Summary
dismissing an inmate's claim regarding alleged inadequate medical treatment for hemorrhoids because, in response to his complaints, the inmate had been provided with a stool softener, medication for stomach pains and cream to relieve pain and swelling: "Although the plaintiff might prefer a surgical solution to his hemorrhoids, that disagreement with the treatment provided does not state constitutional claim"
Summary of this case from Smith v. LavespereOpinion
No. 4:06CV13-D-B.
April 19, 2006
MEMORANDUM OPINION
This matter comes before the court on the pro se prisoner complaint of Johnny Anderson (# 30035), who challenges the conditions of his confinement under 42 U.S.C. § 1983. For the purposes of the Prison Litigation Reform Act, the court notes that the plaintiff was incarcerated when he filed this suit. The plaintiff alleges that the defendants have denied him adequate medical care for his severe hemorrhoids. For the reasons set forth below, the instant suit shall be dismissed with prejudice for failure to state a claim upon which relief could be granted.
Factual Allegations
The plaintiff alleges that he has had hemorrhoid difficulty for over thirty years. Indeed, his condition has required two surgeries: one performed at the University Medical Center in Jackson, Mississippi in 1978, another performed while the plaintiff was incarcerated at Sing Sing Correctional Facility under the custody of the New York State Department of Correctional Services. The plaintiff began having severe hemorrhoid trouble once more in July 2005, while again in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections. He submitted a sick call request form on July 20, 2005, seeking treatment for painful bowel movements which caused his hemorrhoids to bleed and protrude. In response to the sick call request, the Mississippi Department of Corrections sent the plaintiff to the Unit 32 clinic at the Mississippi State Penitentiary. The plaintiff explained his difficulties in detail to the nurse, who issued the plaintiff a stool softener, medication for stomach pains and cramps, and cream to relieve the pain and swelling of hemorrhoids. The plaintiff alleges that these medications did not relieve his symptoms at all. He has sent various letters and complaints to the Mississippi Department of Corrections medical staff, but he has not submitted another sick call requests since July 2005. The Mississippi Department of Corrections requires inmates to complete and submit a sick call request to be scheduled for an appointment to see a prison physician.
Denial of Medical Treatment
In order to prevail on an Eighth Amendment claim for denial of medical care, a plaintiff must allege facts which demonstrate "deliberate indifference to the serious medical needs of prisoners [which] constitutes `unnecessary and wanton infliction of pain' proscribed by the Eighth Amendment . . . whether the indifference is manifested by prison doctors or prison guards in intentionally denying or delaying access to medical care. . . ." Estelle v. Gamble, 429 U.S. 97, 104-105, 50 L. Ed. 2d 251, 260 (1976); Mayweather v. Foti, 958 F.2d 91, 91 (5th Cir. 1992). The test for establishing deliberate indifference is one of "subjective recklessness as used in the criminal law." Farmer v. Brennan, 511 U.S. 825, 837 (1994). Under this standard, a state actor may not be held liable under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 unless plaintiff alleges facts which, if true, would establish that the official "knows of and disregards an excessive risk to inmate health or safety; the official must both be aware of facts from which the inference could be drawn that a substantial risk of serious harm exists, and he must also draw the inference." Id. at 838. Only in exceptional circumstances may knowledge of substantial risk of serious harm be inferred by a court from the obviousness of the substantial risk. Id. Negligent conduct by prison officials does not rise to the level of a constitutional violation. Daniels v. Williams, 474 U.S. 327, 106 S.Ct. 662 (1986), Davidson v. Cannon, 474 U.S. 344, 106 S.Ct. 668 (1986). A prisoner's mere disagreement with medical treatment provided by prison officials does not state a claim against the prison for violation of the Eighth Amendment by deliberate indifference to his serious medical needs. Gibbs v. Grimmette, 254 F.3d 545 (5th Cir. 2001), Norton v. Dimazana, 122 F.3d 286, 292 (5th Cir. 1997).
The plaintiff's claims must fail. He has received treatment the only time he has submitted a sick call request. Although the plaintiff might prefer a surgical solution to his hemorrhoids, that disagreement with the treatment provided does not state constitutional claim. In addition, the plaintiff has not submitted a sick call request form since July 20, 2005. If he would like to be examined and treated by a doctor, he must follow the procedures established by the Mississippi Department of Corrections for securing such treatment. The plaintiff may not complain that he has been denied treatment that he has not requested.
In sum, for the reasons set forth above, the instant case shall be dismissed with prejudice for failure to state a claim upon which relief could be granted. A final judgment consistent with this memorandum opinion shall issue today.