Pearson v. Varano et al

Filing 15

MEMORANDUM (Order to follow as separate docket entry) re MOTIONs for Leave to Proceed ifp 2 & 8 , and MOTION for ExtTm 13 filed by Antonio Pearson, Signed by Honorable William W. Caldwell on 11/12/13. (ma) (Main Document 15 replaced on 11/12/2013) (ma).

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE MIDDLE DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA
ANTONIO PEARSON,
Plaintiff
vs.
DAVID VARANO, et al.,
Defendants

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CIVIL NO. 1:CV-13-1733
(Judge Caldwell)

MEMORANDUM
I.

Introduction
On June 24, 2013, the pro se plaintiff, Antonio Pearson, an inmate at the Coal

Township State Correctional Institution (SCI-Coal Township), in Coal Township,
Pennsylvania, filed this civil-rights action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. Plaintiff alleges
that since December 25, 2010, he has been treated differently than other dietary workers
because he works nine hours a day but is only paid for eight while others who work more
than eight hours receive overtime pay. (Doc. 1, Complaint). He names eleven defendants
who are employed by the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections (DOC). Approximately
a month later, Pearson filed a supplemental complaint (Doc. 7). As the “supplemental
complaint” is not complete in itself, and overlaps sections of the original complaint, for the
sake of clarity the court will direct Pearson to file a single all-inclusive amended complaint.

II.

Discussion
The filing of an amended complaint is governed by Fed. R. Civ. P. 15(a):
(1) Amending as a Matter of Course. A party may amend its
pleading once as a matter of course within:

(A) 21 days after serving it, or
(B) if the pleading is one to which a responsive pleading is
required, 21 days after service of a responsive pleading or 21 days
after service of a motion under Rule 12(b), (e), or (f), whichever is
earlier.
(2) Other Amendments. In all other cases, a party may amend its
pleading only with the opposing party’s written consent or the
court’s leave. The court should freely give leave when justice so
requires.
Fed. R. Civ. P. 15(a).
Based on the procedural history of this case, Pearson may file an amended
complaint as a matter of right. Pearson is cautioned that his amended complaint must
contain the same docket number as the instant action and should be labeled “Amended
Complaint.” In addition, the "amended complaint must be complete in all respects. It must
be a new pleading which stands by itself as an adequate complaint without reference to the
complaint already filed." Young v. Keohane, 809 F. Supp. 1185, 1198 (M.D. Pa. 1992). In
particular, Pearson is advised that the amended complaint will supersede the original
complaint and supplemental complaint and must be “retyped or reprinted so that it will be
complete in itself including exhibits.” M.D. Pa. LR 15.1. Consequently, any cause of action
alleged in the original or supplemental complaint which is not alleged in the amended
complaint will be waived.
Pearson’s amended complaint must be concise and direct. See Fed. R. Civ.
P. 8(d). Each allegation must be set forth in individually numbered paragraphs in short,
concise and simple statements. Id. The allegations should be specific as to time and
place, and should identify the specific person or persons responsible for the deprivation of
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his constitutional rights and what each individual did that led to the deprivation of his rights.
Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662, 676, 129 S.Ct. 1937, 1948, 173 L.Ed.2d 868 (2009).
Plaintiff shall also specify the relief he seeks with regard to each claim and defendant.
Failure to file a completely new amended complaint will result in this case proceeding on
the claims set forth in the original complaint.
An appropriate order follows.

/s/ William W. Caldwell
William W. Caldwell
United States District Judge

Date: November 12, 2013

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