Opinion
Case No. 14-CV-3397
02-05-2015
JOE CLARK, Plaintiff, v. D. FURLONG, et al., Defendants.
MERIT REVIEW AND CASE MANAGEMENT ORDER
The plaintiff, proceeding pro se, a pretrial detainee at the Rushville Treatment and Detention Facility is requesting leave to proceed under a reduced payment procedure for indigent plaintiffs who are institutionalized but are not prisoners as defined in 28 U.S.C. Section 1915(h).
The case is now before the Court for a merit review pursuant to 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). 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 complaining that defendant Furlong repeatedly refused to clean his teeth while plaintiff was incarcerated at Tamms Correctional Center from 1/27/2005 to 12/28/2012. On 12/28/2012, plaintiff was transferred to Pontiac Correctional where he underwent routine dental screenings by dentist Melissa Kenfield who also allegedly refused to clean his teeth. Two days prior to plaintiff's release from Pontiac he spoke with Debbie "Doe", a dental hygienist who told him he was on a schedule to have his teeth cleaned. Plaintiff asked Doe to expedite the process so it could be accomplished in the next 2 days. She did not so do. Plaintiff alleges deliberate indifference to his serious medical needs which has resulted in bone loss, periodontal disease and heavy tartar buildup as well as emotional distress.
Plaintiff attempts to impermissible join unrelated defendants and unrelated claims. See Owens v. Hinsley, 635 F.3d 950, 952 (7th Cir. 2011). Plaintiff's claim against defendant Furlong occurred at Tamms Correctional Center. Tamms Correctional Center (which is now closed) was located in Alexander County, which is in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois. If the plaintiff wishes to pursue his claim against defendant Furlong, he must file a motion to sever that claim from this case within 28 days. If plaintiff chooses to go forward with the severed case, the court will open a new case for transfer to the Southern District of Illinois for a merit review pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915A. If the plaintiff does not file a motion to sever, that claim will be dismissed without prejudice.
The only claim remaining in this action is plaintiff's claim for deliberate indifference against defendants Kenfield and Doe, which occurred at the Pontiac Correctional Center.
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 a Fourteenth Amendment due process claim for cruel and unusual punishment against defendants Kenfield and Doe. 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 plaintiff's Motion for Leave to Proceed in forma pauperis (#3) is granted. The plaintiff's Motion for Service at the government's expense is DENIED.
12. The clerk is directed to issue Waivers of Service to defendants Kenfield and Doe as provided in this order. No service shall be ordered on defendant Furlong at this time.
Entered this 5th day of February, 2015.
/s/Harold A. Baker
HAROLD A. BAKER
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT