Clark v. Tact Team et al, No. 1:2015cv01116 - Document 7 (C.D. Ill. 2015)
Court Description: MERIT REVIEW OPINION - Entered by Judge Harold A. Baker on 5/13/2015. (Rule 16 Deadline 7/13/2015.) The clerk is directed to enter the standard qualified protective order pursuant to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. The clerk is directed to add Nurse Jane Doe and Ashley Phillips as defendants. The clerk is directed to attempt service on the defendants pursuant to the standard procedures. (LN, ilcd)
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Clark v. Tact Team et al Doc. 7 E-FILED Wednesday, 13 May, 2015 10:57:42 AM Clerk, U.S. District Court, ILCD UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT CENTRAL DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS RAMON CLARK, Plaintiff, v. TACT TEAM, et al., Defendants. ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) 15-1116 MERIT REVIEW AND CASE MANAGEMENT ORDER The plaintiff, proceeding pro se and currently incarcerated in the Pinckneyville Correctional Center, was granted leave to proceed in forma pauperis. The case is now before the court for a merit review of the plaintiff’s claims. The court is required by 28 U.S.C. § 1915A to “screen” the plaintiff’s complaint, and through such process to identify and dismiss any legally insufficient claim, or the entire action if warranted. A claim is legally insufficient if it “(1) is frivolous, malicious, or fails to state a claim upon which relief may be granted; or (2) seeks monetary relief from a defendant who is immune from such relief.” 28 U.S.C. § 1915A. In reviewing the complaint, the court accepts the factual allegations as true, liberally construing them in the plaintiff's favor. Turley v. Rednour, 729 F.3d 645, 649 (7th Cir. 2013). The court has reviewed the complaint and has also held a video merit review hearing in order to give the plaintiff a chance to personally explain his claims to the court. The plaintiff filed this lawsuit pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983 alleging his constitutional rights were violated while housed at the Illinois River Correctional Center. Plaintiff claims that on April 22, 2014, about 50 TACT team members entered the prison dressed in riot gear and conducted a shakedown. Plaintiff claims that there was no reason for the shakedown, and that he was handcuffed behind his back, strip searched, not allowed to urinate, and forced to stand in urine for approximately 3 ½ hours. Plaintiff alleges that he reported injuries from the shakedown to a nurse, but that staff member Ashley Phillips falsified his medical records. The plaintiff also names Christy Smith, Robbie Johnson and Sherry Benton as defendants alleging that they did nothing to stop or help with the shakedown. The plaintiff does allege that he did not receive a fair hearing on his grievance, but he offers Page 1 of 4 Dockets.Justia.com no facts, just a legal conclusion that the hearing was unfair. The plaintiff fails to state a claim against these defendants, and they will be dismissed. The court concludes that plaintiff’s complaint states valid Eighth Amendment claims as detailed below, and the case will proceed accordingly. IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED: 1. Pursuant to its merit review of the Complaint under 28 U.S.C. § 1915A, the court finds that the plaintiff states Eighth Amendment claims for cruel and unusual punishment against the TACT team members, who are essentially John Doe defendants at this point, and Warden Greg Gossett and deliberate indifference against Nurse Jane Doe and Ashley Phillips, who will be added as defendants. Any additional claims shall not be included in the case, except at the court’s discretion on motion by a party for good cause shown or pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 15. 2. This case is now in the process of service. The plaintiff is advised to wait until counsel has appeared for the defendants before filing any motions, in order to give the defendants notice and an opportunity to respond to those motions. Motions filed before defendants' counsel has filed an appearance will generally be denied as premature. The plaintiff need not submit any evidence to the court at this time, unless otherwise directed by the court. 3. The court will attempt service on the defendants by mailing each defendant a waiver of service. The defendants have 60 days from the date the waiver is sent to file an answer. If the defendants have not filed answers or appeared through counsel within 90 days of the entry of this order, the plaintiff may file a motion requesting the status of service. After the defendants have been served, the court will enter an order setting discovery and dispositive motion deadlines. 4. With respect to a defendant who no longer works at the address provided by the plaintiff, the entity for whom that defendant worked while at that address shall provide to the clerk said defendant's current work address, or, if not known, said defendant's forwarding address. This information shall be used only for effectuating service. Documentation of forwarding addresses shall be retained only by the clerk and shall not be maintained in the public docket nor disclosed by the clerk. 5. The defendants shall file an answer within 60 days of the date the waiver is sent by the clerk. A motion to dismiss is not an answer. The answer should include all defenses appropriate under the Federal Rules. The answer and subsequent pleadings shall be to the issues and claims stated in this opinion. In general, an answer sets forth the defendants' positions. The court does not rule on the merits of those Page 2 of 4 positions unless and until a motion is filed by the defendants. Therefore, no response to the answer is necessary or will be considered. 6. This district uses electronic filing, which means that, after defense counsel has filed an appearance, defense counsel will automatically receive electronic notice of any motion or other paper filed by the plaintiff with the clerk. The plaintiff does not need to mail to defense counsel copies of motions and other papers that the plaintiff has filed with the clerk. However, this does not apply to discovery requests and responses. Discovery requests and responses are not filed with the clerk. The plaintiff must mail his discovery requests and responses directly to defendants' counsel. Discovery requests or responses sent to the clerk will be returned unfiled, unless they are attached to and the subject of a motion to compel. Discovery does not begin until defense counsel has filed an appearance and the court has entered a scheduling order, which will explain the discovery process in more detail. 7. Counsel for the defendants is hereby granted leave to depose the plaintiff at his place of confinement. Counsel for the defendants shall arrange the time for the deposition. 8. The plaintiff shall immediately notify the court, in writing, of any change in his mailing address and telephone number. The plaintiff's failure to notify the court of a change in mailing address or phone number will result in dismissal of this lawsuit, with prejudice. 9. If a defendant fails to sign and return a waiver of service to the clerk within 30 days after the waiver is sent, the court will take appropriate steps to effect formal service through the U.S. Marshals service on that defendant and will require that defendant to pay the full costs of formal service pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 4(d)(2). 10. The clerk is directed to enter the standard qualified protective order pursuant to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. 11. The clerk is directed to add Nurse Jane Doe and Ashley Phillips as defendants. Page 3 of 4 12. The clerk is directed to attempt service on the defendants pursuant to the standard procedures. Entered this 13th day of May, 2015. /s/Harold A. Baker ___________________________________________ HAROLD A. BAKER UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE Page 4 of 4
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