Opinion
18-1122
04-18-2018
ADRIAN THOMAS, Plaintiff, v. JOHN BALDWIN, et al. Defendants.
MERIT REVIEW AND CASE MANAGEMENT ORDER
This case is before the court for a merit review of the plaintiff's claims. The court is required by 28 U.S.C. § 1915A to "screen" the plaintiff's complaint, and through such process to identify and dismiss any legally insufficient claim, or the entire action if warranted. A claim is legally insufficient if it "(1) is frivolous, malicious, or fails to state a claim upon which relief may be granted; or (2) seeks monetary relief from a defendant who is immune from such relief." 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). However, conclusory statements and labels are insufficient. Enough facts must be provided to "state a claim for relief that is plausible on its face." Alexander v. U.S., 721 F.3d 418, 422 (7th Cir. 2013)(citation omitted).
Plaintiff alleges that he was housed in a cell at Pontiac Correctional Center that had no hot water, a mattress that smelled like feces, urine, and mildew, a bunk bed with feces and hundreds of dead flies for approximately two months. Plaintiff alleges that his requests for cleaning supplies went unanswered, and that he later developed a rash on his back. Plaintiff alleges the lack of hot water in his cell prevented him from following instructions from medical staff to treat his rash.
Plaintiff states a claim for inhumane conditions of confinement and deliberate indifference to a serious medical need against defendants Blachard and Punkie. Townsend v. Fuchs, 522 F.3d 765, 773 (7th Cir. 2008); Estelle v. Gamble, 429 U.S. 97, 104-05 (1976) (prison officials may not interfere with treatment once prescribed). Plaintiff does not state a claim against defendants Baldwin, Melvin, or the chief of maintenence as no plausible inference arises that they were responsible for plaintiff's continued stay in the cell in question or the denial of cleaning supplies. Plaintiff cannot sue these individuals just because they are in charge. Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662, 676 (2009).
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 Eighth Amendment claims for inhumane conditions of confinement and deliberate indifference to a serious medical need against defendants Blachard and Punkie. 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 clerk is directed to terminate John Baldwin, Michael Melvin, and John Doe as defendants.
12. The clerk is directed to attempt service on Major Blachard and Punkie pursuant to the standard procedures.
13. Plaintiff's motion for counsel [3] is denied, with leave to renew upon demonstrating that he made attempts to hire his own counsel. Pruitt v. Mote, 503 F.3d 647, 654-55 (7th Cir. 2007). Although Plaintiff states he contacted several lawyers, a prisoner typically meets this requirement by attaching the responses he has received from the lawyers to his motion. In addition, Plaintiff has personal knowledge of the facts, he has been able to adequately convey them to the Court, he should be able to get relevant documents via discovery, and this case does not appear overly complex at this time. Therefore, the Court finds that Plaintiff is capable of representing himself at this time.
Entered this 18th day of April, 2018.
/s/Harold A. Baker
HAROLD A. BAKER
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE