Breidel v. Harris County Sheriff's Office et al
Filing
24
OPINION and ORDER denying 9 Motion to Dismiss, granting 16 Motion for Summary Judgment; granting 18 Motion for Summary Judgment; mooting 21 Motion to Strike. Case terminated on 8/6/2014(Signed by Judge Melinda Harmon) Parties notified.(amwilliams, 4)
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS
HOUSTON DIVISION
MICHAEL BREIDEL,
Plaintiff,
VS.
HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE, et
al,
§
§
§
§
§
§
§
§
CIVIL ACTION NO. 4:13-CV-23
Defendants.
OPINION AND ORDER
Pending before the Court is Defendant McLennan County, Texas’s Motion to Dismiss for
Improper Venue, Alternative Motion to Transfer Venue, and Alternative Motion to Dismiss for
Failure to State a Claim (Doc. 9). Also pending before the Court is Defendant Harris County,
Texas’s Motion for Summary Judgment (Doc. 16) and Motion to Strike (Doc. 21), and
McLennan County’s Motion for Summary Judgment, Subject to its Motion to Dismiss (Doc. 18).
Having considered the motions, the responses, the replies, and the applicable law, the Court
concludes that McLennan County’s motion to dismiss should be denied and both Harris
County’s and McLennan County’s motions for summary judgment should be granted.
I.
Background
Plaintiff Michael Breidel filed this civil rights action under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 against
Defendants Harris County, Texas, Harris County Sheriff’s Office, Extradition Transport
Services, John Does 1 and 2 (employees of Extradition Transport Services), McLennan County
Sheriff’s Office, McLennan County, Texas, and John Doe, M.D., a doctor purported to work for
McLennan County, Texas (collectively, “Defendants”). Compl., Doc. 1. The basic allegation
underlying Briedel’s complaint is that he was denied post-surgical medical care during his
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detention in the McLennan and Harris County Jails.
In his complaint, which reads more like a diary than a pleading, Breidel describes the
following events which gave rise to his claims: He was arrested under a capias warrant by the
McLennan County Sheriff’s Department on January 4, 2011,1 six weeks after having cervical
spinal fusion surgery. First Am. Compl., Doc. 5 at 2. At the time of his arrest, Breidel informed
the arresting officers that he was under post-surgical care and brought with him his medication, a
“bone stimulator,” and a neck brace. Id. During the course of his ten-day stay at the McLennan
County Jail, he was sporadically denied medication, suffered neck pain and muscle spasms, was
forced to sleep on a one-inch thick mattress on a steel frame, and was unable to sleep. Id. at 2–3.
He, however, was allowed to wear his neck brace and, at times, his bone stimulator. Id. at 2.
Breidel was also seen by John Doe, M.D. at least twice and spent the majority of his stay in
medical segregation. Id. at 2–3. According to Breidel, John Doe, M.D. ignored his surgeon’s
“protocol for pain management” and informed Breidel that he would not be able to receive his
prescriptions for Vicodin or Ambien, as they are controlled substances at the jail. Id. at 2.
On January 14, the eleventh day of his detention, Breidel was transported by Extradition
Transport Services in a van from McLennan County Jail in Waco, Texas to Harris County Jail in
Houston, Texas. Id. at 2–3. Breidel was permitted to wear his bone stimulator and neck brace
for the duration of his transport, which he claims lasted approximately twenty-four hours, but he
was in constant pain. Id. He was given a dose of paid medication midway through the trip, but
he complains that Extradition’s employees, John Does 1 and 2, were insensitive to his medical
condition and unresponsive to his requests for addition pain medication and breaks. Id. at 2–3.
On January 15, 2011, Breidel arrived at Harris County Jail. Breidel complains that
1
Plaintiff was arrested for failure to appear at a properly set and noticed hearing regarding his failure to pay child
support. Court Docs. in Case No. 2004-29324, Doc. 16, Ex. B at 1.
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during the course of his five-day stay at Harris County Jail he was strip-searched, was forced to
sleep without a mattress for one night, was occasionally denied medication and/or his bone
stimulator, endured severe paid, was unable to sleep, and got into a physical altercation with
another inmate. Id. at 6–7. According to his complaint, the other inmate “jumped up and
grabbed [Breidel] by the [neck] brace at the throat area, pulled on [his] brace and swung at [his]
head. [Breidel] grabbed a handful of [the inmate’s] hair and hit him three times real quick. [The
inmate] went down, holding his mouth and said ‘enough, enough.’” Id. at 6.
Breidel also complains generally about the poor conditions and poor treatment of inmates
at Harris County Jail. Id. He states that upon his arrival, he was held in a “cell tank” with
approximately 60–80 other inmates where he witnessed the rape of another inmate. Id. at 5.
Later that day, while being held in another cell tank with approximately 40 other inmates, he
witnessed an inmate die during an epileptic episode after his cries for his “shot and medicine”
were ignored by the guards. Id. While at the Harris County Jail, Breidel was seen by a physician
and a psychiatrist. Id. at 6. The physician gave Breidel Vicodin for his pain and the psychiatrist
gave him a prescription for sleep and another for anxiety. Id. He also received one dose of all of
his previously prescribed medications. Id. Breidel was released on January 19, 2011 after
posting bond. Id. at 8; Court Docs. in Case No. 2004-29324, Doc. 16, Ex. B at 4.
Breidel alleges that all Defendants violated his constitutional rights by using excessive
force against him, failing to protect him, and making “unreasonable use of search and seizure.”
Doc. 5 at 8. Breidel also alleges that Defendant John Doe M.D. “acted with gross negligence
under color of law in depriving Breidel of his needed and prescribed medications.” Id. He
contends that both of the Defendant Counties, by and through their respective Sheriff’s Offices,
have a notable history of detainee/prisoner abuse. Id. He claims that as a result of the denial of
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his post-surgical medical care, he was required to undergo additional spinal injections, physical
therapy, and spinal lumbar surgery. Id. Additionally, he claims that he now suffers from posttraumatic stress disorder. Id. He requests damages for pain and injury, loss of income, loss of
future income, medical expenses, punitive damages, and attorney’s fees in an amount not less
than $623,234.00. Id. at 8–9.
II.
McLennan County’s Motion to Dismiss for Improper Venue
Defendant McLennan County moves to dismiss Breidel’s claims against it pursuant to
Rule 12(b)(3) for improper venue. In the alternative, McLennan County argues that the Court
should sever and transfer the action against it to the Western District of Texas pursuant to Rule
21, which allows a court to sua sponte sever any claim against a party.
A defendant may move to dismiss an action based on improper venue pursuant to Rule
12(b)(3). FED. R. CIV. P. 12(b)(3). Once a defendant challenges venue, the plaintiff has the
burden of demonstrating that the chosen venue is proper. Am. Gen. Life Ins. Co. v. Rasche, 273
F.R.D. 391, 396 (S.D. Tex. 2011) (citation omitted). “On a Rule 12(b)(3) motion to dismiss for
improper venue, the court must accept as true all allegations in the complaint and resolve all
conflicts in favor of the plaintiff.” Braspetro Oil Servs. v. Modec (USA), Inc., 240 F. App’x.
612, 615 (5th Cir. 2007) (per curiam) (citations omitted). If venue is improper, 28 U.S.C.
§ 1406(a) instructs courts to “dismiss, or if it be in the interest of justice, transfer such case to
any district or division in which it could have been brought.” 28 U.S.C. § 1406(a). The decision
to dismiss or transfer a case lies within the court’s discretion. AllChem Performance Prods., Inc.
v. Aqualine Warehouse, LLC, 878 F. Supp. 2d 779, 788 (S.D. Tex. 2012) (citing Dublin v. United
States, 380 F.2d 813, 815 (5th Cir. 1967)).
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Since 42 U.S.C. § 1983 contains no specific venue provision, venue in this case is
determined under the general venue state, 28 U.S.C. § 1391(b), which provides:
A civil action may be brought in—(1) a judicial district in which any defendant
resides, if all defendants are residents of the State in which the district is located;
(2) a judicial district in which a substantial part of the events or omissions giving
rise to the claim occurred…; or (3) if there is no district in which an action may
otherwise be brought as provided in this section, any judicial district in which any
defendant is subject to the court’s personal jurisdiction with respect to such
action.
Breidel argues that venue is proper in the Southern District of Texas under subsection (b)(1)
since Defendants Harris County Sheriff’s Office and Harris County reside in the Southern
District of Texas and all named Defendants are residents of Texas. Doc. 14 at 1–2.
McLennan County claims that venue in the Southern District is improper because
Breidel’s claims against it are unrelated to his claims against the Harris County Defendants and
do not arise from actions or omissions in this district. Doc. 9 ¶ 1.3–1.5. It argues that Breidel’s
claims against the two counties involve different actors and allegations and took place in
different districts. Id. As such, it argues that it is improperly joined under Rule 20(a)(2), which
governs permissive joinder of defendants.
Rule 20(a)(2) provides:
“Persons…may be joined in one action as defendants if:
(A) any right to relief is asserted against them jointly, severally, or in the
alternative with respect to or arising out of the same transaction, occurrence, or
series of transaction or occurrences; and
(B) any question of law or fact common to all defendants will arise in the action.
FED. R. CIV. P. 20(a)(2). A “series of transactions or occurrences,” means some connection or
logical relationship between various transactions or occurrences such as a “nucleus of operative
facts or law.” Hanley v. First Investors Corp., 151 F.R.D. 76, 79 (E.D. Tex. 1993). Rule 20 is
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intended to be liberally construed in order to promote trial convenience. Walker v. City of Hous.,
341 F. Supp. 1124, 1132 (S.D. Tex. 1971).
McLennan County maintains that Breidel’s claims against it should be dismissed because
“Plaintiff cannot combine separate and discrete complaints against multiple defendants into a
single complaint to obtain the venue of his choosing.” Id. ¶ 1.5. In support of its motion,
McLennan County relies in part on Tolston v. Creek, No. 3:09-CV-2151, 2010 WL 2195486, at
*2–3 (W.D. La. April 28, 2010) (holding plaintiff’s claims for mistreatment at a facility located
in one district were not related to his claims for mistreatment at a facility in another district and
venue was improper) and Williams v. Schwarzenegger, No. C-10-4054, 2011 WL 856263, at *1
(N.D. Cal. March 9, 2011) (dismissing claims that arose in prisons outside the judicial district for
improper venue). Neither of these cases, however, alleged that defendants were jointly and
severally liable for a single injury to the plaintiff or that the treatment at the different facilities
was related in any way. Breidel argues that McLennan County is properly joined in this action
as he asserts claims for damages for his injuries against Defendants jointly, severally, or in the
alternative, within the meaning of Rule 20(a)(2)(A), and to what degree each Defendant is liable
will be a question for the jury to decide. Pl.’s Resp. ¶ 2.3. In addition, he argues that severance
of the case would be unduly burdensome and costly for him. Id.
Examining the facts of this case, the Court finds that the complaint shows that
Defendants are properly joined within the meaning of Rule 20(a)(2). Plaintiff asserts a right to
relief against all Defendants jointly, the allegations arise out of a common nucleus of operative
facts, and there are common questions of both law and fact. In addition, Plaintiff has met his
burden to show that venue is proper in this district as at least one of the Defendants resides
herein and all Defendants are residents of the State in which this district is located. Defendant
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McLennan County’s motion to dismiss for improper venue is denied. Likewise, its motion to
transfer venue pursuant to Rule 21 is denied.
Rather than rule on McLennan County’s motion to dismiss for failure to state a claim, the
Court will consider McLennan County’s motion for summary judgment in conjunction with
Harris County’s motion for summary judgment in order to reach the merits of the case.
III.
Motions for Summary Judgment
Because McLennan County and Harris County raise nearly identical arguments in their
respective motions for summary judgment and because Breidel asserts most of his claims against
all Defendants jointly and severally, the Court proceeds to consider both motions in conjunction
for efficiency. Defendants argue that they are entitled to summary judgment on Breidel’s claims
because they are based on conclusory allegations lacking factual support and because he cannot
establish municipal liability under 42 U.S.C. § 1983. In support of its motion, Harris County
offers the following three exhibits: (1) the Affidavit of Rosa Ming, Custodian of the Records of
the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, with Breidel’s inmate medical records attached thereto (Doc.
16, Ex A); (2) certified copies of the following documents from Case No. 2004-29323; In the
Interest of Jeremy David Breidel, Hannah Leigh Breidel, and Aidan Jacob Breidel, Minor
Children; in the 245th Judicial District Court for Harris County Texas: Order for Capias for
Arrest of Respondent and Agreed Order to Forfeit Bond, Disburse Funds and Declare
Incarceration Penalties Satisfied (Doc. 16, Ex. B); and (3) the Affidavit of Harris County
Sheriff’s Office Captain Ronny Taylor (Doc. 16, Ex. C).
Nowhere does Harris County summarize the contents of the medical records, and many
of the notations contained therein are barely legible. Nonetheless, a cursory review of the
records reveals that upon his intake into Harris County Jail on January 15, Breidel underwent a
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medical and psychological screening evaluation. Doc. 16, Ex. A-1 at 4, 6. The next day he was
seen again by the attending physician who wrote in his chart:
“Pt. recovering well from his operation. Everything looked fine on his 2-week
checkup per the pt. [Zero] complaints today other than post-op pain…Plan: 1) to
see MH; 2) Hydrocodone 5/500 tab; 3) Tramadol 50 mg…”
Doc. 16, Ex. A-1 at 13. He was also seen by a psychiatrist who prescribed for him a sleep aid
and anti-anxiety medication. Doc. 16, Ex. A-1 at 14–15.
The capias warrant for Breidel’s arrest was issued on June 10, 2010 after he failed to
appear at a duly and properly set hearing. Doc. 16, Ex. B at 1. The clerk set bond for $10,000.
Id. The Agreed Order to Forfeit Bond, Disburse Funds and Declare Incarceration Penalties
Satisfied shows that Breidel was released after he posted bond on January 19, 2011.
McLennan County has not offered any evidence in support of its motion for summary
judgment.
A.
Summary Judgment Legal Standard
Summary judgment is proper if the evidence, viewed in the light most favorable to the
nonmoving party, shows that there is no genuine dispute of material fact and the movant is
entitled to judgment as a matter of law. FED. R. CIV. P. 56(a); Matsushita Elec. Indus. Co. v.
Zenith Radio Corp., 475 U.S. 574, 587 (1986). A dispute is genuine if the evidence presents an
issue “that properly can be resolved only by a finder of fact because [it] may reasonably be
resolved in favor of either party.” Id. at 250. Therefore, the court must not make determinations
of credibility or weight and “must disregard all evidence favorable to the moving party that the
jury is not required to believe.” Sandstad v. CB Richard Ellis, Inc., 309 F.3d 893, 896 (5th Cir.
2002) (citing Reeves v. Sanderson Plumbing Prods., Inc., 530 U.S. 133, 150 (2000)). The
substantive law determines which facts are material. Id. at 247.
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Where the nonmovant bears the burden of proof at trial, the movant need only point to
the absence of evidence supporting an essential element of the nonmovant’s case; the movant
does not have to support its motion with evidence negating the case. Little v. Liquid Air Corp.,
37 F.3d 1069, 1075 (5th Cir. 1994). If the movant succeeds, the nonmovant can defeat the
motion for summary judgment only by identifying specific evidence of a genuine issue of
material fact. Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 248–49 (1986). The nonmovant
may not rely merely on allegations, denials in a pleading or unsubstantiated assertions that a fact
issue exists, but must set forth specific facts showing the existence of a genuine issue of material
fact concerning every element of its cause(s) of action. Morris v. Covan World Wide Moving,
Inc., 144 F.3d 377, 380 (5th Cir. 1998). Conclusory allegations unsupported by evidence will
not preclude summary judgment. Nat’l Ass’n of Gov’t Emps., 40 F.3d at 713; Eason v. Thaler,
73 F.3d 1322, 1325 (5th Cir. 1996). “‘[T]he mere existence of some alleged factual dispute
between the parties will not defeat an otherwise properly supported motion for summary
judgment ....’” State Farm Life Ins. Co. v. Gutterman, 896 F.2d 116, 118 (5th Cir. 1990),
quoting Anderson, 477 U.S. at 247–48. “Nor is the ‘mere scintilla of evidence’ sufficient; ‘there
must be evidence on which the jury could reasonably find for the plaintiff.’” Id. The Fifth
Circuit requires the nonmovant to submit “‘significant probative evidence.’”
Id.
“If the
evidence is merely colorable, or is not significantly probative, summary judgment may be
granted.” Thomas v. Barton Lodge II, Ltd., 174 F.3d 636, 644 (5th Cir. 1999).
B.
Discussion
Breidel asserts claims against all Defendants under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 for (1) unreasonable
search and seizure; (2) use of excessive force; and (3) failure to protect; and against John Doe,
M.D. alone for denial of medical care. Title 42 U.S.C. § 1983 does not grant substantive rights,
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but provides a vehicle for a plaintiff to vindicate rights protected by the United States
Constitution and other federal laws. Albright v. Oliver, 510 U.S. 226, 271 (1994). It provides a
remedy to a person who suffers a deprivation of his rights, privileges, or immunities secured by
the Constitution and the laws of the United States by a person acting under color of state law. Id.
To state a claim under the statute, a plaintiff must prove: (i) the deprivation of a right secured by
federal law; (ii) the deprivation occurred under the color of state law; and (iii) the deprivation
was caused by a state actor. Uresti v. Reyes, 506 F. App’x 328, 329 (5th Cir. 2013) (per curiam)
(citing Victoria W v. Larpenter, 369 F.3d 475, 482 (5th Cir. 2004)).
Claims under § 1983 may be brought against persons in their individual or official
capacity, or against a governmental entity.2 See Bd. Of Cnty. Comm’rs of Bryan Cnty. v. Brown,
520 U.S. 397, 403 (1997). In this action, Breidel expressly sues John Doe, M.D., the doctor at
the McLennan County Jail, in his official capacity, John Does 1 and 2, employees of Extradition
Transport Services, in their individual or personal capacities, as well as Extradition Transport
Services, the McLennan County Sheriff’s Office, the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, and the
Defendant Counties. He conclusorily asserts that “[a]ll of the [D]efendants…are [“]persons[”] as
defined by law who acted under the color of law…” Doc. 5 at 8.
Personal-capacity suits seek to impose liability upon a government official as an
individual, while official-capacity suits “generally represent only another way of pleading an
action against an entity of which an officer is an agent.” Monell v. Dep’t of Soc. Servs. of City of
New York, 436 U.S. 658, 690 n.55 (1978)). Thus, “an official capacity suit is, in all respects
other than name, to be treated as a suit against the entity. It is not a suit against the official
personally, for the real party in interest is the entity.” Kentucky v. Graham, 473 U.S. 159, 165
2
The capacity of an entity to sue or be sued is determined according to state law. Fed. R. Civ. Pro. 17(b)(3).
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(1985). In a personal-capacity suit, “it is enough to show that the official, acting under color of
state law, caused the deprivation of a federal right.” Id.
McLennan County moves the Court to dismiss Breidel’s claim against John Doe, M.D.
under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 4(m). Doc. 18 ¶ 4. Rule 4(m) provides:
If a defendant is not served within 120 days after the complaint is filed, the
court—on motion or on its own after notice to the plaintiff—must dismiss the
action without prejudice against that defendant or order that service be made
within a specified time. But if the plaintiff shows good cause for the failure, the
court must extend the time for service for an appropriate period.
FED. R. CIV. P. 4(m). Breidel has not served John Doe, M.D., nor has he served Extradition
Transport Services, nor John Does 1 and 2. He has not made a showing of good cause for his
failure to do so and did not file a response to McLennan County’s motion for summary
judgment.
Accordingly, the Court determines that it is appropriate to dismiss Extradition
Transport Services and John Does 1 and 2 with prejudice under to Rule 4(m). The Court,
however, does not dismiss Breidel’s claim against John Doe, M.D. on this basis, as Breidel sues
John Doe, M.D in his official capacity and therefore his claim is properly treated as a claim
against McLennan County.
Breidel’s claims against the McLennan County Sheriff’s Office and the Harris County
Sheriff’s Office must also be dismissed. In the Fifth Circuit, individual municipal departments
such as the Harris County Sheriff’s Office are not “persons” under 42 U.S.C. § 1983. Darby v.
Pasadena Police Dept., 939 F.2d 311 (5th Cir. 1991). Municipalities, however, are considered
“persons” that may be sued directly under § 1983. Monell, 436 U.S. at 694. Thus, Breidel’s
claims are properly brought against the Defendant Counties only.
1.
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Unreasonable Search and Seizure
The Fourth Amendment provides that “[t]he right of the people to be secure in their
persons…against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated…” U.S. CONST.
AMEND.
IV. “With regard to pretrial confinement, the sole issue under the Fourth Amendment is
whether there is probable cause for detaining the arrested person pending further proceedings.”
Whittington v. Maxwell, 455 F. A’ppx 450, 458 (5th Cir. 2011) (internal quotations marks,
alterations, and citations omitted). Defendants argue that they are entitled to summary judgment
on Breidel’s Fourth Amendment claims for unreasonable search and seizure because he does not
allege any facts to support his claim and because he was lawfully arrested under a capias
warrant. Doc. 16 ¶¶ 18–21; Doc. 16-2. Breidel does not include any additional facts or evidence
to support his Fourth Amendment claim in his reply to Defendants’ motions. See Doc. 19.
Viewing the complaint in a light most favorable to Breidel, the Court concludes that the record is
devoid of any allegations or evidence that Breidel was subject to an illegal search or seizure in
violation of the Fourth Amendment. It is undisputed that Breidel was arrested under a lawful
capias warrant for failure to appear at a duly and properly noticed hearing regarding his failure to
pay child support. Doc. 16-2. The capias provides that it is to be treated in the same manner as
an arrest warrant for a criminal offense throughout the State of Texas. Id. Thus, Defendants are
entitled to summary judgment on Breidel’s Fourth Amendment claims.
2.
Excessive Force
The Supreme Court has indicated that the due process clause in the Fifth (or Fourteenth)
Amendment is the proper constitutional basis for pretrial detainee excessive force claims.
Graham v. Connor, 490 U.S. 386 (1989); Bell v. Wolfish, 441 U.S. 520 (1979); see also Valencia
v. Wiggins, 981 F.2d 1440, 1445 (5th Cir. 1993). In determining whether a pretrial detainee has
stated a claim for use of excessive force, courts consider “whether force was applied in a good
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faith effort to maintain or restore discipline, or maliciously and sadistically for the very purpose
of causing harm.” Valencia, 981 F.2d at 1446 (citing Hudson v. McMillian, 503 U.S. 1, 6
(1992)).
Defendants contend that they are entitled to summary judgment on Breidel’s claims for
excessive force since his complaint does not allege that force was ever used against him either
during his arrest or during his detention by anyone acting under color of state law. Doc. 16 ¶¶
22–24. Again, Breidel does not include any additional facts or evidence to support his claim for
excessive force in his reply to Defendants’ motions. See Doc. 19. Viewing the complaint in a
light most favorable to Breidel, the Court concludes that the record is devoid of any allegations
or evidence that Defendants used excessive force against Breidel in violation of his Fourteenth
Amendment right to due process. Accordingly, Defendants are entitled to summary judgment on
Breidel’s excessive force claim.
3.
Failure to Protect
Like his claim for excessive force, Breidel’s claim for failure to protect is properly
brought under the Fourteenth Amendment, which “places a duty on the State to protect against
harm to persons in its confinement.” Brown v. Harris Cnty., Tex., 409 F. App’x 728, 730 (5th
Cir. 2010) (citing Hare v. City of Corinth, 74 F.3d 633, 639 (5th Cir. 1996) (en banc)). In order
to state a claim for failure to protect under § 1983, a plaintiff must show that he was incarcerated
under conditions that posed a substantial risk of serious harm and that prison official were
deliberately indifferent to his need for protection. Neals v. Norwood, 59 F.3d 530, 533 (5th Cir.
1995) (citing Farmer, 511 U.S. at 834).
Defendants argue that they are entitled to summary judgment on Breidel’s claim for
failure to protect because he has not offered any facts to establish municipal liability for his
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claim under § 1983. The Court need not reach the issue of whether or not Breidel establishes
municipal liability under § 1983 since the Court concludes that Breidel has not alleged facts
sufficient to state a plausible claim for failure to protect.3 Breidel does not allege he was
incarcerated in conditions that posed a substantial risk of serious harm, nor does he allege that
any jail officials were deliberately indifferent to his need for protection. In fact, Breidel admits
in his complaint that he spent the majority of his stay at McLennan County Jail in medical
segregation, indicating that jail officials were definitively not indifferent to his needs. Breidel
does not specify the basis for his failure-to-protect claim in his complaint or in his reply to
Defendants’ motions, but viewing Breidel’s complaint in a light most favorable to him, the Court
finds that the altercation between Breidel and the other inmate, where the other inmate allegedly
grabbed Breidel by the neck, is the only possible basis for his failure to protect claim. Breidel
does not allege that he was injured in this altercation, and his description of the events suggests
that in fact it was Breidel who injured the other inmate. See Doc. 5 at 6. It is apparent from
Breidel’s complaint that he was not faced with a substantial risk of serious harm. Accordingly,
the Court grants Defendants’ motion for summary judgment on Breidel’s claim for failure to
protect.
4.
Denial of Medical Care
As previously articulated, although Breidel asserts his claim for denial of medical care
3
In his reply, Breidel attempts to establish municipal liability against Harris County under § 1983 by submitting a
letter from the United States Department of Justice to Harris County Judge Ed Emmett, dated June 4, 2009,
regarding an investigation into the conditions of the Harris County Jail, conducted pursuant to the Civil Rights of
Institutionalized Persons Act, 42 U.S.C. § 1997 (Doc. 19-1), and an article from the Houston Chronicle, dated
January 29, 2012, which relies on recent examples of excessive force and unreasonable searches in the Harris
County Jail to support a conclusion that the inmates continue suffer under the conditions described in the June 2009
DOJ Letter. Harris County filed a reply to Breidel’s response (Doc. 22), styled as “Defendant Harris County’s
Objections, Motion to Strike and Reply to Plaintiff’s Response to its Motion for Summary Judgment.” In it, they
object to and move to strike both the DOJ Letter and the article from the Houston Chronicle as irrelevant and
inadmissible hearsay. Doc. 21. Because the Court concludes that Breidel has failed to allege facts sufficient to
support his claim for failure to protect, the Court need not reach the issue of municipal liability under his claim and
Harris County’s Motion to Strike is rendered moot.
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against John Doe, M.D. in his official capacity, a suit against a municipal official in his official
capacity is no different from a suit against the municipality itself. Will v. Mich. Dep’t of State
Police, 491 U.S. 58, 71 (1989). Thus, Breidel’s claim is properly brought against McLennan
County.
A pretrial detainee’s claim for denial of constitutionally adequate medical care also arises
under the deprivation of substantive due process under the Fourteenth Amendment. Wagner v.
Bay City, 227 F.3d 316, 324 (5th Cir. 2000); Gutierrez v. City of San Antonio, 139 F.3d 441, 452
(5th Cir. 1998) (citing Brothers v. Klevenhagen, 28 F.3d 452, 455–56 (5th Cir. 1994)). The Fifth
Circuit applies the same standard for assessing constitutional claims of denial of medical care to
pretrial detainees under the Fourteenth Amendment as it does for denial of medical care to
convicted inmates under the Eighth Amendment. Gibbs v. Grimmette, 254 F.3d 545, 548 (5th
Cir. 2001), cert denied, 534 U.S. 1136 (2002).4 The Eighth Amendment requires that prisoners
receive “adequate medical care.” See Rogers v. Boatright, 709 F.3d 403, 409 (5th Cir. 2013).
In order to state a cognizable claim for denial of medical care under the Eighth
Amendment, a prisoner must allege acts or omissions sufficiently harmful to evidence the
deliberate indifferent serious medical needs. Morris v. Livingston, 739 F.3d 740, 746 (5th Cir.),
cert. denied, —— U.S. ——, 134 S. Ct. 2734 (2014). The Supreme Court explains the test as
follows:
[A] prison official violates the Eighth only when two requirements are
met. First, the deprivation alleged must be, objectively, “sufficiently
serious;” a prison official’s act or omission must result in the denial of
“the minimal civilized measure of life’s necessities”…The second
requirement follows from the principal that “only the unnecessary and
wanton infliction of pain implicates the Eighth Amendment.” To violate
the Cruel and Unusual Punishments Clause, a prison official must have a
“sufficiently culpable state of mind.”
4
The Eighth Amendment’s prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment forbids deliberate indifference to the
serious medical needs of prisoners. Estelle v. Gamble, 429 U.S. 97, 106 (1976).
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Farmer v. Brennan, 511 U.S. 825, 834 (1994) (internal citations omitted). “A serious medical
need is one for which treatment has been recommended or for which the need is so apparent that
even laymen would recognize that care is required.” Blank v. Eavenson, 530 F. App’x 364, 368
n.7 (5th Cir.), cert. denied, —— U.S. ——, 134 S. Ct. 623 (2013) (internal quotation marks and
citations omitted). “Unsuccessful medical treatment, acts of negligence, or medical malpractice
do not constitute deliberate indifference, nor does a prisoner’s disagreement with his medical
treatment, absent exceptional circumstances.” Gobert v. Caldwell, 463 F.3d 339, 347 (5th Cir.
2006) (quoting Farmer, 511 U.S. at 847). “In order to demonstrate deliberate indifference when
alleging inadequate medical treatment, a prisoner must show that officials ‘refused to treat him,
ignored his complaints, intentionally treated him incorrectly, or engaged in any similar conduct
that would clearly evince a wanton disregard for any serious medical needs.’” Coleman v.
Sweetin, 745 F.3d 756, 764 (5th Cir. 2014) (quoting Gobert v. Caldwell, 463 F.3d 339, 346 (5th
Cir. 2006) (internal quotation marks omitted).
McLennan County contends that it is entitled to summary judgment on Breidel’s claim
for failure to protect because he has not offered any facts to establish municipal liability under §
1983. Again, the Court need not reach the issue of whether or not Breidel establishes municipal
liability under § 1983 because the Court concludes that Breidel has not alleged facts sufficient to
state a plausible claim under the Fourteenth Amendment for denial of medical care. While it is
not in dispute that Breidel’s post-surgical condition presented “serious medical needs,” it is clear
from Breidel’s complaint that McLennan County officials were not “deliberately indifferent” to
those needs. In his complaint, Breidel admits that the was consistently allowed to wear his neck
brace and, at times, his bone stimulator; he was seen by John Doe, M.D. at least twice; and he
spent the majority of his stay at McLennan County jail in medical segregation. Id. at 2–3.
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Furthermore, Breidel states in his complaint that Defendant John Doe, M.D. “acted with gross
negligence under color of law in depriving Breidel of his needed and prescribed medications.”
Id. Gross negligence will not suffice to violate the due process rights of pretrial detainee. Hare,
74 F.3d at 645. Accordingly, McLennan County’s motion for summary judgment is granted as
to Breidel’s claim for denial of medical care.
IV.
Conclusion
For the foregoing reasons, it is hereby
ORDERED that Defendant McLennan County’s Motion to Dismiss for Improper Venue,
Alternative Motion to Transfer Venue, and Alternative Motion to Dismiss for Failure to State a
Claim (Doc. 9) is DENIED. It is further
ORDERED that Defendant Harris County’s Motion for Summary Judgment (Doc. 16) is
GRANTED and Defendant McLennan County’s Motion for Summary Judgment (Doc. 18) is
GRANTED. Briedel’s case is DISMISSED. Defendant Harris County’s Motion to Strike (Doc.
21) is moot.
Final judgment will be entered by separate document.
SIGNED at Houston, Texas, this 6th day of August, 2014.
___________________________________
MELINDA HARMON
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
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