Germany v. Briggs et al

Filing 26

MEMORANDUM (Order to follow as separate docket entry) re 21 MOTION TO DISMISS FOR FAILURE TO STATE A CLAIM filed by Gregory Briggs, 19 MOTION TO DISMISS FOR FAILURE TO STATE A CLAIM Plaintiff's Complaint filed by Mike Bond, 9 . Signed by Honorable Robert D. Mariani on 2/17/21. (jam)

Case 3:20-cv-00651-RDM-CA Document 26 Filed 02/17/21 Page 1 of 21

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE MIDDLE DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA
Civil No. 3:20-cv-651

JONAH GERMANY,

(Judge Mariani)

Plaintiff
V
.

GREGORY BRIGGS, et al.,
Defendants
MEMORANDUM
Plaintiff Jonah Germany ("Germany"), an inmate who was housed at all relevant
times at the Dauphin County Prison, in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, initiated this civil rights
action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. (Doc. 10). Named as Defendants are Gregory Briggs,
Warden of the Dauphin County Prison, and Thomas J. Weber, Esquire, 1 Chief Executive
Officer of PrimeCare Medical, Inc. Presently before the Court are two Rule 12(b) motions
(Docs. 19, 21) to dismiss by Defendant Weber and Defendant Briggs, respectively. For the
reasons set forth below, the Court will grant each pending motion.
I.

Allegations of the Complaint
At all relevant times, Germany was housed at the Dauphin County Prison as a

pretrial detainee. (Doc. 10 ~ 23).

1

Incorrectly identified in the complaint as Mike Bond .

Case 3:20-cv-00651-RDM-CA Document 26 Filed 02/17/21 Page 2 of 21

On October 14, 2019, at approximately 11 :30 a.m., Germany was walking to the
shower when he slipped and fell on water, injuring his right knee, neck, and head. (Id. at~
1). Germany alleges that he was momentarily knocked unconscious. (Id.). A correctional
officer called the medical department and staff arrived to place Germany in a neck brace.
(Id. at~~ 2, 3). Germany alleges that he overheard a staff member telling other officers that
the shower and air conditioner had been leaking for months. (Id. at~ 2). Germany
contends that it is "common knowledge" that the showers and air conditioner leak and there
should have been a caution sign in the area where he fell. (Id. at ~~ 1, 19).
Germany was transported to an outside hospital and underwent a series of tests and
was provided pain medication. (Id. at~ 4). The doctors allegedly informed Germany that
they believed he suffered muscle damage and that he "should recover." (Id. at~ 5). They
advised him to alert a prison official if he experienced any adverse symptoms. (Id.).
Germany was provided crutches and was informed that the prison doctor would prescribe
pain medication. (Id. at~ 6). Germany returned to the prison around 5:00 p.m. and was
allegedly placed in an unsanitary cell and was provided supplies to clean the cell. (Id. at~~

7, 22).
On October 15, 2019, Germany was prescribed Tylenol and a muscle rub. (Id. at~
9). Germany asserts that he told a nurse that he should be housed on the medical unit, and
he felt that he was being punished due to his injuries. (Id. at~ 10). The nurse allegedly

2

Case 3:20-cv-00651-RDM-CA Document 26 Filed 02/17/21 Page 3 of 21

responded that the prison was overcrowded and advised Germany to file a grievance
related to his complaints. (Id. at~ 11 ).
Germany also alleges that he was denied his one-hour recreation and exercise,
denied the ability to buy items from the commissary, denied shaving supplies, denied fresh
linens and a clean uniform, and denied access to the law library. (Id. at~~ 12, 21 ).
On October 16, 2019, at approximately 11:45 p.m. , Germany alleges that he was
forced to shower without a safety railing or chair, causing him to fall and injure his back,
head, and neck. (Id. at~~ 13, 14). A nurse arrived and informed Germany that he should
not have used his crutches in the shower, and he should have been given baths or a
shower seat. (Id. at~ 15). Germany was placed in a neck brace and transported to an
outside hospital. (/d.). At the hospital, Germany underwent numerous tests and was given
a shot of Remedol for pain. (Id. at~ 16). A doctor allegedly told Germany that he may have
suffered a concussion, that he should advise a prison official if he suffers any adverse
effects, and that the prison doctor would prescribe pain medication. (Id. at~ 17). On
October 17, 2019, at 6:00 a.m. , Germany returned to the prison and was provided pain
medication at night pill call. (Id. at~ 18).
II.

Legal Standard
A complaint must be dismissed under FED. R. CIv. P. 12(b)(6), if it does not allege

"enough facts to state a claim to relief that is plausible on its face. " Bell At/. Corp. v.
Twombly, 550 U.S. 544,570, 127 S. Ct. 1955, 167 L. Ed. 2d 929 (2007). The plaintiff must
3

Case 3:20-cv-00651-RDM-CA Document 26 Filed 02/17/21 Page 4 of 21

aver "factual content that allows the court to draw the reasonable inference that the
defendant is liable for the misconduct alleged." Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662, 129 S. Ct.
1937, 1949, 173 L. Ed. 2d 868 (2009).
"Though a complaint 'does not need detailed factual allegations, ... a formulaic
recitation of the elements of a cause of action will not do.JJJ Oe/Rio-Mocci v. Connolly Prop.
Inc., 672 F.3d 241,245 (3d Cir. 2012) (citing Twombly, 550 U.S. at 555). In other words,
"[fjactual allegations must be enough to raise a right to relief above the speculative level."
Covington v. Int'/ Ass'n of Approved Basketball Officials, 710 F.3d 114, 118 (3d Cir. 2013)
(internal citations and quotation marks omitted). A court "take[s] as true all the factual
allegations in the Complaint and the reasonable inferences that can be drawn from those
facts, but ... disregard[s] legal conclusions and threadbare recitals of the elements of a
cause of action, supported by mere conclusory statements." Ethypharm S.A. France v.
Abbott Laboratories, 707 F.3d 223,231, n.14 (3d Cir. 2013) (internal citations and quotation
marks omitted).
Twombly and Iqbal require [a district court] to take the following three steps to
determine the sufficiency of a complaint: First, the court must take note of the
elements a plaintiff must plead to state a claim. Second, the court should
identify allegations that, because they are no more than conclusions, are not
entitled to the assumption of truth. Finally, where there are well-pleaded
factual allegations, a court should assume their veracity and then determine
whether they plausibly give rise to an entitlement for relief.
Connelly v. Steel Valley Sch. Dist. , 706 F.3d 209,212 (3d Cir. 2013).

4

Case 3:20-cv-00651-RDM-CA Document 26 Filed 02/17/21 Page 5 of 21

"[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 (internal citations and quotation marks
omitted). This "plausibility" determination will be a "context-specific task that requires the
reviewing court to draw on its judicial experience and common sense." Id.
However, even "if a complaint is subject to Rule 12(b)(6) dismissal, a district court
must permit a curative amendment unless such an amendment would be inequitable or
futile." Phillips v. Cnty. of Allegheny, 515 F.3d 224, 245 (3d Cir. 2008).
[E]ven when plaintiff does not seek leave to amend his complaint after a
defendant moves to dismiss it, unless the district court finds that amendment
would be inequitable or futile , the court must inform the plaintiff that he or she
has leave to amend the complaint within a set period of time.
Id.
Ill.

Motion to Dismiss by Defendant Briggs
A.

Lack of Personal Involvement

In order to state an actionable civil rights claim, a plaintiff must plead two essential
elements: (1 ) that the conduct complained of was committed by a person acting under color
of law, and (2) that said conduct deprived the plaintiff of a right, privilege, or immunity
secured by the Constitution or laws of the United States. See Groman v. Township of
Manalapan, 47 F.3d 628, 638 (3d Cir. 1995); Shaw by Strain v. Strackhouse, 920 F.2d
1135, 1141-42 (3d Cir. 1990). Individual liability can be imposed under section 1983 only if
the state actor played an "affirmative part" in the alleged misconduct and "cannot be
5

Case 3:20-cv-00651-RDM-CA Document 26 Filed 02/17/21 Page 6 of 21

predicated solely on the operation of respondeat superior." Evancho v. Fisher, 423 F.3d
347, 353 (3d Cir. 2005) (quoting Rode v. Dellarciprete, 845 F.2d 1195, 1207 (3d Cir. 1998)).
"A defendant in a civil rights action must have personal involvement in the alleged wrongs ..
. . Personal involvement can be shown through allegations of personal direction or of actual
knowledge and acquiescence." Rode, 845 F.2d at 1207-08; see a/so Rizzo v. Goode, 423
U.S. 362 (1976) ; Atkinson v. Taylor, 316 F.3d 257 (3d Cir. 2003). Such allegations,
however, must be made with appropriate particularity in that a complaint must allege the
particulars of conduct, time, place, and person responsible. Evancho, 423 F.3d at 354;
Rode, 845 F.2d at 1207-08. Alleging a mere hypothesis that an individual defendant had
personal knowledge or involvement in depriving the plaintiff of his rights is insufficient to
establish personal involvement. Rode, 845 F.2d at 1208.
A review of the complaint confirms that other than being named as a Defendant,
there exist no factual averments relating to Defendant Briggs in the body of the complaint.
(See Doc. 10). Indeed, the only conclusory averment made against Briggs is as follows:
"Defendant Gregory Briggs' involvement is he was Warden of the Dauphin County Prison."
(Id. at pp. 2, 6). Germany fails to identify the particular conduct of this Defendant that
allegedly violated his rights. For instance, Germany does not provide any basis regarding
how Briggs was deliberately indifferent to his serious medical needs or how Briggs was
involved in the shower incidents, or denial of recreation, exercise, shaving supplies, law
library, laundry, and commissary, or placement in the dirty cell. This style of pleading is
6

Case 3:20-cv-00651-RDM-CA Document 26 Filed 02/17/21 Page 7 of 21

patently inadequate since it fails to allege facts that give rise to a plausible claim for relief.
Hudson v. City of McKeesport, 244 F. App'x 519 (3d Cir. 2007) (affirming dismissal of
defendant who was only named in caption of case).
A claim of a constitutional deprivation cannot be premised merely on the fact that the
named defendant was the prison warden, or a prison supervisor, when the incidents set
forth in the complaint occurred. See Rode, 845 F.2d at 1207. Additionally, any attempt by
Germany to hold Defendant Briggs liable for the actions of his subordinates is essentially an
assertion of respondeat superior liability which seeks to hold him liable based on his
supervisory role. This ground of constitutional liability has been squarely rejected by the
courts. See Rode, 845 F.2d at 1207.
Nor can Germany impose liability on Defendant Briggs based upon his role in
reviewing and responding to grievances. (See Doc. 24 ~ 2). It has long been recognized
that a state prisoner's allegation that prison officials and administrators responded
inappropriately, or failed to respond, to a prisoner's grievance, is insufficient to establish
personal involvement in the underlying unconstitutional conduct. See Rode, 845 F.2d at
1207-1208 (concluding that after-the-fact review of a grievance is insufficient to demonstrate
the actual knowledge necessary to establish personal involvement); Simonton v. Tennis,
437 F. App'x 60, 62 (3d Cir. 2011) ("[A] prison official's secondary review of an inmate's
grievance or appeal is not sufficient to demonstrate the personal involvement required to
establish the deprivation of a constitutional right"); Brooks v. Beard, 167 F. App'x 923, 925
7

Case 3:20-cv-00651-RDM-CA Document 26 Filed 02/17/21 Page 8 of 21

(3d Cir. 2006) (holding that allegations that prison officials and administrators responded
inappropriately, or failed to respond to a prison grievance, did not establish that the officials
and administrators were involved in the underlying allegedly unconstitutional conduct).
The Court finds that Germany's complaint is bereft of any allegations identifying how
Defendant Briggs was personally involved in the alleged constitutional deprivations. 2
Accordingly, Defendant Briggs' motion to dismiss will be granted on this ground. The Court
finds that there are also separate and independent flaws with Germany's claims. These
deficiencies are discussed below.
B.

Eighth Amendment Deliberate Indifference Claim 3

Germany alleges that he slipped and fell on two separate occasions-the first time
when walking to the shower and the second time while in the shower-and that he received
inadequate medical care for his resultant injuries. (Doc. 10 ~~ 1, 13). The Eighth

2

In his brief in opposition to Defendant's motion to dismiss, Germany argues that Defendant
Briggs should have intervened in the alleged violations when Germany filed grievances about the
violations. (Doc. 24 ~ 8). While this appears to raise an Eighth Amendment failure to intervene claim,
Germany cannot now raise this claim for the first time in an opposition brief. See Comm. of Pa. , ex rel.
Zimmerman v. Pepsico, Inc., 836 F.2d 173, 181 (3d Cir. 1981) (providing that it is "axiomatic that the
complaint may not be amended by the briefs in opposition to a motion to dismiss").
3

Germany's claims are based on his status as a pretrial detainee. Pretrial detainees are
protected by the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment, not the Cruel and Unusual
Punishment Clause of the Eighth Amendment. See Bell v. Wolfish, 441 U.S. 520,535 n.16 (1979).
However, the Fourteenth Amendment provides "at least as much protection as does the Eighth
Amendment," and in cases involving allegations of inadequate medical care, the Third Circuit Court of
Appeals typically reviews both claims using the Eighth Amendment standard . Gannaway v. Berks Cnty.
Prison , 439 F. App'x 86, 89 n.2 (3d Cir. 2011) (nonprecedential) (citing Natale v. Camden Cnty. Corr.
Facility, 318 F.3d 575, 583 (3d Cir. 2003)). Thus, the Court will address Germany's claims pursuant to the
Eighth Amendment standard.

8

Case 3:20-cv-00651-RDM-CA Document 26 Filed 02/17/21 Page 9 of 21

Amendment prohibits the infliction of cruel and unusual punishment on prisoners. Fuentes

v. Wagner, 206 F.3d 335, 344 (3d Cir. 2000). In the context of medical care, the Eighth
Amendment "requires prison officials to provide basic medical treatment to those whom it
has incarcerated." Rouse v. Plantier, 182 F.3d 192, 197 (3d Cir. 1999). To establish an
Eighth Amendment claim based on a prison's denial of medical care, an inmate must allege
acts or omissions by prison officials that were sufficiently harmful to establish deliberate
indifference to a serious medical need. See Spruill v. Gillis, 372 F.3d 218, 235 (3d Cir.
2004); Natale v. Camden Cty. Corr. Facility, 318 F.3d 575, 582 (3d Cir. 2003). The relevant
inquiry is whether the defendant: (1) was subjectively deliberately indifferent (2) to the
plaintiff's objectively serious medical needs. Farmer v. Brennan, 511 U.S. 825, 834, 837
(1994); Chavarriaga v. N.J. Dep'tofCorr., 806 F.3d 210,226 (3d Cir. 2015).
The "deliberate indifference" prong of the applicable Eighth Amendment analysis
requires that the defendant actually know of and disregard "an excessive risk to inmate
health or safety." Farmer, 511 U.S. at 837. Circumstantial evidence can establish
subjective knowledge on the part of the defendant if it shows that the excessive risk was so
obvious that the official must have known about it. See Beers-Capitol v. Whetzel, 256 F.3d
120, 133 (3d Cir. 2001) (citing Farmer, 511 U.S. at 842). The Third Circuit has found
deliberate indifference when a prison official: "(1) knows of a prisoner's need for medical
treatment but intentionally refuses to provide it; (2) delays necessary medical treatment

9

Case 3:20-cv-00651-RDM-CA Document 26 Filed 02/17/21 Page 10 of 21

based on a non-medical reason; or (3) prevents a prisoner from receiving needed or
recommended medical treatment." Rouse, 182 F.3d at 197.
The second prong of the Eighth Amendment inquiry is whether the plaintiff's medical
needs were serious. A serious medical need 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." Monmouth Cty. Corr. Inst. Inmates v.
Lanzaro, 834 F.2d 326, 347 (3d Cir. 1987). Not every condition is a serious medical need;
instead, the serious medical need element contemplates a condition of urgency, namely,
one that may produce death, degeneration, or extreme pain. See id.
Additionally, for purposes of Eighth Amendment medical claims, nonmedical staff
may not be "considered deliberately indifferent simply because they failed to respond
directly to the medical complaints of a prisoner who was already being treated by the prison
doctor." Durmer v. O'Carro/1, 991 F.2d 64, 69 (3d Cir. 1993). "If a prisoner is under the care
of medical experts ... , a non-medical prison official will generally be justified in believing
that the prisoner is in capable hands." Spruill, 372 F.3d at 236. Courts have repeatedly
held that, absent some reason to believe that prison medical staff are mistreating prisoners,
non-medical corrections staff who refer inmate medical complaints to physicians may not be
held personally liable for medically-based Eighth Amendment claims. See, e.g., id. at 23637 (citing Durmer, 991 F.2d at 69).

10

Case 3:20-cv-00651-RDM-CA Document 26 Filed 02/17/21 Page 11 of 21

With respect to Gregory Briggs, a nonmedical Defendant, Germany has failed to
establish a viable Eighth Amendment claim. Defendant Briggs is the Warden of the
Dauphin County Prison. He is not a trained member of the medical staff subject to liability
for an Eighth Amendment claim. Germany has not set forth any allegations that Defendant
Briggs provided him with medical care, refused to provide medical care, or prevented him
from receiving medical care; nor has he established that Defendant Briggs was aware of or
acquiesced in the purported Eighth Amendment violations. Because Germany was under
the regular care of medical experts, this nonmedical Defendant was justified in believing that
he was in capable hands. See Spruill, 372 F.3d at 236; Durmer, 991 F.2d at 69. Defendant
Briggs' motion to dismiss will be granted on this ground as well.
C.

Eighth Amendment Conditions of Confinement Claim

Germany alleges that the denial of recreation and exercise, lack of commissary,
denial of shaving supplies, denial of laundry and a clean uniform, denial of access to the law
library, and placement in a dirty cell, constituted cruel and unusual punishment in violation
of his Eighth Amendment rights. (Doc. 10 ~~ 7, 12, 21 ). In order to state an Eighth
Amendment conditions of confinement claim, a plaintiff must establish both that he has
been denied "the minimal civilized measure of life's necessities" and that defendants had a
"sufficiently culpable state of mind." Farmer, 511 U.S. at 834. To violate the Eighth
Amendment's prohibition of cruel and unusual punishment, conditions cited by an inmate
must be "objectively, sufficiently serious [and] must result in the denial of the minimal
11

Case 3:20-cv-00651-RDM-CA Document 26 Filed 02/17/21 Page 12 of 21

civilized measure of life's necessities." Id. at 834 (internal citation and quotation omitted) .
Only "extreme deprivations" are sufficient to make out a conditions of confinement claim.
Hudson v. McMil/en , 503 U.S. 1, 8-9 (1992). A plaintiff must prove that the deprivation is
sufficiently serious when viewed within the context of "contemporary standards of decency."
Helling v. McKinney, 509 U.S. 25, 36 (1993) . Although a combination of confinement
conditions-considered alone constitutionally insufficient-may present an Eighth
Amendment violation, they nevertheless must cumulatively produce "the deprivation of a
single, identifiable human need such as food, warmth, or exercise." Wilson v. Seiter, 501
U.S. 294,304 (1991); see also Griffin v. Vaughn , 112 F.3d 703,709 (3d Cir. 1997)
(identifying the denial of basic human needs as "food, clothing, shelter, sanitation, medical
care and personal safety"). In applying this test, the Supreme Court acknowledges that the
Eighth Amendment does not mandate that prisons be free of discomfort. Hudson, 503 U.S.
at 9.
Germany does not specifically allege the amount of times he was denied recreation
and exercise, commissary, shaving supplies, laundry, access to the law library, or placed in
a dirty cell. In liberally construing his complaint, the Court infers that Germany is alleging
that these denials occurred on a few occasions. (Doc. 10 ~~ 7, 12, 21). The Court finds
that these few instances do not establish an Eighth Amendment violation . See Miller v.
Trometter, Civ. No. 4:11-cv-811 , 2012 WL 5933015, at *10 (M.D. Pa. Nov. 27, 2012)
(finding plaintiff's allegations that he was denied breakfast and lunch on six days, showers
12

Case 3:20-cv-00651-RDM-CA Document 26 Filed 02/17/21 Page 13 of 21

on twenty eight occasions during the months of September and October, and exercise thirty
four times in September and October was insufficient to support an Eighth Amendment
claim). Moreover, Germany does not allege that the denial of exercise threatened his health
and , therefore, does not state a constitutional violation. Id.; Gattis v. Phelps, 344 F. App'x
801 , 805 (3d Cir. 2009) (determining that the prisoner was not guaranteed outdoor exercise
at all times and the limitation of exercise to three days per week was insufficiently serious to
implicate the Eighth Amendment) (internal citation and citing case omitted).
Because Germany has failed to adequately allege that he was deprived of "the
minimal civilized measure of life's necessities", these claims will be dismissed. Wilson , 501
U.S. at 298; see also Adderly v. Ferrier, 419 F. App'x 135, 140 (3d Cir. 2011) (holding that
denial of access to clothing, toiletries, legal mail, a pillow, a mattress, and showers for
seven days did not "constitute a denial of the 'minimal civilized measures of life's
necessities"') (quoting Williams v. Delo, 49 F.3d 442, 444-47 (8th Cir. 1995)).
D.

Qualified Immunity

Even if Germany had stated a colorable constitutional claim , Defendant Briggs, in his
individual capacity, is entitled to qualified immunity from these claims for damages. In order
to establish a civil rights claim, Germany must show the deprivation of a right secured by the
United States Constitution or the laws of the United States. However, government officials
performing "discretionary functions," are insulated from suit if their conduct did not violate a

13

Case 3:20-cv-00651-RDM-CA Document 26 Filed 02/17/21 Page 14 of 21

"clearly established statutory or constitutional right[ ] of which a reasonable person would
have known." Wilson v. Layne, 526 U.S. 603, 609 (1999).
"The doctrine of qualified immunity protects government officials from liability for civil
damages insofar as their conduct does not violate clearly established statutory or
constitutional rights of which a reasonable person would have known." Pearson v.
Callahan, 555 U.S. 223, 231 (2009) (internal quotation marks omitted). "Qualified immunity
balances two important interests-the need to hold public officials accountable when they
exercise power irresponsibly and the need to shield officials from harassment, distraction,
and liability when they perform their duties reasonably." Pearson, 555 U.S. at 231. It
"provides ample protection to all but the plainly incompetent or those who knowingly violate
the law." Malley v. Briggs, 475 U.S. 335, 341 (1986). "Thus, so long as an official
reasonably believes that his conduct complies with the law, qualified immunity will shield
that official from liability." Sharp v. Johnson, 669 F.3d 144, 159 (3d Cir. 2012) (citing
Pearson, 555 U.S. at 244). Although qualified immunity is generally a question of law that
should be considered at the earliest possible stage of proceedings, a genuine dispute of
material fact may preclude summary judgment on qualified immunity. Giles v. Kearney, 571
F.3d 318, 325-26 (3d Cir. 2009).
A qualified immunity determination involves a two-pronged inquiry: (1) whether a
constitutional or federal right has been violated; and (2) whether that right was "clearly
established." Saucier v. Katz, 533 U.S. 194,201 (2001), overruled in part by Pearson , 555
14

Case 3:20-cv-00651-RDM-CA Document 26 Filed 02/17/21 Page 15 of 21

U.S. at 236 (permitting federal courts to exercise discretion in deciding which of the two
Saucier prongs should be addressed first). As stated, the Court finds that Germany failed to
set forth any cognizable claims against Defendant Briggs and failed to establish the violation
of a constitutional right. Therefore, Defendant Briggs is protected from liability by qualified
immunity.
E.

Official Capacity Claim

To the extent that Germany has brought suit against Defendant Briggs in his official
capacity, a state official sued in his official capacity is not a "person" for purposes of§ 1983
when a plaintiff seeks monetary damages, as the Supreme Court has not construed § 1983
as an abrogation of the states' Eleventh Amendment immunity. Will v. Mich. Oep't of State
Police, 491 U.S. 58, 63-71 (1989). Will precludes actions for damages against state officials
acting in their official capacities. Id. at 63-71 However, the state's immunity is not shared
by state officers to the extent that the suit seeks prospective injunctive or declaratory relief
or seeks damages from the officers in their individual capacities. Ex parte Young, 209 U.S.
123 (1908); see also Verizon Md. , Inc. v. Pub. Serv. Comm 'n of Md., 535 U.S. 635 (2002).
Consequently, the Court will dismiss all claims asserted against Defendant Briggs in his
official capacity in which Germany seeks monetary damages.
F.

State Law Claim

Defendant Briggs next argues that, to the extent Germany sets forth a state tort
claim, he cannot be held liable pursuant to the Pennsylvania Political Subdivision Tort
15

Case 3:20-cv-00651-RDM-CA Document 26 Filed 02/17/21 Page 16 of 21

Claims Act, ("PSTCA"). (Doc. 22, pp. 23-26). Under the Political Subdivision Tort Claims
Act, "no local agency shall be liable for any damages on account of injury to a person or
property caused by any act of the local agency or an employee thereof or any other
person." 42 PA. CONS. STAT. ANN . § 8541 . The PSTCA lists eight exceptions that permit
liability on tort claims against local agencies. 42 PA. CONS. STAT. ANN. § 8542(b)
(permitting recovery for acts relating to vehicle liability; care, custody or control of personal
property; real property; trees, traffic controls and street lighting; utility service facilities ;
sidewalks; and care, custody or control of animals) . As none of the exceptions to a local
agency's immunity are applicable in this case, Defendant Briggs is shielded from liability on
any state law tort claim.
The PSTCA also provides for immunity of an employee of a local agency. Section
8454 states that "[a]n employee of a local agency is liable for civil damages on account of
any injury to a person or property caused by acts of the employee which are within the
scope of his office or duties only to the same extent as his employing agency and subject to
the limitations imposed by this subchapter." 42 PA. CONS. STAT. ANN.§ 8545. Therefore,
Defendant Briggs is immune from any state tort claim pursuant to § 8545.
However, immunity for an official does not exist when the "act constituted a crime,
actual fraud , actual malice or willful misconduct." 42 PA. CONS. STAT. ANN. § 8550. Thus,
the PSTCA extends immunity to negligent acts by employees except those falling into the
eight proscribed categories, but abrogates immunity for individual employees who commit
16

Case 3:20-cv-00651-RDM-CA Document 26 Filed 02/17/21 Page 17 of 21

intentional torts. See Hernandez v. York County, 2007 WL 4198017, aff'd, 288 F. App'x 781
(3d Cir. 2008) (finding defendant immune under the PSTCA from the plaintiff's claim of
gross negligence). Additionally, local agencies and employees are immune from medical
negligence liability under the PSTCA. Germany failed to plead any conduct on behalf of
Defendant Briggs; thus, the willful misconduct exception to immunity does not apply.
G.

Claim for Injunctive Relief

Germany sets forth a claim for injunctive relief, requesting that Defendants
"[i]mmediately arrange for medical tests and proper medical treatment." (Doc. 10, p. 6).
The mootness doctrine recognizes that "[i]f developments occur during the course of
adjudication that eliminate a plaintiff's personal stake in the outcome of a suit or prevent a
court from being able to grant the requested relief, the case must be dismissed as moot."
Blanciak v. Allegheny Ludlum Corp., 77 F.3d 690, 698-99 (3d Cir. 1996). An inmate's
transfer from the facility complained of generally moots the equitable and declaratory
claims. Abdul-Akbar v. Watson, 4 F.3d 195, 206-07 (3d Cir. 1993); see Griffin v. Beard, 401
F. App'x 715 (3d Cir. 2010) (transfer from SCI-Huntingdon renders inmate injunctive relief
claim moot). Germany is no longer housed at the Dauphin County Prison. In light of
Germany's transfer from the Dauphin County Prison, the institution wherein the allegations
related to his claims stem, Germany's request for injunctive relief is now moot. Moreover,
Germany acknowledges that his request for injunctive relief is moot. (Doc. 24 ~ 6).

17

Case 3:20-cv-00651-RDM-CA Document 26 Filed 02/17/21 Page 18 of 21

IV.

Motion to Dismiss by Defendant Weber
Germany alleges that he received inadequate medical treatment for his alleged

injuries, in violation of his Eighth Amendment rights. (Doc. 10). As set forth above, to
establish an Eighth Amendment claim based on a prison's denial of medical care, an inmate
must establish that the defendant was subjectively deliberately indifferent to the plaintiff's
objectively serious medical needs. Farmer, 511 U.S. at 837; Chavarriaga, 806 F.3d at 226.
Because only egregious acts or omissions can violate this standard, mere medical
malpractice cannot result in an Eighth Amendment violation. White v. Napoleon, 897 F.2d
103, 108-10 (3d Cir. 1990); Estelle v. Gamble, 429 U.S. 97, 106 (1976) ("[M]edical
malpractice does not become a constitutional violation merely because the victim is a
prisoner."). The Supreme Court has held that negligence or inadvertence alone do not rise
to the level of a constitutional violation. Whitley v. Albers, 475 U.S. 312 (1986). The
Supreme Court has also noted that "[l]ack of due care suggests no more than a failure to
measure up to the conduct of a reasonable person." Daniels v. Williams, 474 U.S. 327, 332
(1986). Where a state of mind is relevant, the complaint is inadequate if it merely contains
conclusory allegations describing the requisite state of mind such as "intentionally" or
"recklessly" without supporting factual allegations. Wilson, 501 U.S. 294.
Additionally, prison medical authorities are given considerable latitude in the
diagnosis and treatment of inmate patients, see Young v. Kazmerski, 266 F. App'x 191, 194
(3d Cir. 2008), and a doctor's disagreement with the professional judgment of another
18

Case 3:20-cv-00651-RDM-CA Document 26 Filed 02/17/21 Page 19 of 21

doctor is not actionable under the Eighth Amendment. See White , 897 F.2d at 108-10.
Furthermore, it is well-settled that an inmate's dissatisfaction with a course of medical
treatment, standing alone, does not give rise to a viable Eighth Amendment claim. See

Brown v. Borough of Chambersburg, 903 F.2d 27 4, 278 (3d Cir. 1990) ("[A]s long as a
physician exercises professional judgment his behavior will not violate a prisoner's
constitutional rights."); Pearson v. Prison Health Servs., 850 F.3d 528,535 (3d Cir. 2017)
("[W]hen medical care is provided, we presume that the treatment of a prisoner is proper
absent evidence that it violates professional standards of care.").
A review of the complaint confirms that there is not a single factual averment relating
to Defendant Weber. (See Doc. 10). The only conclusory averment made against Weber is
that he is "the CEO of PrimeCare Medical who provides medical services to inmates at the
Dauphin County Prison." 4 (Id. at p. 6). Germany fails to identify the particular conduct of
this Defendant that is alleged to have violated his rights and fails to allege that he was
personally involved in his medical care. As stated supra, this style of pleading is wholly
inadequate since it fails to allege facts that give rise to a plausible claim for relief. See

Hudson, 244 F. App'x 519.
Moreover, it is clear that Germany received medical treatment for his injuries while
housed at the Dauphin County Prison. The Court concludes that Germany's allegations

4

The Court observes that Germany has not brought suit against PrimeCare Medical, Inc. under
a Monell v. N.Y.C. Dep't of Soc. Servs., 436 U.S. 658 (1978) theory.
19

Case 3:20-cv-00651-RDM-CA Document 26 Filed 02/17/21 Page 20 of 21

amount to, at most, a disagreement with the medical treatment. A showing of deliberate
indifference requires more. See Brown, 903 F.2d at 278; Pearson, 850 F.3d at 535.
Germany's own allegations provide that he received immediate medical attention after both
of his falls, he was treated by prison medical personnel, was transported to an outside
hospital for further treatment, underwent numerous tests, and was provided crutches, pain
medication, and muscle ointment. Germany's dissatisfaction with his medical treatment
decisions simply does not rise to a constitutional violation. The most that can be said of
Germany's claim is that it asserts that the medical staff's professional judgment was
deficient. As articulated above, this is not enough to rise to the level of a constitutional
violation and courts will not second guess whether a particular course of treatment is
adequate or proper. See Parham v. Johnson , 126 F.3d 454, 458 n.7 (3d Cir. 1997) (quoting
Inmates of Allegheny Cty. Jail v. Pierce, 612 F.2d 754, 762 (3d Cir. 1979)); Spruill, 372 F.3d
at 235 (holding that "mere disagreement as to the proper medical treatment" is insufficient to
state a constitutional violation). Moreover, there is no indication that the medical staff's
actions were based on an ulterior motive beyond providing routine patient care. See Spruill,
372 F.3d at 237 (noting that in order to state a deliberate indifference claim, a plaintiff
should in some way "connect[ ] his factual allegations to the alleged mental states" of the
defendants). Accordingly, the Court will grant Defendant Weber's motion to dismiss the
Eighth Amendment claim.

20

Case 3:20-cv-00651-RDM-CA Document 26 Filed 02/17/21 Page 21 of 21

V.

Leave to Amend
When a complaint fails to present a prima facie case of liability, district courts must

generally grant leave to amend before dismissing the complaint. See Grayson v. Mayview
State Hosp., 293 F.3d 103,108 (3d Cir. 2002); Shane v. Fauver, 213 F.3d 113, 116-17 (3d
Cir. 2000). Specifically, the Third Circuit Court of Appeals has admonished that when a
complaint is subject to dismissal for failure to state a claim, courts should liberally grant
leave to amend "unless such an amendment would be inequitable or futile. " Phillips, 515
F.3d at 245 (citing Alston v. Parker, 363 F.3d 229, 235 (3d Cir. 2004)). For the reasons set
forth above, Germany's claims are legally and factually flawed; thus, the Court concludes
that curative amendment would be futile .
VI.

Conclusion
The Court will grant Defendants' motions (Docs. 19, 21) to dismiss. A separate

Order shall issue.

J

Robert D. Ma . .
United States District Judge

Dated: February

-/-J-.

2021

21