Ackerman v. Sood, No. 4:2016cv04090 - Document 6 (C.D. Ill. 2016)
Court Description: MERIT REVIEW OPINION entered by Judge Harold A. Baker on 6/6/2016. Clerk is directed to add John Doe I and John Doe II as defendants. See written Order. (John Doe, I and John Doe, II added) (Rule 16 Deadline 8/5/2016) (DS, ilcd)
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Ackerman v. Sood Doc. 6 E-FILED Monday, 06 June, 2016 02:25:28 PM Clerk, U.S. District Court, ILCD UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT CENTRAL DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS NEIL ACKERMAN, Plaintiff, v. DR. KUL B. SOOD, Defendant. ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) 16 4090 MERIT REVIEW AND CASE MANAGEMENT ORDER The plaintiff, proceeding pro se, and currently incarcerated in the Hill Correctional Center (“Hill”) 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). 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)(citation omitted). The court has reviewed the complaint and has also held a 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 claiming that he suffers from lower back pain that is so severe it limits his daily activities. The plaintiff asserts that Dr. Sood is inappropriately treating his lower back pain. Specifically, the plaintiff claims that Dr. Sood prescribed Nortriptyline for his back pain, but Dr. Sood would only prescribe the medication for a two month time period. The plaintiff states that the Federal Drug Administration (“FDA”) has issued a warning that patients should not discontinue or skip taking Nortriptyline, but the plaintiff alleges that he was forced to do so because Dr. Sood would only give a two month prescription and refused to re fill the prescription until after he had taken all the pills. When the plaintiff stopped taking the pills, he began experiencing suicidal thoughts and other side effects that the FDA warned about. In addition, the plaintiff claims that he became allergic to Nortriptyline and developed hives and a rash on his arms and feet. Even though a psychiatrist who saw the plaintiff advised that he should change medication from Nortriptyline to Neuroton, Dr. Sood refused to change his Dockets.Justia.com medication because Dr. Sood stated that the Illinois Department of Corrections does not permit or approve of the taking of Neuroton. The plaintiff states a claim against Dr. Sood for deliberate indifference to a serious medical need based upon (1) Dr. Sood’s alleged failure to timely renew plaintiff’s prescription for Nortriptyline that caused plaintiff to suffer ill side effects; and (2) Dr. Sood’s alleged failure to change plaintiff’s medication once he began experiencing a rash and hives as a reaction to taking Nortriptyline. The plaintiff also states a claim for deliberate indifference against two John Doe defendants based upon their alleged deliberate indifference to fill and change his prescription. 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 an Eighth Amendment claim for deliberate indifference to a serious medical need against defendants Dr. Kul Sood, John Doe I and John Doe II. 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 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 John Doe I and John Doe II as defendants. 12. The clerk is directed to attempt service on defendant Dr. Kul Sood pursuant to the standard procedures. Entered this 6th day of June, 2016. /s/Harold A. Baker ___________________________________________ HAROLD A. BAKER UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
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