(PC) Wilson v. Torres et al, No. 1:2020cv01430 - Document 15 (E.D. Cal. 2021)
Court Description: ORDER Granting Plaintiff's Request to Withdraw Second Amended Complaint 14 ; ORDER VACATING March 31, 2021 13 Findings and Recommendations; FINDINGS and RECOMMENDATIONS Recommending Dismissal of Certain Claims and Defendants, signed by Magistrate Judge Barbara A. McAuliffe on 04/19/2021. Referred to Judge Drozd. Objections to F&R due within Fourteen Days. (Maldonado, C)
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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 9 EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 10 11 IAN WILSON, 12 Case No. 1:20-cv-01430-DAD-BAM (PC) Plaintiff, 13 v. 14 TORRES, et al., 15 Defendants. 16 18 FOURTEEN (14) DAY DEADLINE 19 21 22 23 ORDER VACATING MARCH 31, 2021 FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS (ECF No. 13) FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS RECOMMENDING DISMISSAL OF CERTAIN CLAIMS AND DEFENDANTS 17 20 ORDER GRANTING PLAINTIFF’S REQUEST TO WITHDRAW SECOND AMENDED COMPLAINT (ECF No. 14.) I. Background Plaintiff Ian Wilson (“Plaintiff”) is a state prisoner proceeding pro se in this civil rights action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. On March 8, 2021, the Court screened Plaintiff’s first amended complaint and granted 24 Plaintiff leave to file an amended complaint or notify the Court of his willingness to proceed on 25 the cognizable claims identified by the Court. (ECF No. 11.) Plaintiff opted to file a second 26 amended complaint. (ECF No. 12.) After screening the second amended complaint, the Court 27 issued findings and recommendations regarding dismissal of this action for failure to state a 28 claim. (ECF No. 13.) Plaintiff timely filed objections on April 16, 2021. (ECF No. 14.) 1 1 In his objections, Plaintiff requests that the Court strike his second amended complaint 2 and allow him to proceed on the first amended complaint and the cognizable claims identified in 3 the Court’s March 8, 2021 screening order. Plaintiff states that his second amended complaint 4 was merely an attempt to cure the defect in his tort claim, but in every other way he intended to 5 fully defer to the screening order. Plaintiff states that he consents to the terms of the March 8, 6 2021 screening order and agrees to proceed on those claims deemed cognizable, or alternatively 7 requests leave to file another amended complaint that would mirror the first amended complaint. 8 (Id.) Pursuant to Plaintiff’s objections, and his included request to proceed on the first amended 9 10 complaint, the Court finds it appropriate to vacate the March 31, 2021 findings and 11 recommendations regarding dismissal of action for failure to state a claim and to withdraw the 12 second amended complaint. The Court further issues new findings and recommendations that this 13 case proceed on Plaintiff’s first amended complaint and the cognizable claims therein, as 14 discussed below. 15 II. Screening Requirement 16 The Court is required to screen complaints brought by prisoners seeking relief against a 17 governmental entity and/or against an officer or employee of a governmental entity. 28 U.S.C. 18 § 1915A(a). Plaintiff’s complaint, or any portion thereof, is subject to dismissal if it is frivolous 19 or malicious, if it fails to state a claim upon which relief may be granted, or if it seeks monetary 20 relief from a defendant who is immune from such relief. 28 U.S.C. § 1915A(b). 21 A complaint must contain “a short and plain statement of the claim showing that the 22 pleader is entitled to relief. . . .” Fed. R. Civ. P. 8(a)(2). Detailed factual allegations are not 23 required, but “[t]hreadbare recitals of the elements of a cause of action, supported by mere 24 conclusory statements, do not suffice.” Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662, 678 (2009) (citing Bell 25 Atlantic Corp. v. Twombly, 550 U.S. 544, 555 (2007)). While a plaintiff’s allegations are taken as 26 true, courts “are not required to indulge unwarranted inferences.” Doe I v. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., 27 572 F.3d 677, 681 (9th Cir. 2009) (internal quotation marks and citation omitted). 28 /// 2 1 To survive screening, Plaintiff’s claims must be facially plausible, which requires 2 sufficient factual detail to allow the Court to reasonably infer that each named defendant is liable 3 for the misconduct alleged. Iqbal, 556 U.S. at 678 (quotation marks omitted); Moss v. U.S. Secret 4 Serv., 572 F.3d 962, 969 (9th Cir. 2009). The sheer possibility that a defendant acted unlawfully 5 is not sufficient, and mere consistency with liability falls short of satisfying the plausibility 6 standard. Iqbal, 556 U.S. at 678 (quotation marks omitted); Moss, 572 F.3d at 969. 7 III. 8 9 Plaintiff’s Allegations Plaintiff is currently housed at Valley State Prison in Chowchilla, California. The events in the complaint allegedly arose at Valley State Prison. Plaintiff names the following defendants: 10 (1) Rachelle Torres, doctor; (2) Delia Pagal, RN; (3) Harminder Longia, PT&S; (4) Kiran Toor, 11 doctor; (5) Harpreet Gill, P&S; (6) Wei Gu, P&S; (7) California Correctional Health Care 12 Services “CCHCS”; and (8) Does 1–10. 13 In claim 1, Plaintiff alleges deliberate indifference to medical needs by denying or 14 delaying his medical care and treatment. Plaintiff alleges that as far back as May 2019, Plaintiff 15 complained about his enlarged testicles. On May 30, 2019, Defendant Longia, the physician 16 manager, assessed the medical condition (hydrocele) as a priority. Defendant Gill diagnosed 17 Plaintiff with an “enlarged left testicle” and submitted an RFS for an ultrasound. Plaintiff 18 complained about the sensitivity and pain. Plaintiff was again examined on June 14, 2019 by 19 Defendant Gu, who took no additional action. On July 10, 2019, Defendant Gill reviewed the 20 scrotal report and noted a very large hydrocele with floating internal echoes. Plaintiff was seen 21 on July 17, 2019 on Plaintiff’s complaint that he has had a hydrocele for quite a long time, and it 22 has been enlarging and causing discomfort. Defendant Gill claims in his report that he ordered a 23 hydrocele support. Plaintiff alleges that the “support” was not provided. Defendant Gill also said 24 that he would refer Plaintiff to urology for further evaluation. 25 At this point, Plaintiff had the condition for 2 months had not received any substantial or 26 meaningful treatment despite his severe pain, discomfort and inability to perform normal daily 27 activities. Plaintiff alleges that an August 12, 2019 treatment note states “case coordinator co- 28 consult ref – I/P referred for scrotal support for hydrocele, but no order was placed for CME item. 3 1 EUHT review. PT with HX of scrotal pain with documented hydrocele. DX hydrocele.” The note 2 does not mention referral to urology even though the request for services did. The DME for the 3 scrotal support was not placed, causing further delay and unnecessary infliction of pain. During 4 May–July 2019, Plaintiff persisted in complaining; he informed the CCHCS that the pain was 5 getting much work and his testicle was getting more swollen and insisted on some kind of relief. 6 He did not get any. 7 On August 11, 2019, Plaintiff hobbled to “the TTA” advising staff he could not walk, and 8 he had not been referred to urology. As a result, Plaintiff was seen by Defendant Toor on August 9 15, 2019. Toor noted “bilateral hydrocele with appears to be chronic.” But did not provide 10 anything to the patient including the scrotal support. Toor reported “given the size of the lesion, I 11 will order a scrotal support on the weekday for more comfort.” He did not mention a pending 12 urology appointed. Meanwhile, Plaintiff was in agony. Up until this time frame, nothing had 13 been done or provided to Plaintiff. He was left, untreated, in acute discomfort, pain and suffering. 14 He was not given any pain medication. After all this delay, on October 10, 2019, the urologist, Dr. Liu,1 ordered immediate 15 16 surgery. He examined Plaintiff and his medical file. CCHCS and staff were made aware of the 17 treatment plan through the progress note. The plan stated that surgical repair was needed to 18 address the large hydrocele on the left side and Plaintiff accepted the plan. On October 21, 2019, 19 Defendant Torres saw Plaintiff and followed up on Dr. Liu’s recommendations for surgery. The 20 next day surgery was denied by Defendant Pagal and Longia. Defendant Pagal noted to Longia, 21 who did not do any of his own due diligence, that Plaintiff did not have enough time left on his 22 sentence to have the surgery or follow up. Plaintiff alleges that is completely wrong because 23 Plaintiff had years left to serve in custody. Plaintiff’s medical history shows a long history of pain, but Pagal and Longia callously 24 25 rescinded Dr. Torres’ surgery request and Dr. Liu’s recommendation. Plaintiff was not 26 27 28 1 Plaintiff refers to this doctor as both Dr. Liu and Dr. Lui. The Court will adopt the spelling of “Liu.” It does not appear Plaintiff is alleging any claims against Dr. Liu because he/she is not named as a defendant. 4 1 interviewed to find out his release date or study his file because his file shows he is serving a life 2 sentence. A January 22, 2019 medical note states “discussed with PCP, chronic condition. Patient 3 does not have enough time for appropriate follow up after surgery.” The cancelation was signed 4 by Longia on October 25, 2019 in response to Pagal’s actions of October 22, 2019. 5 Thereafter, on November 21, 2019, Plaintiff told Torres that the December 25, 2019 6 surgery should not have been denied because Plaintiff has years left on his sentence and Plaintiff 7 was in severe pain and suffering. Torres agreed to resubmit the request for services for 8 hydrocelectomy and request for urology. Defendant Gu generated a request for services on 9 November 22, 2019 and noted that Plaintiff “does not parole soon he has life sentence.” 10 Many more months passed without surgery or any relief. His medical care was 11 intentionally delayed and denied until Plaintiff filed his administrative grievance. After the 12 November 22, 2019 request for services, and by March 24, 2020, Plaintiff still was without 13 treatment or surgery. On this date, Plaintiff’s appointment with urology for hydrocelectomy was 14 cancelled by Defendant Torres. Plaintiff filed a grievance. In May 2020, Plaintiff got his surgery, 15 after a year since CCHCS and the other defendants had been made aware of and knew of 16 Plaintiff’s need for medical treatment. 17 18 In claim 2, Plaintiff alleges professional negligence, medical malpractice and negligence. He realleges the facts from claim 1. 19 20 As remedies, Plaintiff sees compensatory and punitive damages. IV. Discussion 21 A. Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 8 22 Pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 8, a complaint must contain “a short and plain 23 statement of the claim showing that the pleader is entitled to relief.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 8(a). 24 Detailed factual allegations are not required, but “[t]hreadbare recitals of the elements of a cause 25 of action, supported by mere conclusory statements, do not suffice.” Iqbal, 556 U.S. at 678 26 (citation omitted). Plaintiff must set forth “sufficient factual matter, accepted as true, to ‘state a 27 claim to relief that is plausible on its face.’” Iqbal, 556 U.S. at 678 (quoting Twombly, 550 U.S. 28 at 555). While factual allegations are accepted as true, legal conclusions are not. Id.; see also 5 1 Twombly, 550 U.S. at 556–57. 2 Although Plaintiff's complaint is relatively short, it is not a plain statement of his claims. 3 As a basic matter, the complaint does not clearly state what happened, when it happened or who 4 was involved. Plaintiff’s allegations must be based on facts as to what happened and not 5 conclusions. Specifically, plaintiff fails to identify what each of the defendants did or did not do. 6 It is unclear what each defendant did in response to Plaintiff’s complaint of pain. 7 B. 8 The Civil Rights Act under which this action was filed provides: 9 Every person who, under color of [state law]...subjects, or causes to be subjected, any citizen of the United States...to the deprivation of any rights, privileges, or immunities secured by the Constitution...shall be liable to the party injured in an action at law, suit in equity, or other proper proceeding for redress. 10 11 12 13 Linkage Requirement 42 U.S.C. § 1983. The statute plainly requires that there be an actual connection or link between the actions 14 of the defendants and the deprivation alleged to have been suffered by Plaintiff. See Monell v. 15 Dep’t of Soc. Servs., 436 U.S. 658, (1978); Rizzo v. Goode, 423 U.S. 362, (1976). The Ninth 16 Circuit has held that “[a] person ‘subjects another to the deprivation of a constitutional right, 17 within the meaning of section 1983, if he does an affirmative act, participates in another’s 18 affirmative acts or omits to perform an act which he is legally required to do that causes the 19 deprivation of which complaint is made.” Johnson v. Duffy, 588 F.2d 740, 743 (9th Cir. 1978). 20 Plaintiff fails to identify what each of the defendants did or did not do and to link each 21 defendant to potential constitutional violations. Plaintiff refers to actions as CCHCS or staff. 22 Plaintiff must name individual defendants and allege what each defendant did or did not do that 23 resulted in a violation of his constitutional rights. In addition, Plaintiff does not have any 24 allegations against Defendants Does 1–10. 25 C. Supervisor Liability 26 Insofar as Plaintiff is attempting to sue any defendants as a supervisor, based solely upon 27 his supervisory role, he may not do so. Liability may not be imposed on supervisory personnel 28 for the actions or omissions of their subordinates under the theory of respondeat superior. Iqbal, 6 1 556 U.S. at 676–77; Simmons v. Navajo Cty., Ariz., 609 F.3d 1011, 1020–21 (9th Cir. 2010); 2 Ewing v. City of Stockton, 588 F.3d 1218, 1235 (9th Cir. 2009); Jones v. Williams, 297 F.3d 930, 3 934 (9th Cir. 2002) Supervisors may be held liable only if they “participated in or directed the violations, or 4 5 knew of the violations and failed to act to prevent them.” Taylor v. List, 880 F.2d 1040, 1045 6 (9th Cir. 1989); accord Starr v. Baca, 652 F.3d 1202, 1205–06 (9th Cir. 2011); Corales v. 7 Bennett, 567 F.3d 554, 570 (9th Cir. 2009). Supervisory liability may also exist without any 8 personal participation if the official implemented “a policy so deficient that the policy itself is a 9 repudiation of the constitutional rights and is the moving force of the constitutional violation.” 10 Redman v. Cty. of San Diego, 942 F.2d 1435, 1446 (9th Cir. 1991) (citations and quotations 11 marks omitted), abrogated on other grounds by Farmer v. Brennan, 511 U.S. 825 (1970). To prove liability for an action or policy, the plaintiff “must . . . demonstrate that his 12 13 deprivation resulted from an official policy or custom established by a . . . policymaker possessed 14 with final authority to establish that policy.” Waggy v. Spokane Cty. Wash., 594 F.3d 707, 713 15 (9th Cir. 2010). When a defendant holds a supervisory position, the causal link between such 16 defendant and the claimed constitutional violation must be specifically alleged. See Fayle v. 17 Stapley, 607 F.2d 858, 862 (9th Cir. 1979); Mosher v. Saalfeld, 589 F.2d 438, 441 (9th Cir. 18 1978). Vague and conclusory allegations concerning the involvement of supervisory personnel in 19 civil rights violations are not sufficient. See Ivey v. Bd. of Regents, 673 F.2d 266, 268 (9th Cir. 20 1982). 21 Plaintiff’s conclusory statements, without factual support, are insufficient to state a 22 cognizable claim of supervisory liability. See Iqbal, 556 U.S. at 678. Plaintiff has failed to allege 23 facts to support that any supervisory Defendant participated in or directed the violations, or knew 24 of the violations and failed to act to prevent them. Plaintiff also has failed to plead facts showing 25 that any policy was a moving force behind the assault. See Willard v. Cal. Dep’t of Corr. & 26 Rehab., No. 14-0760, 2014 WL 6901849, at *4 (E.D. Cal. Dec. 5, 2014) (“To premise a 27 supervisor’s alleged liability on a policy promulgated by the supervisor, plaintiff must identify a 28 specific policy and establish a ‘direct causal link’ between that policy and the alleged 7 1 constitutional deprivation.”). 2 D. Eleventh Amendment Immunity 3 Plaintiff has identified California Correctional Health Care Services as a defendant in this 4 action. However, CDCR is not a proper defendant because state agencies are immune from suit 5 under the Eleventh Amendment. See Will v. Mich. Dep’t of State Police, 491 U.S. 58, 66 (1989); 6 Lucas v. Dep’t of Corr., 66 F.3d 245, 248 (9th Cir. 1995) (per curiam) (holding that prisoner’s 7 Eighth Amendment claims against CDCR for damages and injunctive relief were barred by 8 Eleventh Amendment immunity); Pennhurst State Sch. & Hosp. v. Halderman, 465 U.S. 89, 100 9 (1984) (Eleventh Amendment immunity extends to state agencies); see also Hafer v. Melo, 502 10 U.S. 21, 30 (1991) (clarifying that Eleventh Amendment does not bar suits against state officials 11 sued in their individual capacities, nor does it bar suits for prospective injunctive relief against 12 state officials sued in their official capacities). 13 The State and arms of the State, which have traditionally enjoyed Eleventh Amendment 14 immunity, are not subject to suit under § 1983 in either federal court or state court.” Howlett v. 15 Rose, 496 U.S. 356, 365 (1990). Since the CDCR, the prison, and the departments within the 16 prison are arms of the State, they are immune, and Plaintiff fails to state any claims against them. 17 In particular, CCHCS is an arm of the state and is immune from suit. 18 E. Deliberate Indifference to Serious Medical Needs 19 While the Eighth Amendment of the United States Constitution entitles Plaintiff to 20 medical care, the Eighth Amendment is violated only when a prison official acts with deliberate 21 indifference to an inmate’s serious medical needs. Snow v. McDaniel, 681 F.3d 978, 985 (9th 22 Cir. 2012), overruled in part on other grounds, Peralta v. Dillard, 744 F.3d 1076, 1082–83 (9th 23 Cir. 2014); Wilhelm v. Rotman, 680 F.3d 1113, 1122 (9th Cir. 2012); Jett v. Penner, 439 F.3d 24 1091, 1096 (9th Cir. 2006). Plaintiff “must show (1) a serious medical need by demonstrating 25 that failure to treat [his] condition could result in further significant injury or the unnecessary and 26 wanton infliction of pain,” and (2) that “the defendant’s response to the need was deliberately 27 indifferent.” Wilhelm, 680 F.3d at 1122 (citing Jett, 439 F.3d at 1096). Deliberate indifference is 28 shown by “(a) a purposeful act or failure to respond to a prisoner’s pain or possible medical need, 8 1 and (b) harm caused by the indifference.” Wilhelm, 680 F.3d at 1122 (citing Jett, 439 F.3d at 2 1096). The requisite state of mind is one of subjective recklessness, which entails more than 3 ordinary lack of due care. Snow, 681 F.3d at 985 (citation and quotation marks omitted); 4 Wilhelm, 680 F.3d at 1122. 5 A serious medical need exists if the failure to treat the condition could result in further 6 significant injury or the unnecessary and wanton infliction of pain. Jett v. Penner, 439 F.3d 1091, 7 1096 (9th Cir. 2006). To act with deliberate indifference, a prison official must both be aware of 8 facts from which the inference could be drawn that a substantial risk of serious harm exists, and 9 he must also draw the inference. Farmer v. Brennan, 511 U.S. 825, 837 (1994). Thus, a 10 defendant is liable if he knows that plaintiff faces “a substantial risk of serious harm and 11 disregards that risk by failing to take reasonable measures to abate it.” Id. at 847. “It is enough 12 that the official acted or failed to act despite his knowledge of a substantial risk of harm.” Id. at 13 842. Also, “[p]rison officials are deliberately indifferent to a prisoner’s serious medical needs 14 when they deny, delay, or intentionally interfere with medical treatment,” Hallett v. Morgan, 296 15 F.3d 732, 744 (9th Cir. 2002) (internal citations and quotation marks omitted), or when they fail 16 to respond to a prisoner's pain or possible medical need. Jett, 439 F.3d at 1096. 17 In applying this standard, the Ninth Circuit has held that before it can be said that a 18 prisoner’s civil rights have been abridged, “the indifference to his medical needs must be 19 substantial. Mere ‘indifference,’ ‘negligence,’ or ‘medical malpractice’ will not support this cause 20 of action.” Broughton v. Cutter Labs., 622 F.2d 458, 460 (9th Cir. 1980) (citing Estelle v 21 Gamble, 429 U.S. 97, 105–06 (1976)). “[A] complaint that a physician has been negligent in 22 diagnosing or treating a medical condition does not state a valid claim of medical mistreatment 23 under the Eighth Amendment. Medical malpractice does not become a constitutional violation 24 merely because the victim is a prisoner.” Estelle, 429 U.S. at 106; see also Anderson v. County of 25 Kern, 45 F.3d 1310, 1316 (9th Cir. 1995). Even gross negligence is insufficient to establish 26 deliberate indifference to serious medical needs. See Wood v. Housewright, 900 F.2d 1332, 1334 27 (9th Cir. 1990). Additionally, a prisoner’s mere disagreement with diagnosis or treatment does 28 not support a claim of deliberate indifference. Sanchez v. Vild, 891 F.2d 240, 242 (9th Cir. 1989). 9 1 A difference of opinion between an inmate and prison medical personnel—or between 2 medical professionals—regarding appropriate medical diagnosis and treatment is not enough to 3 establish a deliberate indifference claim. Sanchez v. Vild, 891 F.2d 240, 242 (9th Cir. 1989); 4 Toguchi v. Chung, 391 F.3d 1051, 1058 (9th Cir 2004). “[T]o prevail on a claim involving 5 choices between alternative courses of treatment, a prisoner must show that the chosen course of 6 treatment ‘was medically unacceptable under the circumstances,’ and was chosen ‘in conscious 7 disregard of an excessive risk to [the prisoner's] health.’” Toguchi, 391 F.3d at 1058. 8 Defendant Longia 9 Plaintiff fails to allege a cognizable claim against Defendant Longia for Defendant’s 10 conduct on May 30, 2019. At that time, Defendant Longia assessed Plaintiff’s medical condition 11 as a priority. Plaintiff fails to allege that this conduct was a violation of his constitutional rights. 12 In May–July 2019, Plaintiff says he persisted in complaining that he was in pain and it 13 was getting worse. This allegation fails to state a claim against any named defendant. Plaintiff 14 fails to state who he complained to, what was said, and what the defendant said and did in 15 response to Plaintiff’s complaints. 16 Plaintiff states a cognizable claim against Longia for the denial of the approved surgery by 17 Defendant Longia in October 2019. Liberally construing the allegations, Plaintiff alleges that he 18 had been diagnosed with hypercele, surgery had been requested, the surgeon was consulted who 19 recommended surgery as necessary, yet Longia cancelled the surgery for a reason unrelated to the 20 need for surgery (that Patient did not have enough time for follow up after surgery). Liberally 21 construing the allegations, Defendant Longia knew that Plaintiff faced “a substantial risk of 22 serious harm and disregards that risk by failing to take reasonable measures to abate it.” 23 Defendant Gill 24 Plaintiff fails to state a claim against Defendant Gill. Plaintiff saw Defendant Gill in May 25 2019, when Defendant Gill diagnosed Plaintiff with an enlarged left testicle and submitted 26 requests for services. In July 2019, Defendant Gill reviewed reports and ordered a hydrocele 27 support and referred Plaintiff to urology. While Plaintiff alleges that the support was not 28 provided, Plaintiff does not allege that Defendant Gill would have been the person who provided 10 1 the support to Plaintiff or that Defendant Gill knew the support was not provided. Defendant 2 Gill’s response was not deliberately indifferent because he ordered a support and referred him to 3 urology. 4 Plaintiff refers to some treatment notes of August 12, 2019, but it is unclear who authored 5 these notes. It is also unclear who Plaintiff complained of pain to as Plaintiff merely alleges what 6 he “informed CCHCS” but does not identify any individual he complained to and what that 7 individual’s response was to the complaints of pain. 8 Defendant Toor 9 Liberally construing the allegations in the complaint, Plaintiff states a cognizable claim 10 against Defendant Toor for the conduct on August 15, 2019 and not providing Plaintiff 11 medication when Plaintiff was in acute distress. 12 Defendant Torres 13 Plaintiff fails to state a cognizable claim against Defendant Torres. Plaintiff alleges that 14 Defendant Torres saw Plaintiff on October 21, 2019 and followed up on Dr. Liu’s surgery 15 recommendation. Plaintiff does not allege what Defendant Torres did or did not do which 16 violated Plaintiff’s constitutional rights. The allegations imply that Defendant Torres affirmed 17 Dr. Liu’s recommendation for surgery. Others, not Defendant Torres, cancelled Plaintiff’s 18 surgery in October 2019. In November 2019, after the surgery cancellation, Defendant Torres 19 agreed to resubmit the request for surgery and urology. 20 Plaintiff may be able to state a claim against Defendant Torres for the March 24, 2020 21 cancellation of the urology appointment for the hydrocelectomy, but Plaintiff fails to allege the 22 facts surrounding the cancellation. A difference of opinion between an inmate and prison medical 23 personnel—or between medical professionals—regarding appropriate medical diagnosis and 24 treatment is not enough to establish a deliberate indifference claim. Sanchez, 891 F.2d at 242. 25 Defendant Pagal 26 Plaintiff states a cognizable claim against Pagal for the denial of the approved surgery by 27 Defendant Pagal in October 2019. Liberally construing the allegations, Plaintiff alleges that he 28 had been diagnosed with hypercele, surgery had been requested, the surgeon was consulted who 11 1 recommended surgery, yet Pagal cancelled the surgery for a reason unrelated to the need for 2 surgery (that Patient did not have enough time for follow up after surgery). 3 Defendant Gu 4 Plaintiff fails to state a cognizable claim against Defendant Gu. Plaintiff was examined on 5 June 14, 2019 by Defendant Gu, who took no additional action. Plaintiff fails to allege any facts 6 as to what Plaintiff told Defendant Gu and what Defendant Gu did in response. In short, Plaintiff 7 fails to allege facts which support that Defendant Gu was deliberately indifferent to Plaintiff’s 8 medical condition. 9 When the surgery was cancelled in October 2019 on the onerous belief that Plaintiff was 10 paroling soon, Defendant Gu submitted another request for surgery correcting the information and 11 stating that Plaintiff has a life sentence and is not paroling. This is insufficient to allege that 12 Defendant Gu was deliberately indifferent to Plaintiff’s medical condition. 13 F. Doe Defendants 14 Plaintiff names Doe defendants in this action. Unidentified, or “John Doe” defendants 15 must be named or otherwise identified before service can go forward. “As a general rule, the use 16 of ‘John Doe’ to identify a defendant is not favored.” Gillespie v. Civiletti, 629 F.2d 637, 642 17 (9th Cir. 1980). Plaintiff is advised that John Doe or Jane Doe defendants cannot be served until 18 Plaintiff has identified them as actual individuals and amended his complaint to substitute names 19 for John Doe or Jane Doe. 20 G. State Law Claims 21 Plaintiff appears to be attempting to allege claims based upon violations of California law. 22 The California Government Claims Act requires that a tort claim against a public entity or its 23 employees be presented to the California Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board 24 no more than six months after the cause of action accrues. Cal. Gov’t Code §§ 905.2, 910, 911.2, 25 945.4, 950–950.2. Presentation of a written claim, and action on or rejection of the claim are 26 conditions precedent to suit. State v. Super. Ct. of Kings Cty. (Bodde), 32 Cal. 4th 1234, 1239 27 (Cal. 2004); Shirk v. Vista Unified Sch. Dist., 42 Cal.4th 201, 209 (2007). To state a tort claim 28 against a public employee, a plaintiff must allege compliance with the California Tort Claims 12 1 Act. Cal. Gov’t Code § 950.6; Bodde, 32 Cal. 4th at 1244. “[F]ailure to allege facts 2 demonstrating or excusing compliance with the requirement subjects a compliant to general 3 demurrer for failure to state a cause of action.” Id. at 1239. 4 Here, Plaintiff has not included any allegations that he complied with the California Tort 5 Claims Act which is fatal to his state law claims. Plaintiff has failed to state a claim under 6 California law. 7 V. 8 9 Order and Recommendation Based on the foregoing, the Court HEREBY ORDERS as follows: 1. 10 11 GRANTED; 2. 12 13 Plaintiff’s request to withdraw the second amended complaint, (ECF No. 14), is The Clerk of the Court is directed to withdraw the second amended complaint, (ECF No. 12); and 3. 14 The findings and recommendations issued on March 31, 2021, (ECF No. 13), are VACATED. 15 Furthermore, it is HEREBY RECOMMENDED as follows: 16 1. This action proceed on Plaintiff’s first amended complaint against: (1) Defendants 17 Longia and Pagal for deliberate indifference to serious medical needs in violation 18 of the Eighth Amendment for denial of the approved surgery in October 2019; and 19 (2) Defendant Toor for deliberate indifference to serious medical needs in 20 violation of the Eighth Amendment for the conduct on August 15, 2019 and not 21 providing Plaintiff medication when Plaintiff was in acute distress; and 22 23 24 2. All other claims and defendants be dismissed from this action for failure to state a cognizable claim for relief. These Findings and Recommendation will be submitted to the United States District Judge 25 assigned to the case, pursuant to the provisions of Title 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(l). Within fourteen 26 (14) days after being served with these Findings and Recommendation, the parties may file 27 written objections with the court. The document should be captioned “Objections to Magistrate 28 Judge’s Findings and Recommendation.” Plaintiff is advised that failure to file objections within 13 1 the specified time may result in the waiver of the “right to challenge the magistrate’s factual 2 findings” on appeal. Wilkerson v. Wheeler, 772 F.3d 834, 839 (9th Cir. 2014) (citing Baxter v. 3 Sullivan, 923 F.2d 1391, 1394 (9th Cir. 1991)). 4 5 6 7 IT IS SO ORDERED. Dated: /s/ Barbara April 19, 2021 A. McAuliffe _ UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 14
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