FRANK D. WHITNEY, Chief District Judge.
Pro se incarcerated Plaintiff's Amended Complaint, (Doc. No. 62), passed initial review against Defendants Branch and Whitlock for the use of excessive force; against Defendants Allie and Flitt for deliberate indifference to a serious medical need; against Defendants Branch, Carter, Hughes, Kim, Long, and Whitlock for unwanted medical care; and against Defendant Cloninger on supervisory claims. The Court also exercised supplemental jurisdiction over Plaintiff's claims of North Carolina assault, battery, and negligence.
In the Amended Complaint which Plaintiff declares to be true to "the best of [his] belief and knowledge," (Doc. No. 62 at 16), Plaintiff alleges that he was transported from Central Prison to the Gaston County Jail on March 9, 2016. Plaintiff was questioned by the intake deputy, Sergeant Price, upon arriving at the Jail with regards to his health status and medical needs including medications. Plaintiff told Price that he has stage-4 liver disease, diabetes, neuropathy, and a heart ailment. He complained of shortness of breath, body aches, and pains. Price told Plaintiff that he would be seen by medical within a few days as a routine matter. NCDPS officers turned over Plaintiff's medications including Neurontin, which had been prescribed by Dr. Vincent Wilson at Central Prison, as well as the medical protocol instructing the Jail how and when to administer Plaintiff's medications. Plaintiff was issued Jail clothes and a bedroll and was assigned a cell by a classification officer.
Between one and three hours later, Plaintiff was escorted to medical for a routine intake screening by Nurse Allie. Nurse Allie told Plaintiff that Dr. Flitt had denied administration of Plaintiff's Neurontin used to treat Plaintiff's extremely painful neuropathy because it is one of the non-narcotic drugs that Flitt had banned from use in the Jail. Plaintiff asked for ibuprofen or Tylenol for his body aches, pains, and low-grade fever. Allie told him that she would call Dr. Flitt to ask about Plaintiff's request but that they usually did not treat low-grade fever. Plaintiff was then escorted back to his cell.
Approximately 16 hours later, Plaintiff was advised over the intercom system by a female deputy that he needed to see the nurse in medical to have his sugar checked. Plaintiff told the deputy that he was he was refusing all medical treatment until Dr. Flitt approved the Neurontin. The deputy said that Plaintiff could not refuse medical treatment because he was in jail. Plaintiff reiterated that he would continue to refuse all medical treatment at the Jail until Dr. Flitt agreed to administer the prescribed Neurontin.
Five or 10 minutes later, Deputies Branch and Whitlock entered Plaintiff's cell while Plaintiff was lying passively on the bottom bunk. Branch and Whitlock told Plaintiff to get up because he was going to medical to see the nurse. Plaintiff stated that he did not need to see the nurse because he was refusing medical treatment until Dr. Flitt agreed to provide his prescribed medication. Branch and Whitlock grabbed Plaintiff by his arms, "violently snatched" him off of his bunk to a standing position, and deliberately forced him into the wall headfirst, causing a 3 ½ inch laceration to his eyebrow which bled profusely. (Doc. No. 62 at 6). This entire interaction took less than 30 seconds. Emergency medical care was needed to stop the bleeding. Plaintiff also suffered a large contusion on the right side of his face, eye, and injury to his neck and shoulder that had to be treated upon Plaintiff's return to Central Prison several days later. At no time did Plaintiff attempt to assault or batter Branch and Whitlock in any way or attempt harm any Jail employee. Plaintiff was handcuffed behind his back as his face bled profusely, was roughly handled, and forced by Branch and Whitlock to go to the medical department against his will where he was "further assaulted" by Nurse Kim Carter. (Doc. No. 62 at 8).
Sergeant Hughes (holding a digital camera), Deputy Jennifer A. Long, and Nurse Kim Carter were at the medical department when Plaintiff arrived there. Nurse Carter directed Deputies Branch and Whitlock to put Plaintiff in a chair where they forcefully restrained him. Nurse Carter cleaned and treated Plaintiff's facial laceration. Plaintiff was covered in blood was in a lot of pain which caused him to be emotional and loudly express his feelings by using profanity. Plaintiff told Nurse Carter that he was refusing all medical care, however, she said that he could not refuse and that she had an obligation under the health codes to clean up the blood and stop the bleeding to prevent danger from blood-borne pathogens. Plaintiff said "fine, go ahead" but to stop bothering him after the wound was cleaned and stopped bleeding. (Doc. No. 62 at 9). Nurse Carter said she intended to check Plaintiff's vital signs and take a blood sample from his finger to check his sugar, but Plaintiff stated "no, you[`re] not, I do not consent to any further treatment, once your through cleaning my eyebrow." (Doc. No. 62 at 9). Nurse Carter put a blood pressure cuff on Plaintiff's arm against his will while he was handcuffed and restrained by Branch and Whitlock. Nurse Carter attempted to take Plaintiff's temperature but Plaintiff refused to open his mouth. At this point, Plaintiff had informed Nurse Carter several times that he was making a competent, informed decision to refuse all medical treatment at the Jail due to their refusal to provide his prescribed medication. Nurse Carter threatened to have Branch and Whitlock strip him and restrain him while she took his temperature rectally if he would not cooperate. Plaintiff opened his mouth for Nurse Carter to take his temperature orally under duress. At this point, Nurse Carter went behind Plaintiff's back and pricked his finger for a blood test against Plaintiff's will. Plaintiff was forcefully escorted back to his cell by Branch and Whitlock, under the direct supervision of Sergeant Hughes.
Plaintiff remained at the Jail for approximately seven to 10 days after the assault, battery, and denial of medication. He continued to refuse medical care during that time but was not assaulted further. Dr. Flitt continued to refuse to follow Plaintiff's prescribed medical protocol and refused to dispense his medication, which resulted in extreme, intense, and unnecessary pain.
Plaintiff returned to Central Prison on March 17, 2016. At that time, he was screened by medical staff whom he advised that he had been assaulted, battered, and denied prescribed medication by the Gaston County Sheriff. Plaintiff was treated by his long-term primary care physician, Dr. Wilson, within 72 hours after he was referred to Central Prison's urgent care unit. Dr. Wilson treated Plaintiff's neck, back, and facial injuries with ibuprofen and instructed him on how to help speed his recover and prevent further damage. Plaintiff was also started back on all of his medications including Neurontin for his extremely painful neuropathy. Plaintiff was later treated by mental health professionals for a sleep disorder, depression, anxiety, and PTSD that was exacerbated by the attack by Branch and Whitlock. Plaintiff is still suffering PTSD symptoms from their actions.
Plaintiff seeks declaratory judgment, injunctive relief, compensatory and punitive damages, a jury trial, any and all other relief that the Court deems proper.
Defendants argue that the evidence, including body camera footage, shows that no Eighth Amendment violation occurred and Defendants only used the force that was reasonably necessary to obtain compliance with lawful orders. The administered medical treatment was necessary and Plaintiff was allowed to refuse further treatment after medical personnel assessed his condition. The Sheriff did not fail to protect Plaintiff and the policies and training were adequate. Defendants are entitled to qualified immunity, public officers immunity, and governmental immunity.
Plaintiff argues that he was "manhandled" when he refused to go to medical and that his head was bounced off a cell wall, resulting in an injury that required medical attention that day and still causes short-term memory loss, PTSD, a sleep disorder, and headaches. (Doc. No. 102 at 2). Plaintiff claims that he is frail and mentally ill and admits he vocally resisted but "steadfastly denies any physical resistance." (Doc. No. 102 at 3). Plaintiff did not think he was given a lawful order to go to medical as he was refusing all care. The bodycam shows that Plaintiff was not physically resisting and that 29 seconds elapsed between Branch and Whitlock's entry into the cell and departing after assaulting and handcuffing Plaintiff. Defendants should have taken a few seconds to explain to Plaintiff that he could refuse medical care in medical, which would have rendered the use of force unnecessary. There are numerous disputes of material fact, which is made clear by the bodycam footage and conflicting statements by Plaintiff and Defendants. Plaintiff was never combative and the use of force by Branch and Whitlock was unnecessary and malicious. There was no need for force because this was not an emergency situation and Plaintiff was lying passively on his bunk. Plaintiff was not given the chance to comply and the officers' actions escalated the situation. Qualified immunity does not apply because Plaintiff had the clearly established right to be free from the use of excessive force. Sheriff Cloninger and Sergeant Hughes were responsible for the training, supervision, and actions of their subordinates when Plaintiff was assaulted in his cell. Plaintiff filed a grievance with the Jail and there was never follow-up. Where federal claims are upheld, state claims are likewise upheld. There was no justification for Defendant's actions and the use of force was malicious and without provocation. Public officer immunity is not appropriate because Branch and Whitlock acted with malice outside the scope of their duties. Governmental immunity does not apply because the Defendants are individually liable for their actions.
Plaintiff simply disagrees with Defendants' evidence and dislikes the video footage. He makes assumptions about Defendants Branch and Whitlock's motives or awareness in the face of videos and affidavit testimony from Defendants as to their rationale and motives, none of which support Plaintiff's claims. Plaintiff's affidavit simply indicates he does not agree with Defendants' affidavits or evidence. But he presents no evidence to refute Defendants' evidence. Plaintiff claims there is other video footage reflecting Branch and Whitlock's state of mind at the time of the cell incident, albeit after the cell extraction. However, transcription of the body cam video and body cam footage are before this court, which show all interactions with Plaintiff during the events at issue.
Plaintiff misapprehends the distinction between going to medical for assessment or other purposes from obtaining medical treatment. Evidence makes it clear that Plaintiff was to go to medical, where he could and did refuse treatment beyond wound care and assessment. Passage of time is not of significant relevance to the actions taken to obtain Plaintiff's compliance. When detention officers allow time to pass, the likelihood of escalation rises. Once a determination was made that Plaintiff was verbally and physically refusing to comply, it was reasonable to use hands to extract Plaintiff from his cell before escalating further. There is evidence of good faith rationale for Whitlock and Branch's actions and Plaintiff has not presented competent evidence to the contrary. Plaintiff has failed to raise genuine factual dispute in the face of the Defendants' forecast of evidence. The only reasonable conclusion the court can reach is that Defendants' actions were reasonable under the circumstances, there is no culpable state of mind, and the use of force was applied in a good faith effort to maintain or restore discipline and not maliciously or sadistically to cause harm. Plaintiff's assertion that liability extends to Cloninger and Hughes is meritless and without factual support. Plaintiff did not respond to Long's Motion for Summary Judgment.
Plaintiff alleges that Flitt refused to administer Neurontin pursuant to his prescription but, by the time the issue of Plaintiff's medications came to Flitt's attention, Plaintiff had refused all medical care including Neurontin. No evidence supports Plaintiff's claim.
Plaintiff alleges that Carter subjected him to unwanted medical treatment, however, Plaintiff told the intake nurse that he was diabetic and he had a low-grade fever. Plaintiff was scheduled for follow-up the next day because of these issues. He refused all medical treatment upon arriving at medical but then agreed that Carter could treat his forehead laceration. She took his blood pressure, temperature, and pricked his finger to see if diabetes and fever affected his ability to make an informed decision about medical care. When the tests were within acceptable limits, Carter immediately noted in the record that Plaintiff was refusing all further medical care and Plaintiff was dismissed. Because of the refusal, Plaintiff received no further medical treatment at Gaston Jail. Carter exercised her professional medical judgment in conducting three simple, minimally invasive tests to determine Plaintiff's capacity to consent or refuse further medical treatment. There was a clear and rational penological interest in determining capacity. The screening examination was a necessary preliminary step in determining Plaintiff's capacity and did not violate Plaintiff's constitutional rights.
Plaintiff's North Carolina claims for assault and battery based on the medical tests done by Carter should be dismissed because the actions were reasonably related to a legitimate penological interest and were within the scope of Carter's professional judgment as a nurse. These actions were done without malice or ill will, but rather, she believed they were medically necessary to provide adequate care.
Plaintiff was told in medical 14 hours before the March 10, 2016 incident with Branch and Whitlock that he would not get Neurontin while he was at the Jail at the direction of Dr. Flitt, and that he would not get ibuprofen for body aches or a low grade fever. Plaintiff told Branch and Whitlock that he was refusing all medical and that he did not want to go to medical. They banged Plaintiff's head into the cell wall, causing a cut that bled profusely then forcibly took him to medical where Plaintiff allowed Nurse Carter to treat the laceration. Plaintiff then informed Carter that he was refusing all further medical treatment until he received the Neurontin. Carter nevertheless took his temperature, a finger stick, and a blood pressure test against his will while being held down. Plaintiff remained at the Jail for several more days while he continued to refuse medical treatment. Plaintiff never got his Neurontin at the Jail.
Defendant Flitt attempts to evade responsibility for Plaintiff not being given Neurontin by saying he never addressed the issue. This argument fails in light of the policy of Flitt not allowing the use of Neurontin in the Jail. The medication was prescribed by NCDPS to treat severely painful neuropathy. Flitt's policy of not allowing Neurontin in the Jail caused unnecessary and wanton pain until he returned to NCDPS. Judge Beal had to previously issue a court order that Gaston Jail follow NCDPS medical protocol under penalty of contempt of court.
The argument that an initial examination is needed to determine capacity to refuse treatment fails because this was not Plaintiff's initial examination; it was his third examination over 23 hours, including the health screening on March 9 and further treatment 14 hours later. Plaintiff was told he would not receive his Neurontin and that they usually do not treat low-grade fevers which they already knew Plaintiff had. Plaintiff was not being treated for diabetes or high blood pressure. Carter says she was exercising professional medical judgment but Plaintiff contends that Carter saw that the two officers hurt him and wanted to cover it up. Plaintiff had been at the jail almost 24 hours and there was no question of his competency until he refused medical care.
Plaintiff's North Carolina claims of forced medical care stand as the actions were not related to a legitimate penological interest and were done "out of spite." (Doc. No. 104 at 7). Carter must be held liable for assault, battery and negligence as must Flitt for denying Plaintiff his Neurontin and fostering the atmosphere that pervaded Gaston medical department and Jail and caused Plaintiff a deprivation of rights.
Defendant Cloninger is the Sheriff of Gaston County and oversees the Gaston County Jail and the individuals housed there. Under the authority granted to him by law, he hires individuals to work in the jail as detention officers, including Officer Branch, Officer Whitlock, Officer Long, and Sergeant Hughes, all of whom received the training required by the State of North Carolina, and are state-certified Detention Officers. Sergeant Hughes is additionally state certified as a Sheriff's Deputy. These individuals' certifications were in good standing, and they were up to date on all training as of the date of the incident addressed in the Amended Complaint.
Sheriff Cloninger has implemented policies and procedures within the Jail to maintain order and discipline. Such policies were in place prior to and on the date of the alleged incident. Among the policies is the Use of Force policy authorizing detention officers and sworn deputies to use the degree of force that reasonably appears necessary under the circumstances, including to maintain order and safety in the Jail and to defend when the use of force is used or imminent against them. "Soft hands to escort or mere physical restraint is not considered a use of force under the policy." (Doc. No. 88-1 at 2). Detention officers and deputies are also authorized to use force with their hands "to include soft hands — touching a prisoner with moderate pressure to turn, guide, escort — and also a higher degree of hands-on such as wrestling, pulling, or bending arms of a suspect when reasonably warranted in circumstances including handcuffing, to obtain compliance with lawful orders, cell extraction or to restore and maintain order." (Doc. No. 88-1 at 2). If prisoners fail to follow a direct order, such as to present to the nurse's station, "it is policy that detention officers are to enforce the order and obtain compliance of the prisoner, including extraction from the cell and escort to the nurse's station and if necessary, use a reasonable amount of force to obtain compliance, as deemed necessary by the detention officers confronted with the particular situation." (Doc. No. 88-1 at 2). It is also policy that "detention officers are to assist medical personnel at the nurses' station to maintain or restore order, which includes reasonable efforts to restrain a belligerent or non-compliant prisoner." (Doc. No. 88-1 at 2).
There is no liability insurance that waives governmental or sovereign immunity or covers the North Carolina State claims of assault, battery, or negligence alleged by Plaintiff. (Doc. No. 88-1 at 3).
Dr. Bruce Flitt, DO, is the Medical Doctor who is under contract with the Gaston County Jail to provide necessary medical services to inmates. Dr. Flitt "sets medical policy and oversee[s] medical staff and protocol." (Doc. No. 88-1 at 3). Medical staff are not employees of the Sheriff. Neither the Sheriff nor the Sheriff's employees have access to inmate medical records and only have limited information regarding a patient's health pursuant to HIPAA.
Sheriff Cloninger is not a medical professional and detention officers (including Sergeant Hughes) do not have training on the appropriate medical treatment for inmates and cannot control the plan of patient care set by medical professionals under Dr. Flitt's direction. As Sheriff, Cloninger has an obligation to provide prisoners with adequate medical care. Although a prisoner may refuse medical treatment "assessment and treatment may be necessary despite a refusal of care, when treatment is related to legitimate penological interests" such as to assess "whether the prisoner is making a cognizant refusal of medical treatment in the jail setting to prevent the disorder, the spread of disease and illness." (Doc. No. 88-1 at 3). Sheriff Cloninger relies on competent medical personnel (Dr. Flitt and his staff) to assess and determine if a prisoner is "mentally and physically capable of making a knowing refusal of medical treatment." (Doc. No. 88-1 at 3).
Prior to the incidents alleged, Sheriff Cloninger's staff, including Long, Whitlock, Branch, and Hughes, had been trained in basic procedures including allowing medical personnel to assess, rather than jailers to decide, if a refusal of medical care is appropriate or if medical care or treatment is necessary.
When Plaintiff, a convicted murderer and felon, was brought from prison by DPS on March 9, 2016 for a Gaston County court appearance, he went through jail intake. Then his detained medical screening, treatment, care and concerns were handled by Dr. Flitt and his employees. During jail intake, pursuant to custom, practice and policy, Plaintiff was asked general questions about his medical condition and was referred for medical screening. Pursuant to jail policy, "any medications brought from prison were turned over by DPS to Dr. Flitt. This policy is in place for safety and security within the jail." (Doc. No. 88-1 at 4).
On or about March 10, 2016, "Dr. Flitt and his trained staff made a determination that certain medical care or treatment for Plaintiff was necessary, and following jail procedure, had Plaintiff called on the morning of March 10, 2016 through the in-cell intercom to come to the nurses' station." (Doc. No. 88-1 at 4). When Plaintiff refused to comply, Officers Brank and Whitlock were informed that Plaintiff was not complying with the order and went to Plaintiff's cell to escort him to the nurses' station "pursuant to jail procedure to maintain and restore discipline." (Doc. No. 88-1 at 5). Officer Whitlock was wearing a body camera that recorded the sound and visual of the incident from entry into the cell until Plaintiff concluded the visit to the nurse's station.
The body cam reveals that Plaintiff refused to comply with Officer Whitlock's verbal command to get off his bunk and go to medical, that Plaintiff verbally challenged both jailers to "take" him, and then when the officer reached to assist Plaintiff off his bunk, Plaintiff pulled his arm away in a defiant manner, then when he was lifted off the bunk, he struggled with officers in an area of roughly four feet between the bunk and cement wall where his eyebrow was grazed and began to bleed, all while Plaintiff was "cussing and threatening the jailers" as he was handcuffed and then escorted to the jail. (Doc. No. 88-1 at 5). The footage reveals that the jailers were calm and professional at all times.
Sheriff Cloninger employed Officer Long who was assigned on March 10, 2016 to the medical area including the nurse's station, and whose duties included providing safety and security in the area and for the medical staff. Should an inmate fail to follow directives, fail to follow procedures, or become disorderly, Officer Long has the "training and authority to use reasonably necessary force to obtain compliance by the inmate, to restore and maintain discipline and the peace and to prevent disturbances." (Doc. No. 88-1 at 5). Officer Long has no specific medical training except CPR certification.
On March 10, 2016 at around 6:30 AM, when Plaintiff came into medical escorted by Officers Branch and Whitlock, Nurse Kim instructed Plaintiff to sit in the chair. Video cameras in the nurses' station and body cam footage and photographs clearly show that Plaintiff was disruptive and non-cooperative with jailers and the nurse. The jailers merely placed their hands on Plaintiff's shoulders for safety and to maintain discipline and security, while the nurse was providing medical treatment and care deemed necessary by the medical staff. No other force was used. Plaintiff initially objected to the nurse's care but then acquiesced. Sergeant Hughes was present and photographed that Plaintiff's wound was medically treated, pursuant to jail procedure. Body cam and video footage show that no excessive force was exerted in the presence of Sergeant Hughes or Officer Long and Plaintiff's medical care was necessary. There is nothing that suggests to Sheriff Cloninger that intervention to prevent the medical care was appropriate. Jail video and body cam footage showing Plaintiff from the time he leaves his cell until he returns shows that Officers Whitlock and Branch escort Plaintiff without any use of force or display of unprofessional behavior despite Plaintiff's recurrent verbal threats.
As Plaintiff was exiting the nurses' station, Plaintiff made known his refusal for further medical treatment or care. From the time Plaintiff announced his refusal as he left the nurses' station on March 10, 2016, Plaintiff consistently refused medical care and treatment until he left the jail, although he was called to return to the nurses' station for wound care and diabetic check. He did not have any other cuts or exhibit any emergent episodes requiring medical assessment.
Plaintiff was released back to the custody of NCDPS on March 21, 2016, and he was transported back to prison. No grievances or complaints were made while Plaintiff was housed at Gaston County Jail in March 2016.
In order to extract a prisoner from a cell, it is not uncommon that the prisoner, as in this case, be forcibly assisted from his bunk by two and sometimes more detention officers, handcuffed, and then escorted from the cell by detention officers. The cell extraction performed by Officers Whitlock and Branch is an acceptable and reasonable means, under the circumstances presented.
Plaintiff did receive a minor cut about an inch in length during the encounter and the officers' actions to take him right away for medical treatment of the cut was reasonable, appropriate, and consistent with Jail policies, where "cuts and blood require immediate medical attention to [prevent] the spread of disease within the jail." (Doc. No. 88-1 at 8). It is not unusual for a prisoner to have bruises after an encounter with detention officers requiring cell extraction of a non-compliant prisoner.
The incident in the jail cell was reviewed pursuant to policy and "it was determined that the officers did not act inappropriately under the circumstances but that they acted reasonably in response to Plaintiff's refusal to comply with orders and to Plaintiff's actions, and that the amount of force used (i.e. utilizing hands without any deliberate strikes in vital areas) to obtain Plaintiff's compliance was justified as reasonable and necessary under the circumstances, and reveals no indication of malice by any detention officer." (Doc. No. 88-1 at 8). As a trained law enforcement officer, Sheriff Cloninger's assessment of the entire incident depicted in the body cam, video footage, and reports of the officers involved is that "their actions were reasonable and necessary in order to gain control of Plaintiff, to restore and maintain order in the jail, for the safety of the medical staff, and overall jail security." (Doc. No. 88-1 at 8).
The decision of whether medical protocol has been followed in the medical department and whether medical care is necessary lies within the medical discretion of medical staff.
Defendant Whitlock is a certified detention officer at the Gaston County Sheriff's Office. He is trained to speak as calmly as the situation allows yet remain firm and use soft hands to guide a passive non-compliant subject as long as the subject does not become actively combative. He is trained to use hands-on to obtain compliance of a subject or to restore order, which he may determine pursuant to training and circumstances to require more than soft hands, to wrestle, bend arms or pull a subject. He is trained to "use as much force as deemed reasonably necessary to restore or maintain order, obtain compliance, or to defend actual or implied force by the subject." (Doc. No. 88-9 at 1-2).
On March 10, 2016 Defendant Whitlock was in C/D control when there was a call that Plaintiff had been called to medical and was refusing to go. Whitlock asked Officer Nolen if Plaintiff "had to go to medical" and Nolen replied in the affirmative. (Doc. No. 88-9 at 2). Whitlock and Branch met in the hallway and Whitlock activated his body camera as they approached Plaintiff's cell. After the cell door was opened, Whitlock advised Plaintiff to get out of bed and go to medical. Plaintiff refused. Branch and Whitlock then stepped into the cell and Whitlock approached Plaintiff's bunk. Whitlock ordered Plaintiff to get up and go to medical and Plaintiff began cursing and again refused. When Whitlock reached down to assist Plaintiff off his bunk, Plaintiff began to pull away and attempted to grab Whitlock's right arm. Branch and Whitlock then pulled Plaintiff off his bunk and took him to the wall. Plaintiff kept trying to pull away while the officers were taking him to the wall and Plaintiff sustained a cut over his right eyebrow when he made contact with the wall. Plaintiff also began bleeding from an apparent sore on his right arm. Branch and Whitlock placed Plaintiff's hands behind his back and handcuffed him. Branch and Whitlock then escorted Plaintiff to medical. En route, Plaintiff began to threaten to sue the GCSO as well as Branch and Whitlock. Whitlock called Sergeant Hughes over the radio and asked him to meet them at medical. Plaintiff kept pushing against Branch and Whitlock during the escort to medical.
Upon arriving at medical, Branch and Whitlock had to place Plaintiff in the examination chair because Plaintiff refused to sit down. Nurse Carter began treating Plaintiff's wounds and Plaintiff told her that he was going to sue Gaston County and threatened Officer Branch. Sergeant Hughes arrived and Plaintiff again stated he was going to sue and told Nurse Carter he was going to court and "we'll see what the jury thinks about that." (Doc. No. 88-9 at 4). Sergeant Hughes photographed Plaintiff after Carter treated his injuries. Branch and Whitlock began escorting Plaintiff back to his cell and, as they stepped into the hallway, Plaintiff told Branch and Whitlock that we "are getting ready to do it all over again." (
At the time of the incident, Whitlock had no malice against Plaintiff. Whitlock's actions in using his hands against Plaintiff was because Whitlock "believed it was necessary in order to obtain his compliance with the order to go see the nurse when he refused to go and remained in his bunch, challenging [officers] to force him, then pulling away whenever he could in the cell and verbally refusing to cooperate." (Doc. No. 88-9 at 4). Prior to the incident, Whitlock had been trained to take inmates to the medical nurses' station when requested by medical or jail staff, or when it appeared an emergency medical situation exists. If an inmate refuses treatment, Whitlock has been trained to follow instructions to deliver an inmate to medical to ensure that medical personnel can then make the determination of whether treatment is medically necessary. Whitlock is not a trained medical professional except for CPR. At the time Whitlock went to Plaintiff's cell, Whitlock was unaware of the reason the nurse needed to see Plaintiff. Whitlock is also trained, pursuant to policy, that if an inmate is injured, such as the cut Plaintiff received during the encounter in his cell, that he is to be taken to the medical station for assessment and treatment that the medical personnel deem necessary, which is what Whitlock did.
Defendant Branch was a certified Detention Officer at GCSO at the time of the incident. On March 10, 2016, Branch was sitting in A/B control with Officer Nolen when Officer Long called and said that Plaintiff needed to report to medical for examination. Branch called Plaintiff's cell over the intercom and asked him to get ready to go to medical. Plaintiff refused and Branch told him he could not refuse. Officer Nolen called C/D control and informed Corporal McCall of the situation. Whitlock asked for Branch to meet him in the A-Block hallway. Whitlock and Branch met in the hall and proceeded to Plaintiff's cell. They again informed Plaintiff that he had to report to medical and could not refuse. Plaintiff again refused and stated they would have to drag him there. Whitlock asked Plaintiff to get up and proceed to medical. Plaintiff again refused and started cursing Branch and Whitlock. The officers entered the cell to assist Plaintiff off his bunk and to medical. Whitlock took Plaintiff by the right arm and started to lift him off his bunk. Plaintiff started to resist by trying to pull away from Whitlock. Plaintiff managed to pull free from Whitlock and Branch grabbed Plaintiff's left arm and pulled him off his bunk. Whitlock regained his grip on Plaintiff's right arm. The officers then lifted Plaintiff to his feet and pushed him to the wall of his cell to gain control of him for handcuffing. As the officers forcefully placed Plaintiff against the cell wall, Plaintiff hit his head on the cell wall, causing a cut above his right eye. The officers pulled Plaintiff's hands behind his back and handcuffed Plaintiff.
Branch and Whitlock escorted Plaintiff to medical. Plaintiff threatened the officers and stated he was going to call the news and sue the GCSO. At medical, Plaintiff refused to sit down so Branch and Whitlock forced him to the chair, then held him in the chair to prevent him from standing up. Whitlock called Sergeant Hughes on the radio and asked him to step into medical to assist with Plaintiff. Nurse Carter treated Plaintiff and checked his vitals. Plaintiff claimed that Carter was cleaning him as part of a cover-up, again threatened to sue, and threatened Branch.
After they were finished in medical, Branch and Whitlock escorted Plaintiff back to his cell. As they approached the elevator Plaintiff said they were going to have to do it all over again once they got to the cell. Whitlock called Sergeant Hughes and informed him of Plaintiff's statement, which Plaintiff denied. Plaintiff was returned to his cell without incident.
At the time of the incident, Branch had no malice against Plaintiff. Nor did Branch know why the nurse needed to see Plaintiff. Branch has been trained in use of force with subjects, including inmates, to use reasonable force necessary to maintain and restore order, obtain compliance to lawful orders, and combat used or threatened force. Branch "felt it was appropriate under the circumstances... that hands-on force was necessary to obtain compliance and control of [Plaintiff] who was resistant in his words and actions." (Doc. No. 88-10 at 3-4).
Branch has been trained that when an inmate has been called by the medical department and refuses to come, that it is a failure of the inmate to comply with a direct order. The inmate's refusal to go to see the nurse who is calling him is different from refusing to receive medical treatment or medications. Branch has been trained that "an inmate cannot refuse to go to the nurse when called, but it is up to the medical personnel to determine if treatment can be declined or refused." (Doc. No. 88-10 at 4). Branch does not make that decision. Branch has no medical training except CPR.
Defendant Hughes has completed Detention Officer Certification as well as Deputy Certification.
On March 10, 2016, Hughes was called to medical via radio to help Branch and Whitlock with Plaintiff in the medical station of the jail. Hughes took a photo of Plaintiff to show that medical treatment was provided for his cut and stayed in medical until Nurse Carter was finished treating Plaintiff. As soon as Whitlock and Branch left medical, Whitlock called Hughes via radio and asked to meet him at the elevator because Plaintiff had said they would have to do it all over again at his cell.
At the time of the incident, Defendant Hughes had no malice against Plaintiff. It is Hughes' training that, when medical personnel indicate they need to see an inmate, detention officers provide an escort. If the inmate refuses to comply with the order to present himself when requested for medical or any other reason, it is necessary to assess and if the inmate's response is that he refuses to go, detention officers are authorized to use a reasonable amount of force to obtain compliance from the inmate. Extraction from the cell is required and detention officers are trained to use the amount of force deemed necessary to obtain compliance.
Defendant Hughes spoke to the officers involved, reviewed their statements, and reviewed the body cam footage of the incident. "In this situation, Officers Branch and Whitlock were confronted with a belligerent and resistant inmate, resulting in having to pull [Plaintiff] from his lower bunk and then handcuff him while holding him up against the cell wall." (Doc. No. 88-11 at 2). Plaintiff "struggled when they attempted to gain compliance by handcuffing [and] his head came into contact with the rough cell wall and he received a cut at his eyebrow." (Doc. No. 88-11 at 3). Plaintiff was immediately escorted to the medical area pursuant to policy. The cut appeared to be roughly one inch in length and it was professionally cleaned and treated.
Branch and Whitlock "appeared to have acted professionally and appropriately, and without malice or anger at all times." (Doc. No. 88-11 at 3). The amount of force used I the cell to extract Plaintiff "appeared justified enough to control [Plaintiff's] behavior and was reasonably necessary under the circumstances presented." (Doc. No. 88-11 at 3).
In the medical area, Hughes observed Plaintiff at first refuse to cooperate or have his cut attended by the nurse. He then allowed her to continue to treat the area at his eyebrow. He said he did not want ibuprofen, which was not given. The nurse then checked Plaintiff's temperature and conducted a finger prick. She did not perform any other treatment and did not administer medication. It appeared that she did what was minimally necessary to clean the cut and stop the bleeding, and then checked his vitals. Plaintiff told Hughes as he was being escorted out of the nurses' area that "from then on he was refusing any other medical treatment." (Doc. No. 88-11 at 3).
Defendant Flitt, who is licensed to practice medicine in North Carolina, was the Medical Director for the Gaston County Jail in March 2016.
During jail intake on March 9, 2016, Plaintiff informed the intake nurse that he had diabetes. The intake examination records also show that Plaintiff had a low-grade fever at intake.
Defendant Flitt had no direct contact with Plaintiff during the time he was at Gaston County Jail in March 2016. Prior to the incident described in the Complaint, none of the medical personnel who worked under Defendant Flitt's supervision requested that he make a decision regarding what medications should be provided to Plaintiff during the time he was incarcerated at the Gaston County Jail in March 2016. Defendant Flitt "do[es] not have a general policy regarding the use or non-use of prescription medications by Gaston County inmates, but individually evaluate[s] whether medications should be prescribed on a case-by-case basis, based on [his] medical judgment and a review of the medical records." (Doc. No. 97-1 at 2). Although Defendant Flitt was not consulted by his medical staff regarding Plaintiff's review of Neurontin prior to the incident, Defendant Flitt "do[es] not approve non-life sustaining medications without a careful review of attainable medical records to ensure the appropriateness of the medicine for the diagnosis, and to ensure there are no interactions with other medications or other risks to the patient." (Doc. No. 97-1 at 2). Neurontin is a "widely abused medication in correctional facilities, and only has two FDA approved diagnosis for its use." (
In his capacity as Medical Director, Defendant Flitt reviewed the body-cam video and the medical records for the March 9, 2016 intake and March 10, 2016 sick call with Nurse Carter. Nurse Carter "correctly followed appropriate medical protocol in her examination of [Plaintiff] on March 10, 2016, since his medical intake records indicate that he had a fever and was diabetic." (
Defendant Carter is a registered nurse licensed to practice in North Carolina. In March 2016 she was the director of nursing at the Gaston County Jail.
During the intake process for Plaintiff on March 9, 2016, Plaintiff informed the intake nurse that he had diabetes. The intake examination records also show that he had a low-grade fever. Plaintiff was scheduled for a follow-up medical evaluation on the morning of March 10, 2016 to determine how those problems might be affecting his health. Plaintiff reported to the medical area of the jail escorted by two deputies. He had a cut on his forehead. Plaintiff allowed the bleeding to be controlled and the wound to be covered.
Because Plaintiff reported that he is diabetic and had a low-grade fever at intake, "it was necessary to check his temperature, blood pressure, and blood sugar in order to determine whether any of those conditions might be affecting his mental capacity with respect to his ability to consent to, or refuse any further treatment." (Doc. No. 97-2 at 1). Defendant Carter took Plaintiff's temperature with an oral thermometer, took his blood pressure, and pricked his finger to perform a blood sugar test. Plaintiff told Carter that he was refusing all medical treatment. Once Carter determined that Plaintiff's medical conditions did not impair his judgment, she allowed him to refuse all future medical treatment and made a notation of his refusal in his record. He received no further medical treatment during the remainder of his incarceration in the Gaston County Jail in March 2016.
The three tests that Carter performed "were necessary to determine that [Plaintiff's] condition was not so serious that he lacked the capacity to make an informed decision about his own medical care." (Doc. No. 97-2 at 2). Once Carter determined that those tests were within acceptable limits and documented, Plaintiff received no further medical treatment of any type during his incarceration at the Gaston County Jail.
All of Carter's actions "were in accordance with standard, acceptable medical protocol and practice, and were for the sole purpose of making certain that [Plaintiff] received proper medical care." (Doc. No. 97-2 at 2). Carter "did not act with malice or enmity of any type toward [Plaintiff]." (
(Doc. No. 88-2 at 1) (emphasis added).
(Doc. No. 88-2 at 2).
(Doc. No. 88-2 at 5) (emphasis added).
(Doc. No. 88-2 at 6-7) (emphasis added).
Plaintiff has filed affidavits under penalty of perjury, (Doc. Nos. 102-1 at 7, 104-1 at 7), in response to Defendants' Motions for Summary. In response to Defendants Branch, Cloninger, Hughes, Long, and Whitlock's Motion for Summary Judgment, Plaintiff states that he "did not believe that the order to go to medical was a lawful order" because he had refused medical treatment. (Doc. No. 102-1 at 1). Plaintiff denies Defendants' allegation that Plaintiff pulled his arm away in a defiant manner. Branch and Whitlock "grabbed [Plaintiff] with gloved hands... and catapulted [Plaintiff] into the wall face first." (Doc. No. 102-1 at 2). This caused Plaintiff physical and emotional pain and distress and resulted in a laceration above his eye. The camcorder footage shows that Defendants' demeanor was not calm and professional. They were overzealous and had just used excessive force on a "54 year old heart patient suffering from flu like symptoms as well as severe pain brought on by the jail medical staff's refusal to dispense [Plaintiff's] medication for pain." (Doc. No. 102-1 at 2). Defendants only spent 29 seconds in Plaintiff's cell before they injured him. Defendants were "very much aware that [Plaintiff] was being treated for mental illness based on the fact that [Plaintiff] was in their custody no less than 25 times in just a couple of years and [he] would always get [his] mental health meds dispensed while [he] was there." (Doc. No. 102-1 at 3). Plaintiff even had to get a court order because the jail's Medical Director would not dispense Plaintiff's medications as prescribed by his doctors at Central Prison. This happened previously.
Branch and Whitlock assaulted Plaintiff in his cell. Plaintiff was never combative. Plaintiff never made any attempt to assault anyone at the Sheriff's Department. Plaintiff asked for all the video and audio footage so the jury could see Defendants' actions "but instead the defendants produced video and audio that shows what the defendants want you to see." (Doc. No. 102-1 at 3). Video footage from cameras mounted on the walls in the corridor was not turned over to Plaintiff. Branch and Whitlock's use of force was unnecessary and unjustified. "If Branch or Whitlock would have took 29 seconds and explained to [Plaintiff] that [he] needed to go to medical but [he] can refuse medical treatments [Plaintiff] would have went." (Doc. No. 102-1 at 4). Branch, Whitlock, and someone on the intercom said that Plaintiff cannot refuse medical treatment because he is in jail, which Plaintiff knows is a lie. If Sergeant Hughes had been called sooner, no force would have be used against Plaintiff.
The video shows that there is no unruly disorder or noise on the cell block or in Plaintiff's cell area, so "to say that force was needed to return order and restore discipline are just words that fit in a cliché and have no actual meaning in this case." (Doc. No. 102-1 at 5).
Whitlock states in his affidavit that Plaintiff pushed against the officers on the way to medical when, in fact, the officers had Plaintiff in a full nelson-type hold and they were making it "as uncomfortable as possible" for Plaintiff. (Doc. No. 102-1 at 5).
While in medical at the nurses' station, "[Plaintiff] was very disruptive and uncooperative [because he] had just been assaulted by two deputies." (
Plaintiff states that Branch and Whitlock's statements that they had no malice against him are not true. "There were a lot of folks working at the jail and in the courthouse who were devastated that the N.C. Supreme Court had protected the rights of an accused murderer and overturned his death sentence." (Doc. No. 102-1 at 6). Branch and Whitlock both had their hands on Plaintiff when Plaintiff was slammed into the wall. This was not an emergency situation and there was no reason for the officers to put their hands on Plaintiff "other than the fact that they wanted to do what they did" and they had "plenty of time to call a supervisor." (
Based on Plaintiff's personal experience, Sheriff Cloninger is not qualified to manage a jail and it is "ludicrous" for him to pretend that there is not a problem at his jail, and there are complaints lodge against the Sheriff's Department and jail. (Doc. No. 102-1 at 7).
As a direct result of Defendant's actions and inactions, Plaintiff suffered a laceration above his eye that required medical attention. To this day, Plaintiff suffers from memory loss, PTSD, a sleep disorder and headaches.
In response to Defendants Carter and Flitt's Motion for Summary Judgment, Plaintiff states that he was given a health screening by the intake sergeant on March 9, 2016, and that he was and was told he would see medical within a day or two. Plaintiff was seen in medical approximately nine hours later by a nurse who the Marshal could not serve.
Plaintiff asked for some ibuprofen for his body aches and the nurse told him that "they usually don't treat low grade fevers at the jail." (
Approximately 14 hours later early on the morning of March 10, Branch and Whitlock came to the cell, assaulted Plaintiff, and took him back to medical where he was further assaulted by Branch, Whitlock, and Carter, "forcing unwanted medical care on" him. (
After Plaintiff "allowed" Defendant Carter to clean up the blood from the cut on his forehead, she tried to take Plaintiff's temperature. Plaintiff told Carter that he was refusing all further medical treatment until Dr. Flitt agreed to prescribe Neurontin as previously prescribed by NCDPS. Defendant Carter told him to either open his mouth or she would have officers restrain him to take his temperature rectally. At that time, Plaintiff was being held down in the chair. Plaintiff opened his mouth and allowed Carter to take his temperature "against [his] will" in order to "mitigate the situation." (Doc. No. 104-1 at 3). Carter then took a finger prick blood sample and Plaintiff's blood pressure "against [his] will and without [his] consent." (
Nurse Carter "had arguments with [Plaintiff's] family and caused [him] problems with [his] medical care in the past during [his] trials that went on for approximately five years." (Doc. No. 104-1 at 5). Previously, Judge Beverly Beal had to issue an order that medical staff at Gaston County Jail follow his medical protocol for the duration of trial. NCDPS sent Plaintiff to the jail on a writ along with his Neurontin medication, prescription instructions on the bottle labels, and a dose management sheet. Defendants' assertion that NCDPS transports inmates with their medications but without dispensing instructions is "not only ludicrous, but is a blatant falsehood." (Doc. No. 104-1 at 6).
The defense will say anything for the abusive behavior by staff at the Gaston County Jail, which has continued with impunity for years, not to be exposed.
Nurse Carter stated that she needed to find out if Plaintiff was competent to make an informed decision about refusing medical care. Although Plaintiff was "enraged at the abuse [he] endured and was quite mouthy and profane, there is nothing to indicate [he] was assaultive in any manner." (Doc. No. 104-1 at 6). Nurse Carter does not get to decide what medical procedures to perform on Plaintiff to satisfy her curiosity.
Defendants have filed a June 5, 2019 letter from defense counsel Martha Thompson to Marshall Pike, the Assistant Superintendent for Custody & Operations at the Harnett Correctional Institution where Plaintiff presently resides. (Doc. No. 103-1 at 1). The letter states that a DVD of video footage from the jail is enclosed with the letter and that there are also instructions for Plaintiff's viewing of the DVD, subject to Plaintiff's request to do so, pursuant to a protective order.
A letter dated the same day is addressed to Plaintiff and informs him that materials have been sent to the Assistant Superintendent for Custody and Operations pursuant to Court Order. (Doc. No. 103-1 at 2).
Summary judgment shall be granted "if the movant shows that there is no genuine dispute as to any material fact and the movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law." Fec. R. Civ. P. 56(a). A factual dispute is genuine "if the evidence is such that a reasonable jury could return a verdict for the nonmoving party."
The movant has the "initial responsibility of informing the district court of the basis for its motion, and identifying those portions of the pleadings, depositions, answers to interrogatories, and admissions on file, together with the affidavits, if any, which it believes demonstrate the absence of a genuine issue of material fact."
When ruling on a summary judgment motion, a court must view the evidence and any inferences from the evidence in the light most favorable to the nonmoving party.
"[T]he treatment a prisoner receives in prison and the conditions under which he is confined are subject to scrutiny under the Eighth Amendment,"
A prison official violates the Eighth Amendment only when two requirements are met. First, the deprivation alleged must be, objectively, "sufficiently serious,"
"[T]he Eighth Amendment's prohibition against `cruel and unusual punishments' [extends] to the treatment of prisoners by prison officials" and "forbids the unnecessary and wanton infliction of pain,"
Prisoners alleging that they have been subjected to unconstitutional conditions of confinement must satisfy the Supreme Court's two-pronged test set forth in
The Fourth Amendment protects "[t]he right of the people to be secure in their persons... against unreasonable searches and seizures." U.S. Const. amend. IV. The applicability of the Fourth Amendment turns on whether "the person invoking its protection can claim a `justifiable,' a `reasonable,' or a `legitimate expectation of privacy' that has been invaded by government action."
Further, "a competent person has a constitutionally protected liberty interest in refusing unwanted medical treatment."
A supervisor can be liable where (1) he knew that his subordinate "was engaged in conduct that posed a pervasive and unreasonable risk of constitutional injury;" (2) his response showed "deliberate indifference to or tacit authorization of the alleged offensive practices;" and (3) that there was an "affirmative causal link" between his inaction and the constitutional injury."
The doctrine of qualified immunity protects government officials "from liability for civil damages insofar as their conduct does not violate clearly established statutory or constitutional rights of which a reasonable person would have known."
In
To overcome the qualified immunity defense at the summary judgment stage, the plaintiff must have shown facts that make out a violation of a constitutional right, and the right at issue must have been "clearly established" at the time of the defendant's alleged misconduct.
To find a right is clearly established does not mean that "the exact conduct at issue [must] have been held unlawful for the law governing an officer's actions to be clearly established."
Governmental immunity "is that portion of the State's sovereign immunity which extends to local governments."
Public official immunity is a "derivative form" of governmental immunity.
The Amended Complaint passed initial review on a claim against Nurse Allie for deliberate indifference to a serious medical need by failing to provide him with prescribed medication or provide alternative medication. However, the U.S. Marshal was unable to serve Defendant Allie after several attempts and the time for service has expired. Rule 4(m) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure allows the court to dismiss sua sponte unserved defendants after 90 days following the filing of the complaint. Fed. R. Civ. P. 4(m). While the rule requires the court to extend the period for service upon a showing of good cause, Plaintiff has failed to do so and none appears on the record. Accordingly, the Court will exercise its discretion to dismiss the remaining unserved defendant without prejudice under Rule 4(m).
Plaintiff claims that Defendants Branch and Whitlock snatched him from his bunk and maliciously slammed him face-first into a wall while they were attempting to escort him to medical.
Defendants have submitted evidence, that Plaintiff does not refute, that Plaintiff was called on the intercom to go to medical and refused. The video evidence and transcript show that Defendants Branch and Whitlock went to Plaintiff's cell and told him in person that he was going to medical. Plaintiff refused and continued to lie on his bunk. The officers maintain that they had no animus towards Plaintiff, that Plaintiff was resistant and non-compliant, that they used minimal hands-on force to gain control over him and escort him to medical, and that Plaintiff's resistance caused his head to bump the wall. Plaintiff claims that Branch and Whitlock had animus against him because he had his murder case overturned, that they unnecessarily resorted to physical force, and that they purposely slammed him into the wall.
A dispute remains regarding whether Plaintiff's head striking the cell wall was due to officer malice, or due to Plaintiff's physical resistance in attempting to jerk away from officers. Plaintiff claims that officers acted maliciously because they were angry his death sentence was overturned, and officers claim that Plaintiff's collision with the wall was due to his physical resistance. No objective evidence illustrates which of these alternatives occurred and the evidence must be viewed in favor of the non-moving party, Plaintiff. This genuine dispute of material fact precludes summary judgment. This material factual dispute also makes it impossible for the Court to determine that qualified immunity applies Therefore, Defendants' Motion will be denied and this case will proceed to trial on Plaintiff's excessive force claim.
Plaintiff claims that he was refused Tylenol or ibuprofen by the intake nurse, that Defendants Flitt and the intake nurse failed to follow prescribed medical protocol and refusing to administer his Neurontin or provide alternative medication for a painful diagnosed medical condition.
Defendant Flitt has filed an affidavit stating that he had no direct contact with Plaintiff during the time he was at Gaston County Jail in March 2016. Prior to the March 10, 2016 incident, none of the medical personnel who worked under Defendant Flitt's supervision requested that he make a decision regarding what medications should be provided to Plaintiff during the time he was incarcerated at the Gaston County Jail in March 2016. Nor does Defendant Flitt have a general policy regarding the use or non-use of prescription medications by Gaston County inmates, but individually evaluates whether medications should be prescribed on a case-by-case basis. Further, Neurontin is widely abused in correctional facilities and only has two FDA approved diagnoses for its use, of which neuropathy is not one. Plaintiff's March 10, 2016 refusal of any and all further medical treatment which would include prescribing Neurontin and other medications and halted the Jail's request for his prior medical records.
In response to Defendant Flitt's Motion for Summary Judgment, Plaintiff states that an unserved nurse told Plaintiff that Flitt had denied the use of Neurontin at the Jail because inmates abuse it and that Flitt directed that Plaintiff not receive it while at the Jail. Plaintiff also appears to suggest that his refusal of medical treatment on March 10, 2016 was conditioned on Flitt's provision of Neurontin.
The transcript from the March 10 incident shows that Plaintiff refused ibuprofen almost as soon as the officers came into his cell. (Doc. No. 88-2 at 1). Defendant Flitt states in his affidavit that Neurontin is widely abused in correctional facilities and that neuropathy is not one of that medication's two FDA-approved uses. The March 10 transcript also shows that Plaintiff refused all further medical treatment following his visit to the nurse's station and that the refusal was not conditioned on Defendant Flitt's provision of Neurontin. Defendant Flitt states in his affidavit that Plaintiff did not make any further requests for medical care for the following 10 days that Plaintiff remained at the Jail.
The record conclusively demonstrates that Plaintiff refused ibuprofen and unconditionally waived any further medical treatment such that no reasonable jury could believe Plaintiff's version of events. Plaintiff has not come forward with any evidence refuting Defendant Flitt's assertions about Neurontin's abuses, its FDA-approved uses, or Plaintiff's failure to request any further medical treatment after his March 10 refusal. Under these circumstances, Plaintiff has failed to show that a genuine dispute of material fact exists with regards to Defendant Flitt's alleged deliberate indifference to a serious medical need. Nor has Plaintiff demonstrated that a genuine dispute of material fact exists with regards to Defendant Flitt's alleged supervisory liability.
Defendant Flitt will therefore be granted summary judgment on Plaintiff's claim of deliberate indifference to a serious medical need.
Plaintiff alleges that, despite Plaintiff's refusal of medical care, Nurse Carter tested his blood sugar with a finger stick and measured his temperature and blood pressure while Defendants Branch and Whitlock held him in a chair in the presence of Defendants Hughes and Long.
Plaintiff admits in his Amended Complaint that he "advised [the intake officer] that he had ... diabetes... [and] complained of shortness of breath and body aches and pains," and that he had a "low grade fever" at intake. (Doc. No. 62 at 3). Defendants Flitt and Carter have submitted affidavits stating that the three tests performed by Carter were in accordance with standard, acceptable medical protocol and practice and were necessary to determine whether Plaintiff had the capacity to accept or refuse medical care in light of his conditions. (Doc. No. 97-1 at 2-3); (Doc. No. 97-2 at 1-2). Defendant Carter denies that she acted with malice or enmity of any type toward Plaintiff (Doc. No. 97-2 at 2). Defendants Flitt and Carter both state in their affidavits that, once it was determined that those tests were within acceptable limits and documented, Plaintiff received no further medical treatment of any type during his incarceration at the Gaston County Jail. (
The parties agree that the scope of the disputed medical intrusion was an oral temperature check, finger stick blood sugar test and blood pressure cuff. The record conclusively establishes that, after the three tests came back within acceptable limits, Plaintiff's refusal was noted in the medical records and he was not subjected to any further medical intervention except the cleaning of his head wound to which he consented. Although Plaintiff contends that Defendant Carter was motivated by malice because Plaintiff had given her problems before, he does not refute Flitt's and Carter's affidavit statements that the three tests were necessary to determine whether he had the capacity to consent to or refuse medical treatment. Plaintiff has failed to demonstrate a genuine dispute of material fact that there was a rational basis for the imposition of three unwanted and minimally intrusive medical tests under these circumstances, or that the correctional officers who were present failed to intervene in conduct that subjected Plaintiff to an excessive risk to his health or safety or otherwise violated his constitutional rights.
Therefore, summary judgment will be granted in favor of Defendants on Plaintiff's claim that he was subjected to unwanted medical treatment.
Plaintiff alleges that Sheriff Cloninger failed to have policies in place to prevent assault and battery, failed to enforce policies or have basic training for staff regarding the right to refuse medical treatment, and failed to have in place and/or enforce policy to ensure that a trained supervisor be present to prevent assault and battery by overzealous staff when a prisoner refuses to leave his cell for any reason.
Defendants have provided evidence that Defendant Cloninger does not set medical policy or oversee medical staff and protocol, and that medical staff are not employees of the Sheriff. Plaintiff has failed to come forward with any evidence to refute Defendants' evidence. He has failed to demonstrate the existence of a genuine dispute of material fact with regards to the foregoing. Further, Plaintiff has failed to demonstrate that the medical Defendants violated his constitutional rights. Therefore, this supervisory claims against Sheriff Cloninger upon which his medical § 1983 claims were based, also fails.
Defendant Cloninger has also presented evidence that he has implemented policies and procedures within the Jail to maintain order and discipline including a Use of Force policy that authorizes force to maintain order and safety in the Jail and to defend when the use of force is used or imminent against them, and to assist medical personnel at the nurses' station to maintain or restore order. Defendants have presented evidence that Sheriff Cloninger hires individuals to work in the jail as detention officers who receive the training required by the State of North Carolina, that Officers Branch, Whitlock, Long, and Sergeant Hughes' certifications were in good standing and they were up-to-date on all training as of the date of the incident addressed in the Amended Complaint. Plaintiff fails to dispute this evidence and has not demonstrated the existence of a genuine dispute of material fact that Defendant Cloninger knew his subordinates were engaged in conduct that posed a pervasive and unreasonable risk of constitutional injury, that he was deliberately indifferent to or tacitly authorized offensive practices, or that any deficiency in policy, procedure, or training actually caused a constitutional violation of any kind.
Accordingly, Defendant Cloninger will be granted summary judgment on the claims against him as a supervisor.
Summary judgment is being granted in favor of the medical Defendants because no constitutional violations occurred, and in favor of Defendant Cloninger as a supervisor. Therefore, those Defendants are entitled to qualified immunity on those claims as well. However, because genuine disputes of material fact preclude summary judgment on Plaintiff's excessive force claims, the Court cannot determine at this juncture whether Defendants are entitled to qualified immunity on those claims and summary judgment will be denied.
Plaintiff asserts state law claims of assault and battery,
Defendants will be granted summary judgment on the state-law claims against them in their official capacities because there is no genuine dispute of material fact that Defendants were discharging governmental functions and that their immunity was not waived by liability insurance.
With regards to Plaintiff's individual capacity claims, the Court has determined that Defendants should be granted summary judgment on Plaintiff's federal medical claims because no constitutional violation occurred. The same is true of the supervisory claims against Defendant Cloninger. No genuine dispute of material fact exists with regards to the existence of a legitimate penological interest, lack of malice, or actions outside of the scope of medical duties with regards to these claims. Therefore, Defendants' Motion for Summary Judgment will be granted on Plaintiff's state-law claims related to medical care and against Defendant Cloninger as a supervisor.
However, the Court has denied summary judgment on Plaintiff's federal claims regarding the use of excessive force because a genuine dispute of material fact exists regarding whether Defendants Branch and Whitlock's actions were malicious. The Court is unable to determine at this juncture whether public officer immunity applies, and therefore, Defendants Branch and Whitlock's Motion for Summary Judgment of the state law claims related to their alleged use of excessive force will be denied.
Plaintiff has filed a Motion seeking an extension of time to file a response to Defendants Carter and Flitt's Motion for Summary Judgment. (Doc. No. 101). Plaintiff's Motion will be granted insofar as his Response has been accepted as timely filed.
Based on the foregoing, Defendants' Motions for Summary Judgment are granted in part and denied in part and Plaintiff's Motion for an Extension of Time is granted.
