to assist him for non-medical reasons.” 100
Here, the Medical Defendants do not contest that Robinson was authorized to use a
wheelchair before October 6, 2017 or that Robinson’s wheelchair was returned to him on April
5, 2018—first, on a temporary basis by Dr. Smyth, and, immediately thereafter, on an ongoing
basis by another physician. Nor do the Medical Defendants challenge Robinson’s assertion that
he continues to use a wheelchair daily to the present day. The fact that Robinson was granted
access to a wheelchair for years-long stretches before and after the six-month period at issue
belies the Medical Defendants’ position that there was no medical need for one. Moreover, the
medical records demonstrate that at least one provider not named in this action recognized that
Robinson faced a risk of falling once the wheelchair was taken away—a risk which came to
fruition two days later based on record evidence that Robinson fell on his way to the yard,
leading to a knee injury that required an X-ray.
Those facts, in combination with several witnesses’ declarations stating that it was wellknown throughout SCI-Greene (including among its staff) that Robinson had trouble walking
without assistance, raise a genuine dispute about whether taking the wheelchair away was a
substantial departure from accepted professional judgment, practice, or standards. 101 For the
same reasons, the Court holds that a reasonable jury could find that Robinson’s medical needs
100
Pearson, 850 F.3d at 537.
The Court notes that there is a separate factual dispute between the parties over whether Robinson was offered a
cane as a replacement assistive device and whether a cane was sufficient to meet Robinson’s needs. Given
Robinson’s contention that he could not use a cane due to nerve damage in his hands—which is corroborated by his
deposition testimony and statements he made in contemporaneous administrative grievances he filed—the Court
similarly holds that this genuine factual dispute is most appropriate for the jury to resolve. See Pl.’s Resp. Opp’n
Med. Defs.’ Mot. Summ. J., Ex. 6, Robinson Dep. Tr. 60:21–61:15 [Doc. No. 76-6].
101
16
were serious. The inability to walk without assistance is an obvious medical need that a lay
person could easily recognize and understand. 102
Finally, the Medical Defendants cite the recommendations of Dr. Wilberger, an outside
neurosurgeon, as supporting their position that their treatment decisions were adequate and based
on objective medical judgment. That argument is persuasive only with respect to the medications
that Robinson was prescribed, not the discontinuation of the wheelchair. Dr. Wilberger
concluded based on his examination that Robinson “should be treated conservatively with
physical therapy[,] anti-inflammatory medications[,] and possibly lumbar epidural steroid
injections.” 103 Dr. Wilberger said nothing about the use of a wheelchair or other assistive
devices. However, his recommendations can be read to state that other pain medications, like
narcotics, were not medically necessary. Of note, numerous providers back at SCI-Greene,
including several non-parties to this case, had appointments with Robinson during the relevant
period and reached the same conclusion that prescriptions for Ultram or other narcotics were not
medically necessary. Indeed, PA Stephen Kaminsky wrote on November 29, 2017 that Robinson
had “already [been] seen by 2 MD’s” and appeared to be “doctor shopping for Ultram.” 104
Courts in the Third Circuit have repeatedly held that an “inmate’s objection to the type of
medication provided by prison physicians” does not amount to deliberate indifference where
alternative medications were provided. 105 Although Robinson asserts that he was denied access
See also Med. Defs.’ Mot. Summ. J., Ex. A, at 110 [Doc. No. 73-4] (notes from Dr. Abney reauthorizing
Robinson’s wheelchair use on June 12, 2018 while describing his “significant [history] of cervical degenerative
disease” and diagnosing potential anterior cervical discectomy and fusion based on the results of his EMG test).
102
103
Pl.’s Resp. Opp’n Med. Defs.’ Mot. Summ. J., Ex. 8, at 1–3 [Doc. No. 76-8].
104
Med. Defs.’ Mot. Summ. J., Ex. A, at 6 [Doc. No. 73-4].
Crowe v. Maxa, No. 16-175, 2019 WL 4101236, at *4 (W.D. Pa. Aug. 29, 2019); see also, e.g., Wisniewski v.
Frommer, 751 F. App’x 192, 193–96 (3d Cir. 2018) (affirming dismissal of a plaintiff’s § 1983 claim where medical
prison staff stopped prescribing an opioid pain medication and advised the plaintiff to purchase Motrin from the
prison commissary); Talbert v. Corr. Dental Assocs., No. 18-5112, 2020 WL 890212, at *6 (E.D. Pa. Feb. 21, 2020)
105
17
to any pain medications during the relevant period—NSAIDs or otherwise—he cites no evidence
in the record in support of that contention, which is contradicted by medical records showing
ongoing prescriptions for non-narcotic pain medications during the period at issue. 106
Accordingly, the Court grants the Medical Defendants’ motion for summary judgment on
Robinson’s Eighth Amendment claim solely with respect to their decisions to prescribe pain
medications other than Ultram, Tylenol #4, or other narcotic pain medications. However, for the
reasons previously stated, the Court will deny summary judgment on Robinson’s adequacy of
care claim under the Eighth Amendment regarding the discontinuation of his wheelchair access.
B. Count I: First Amendment Retaliation
Robinson also brings a retaliation claim against the Medical Defendants under § 1983. He
contends that the taking of his wheelchair and the withholding of effective pain medications were
retaliation for grievances he had filed, as well as other oral complaints he had made about the
quality of care he was receiving. The Medical Defendants respond that they are entitled to
summary judgment because there is no genuine dispute that their decisions were motivated by
proper medical judgment rather than retaliatory animus.
The First Amendment prohibits government officials from subjecting an individual to
retaliatory actions for engaging in constitutionally protected speech. 107 “Official retaliation for
protected speech ‘offends the Constitution [because] it threatens to inhibit exercise of the
(holding that prisoner’s belief that he should have been treated with stronger pain medication than he was given
amounted to a “mere disagreement as to the proper medical treatment [needed]”).
106
Med. Defs.’ Mot. Summ. J., Ex. A, at 400–33 [Doc. No. 73-5] (records from Sapphire eMAR, the DOC’s
electronic health record platform, reflecting active prescriptions from October 2017 to April 2018 for drugs
including carbamazepine, diclofenac, and gabapentin).
Hartman v. Moore, 547 U.S. 250, 256 (2006) (“[T]he law is settled that as a general matter the First Amendment
prohibits government officials from subjecting an individual to retaliatory actions . . . for speaking out . . . .” (citing
Crawford-El v. Britton, 523 U.S. 574, 592 (1998); Perry v. Sindermann, 408 U.S. 593, 597 (1972))).
107
18
protected right.’” 108 A plaintiff bringing a First Amendment retaliation claim must establish
“(1) constitutionally protected conduct, (2) retaliatory action sufficient to deter a person of
ordinary firmness from exercising his constitutional rights, and (3) a causal link between the
constitutionally protected conduct and the retaliatory action.” 109
An inmate who files a grievance has engaged in protected speech. 110 Oral complaints
against prison staff are also protected expression. Rather than challenging the protected nature of
Robinson’s speech, the Medical Defendants instead cite their own deposition testimony stating
that they were unaware of the grievances filed against them. 111 In other words, the Medical
Defendants contend that because they did not know about Robinson’s complaints, he cannot
show a causal connection between the protected speech and the allegedly retaliatory conduct.
To the contrary, the cited portions of the deposition transcripts indicate that Dr. Smyth
and Nurse Ridings merely could not recall learning about Robinson’s grievances against them
(as distinguishable from their testimony about their general practices surrounding inmate
grievances). 112 Moreover, Robinson again cites the sworn declarations from two other inmates
who overheard statements from Nurse Ridings which not only suggest that she knew about the
grievances, but also that she made the decision to take Robinson’s wheelchair (under the
108
Starnes v. Butler Cnty. Ct. Com. Pl., 971 F.3d 416, 429 (3d Cir. 2020) (quoting Hartman, 547 U.S. at 256).
Mirabella v. Villard, 853 F.3d 641, 649 (3d Cir. 2017) (quoting Thomas v. Independence Township, 463 F.3d
285, 296 (3d Cir. 2006)).
109
110
Watson v. Rozum, 834 F.3d 417, 422 (3d Cir. 2016) (noting that the filing of a grievance by an inmate
“implicate[s] conduct protected by the First Amendment” (quoting Mitchell v. Horn, 318 F.3d 523, 530 (3d Cir.
2003))).
Med. Defs.’ Mot. Summ. J. at 22 [Doc. No. 73-2] (citing Med. Defs.’ Mot. Summ. J., Ex. C, Smyth Dep. Tr. 9:1–
4 [Doc. No. 73-7]; Med. Defs.’ Mot. Summ. J., Ex. D, Ridings Dep. Tr. 15:3–13 [Doc. No 73-8]).
111
See Med. Defs.’ Mot. Summ. J., Ex. C, Smyth Dep. Tr. 9:4–8 [Doc. No. 73-7] (“Q. . . . [D]o you recall them ever
mentioning anything to you about [grievances filed by] Mr. Robinson? A. Like I said, that was six years ago. I do
not recall.”); Med. Defs.’ Mot. Summ. J., Ex. D, Ridings Dep. Tr. 15:8–15 [Doc. No 73-8] (“Q. . . . Would there
have been times where on occasion you may not even become aware that a grievance had been filed against you?
A. Multiple times. Q. Do you recall if that happened in this instance? A. I do not recall.”).
112
19
supervision and authorization of Dr. Smyth) because of the grievances. 113 This evidence creates
a triable issue of fact under the causation prong of Robinson’s retaliation claim.
The Medical Defendants further contend that there is no dispute over whether an adverse
action was taken against Robinson. 114 They assert that the treatment Robinson received was
objectively reasonable, and medically appropriate treatment cannot be considered “adverse” for
purposes of a First Amendment retaliation claim. Upon review of the present record, the Court
agrees, but only with respect to the Medical Defendants’ (and other non-party providers’)
decisions to prescribe Robinson certain medications over others. As previously stated, Robinson
has not identified evidence supporting his claim that the Medical Defendants withheld all pain
medications (regardless of type) during the relevant period. 115 To the extent that the physicians at
SCI-Greene did not give Robinson the specific pain medications he wanted, such prescribing
decisions cannot constitute an adverse action, barring evidence that the providers knew the
medications they prescribed were ineffective. Robinson has not presented sufficient evidence to
create a genuine dispute on this point. Accordingly, the Court will grant the Medical Defendants’
motion for summary judgment on Robinson’s retaliation claim based on the alleged withholding
or refusal to prescribe certain pain medications.
By contrast, the Medical Defendants cannot appeal to medical appropriateness with
respect to the taking of Robinson’s wheelchair. The Court has already concluded, in its analysis
regarding Robinson’s Eighth Amendment claim, that there is a genuine dispute as to whether
Robinson’s medical needs (his back pain and inability to walk) were serious, and whether the
Pl.’s Resp. Opp’n Med. Defs.’ Mot. Summ. J., Ex. 5, at 1 [Doc. No. 76-5] (Declaration of Jose Busanet); Pl.’s
Resp. Opp’n Med. Defs.’ Mot. Summ. J., Ex. 4, at 2 [Doc. No. 76-4] (Declaration of Darien Houser).
113
114
Med. Defs.’ Mot. Summ. J. at 22 [Doc. No. 73-2].
115
See supra Section III.A.2.
20
withholding of his wheelchair was adequate medical treatment. 116 Applying those conclusions to
Robinson’s retaliation claim, the question a jury would be required to address under the “adverse
action” prong is an objective one: Would taking a wheelchair away from a person of ordinary
firmness deter him from exercising his constitutional rights where, as here, he cannot walk
without assistance? The Court holds that a reasonable jury could resolve that question in
Robinson’s favor. 117 The Medical Defendants’ motion for summary judgment will be denied on
Robinson’s retaliation claim based on the taking of his wheelchair.
C. Count III: ADA and § 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
Robinson asserts that the DOC violated the ADA and RA by taking his wheelchair. He
also contends that the DOC violated the ADA by implementing a deficient accommodation
policy which fails to require DOC personnel to submit accommodation request forms on
inmates’ behalf and fails to specify the circumstances under which DOC staff would be required
to submit such request forms.
Title II of the ADA 118 provides that “no qualified individual with a disability shall, by
reason of such disability, be excluded from participation in or be denied the benefits of the
services, programs or activities of a public entity, or be subjected to discrimination by any such
entity.” 119 The ADA covers state prisons. 120 The RA, which is interpreted the same as the ADA,
116
Id.
The Court makes a necessary point of clarification: The record reflects that Robinson continued to file grievances
after his wheelchair was taken away. That does not necessarily defeat his ability to prove the adverse action prong.
A First Amendment retaliation claim requires an objective showing of deterrence—viewed from the perspective of a
person of ordinary firmness—and not a subjective inquiry into whether Robinson was in fact deterred. See Bistrian
v. Levi, 696 F.3d 352, 376 (3d Cir. 2012) (deterrence for a retaliation claim “is an objective inquiry”).
117
118
42 U.S.C. §§ 12131–65.
42 U.S.C. § 12132; see also Disability Rights N.J., Inc. v. Comm’r, N.J. Dep’t of Human Servs., 796 F.3d 293,
301 (3d Cir. 2015) (citing Tennessee v. Lane, 541 U.S. 509, 517 (2004)).
119
120
Pa. Dep’t of Corr. v. Yeskey, 524 U.S. 206, 209 (1998).
21
prohibits discrimination by entities receiving federal funding. 121 “When a public entity . . . is
sued under Title II, the entity is vicariously liable for the acts of its employees.” 122 The Court
will refer solely to the ADA in addressing Robinson’s claims under both the ADA and RA.
To establish a claim under the ADA, a plaintiff must show that he is: (1) a qualified
individual; (2) with a disability; (3) who was excluded from participation in or denied the
benefits of the services, programs, or activities of a public entity, or was subjected to
discrimination by any such entity; (4) by reason of his disability. 123 If a plaintiff seeks
compensatory damages, as Robinson does here, he “must also show intentional discrimination
under a deliberate indifference standard.” 124 To show deliberate indifference for purposes of an
ADA claim, a plaintiff must present evidence of: “(1) knowledge that a federally protected right
is substantially likely to be violated . . . , and (2) failure to act despite that knowledge.” 125
1. Exhaustion
The Prison Litigation Reform Act (“PLRA”) requires a plaintiff inmate to exhaust the
administrative remedies available to him before bringing any action under federal law, including
the ADA and RA. 126 “[E]xhaustion of administrative remedies under the PLRA is a question of
law to be determined by the judge” 127 and requires “‘substantial’ compliance with the prison’s
121
Yeskey v. Pa. Dep’t of Corr., 118 F.3d 168, 170 (3d Cir. 1997).
Waters v. Amtrak, 456 F. Supp. 3d 666, 671 (E.D. Pa. 2020) (citations omitted). The Third Circuit has also held
that “state officers can be sued for damages in their official capacities for purposes of the ADA and RA, unless
barred by the Eleventh Amendment.” Durham v. Kelley, 82 F.4th 217, 224 (3d Cir. 2023) (citing Garcia v. S.U.N.Y.
Health Scis. Ctr. of Brooklyn, 280 F.3d 98, 107 (2d Cir. 2001)). The Third Circuit confirmed in Durham v. Kelley
that the ADA validly abrogates state sovereign immunity under section 5 of the Fourteenth Amendment where, as
here, a plaintiff pursues relief for an actual violation of the Eighth Amendment (which independently violates the
substantive provisions of the Fourteenth Amendment). 82 F.4th at 228–29.
122
123
Durham, 82 F.4th at 225 (citing Haberle v. Troxell, 885 F.3d 170, 178 (3d Cir. 2018)).
124
Durham, 82 F.4th at 225 (citing Furgess v. Pa. Dep’t of Corr., 933 F.3d 285, 289 (3d Cir. 2019)).
125
S.H. ex rel. Durrell v. Lower Merion Sch. Dist., 729 F.3d 248, 265 (3d Cir. 2013).
126
42 U.S.C. § 1997e(a); see also Downey v. Pa. Dep’t of Corr., 968 F.3d 299, 305 (3d Cir. 2020).
127
Drippe v. Tobelinski, 604 F.3d 778, 782 (3d Cir. 2010).
22
grievance procedures.” 128 “If there is no genuine dispute of material fact, then the exhaustion
defense may be evaluated as a matter of law at summary judgment. If there is a genuine dispute
of material fact related to exhaustion, then summary judgment is inappropriate . . . .” 129
The DOC’s primary argument in support of summary judgment is that Robinson failed to
exhaust all administrative remedies available to him regarding his disability discrimination
claims under the ADA and RA. 130 The DOC states that it has promulgated Policy No. DC-ADM
006, Section 2A of which provides that “[a]n inmate seeking an accommodation for a disability
shall submit to the Corrections Health Care Administrator . . . a request using the Inmate
Disability Accommodation Request Form . . . .” 131 Robinson responds that he did submit a
request form pursuant to DC-ADM 006, a copy of which is attached to his response to the
DOC’s motion. 132 The DOC strongly contests the authenticity of the form. 133 The Court need not
determine here whether the request form Robinson submitted is authentic—setting aside that it
would be inappropriate for the Court to resolve what appears to be a genuine factual dispute at
the summary judgment stage—because Robinson has produced evidence showing that he
submitted and fully appealed a request for a wheelchair against Sergeant Jenkins and a DOC
Unit Manager pursuant to Policy No. DC-ADM 804, the DOC’s general grievance policy. 134
128
Small v. Camden County, 728 F.3d 265, 272 (3d Cir. 2013) (citations omitted).
129
West v. Emig, 787 F. App’x 812, 814 (3d Cir. 2019).
130
DOC’s Mot. Summ. J. at 5–7 [Doc. No. 74]; DOC’s Reply Supp. Mot. Summ. J. at 2 [Doc. No. 80].
131
DOC’s Mot. Summ. J., Ex. A, at ECF p. 14 [Doc. No. 74-1] (DOC Policy No. DC-ADM 006).
132
Pl.’s Resp. Opp’n DOC’s Mot. Summ. J., Ex. 4, at 2 [Doc. No. 77-4] (Accommodation Request Form).
Fackler Decl. at 3 [Doc. No. 74-1] (noting that the March 5, 2018 date handwritten at the top of the form appears
above a crossed-out original date, there are no signatures from the DOC designates responsible for processing such
requests, and the DOC has no records of anyone having ever received or reviewed such a request from Robinson
during the six-month period he was without his wheelchair).
133
DOC’s Mot. Summ. J., Ex. E, at 1–6 [Doc. No. 74-3] (Grievance #703294 against U/M Felice and Sergeant
Jenkins, initial decision, and appellate record); see also Pl.’s Resp. Opp’n DOC’s Mot. Summ. J., Ex. 3, Robinson
Dep. Tr. 96:15–22 [Doc. No. 77-3] (“Q. Did you ever file a grievance against Sergeant Jenkins for taking your
wheelchair . . . ? A. . . . Yeah, there was one filed against him for ADA violation that resulted in me being denied the
134
23
The DOC cites a Third Circuit decision for the proposition that an inmate who fails to file
an Accommodation Request Form pursuant to DC-ADM 006 has failed to exhaust his
administrative remedies. However, that case, Zamichieli v. Pennsylvania Department of
Corrections, affirmed the district court’s finding of a failure to exhaust only because the plaintiff
“did not submit a formal request for accommodation pursuant to . . . DC-ADM 006, . . . nor an
official grievance pursuant to PA DOC’s general grievance policy, DC-ADM 804 . . . .” 135 The
PLRA’s exhaustion requirement demands only “substantial” compliance with a prison’s
grievance procedures, 136 and “a prison grievance system’s procedural requirements [must] not be
imposed in a way that offends the Federal Constitution or the federal policy embodied in
§ 1997e(a).” 137 Given that the wheelchair was discontinued by formal order from SCI-Greene’s
medical staff after multiple appointments, it would have been futile for Robinson to pursue yet
another avenue of administrative review by filing an Accommodation Request Form after his
grievance had been fully exhausted. 138 The Court holds that Robinson sufficiently exhausted his
administrative remedies for purposes of bring his present ADA and RA claims against the DOC.
wheelchair.”); id. at 97:12–13 (“A. Yes. The number of it is 703294. And it was filed on 10-24-17 . . . .”); id. at
107:15–19 (“Q. Okay. To your knowledge, what was the result of your grievance against Sergeant Jenkins? . . .
A. They denied that one . . . .”).
Zamichieli v. Pa. Dep’t of Corr., No. 19-3305, 2022 WL 777201, at *2 (3d Cir. Mar. 14, 2022)
(non-precedential) (emphasis added).
135
136
Spruill, 372 F.3d at 232 (quotation marks omitted) (quoting Nyhuis v. Reno, 204 F.3d 65, 77–78 (3d Cir. 2000)).
137
Spruill, 372 F.3d at 232.
According to a declaration from the DOC’s representative, once an inmate submits an Inmate Disability
Accommodation Request Form under DC-ADM 006, it is reviewed by a Corrections Health Care Administrator
(“CHCA”), who refers his or her evaluation to the Facility Manager, who then submits a recommendation to the
Central Office Inmate Disability Accommodation Committee (“COIDAC”). Fackler Decl. at 2 [Doc. No. 74-1]. At
the initial review stage, the CHCA must “arrange for a current clinical evaluation of the inmate’s alleged disability
and/or impairment by a medical practitioner in order to validate the accommodation request . . . .” DOC’s Mot.
Summ. J., Ex. A, at ECF p. 14 [Doc. No. 74-1]. If an inmate is dissatisfied with COIDAC’s determination on appeal,
he is directed to “submit a grievance under Department policy DC-ADM 804 . . . .” Id. at ECF p. 15.
138
At the time he filed Grievance #703294 pursuant to DC-ADM 804, Robinson had already received a clinical
evaluation from several providers—including Dr. Smyth, the Medical Director at SCI-Greene—and his wheelchair
access had been formally discontinued by order of the medical staff. On initial review, a grievance coordinator
24
2. Challenge to DOC Accommodation Policy / Punitive Damages
The DOC contends that Robinson cannot raise a challenge to its accommodation policy
because such a claim would be one seeking equitable relief, and the Amended Complaint seeks
only monetary damages. The DOC also asserts that Robinson’s wheelchair has been returned,
therefore he no longer has standing to sue for an injunction. The Court agrees with both
arguments. The Amended Complaint, by its plain language, seeks only compensatory damages,
punitive damages, and attorney’s fees. 139 If Robinson were to succeed in his challenge to the
DOC’s accommodation policy, the available relief would necessarily be injunctive (and therefore
prospective in nature), whereas damages are a retrospective remedy. Moreover, even if Robinson
were to be pursuing injunctive relief in this case, his claim is subject to dismissal under the
mootness doctrine because all parties agree that Robinson’s access to a wheelchair has been
restored and he continues to use one daily. 140 The Court will dismiss Robinson’s challenge to the
DOC’s accommodation policy for lack of jurisdiction. 141
denied Robinson’s request pursuant to the medical department’s order; the Facility Manager affirmed; and SOIGA,
in its final denial on March 8, 2018, did not instruct Robinson to submit an Accommodation Request Form if he was
dissatisfied, but rather “encouraged [him] to sign up for sick call to have [his] concerns addressed with medical
staff.” DOC’s Mot. Summ. J., Ex. E, at 1, 3, 5 [Doc. No. 74-3]. The Court is not persuaded that the PLRA required
Robinson to do more. See Ross v. Blake, 578 U.S. 632, 643 (2016) (holding that an administrative procedure must be
“available”—i.e., it must provide the possibility of relief and a real chance of success).
139
Am. Compl. at 14–15 [Doc. No. 60].
See Chafin v. Chafin, 568 U.S. 165, 172 (2013) (“There is thus no case or controversy, and a suit becomes moot,
‘when the issues presented are no longer “live” or the parties lack a legally cognizable interest in the outcome.’”
(quoting Already, LLC v. Nike, Inc., 568 U.S. 85, 91 (2013))).
140
See Ballentine v. United States, 486 F.3d 806, 810 (3d Cir. 2007) (“[S]tanding is a jurisdictional matter.”); Steele
v. Blackman, 236 F.3d 130, 134 n.4 (3d Cir. 2001) (holding that courts are “required to raise issues of standing sua
sponte if such issues exist” (citation omitted)). The Court notes that Robinson’s challenge to the DOC’s policy was
raised for the first time in his Amended Complaint, which was filed after the Court’s adjudication of the parties’
motions to dismiss on Robinson’s initial pro se Complaint.
141
25
Additionally, the DOC correctly argues that punitive damages are unavailable under the
ADA. 142 The Court will grant summary judgment in favor of the DOC to the extent that
Robinson seeks punitive damages on his ADA claim.
3. Qualified Individual
The Court now considers the substantive elements of Robinson’s claim under the ADA
based on the confiscation of his wheelchair. For purposes of its present motion, the DOC does
not contest that Robinson has a disability under the second element. 143 Rather, it summarily
disputes the first element, on the basis that Robinson was not a “qualified individual” because he
was approved for the use of a cane. The DOC misunderstands this element. The Supreme Court
has held that a state prisoner is a “qualified individual” under the ADA, which defines the term
to include anyone with a disability who “meets the essential eligibility requirements for the
receipt of services or the participation in programs or activities provided by a public entity.” 144
Whether Robinson was issued a cane is irrelevant to his eligibility for, e.g., accessing the prison
law library. 145 The DOC’s cursory argument as to the first element is without merit.
4. Excluded from Services, Programs, or Activities By Reason of Disability /
Deliberate Indifference
The Court considers the remaining elements together, including the showing of deliberate
indifference required for compensatory damages under the ADA. The DOC contends that
Robinson has failed to present sufficient evidence on the third and fourth elements. Specifically,
the DOC contests Robinson’s “claims he was denied use of the showers and law library at SCI
142
Barnes v. Gorman, 536 U.S. 181, 189 (2002).
143
DOC’s Mot. Summ. J. at 1 n.2, 8 [Doc. No. 74].
144
Yeskey, 524 U.S. at 210 (quotation marks omitted) (quoting 42 U.S.C. § 12131(2)).
145
See Yeskey, 524 U.S. at 211.
26
Greene” because “there is no record evidence of this.” 146 Moreover, the DOC asserts that there is
no genuine dispute as to whether the DOC’s officers were deliberately indifferent to Robinson’s
needs, because its correctional officers deferred to the medical judgment of the providers who
treated him, and such officers are “not qualified to second-guess—let alone overrule—[the]
medical judgment” of health care providers. 147 The DOC cites Robinson’s testimony during his
deposition that he did not name any individual correctional officers as defendants in his initial
Complaint “because they were told to do that by medical staff . . . .” 148
“Deliberate indifference requires actual knowledge . . . .” 149 The Third Circuit has made
clear that non-medical prison officials cannot be said to be deliberately indifferent to an inmate’s
medical needs “absent a reason to believe (or actual knowledge) that prison doctors or their
assistants are mistreating (or not treating) a prisoner . . . .” 150 Therefore, Robinson must point to
evidence showing that the DOC’s officials actually knew that Robinson’s federally protected
rights under the ADA were substantially likely to be violated when his wheelchair was taken
away—i.e., knowledge that Robinson would likely be unable to use the toilet, access showers,
visit the law library, or enjoy the prison yard without a wheelchair—and that those officials
nevertheless failed to act in the face of that knowledge. Moreover, because Robinson was
actively being treated by the medical staff, he must cite evidence that the prison officials knew
the treatment he was receiving was inadequate or was driven by improper motivations.
146
DOC’s Mot. Summ. J. at 2 [Doc. No. 74].
147
DOC’s Mot. Summ. J. at 9 [Doc. No. 74] (citing Durmer, 991 F.2d at 68).
148
Pl.’s Resp. Opp’n DOC’s Mot. Summ. J., Ex. 3, Robinson Dep. Tr. 98:5–9 [Doc. No. 77-3].
149
S.H. ex rel. Durrell, 729 F.3d at 266 n.26 (emphasis omitted).
Spruill, 372 F.3d at 236 (defining parameters of deliberate indifference requirement in Eighth Amendment
context); see also S.H. ex rel. Durrell, 729 F.3d at 263 n.23 (holding that the “definition of deliberate indifference in
the RA and the ADA context is consistent with [the] standard of deliberate indifference in the context of § 1983
suits by prison inmates,” including under the Eighth Amendment).
150
27
Robinson has satisfied that threshold. He has identified ample supporting evidence,
including his own deposition testimony, declarations from witnesses, and his own medical
records (discussed at length throughout this Memorandum Opinion), which create a genuine
dispute as to whether Sergeant Jenkins and other correctional officers knew both that Robinson
could not walk without assistance and that the wheelchair was taken away for improper and nonmedical reasons. Accordingly, the Court will deny summary judgment as to Robinson’s ADA
claim based on the confiscation of his wheelchair.
IV. CONCLUSION
For the reasons stated herein, the Medical Defendants’ motion for summary judgment
will be granted in part and denied in part, and the DOC’s motion for summary judgment will be
granted in part and denied in part. An appropriate order follows.
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