Opinion
No. CIVS-10-0860 EFB P.
April 20, 2011
ORDER
Plaintiff is a state prisoner proceeding without counsel in an action brought under 42 U.S.C. § 1983. Currently before the court is plaintiff's motion for a physical examination. Dckt. No. 28.
Plaintiff's motion, made pursuant to Fed.R.Civ.P. 35(a), requests that the court order a doctor to conduct an examination of his person. Dckt. No. 28. Rule 35(a) provides that a court may "order a party whose mental or physical condition . . . is in controversy to submit to a physical or mental examination by a suitably licensed or certified examiner." But Rule 35 does not give the court authority to appoint an expert to examine a party on his own motion. Brown v. United States, 74 Fed. App'x 611, 614 (7th Cir. August 11, 2003); Adams v. Epps, 2008 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 93910, 2008 WL 4861926 at *1 (S.D. Miss. 2008) ("Rule 35 `does not vest the court with authority to appoint an expert to examine a party wishing an examination of himself.'"); see also Cabrera v. Williams, 2007 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 66480, 2007 WL 2682163 at *2 (D. Neb. Sept 7, 2007) (denying prisoner's request for medical examination under Rule 35); Lindell v. Daley, 2003 WL 23111624 at *1-2 (W.D. Wis. June 30, 2002) (Rule 35 allows the court to "order plaintiff to submit to an examination at the request of the opposing party. . . . The rule is not intended to cover a situation such as the one here, where plaintiff wishes an examination of himself.").
Thus, the rule provides no authority for the court to order a physical examination of plaintiff. Accordingly, it is hereby ORDERED that plaintiff's March 7, 2011 motion for a physical examination (Docket No. 28) is denied.