Opinion
CIVIL ACTION NO. PWG-16-255
02-23-2016
JOHN DAVID STULTZ, #273-205, 1171556 Plaintiff v. DOCTOR JOHN DOE DOCTOR MABOOB ASHRAF WEXFORD HEALTH SOURCES, INC. Defendants
MEMORANDUM
John David Stultz has filed a civil rights complaint under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, seeking injunctive relief and money damages against Wexford Health Sources, Inc. ("Wexford") and two of its employees, only one of which is identified. Stultz, a self-represented prisoner housed at the North Branch Correctional Institution in Cumberland, Maryland ("NBCI"), alleges that medical personnel are not providing treatment for a serious eye condition. (ECF No. 1). Stultz's Motion for Leave to Proceed In Forma Pauperis (ECF No. 2) will be provisionally granted pending computation of his initial partial filing fee pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a)(2). For reasons set forth herein, his civil rights claim under the Eighth Amendment shall proceed solely against Doctor Maboob Ashraf.
Under § 1983, liability is imposed on "any person who shall subject, or cause to be subjected, any person . . . to the deprivation of any rights...." 42 U.S.C. § 1983. "[A] private corporation is not liable under § 1983 for torts committed by [its employees] when such liability is predicated solely upon a theory of respondeat superior." See Austin v. Paramount Parks, Inc., 195 F.3d 715, 727-28 (4th Cir. 1999); Powell v. Shopco Laurel Co., 678 F.2d 504, 506 (4th Cir. 1982); Clark v. Maryland Dep't of Public Safety & Corr. Servs., 316 Fed. App'x 279, 282 (4th Cir. 2009). Dr. John Doe and Doctor Maboob Ashraf are "persons" who may be held responsible for injury under the civil rights statute; Wexford, a corporation, may not, on the claims asserted here. Wexford shall be dismissed from this action.
This case shall proceed against Defendant Ashraf alleging a failure to provide adequate and appropriate medical care in violation of the Eighth Amendment. Should Stultz identify Dr. John Doe, he, too, may become a defendant in this case. A separate Order shall be entered in accordance with this Memorandum. 022316
Date
/s/_________
Paul W. Grimm
United States District Judge