Simmons v. Hankins et al, No. 4:2017cv04013 - Document 5 (C.D. Ill. 2017)
Court Description: MERIT REVIEW OPINION entered by Judge Sue E. Myerscough on 3/1/2017. The Plaintiff's petition to proceed in forma pauperis is granted 3 . Pursuant to a review of the Complaint, the Court finds that the Plaintiff states a plausible constituti onal claim for indifference to his need for a handicapped accessible cell and a possible claim under the Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C. § 12111, et seq., and the Rehabilitation Act, 29 U.S.C. § 794, et seq. This case is now in the process of service. HIPAA Order to enter. (SEE WRITTEN MERIT REVIEW OPINION) (MAS, ilcd)
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Simmons v. Hankins et al Doc. 5 E-FILED Wednesday, 01 March, 2017 11:56:36 AM Clerk, U.S. District Court, ILCD UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE CENTRAL DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS JAKE SIMMONS, Plaintiff, v. JOSEPH HANKINS, et al., Defendants. ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) 17-CV-4013 MERIT REVIEW OPINION Plaintiff, proceeding pro se and detained in the Rushville Treatment and Detention Center, seeks leave to proceed in forma pauperis. The "privilege to proceed without posting security for costs and fees is reserved to the many truly impoverished litigants who, within the District Court's sound discretion, would remain without legal remedy if such privilege were not afforded to them." Brewster v. North Am. Van Lines, Inc., 461 F.2d 649, 651 (7th Cir. 1972). Additionally, a court must dismiss cases proceeding in forma pauperis "at any time" if the action is frivolous, malicious, or fails to Page 1 of 7 Dockets.Justia.com state a claim, even if part of the filing fee has been paid. 28 U.S.C. § 1915(d)(2). Accordingly, this Court grants leave to proceed in forma pauperis only if the complaint states a federal claim. In reviewing the complaint, the Court accepts the factual allegations as true, liberally construing them in 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)(quoted cite omitted). Plaintiff alleges that he has been in a wheelchair since 1998, his legs paralyzed from a gunshot wound. Although the doctor at the facility ordered that Plaintiff be placed in a handicapped accessible room, for over six months Defendants allegedly failed to follow those instructions despite Plaintiff’s repeated pleas. Plaintiff also alleges that at times he was placed in a handicapped accessible cell without bars or was moved out of a handicapped accessible cell for complaining about roommates. Plaintiff alleges that, because he was not in a handicapped cell, he fell and injured his back. Page 2 of 7 These allegations state a plausible constitutional claim for indifference to Plaintiff’s need for a handicapped accessible cell and a possible claim under the Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C. § 12111, et seq., and the Rehabilitation Act, 29 U.S.C. §794, et seq. Plaintiff seeks injunctive relief, which may no longer be available since he is now in a handicapped accessible room, but that determination would be premature. IT IS ORDERED: 1. Plaintiff's petition to proceed in forma pauperis is granted (3). Pursuant to a review of the Complaint, the Court finds that Plaintiff states a plausible constitutional claim for indifference to Plaintiff’s need for a handicapped accessible cell and a possible claim under the Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C. § 12111, et seq., and the Rehabilitation Act, 29 U.S.C. §794, et seq. This action is construed against Defendants in their individual capacities for purposes of damages and their official capacities for purposes of injunctive relief. 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 Page 3 of 7 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. 3. The Court will attempt service on Defendants by sending each Defendant a waiver of service. Defendants have 60 days from the date the waiver of service 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 counsel has appeared for Defendants, the Court will enter a scheduling order setting deadlines for discovery and dispositive motions. 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 Page 4 of 7 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 day the waiver of service 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. 6. Once counsel has appeared for a Defendant, Plaintiff need not send copies of his filings to that Defendant or to that Defendant's counsel. Instead, the Clerk will file Plaintiff's document electronically and send a notice of electronic filing to defense counsel. The notice of electronic filing shall constitute service on Defendants pursuant to Local Rule 5.3. If electronic service on Defendants is not available, Plaintiff will be notified and instructed accordingly. Page 5 of 7 7. Counsel for Defendants is hereby granted leave to depose Plaintiff at Plaintiff's 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 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. 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. The clerk is directed to add the Illinois Department of Human Services as a Defendant. The Illinois Department of Human Services is a Defendant on Plaintiff’s claim under the American with Disabilities Act and the Rehabilitation Act. Page 6 of 7 11. The Clerk is directed to enter the standard qualified protective order pursuant to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. 12. The Clerk is directed to attempt service on Defendants pursuant to the standard procedures. ENTERED: March 1, 2017 FOR THE COURT: s/Sue E. Myerscough SUE E. MYERSCOUGH UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE Page 7 of 7
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