Opinion
2016-2092
05-04-2017
ANTHONY MOORE, Plaintiff-Appellant v. UNITED STATES, Defendant-Appellee
Anthony Moore, Federal Correctional Institution, Marianna, FL, pro se. P. Davis Oliver, Commercial Litigation Branch, Civil Division, United States Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for defendant-appellee. Also represented by Benjamin C. Mizer, Robert E. Kirschman, Jr., Reginald T. Blades, Jr.
NOTE: This disposition is nonprecedential. Appeal from the United States Court of Federal Claims in No. 1:16-cv-00490-RHH, Senior Judge Robert H. Hodges Jr.. Anthony Moore, Federal Correctional Institution, Marianna, FL, pro se. P. Davis Oliver, Commercial Litigation Branch, Civil Division, United States Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for defendant-appellee. Also represented by Benjamin C. Mizer, Robert E. Kirschman, Jr., Reginald T. Blades, Jr. Before MOORE, TARANTO, and CHEN, Circuit Judges. PER CURIAM.
Anthony Moore appeals an order from the United States Court of Federal Claims ("Claims Court") dismissing his complaint for lack of jurisdiction. Because the Claims Court lacks jurisdiction to hear the complaint, we affirm.
BACKGROUND
Mr. Moore is an inmate at a federal prison in Florida. He alleges the Federal Bureau of Prisons ("BOP") was deliberately indifferent to his medical needs by refusing to treat his dizzy spells, ear and nose pain, migraine headaches, broken finger, and injured toe. He seeks damages of $500,000. The Claims Court sua sponte dismissed Mr. Moore's complaint, holding it lacked jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1491 because his allegations sounded in tort. Mr. Moore appeals. We have jurisdiction pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1295(a)(3).
DISCUSSION
The Claims Court is a court of limited jurisdiction and lacks jurisdiction to hear claims sounding in tort. 28 U.S.C. § 1491(a)(1). Allegations that the BOP failed to provide appropriate medical care are claims sounding in tort over which the Claims Court lacks jurisdiction. Trafny v. United States, 503 F.3d 1339, 1340 (Fed. Cir. 2007). Mr. Moore contends his claim may be maintained under the Supreme Court's decision in Estelle v. Gamble, 429 U.S. 97 (1976). Estelle holds that deliberate indifference to prisoners' serious medical needs may violate the Eighth Amendment's prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment. Id. at 104-05. The Claims Court lacks jurisdiction to hear claims arising under the Eighth Amendment. Trafny, 503 F.3d at 1340. Therefore, the Claims Court lacks jurisdiction to hear Mr. Moore's complaint.
CONCLUSION
The order from the Claims Court is affirmed.
AFFIRMED
COSTS
No costs.