Long v. Tilden et al, No. 1:2017cv01247 - Document 6 (C.D. Ill. 2017)
Court Description: MERIT REVIEW OPINION: Pursuant to its merit review of the Complaint under 28 U.S.C. § 1915A, the Court finds that Plaintiff states the following constitutional claims: Eighth Amendment claim for deliberate indifference to his serious medical ne eds; Eighth Amendment claim for inhumane conditions of confinement in the observation cell; and, a First Amendment retaliation claim based on Plaintiff's complaints for proper medical care. The clerk is directed to attempt service on Defendants pursuant to the standard procedures. The clerk is directed to email Plaintiff's complaint and this order to Attorney Doug Bitner. The Clerk is directed to enter the standard qualified protective order pursuant to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. By June 30, 2017, Defendants are directed to respond to Plaintiff's request in his complaint for a preliminary injunction. SEE WRITTEN OPINION. Entered by Judge Sue E. Myerscough on 6/6/2017. (MJC, ilcd)
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Long v. Tilden et al Doc. 6 E-FILED Tuesday, 06 June, 2017 09:49:57 AM Clerk, U.S. District Court, ILCD UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE CENTRAL DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS LAWRENCE LONG, Plaintiff, v. ANDREW TILDEN, et al., Defendants. ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) 17-CV-1247 MERIT REVIEW OPINION SUE E. MYERSCOUGH, U.S. District Judge. Plaintiff proceeds pro se from his incarceration in Pontiac Correctional Center. His Complaint is before the Court for a merit review pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915A. This section requires the Court to identify cognizable claims stated by the Complaint or dismiss claims that are not cognizable.1 In reviewing the complaint, the Court accepts the factual allegations as true, liberally construing them in Plaintiff's favor and taking Plaintiff’s pro se status into account. Turley v. Rednour, 729 F.3d 645, 649 (7th Cir. 2013). However, conclusory statements and labels are insufficient. Enough facts must be provided to "'state a claim for relief that is plausible on its face.'" Alexander v. U.S., 721 F.3d 418, 422 (7th Cir. 2013)(quoted cite omitted). A prisoner who has had three prior actions dismissed for failure to state a claim or as frivolous or malicious can no longer proceed in forma pauperis unless the prisoner is under “imminent danger of serious physical injury.” 28 U.S.C. § 1915(g). 1 Page 1 of 7 Dockets.Justia.com Plaintiff alleges that he has been delayed and denied proper treatment for chronic deep vein thrombosis in his left leg and his risk of pulmonary embolisms. In December 2016, Plaintiff was seen for an emergency evaluation by an outside doctor, who changed Plaintiff’s medications and added some more medications. (Compl. ¶ 25.) After his return from the evaluation, Plaintiff was placed in a cell for “medical evaluation,” Plaintiff believes in part to retaliate against Plaintiff and his family members for complaining about the lack of medical care. The first day in the observation cell, Plaintiff had no heat, no mattress, and no blanket. He was deprived of meals and later given a urine-soaked mattress, forcing him to sleep on the floor. Additionally, Plaintiff is being required to work at a job contraindicated for his condition. Plaintiff alleges that he has not received appropriate follow-up care, including an appointment with a specialist and consideration of the placement of a leg stent to prevent future problems. Plaintiff references exhibits, but the exhibits are not in the docket. Plaintiff’s allegations state Eighth Amendment claims for deliberate indifference to his serious medical needs and inhumane conditions of confinement in the observation cell. Plaintiff also states a First Amendment retaliation claim. Plaintiff has not yet filed a petition to proceed in forma pauperis or paid the filing fee, but the Court will send Page 2 of 7 the case for service given the potentially serious nature of Plaintiff’s allegations. Plaintiff’s fee status will be resolved at a later date. IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED: 1) Pursuant to its merit review of the Complaint under 28 U.S.C. § 1915A, the Court finds that Plaintiff states the following constitutional claims: Eighth Amendment claim for deliberate indifference to his serious medical needs; Eighth Amendment claim for inhumane conditions of confinement in the observation cell; and, a First Amendment retaliation claim based on Plaintiff’s complaints for proper medical care. This case proceeds solely on the claims identified in this paragraph. 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. Plaintiff is advised to wait until counsel has appeared for Defendants before filing any motions, in order to give 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. Plaintiff need not submit any evidence to the Court at this time, unless otherwise directed by the Court. Page 3 of 7 3) The Court will attempt service on Defendants by mailing each Defendant a waiver of service. Defendants have 60 days from the date the waiver is sent to file an Answer. If Defendants have not filed Answers or appeared through counsel within 90 days of the entry of this order, Plaintiff may file a motion requesting the status of service. After 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 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) 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 Defendants' positions. The Court does not rule on the merits of those positions Page 4 of 7 unless and until a motion is filed by 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 Plaintiff with the Clerk. Plaintiff does not need to mail to Defense counsel copies of motions and other papers that 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. 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 Defendants is hereby granted leave to depose Plaintiff at his place of confinement. Counsel for Defendants shall arrange the time for the deposition. 8) Plaintiff shall immediately notify the Court, in writing, of any change in his mailing address and telephone number. Plaintiff's failure Page 5 of 7 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 Defendants 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. Marshal's 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) Within 10 days of receiving from Defendants' counsel an authorization to release medical records, Plaintiff is directed to sign and return the authorization to Defendants' counsel. 11) If not already done, the clerk is directed to enter the standard order directing Plaintiff to pay the filing fee or to file a motion to proceed in forma pauperis. 12) If Plaintiff files a motion to proceed in forma pauperis, the clerk is directed to grant the motion and assess an initial partial filing fee. 13) The clerk is directed to attempt service on Defendants pursuant to the standard procedures. 14) The clerk is directed to email Plaintiff’s complaint and this order to Attorney Doug Bitner. Page 6 of 7 15) The Clerk is directed to enter the standard qualified protective order pursuant to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. 16) By June 30, 2017, Defendants are directed to respond to Plaintiff’s request in his complaint for a preliminary injunction. ENTERED: June 6, 2017 FOR THE COURT: s/Sue E. Myerscough SUE E. MYERSCOUGH UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE Page 7 of 7
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