Pamplin v. Lucas

1 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 2 DISTRICT OF NEVADA 3 * * * 4 JOHN DAVID PAMPLIN, Case No. 3:20-CV-00111-CLB 5 Plaintiff, ORDER GRANTING MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT1 6 v. [ECF No. 42] 7 C. LUCAS, et al., 8 Defendants. 9 10 This case involves a civil rights action filed by Plaintiff John David Pamplin 11 (“Pamplin”) against Defendants Kerry McCullah (“McCullah”) and Candis Rambur 12 (“Rambur”) (formerly known as Candis Lucas) (collectively referred to as “Defendants”). 13 Currently pending before the Court is Defendants’ motion for summary judgment. (ECF 14 Nos. 42, 44.)2 Pamplin opposed the motion, (ECF No. 50), and Defendants replied. (ECF 15 No. 52.) For the reasons stated below, Defendants’ motion for summary judgment, (ECF 16 No. 42), is granted. 17 I. FACTUAL BACKGROUND AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY 18 Pamplin is an inmate in the custody of the Nevada Department of Corrections 19 (“NDOC”) and is currently incarcerated at the Warm Springs Correctional Center 20 (“WSCC”). (ECF No. 3.) Defendants McCullah and Rambur were employed with the 21 NDOC at the time of Pamplin’s complaint. (ECF No. 42.) On February 18, 2020, Pamplin 22 filed an application to proceed in forma pauperis and a complaint pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 23 § 1983. (ECF Nos. 1, 3.) 24 Pamplin’s complaint alleges that on September 14, 2018, “Administration” 25 classified Pamplin to WSCC and housed him on a hill in Unit 4B North. (ECF No. 3 at 3.) 26 1 The parties have voluntarily consented to have this case referred to the undersigned to conduct all proceedings and entry of a final judgment in accordance with 27 28 U.S.C. § 636(c) and Fed. R. Civ. P. 73. (ECF No. 15.) 1 “Administration and all the defendants” had personal knowledge of Pamplin’s walking 2 disabilities. (Id.) The “special doctor” ordered flat yard restriction. (Id.) “The defendants 3 ignored all my crys (sic) for help and left me to suffer.” (Id.) 4 Claim 1 alleges the following. “Each Defendant had knowledge of the steep hill 5 which OMD classified me to this prison, knowing I’m a disable with drop foot, right hip and 6 lower back injuries.” (Id. at 4.) Walking up and down a steep hill has caused great pain 7 and suffering. (Id.) “The defendant” violated Pamplin’s “flat yard restriction” by placing him 8 on the steep hill. (Id.) Walking the steep hill 10-14 times per day for matters such as chow 9 hall, pill call, church, and picking up legal mail has made Pamplin’s condition worse. (Id.) 10 “The defendant” states that it is a “barrier free yard,” but Warms Springs Unit 4B is not 11 handicap accessible. (Id.) Pamplin concludes that his rights under Title II of the Americans 12 with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) have been violated. (Id.) 13 Claim 2 alleges the following. Rambur and McCullah “had personal knowledge” of 14 the hill and failed to address the pain and suffering caused by the daily walking up and 15 down the hill, stating that it is a barrier free yard when clearly there is a steep hill. (Id. at 16 5, 12-17.) They deliberately placed Pamplin in Unit 4R, knowing that Pamplin would have 17 to walk the steep hill daily and hurt his injuries even more. (Id.) Months of walking up and 18 down the steep hill have caused serious injuries to his lower back and right hip. (Id.) “The 19 defendant ignored all my crys (sic) for help.” (Id.) Warm Springs is not a handicap 20 accessible yard. (Id.) Pamplin concludes that the “defendant’s refusal” to move Pamplin 21 to a different yard or flat yard has amounted to deliberate indifference to an unreasonable 22 risk of harm. (Id.) 23 Claim 3 alleges the following. “Each defendant had personal knowledge” of 24 Pamplin’s flat yard doctor-ordered restrictions, but deliberately placed Pamplin on the 25 steep hill to cause Pamplin “pain and suffering and more injuries to his drop foot issue, 26 his right hip, and his lower back injuries.” (Id. at 6.) Even after grieving the issue, “the 27 defendants fail to help me stating or lying saying it a ‘barrier free yard.’” (Id.) Warm Springs 1 Pamplin alleges that this violated his Eighth Amendment right against cruel and unusual 2 punishment. (Id.) 3 The complaint was screened by the District Court pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915A, 4 and Pamplin was permitted to proceed on violations of the ADA and an Eighth 5 Amendment deliberate indifference claim against Defendants. (ECF No. 2.) The Court 6 found that Pamplin stated an ADA claim, as the complaint adequately alleged that 7 Defendants deliberately refused to accommodate Pamplin’s disability-related mobility 8 needs. (Id. at 6.) Additionally, the Court found that Pamplin stated a colorable Eighth 9 Amendment claim against Defendants, because liberally construed, the complaint alleged 10 facts sufficient to show Defendants knew that Pamplin had a drop foot and hip and back 11 injuries that caused Pamplin pain when he had to climb up and down the hill and 12 Defendants deliberately chose not to transfer Pamplin to address the problem and 13 baselessly claimed that the yard was “barrier free,” causing Pamplin prolonged pain. (Id. 14 at 7-8.) 15 On November 16, 2021, Defendants filed the instant motion for summary 16 judgment arguing: (1) Pamplin was treated appropriately and in accordance with medical 17 directives and standards of care; (2) Defendants were not Pamplin’s treating physician; 18 (3) Pamplin has not been harmed by the alleged lack of treatment; (4) Defendants did not 19 have authority to transfer Pamplin; (5) Pamplin is not entitled to recover under the ADA; 20 (6) Pamplin has not properly requested an accommodation for disability; and (7) 21 Defendants are entitled to qualified immunity. (ECF No. 42) Pamplin opposed the motion, 22 (ECF No. 50), and Defendants replied. (ECF No. 52.) 23 II. LEGAL STANDARDS 24 “The court shall grant summary judgment if the movant shows that there is no 25 genuine dispute as to any material fact and the movant is entitled to judgment as a matter 26 of law.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(a); Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 322 (1986). The 27 substantive law applicable to the claim or claims determines which facts are material. 1 U.S. 242, 248 (1986)). Only disputes over facts that address the main legal question of 2 the suit can preclude summary judgment, and factual disputes that are irrelevant are not 3 material. Frlekin v. Apple, Inc., 979 F.3d 639, 644 (9th Cir. 2020). A dispute is “genuine” 4 only where a reasonable jury could find for the nonmoving party. Anderson, 477 U.S. at 5 248. 6 The parties subject to a motion for summary judgment must: (1) cite facts from the 7 record, including but not limited to depositions, documents, and declarations, and then 8 (2) “show[] that the materials cited do not establish the absence or presence of a genuine 9 dispute, or that an adverse party cannot produce admissible evidence to support the fact.” 10 Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(c)(1). Documents submitted during summary judgment must be 11 authenticated, and if only personal knowledge authenticates a document (i.e., even a 12 review of the contents of the document would not prove that it is authentic), an affidavit 13 attesting to its authenticity must be attached to the submitted document. Las Vegas 14 Sands, LLC v. Neheme, 632 F.3d 526, 532-33 (9th Cir. 2011). Conclusory statements, 15 speculative opinions, pleading allegations, or other assertions uncorroborated by facts 16 are insufficient to establish the absence or presence of a genuine dispute. Soremekun v. 17 Thrifty Payless, Inc., 509 F.3d 978, 984 (9th Cir. 2007); Stephens v. Union Pac. R.R. Co., 18 935 F.3d 852, 856 (9th Cir. 2019). 19 The moving party bears the initial burden of demonstrating an absence of a 20 genuine dispute. Soremekun, 509 F.3d at 984. “Where the moving party will have the 21 burden of proof on an issue at trial, the movant must affirmatively demonstrate that no 22 reasonable trier of fact could find other than for the moving party.” Soremekun, 509 F.3d 23 at 984. However, if the moving party does not bear the burden of proof at trial, the moving 24 party may meet their initial burden by demonstrating either: (1) there is an absence of 25 evidence to support an essential element of the nonmoving party’s claim or claims; or (2) 26 submitting admissible evidence that establishes the record forecloses the possibility of a 27 reasonable jury finding in favor of the nonmoving party. See Pakootas v. Teck Cominco 1 Cos., 210 F.3d 1099, 1102 (9th Cir. 2000). The court views all evidence and any 2 inferences arising therefrom in the light most favorable to the nonmoving party. Colwell v. 3 Bannister, 763 F.3d 1060, 1065 (9th Cir. 2014). If the moving party does not meet its 4 burden for summary judgment, the nonmoving party is not required to provide evidentiary 5 materials to oppose the motion, and the court will deny summary judgment. Celotex, 477 6 U.S. at 322-23. 7 Where the moving party has met its burden, however, the burden shifts to the 8 nonmoving party to establish that a genuine issue of material fact actually exists. 9 Matsushita Elec. Indus. Co. v. Zenith Radio Corp., 475 U.S. 574, 586, (1986). The 10 nonmoving must “go beyond the pleadings” to meet this burden. Pac. Gulf Shipping Co. 11 v. Vigorous Shipping & Trading S.A., 992 F.3d 893, 897 (9th Cir. 2021) (internal quotation 12 omitted). In other words, the nonmoving party may not simply rely upon the allegations or 13 denials of its pleadings; rather, they must tender evidence of specific facts in the form of 14 affidavits, and/or admissible discovery material in support of its contention that such a 15 dispute exists. See Fed.R.Civ.P. 56(c); Matsushita, 475 U.S. at 586 n. 11. This burden is 16 “not a light one,” and requires the nonmoving party to “show more than the mere existence 17 of a scintilla of evidence.” Id. (quoting In re Oracle Corp. Sec. Litig., 627 F.3d 376, 387 18 (9th Cir. 2010)). The non-moving party “must come forth with evidence from which a jury 19 could reasonably render a verdict in the non-moving party’s favor.” Pac. Gulf Shipping 20 Co., 992 F.3d at 898 (quoting Oracle Corp. Sec. Litig., 627 F.3d at 387). Mere assertions 21 and “metaphysical doubt as to the material facts” will not defeat a properly supported and 22 meritorious summary judgment motion. Matsushita Elec. Indus. Co. v. Zenith Radio Corp., 23 475 U.S. 574, 586–87 (1986). 24 When a pro se litigant opposes summary judgment, his or her contentions in 25 motions and pleadings may be considered as evidence to meet the non-party’s burden to 26 the extent: (1) contents of the document are based on personal knowledge, (2) they set 27 forth facts that would be admissible into evidence, and (3) the litigant attested under 1 (9th Cir. 2004). 2 Upon the parties meeting their respective burdens for summary judgment, the 3 court determines whether reasonable minds could differ when interpreting the record; the 4 court does not weigh the evidence or determine its truth. Velazquez v. City of Long Beach, 5 793 F.3d 1010, 1018 (9th Cir. 2015). The court may consider evidence in the record not 6 cited by the parties, but it is not required to do so. Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(c)(3). Nevertheless, 7 the court will view the cited records before it and will not mine the record for triable issues 8 of fact. Oracle Corp. Sec. Litig., 627 F.3d at 386 (if a nonmoving party does not make nor 9 provide support for a possible objection, the court will likewise not consider it). 10 III. DISCUSSION 11 A. Eighth Amendment – Deliberate Indifference to Serious Medical Needs 12 The Eighth Amendment “embodies broad and idealistic concepts of dignity, 13 civilized standards, humanity, and decency” by prohibiting the imposition of cruel and 14 unusual punishment by state actors. Estelle v. Gamble, 429 U.S. 97, 102 (1976) (internal 15 quotation omitted). The Amendment’s proscription against the “unnecessary and wanton 16 infliction of pain” encompasses deliberate indifference by state officials to the medical 17 needs of prisoners. Id. at 104 (internal quotation omitted). It is thus well established that 18 “deliberate indifference to a prisoner’s serious illness or injury states a cause of action 19 under § 1983.” Id. at 105. 20 Courts in Ninth Circuit employ a two-part test when analyzing deliberate 21 indifference claims. The plaintiff must satisfy “both an objective standard—that the 22 deprivation was serious enough to constitute cruel and unusual punishment—and a 23 subjective standard—deliberate indifference.” Colwell v. Bannister, 763 F.3d 1060, 1066 24 (9th Cir. 2014) (internal quotation omitted). First, the objective component examines 25 whether the plaintiff has a “serious medical need,” such that the state’s failure to provide 26 treatment could result in further injury or cause unnecessary and wanton infliction of pain. 27 Jett v. Penner, 439 F.3d 1091, 1096 (9th Cir. 2006). Serious medical needs include those 1 treatment; the presence of a medical condition that significantly affects an individual’s 2 daily activities; or the existence of chronic and substantial pain.” Colwell, 763 F.3d at 1066 3 (internal quotation omitted). 4 Second, the subjective element considers the defendant’s state of mind, the extent 5 of care provided, and whether the plaintiff was harmed. “Prison officials are deliberately 6 indifferent to a prisoner's serious medical needs when they deny, delay, or intentionally 7 interfere with medical treatment.” Hallett v. Morgan, 296 F.3d 732, 744 (9th Cir. 2002) 8 (internal quotation omitted). However, a prison official may only be held liable if they 9 “knows of and disregards an excessive risk to inmate health and safety.” Toguchi v. 10 Chung, 391 F.3d 1050, 1057 (9th Cir. 2004). The defendant prison official must therefore 11 have actual knowledge from which they can infer that a substantial risk of harm exists, 12 and also make that inference. Colwell, 763 F.3d at 1066. An accidental or inadvertent 13 failure to provide adequate care is not enough to impose liability. Estelle, 429 U.S. at 105– 14 06. Rather, the standard lies “somewhere between the poles of negligence at one end 15 and purpose or knowledge at the other. . .” Farmer v. Brennan, 511 U.S. 825, 836 (1994). 16 Accordingly, the defendants’ conduct must consist of “more than ordinary lack of due 17 care.” Id. at 835 (internal quotation omitted). 18 1. Analysis 19 Starting with the objective element, Defendants do not seem to dispute that 20 Pamplin’s medical issues are serious. However, Defendants argue summary judgment 21 should be granted because Pamplin cannot establish the second, subjective element of 22 his claim. Specifically, Defendants argue they were not deliberately indifferent to 23 Pamplin’s condition. Under the subjective element, there must be some evidence to 24 create an issue of fact as to whether the prison official being sued knew of, and 25 deliberately disregarded the risk to Pamplin’s safety. Farmer, 511 U.S. at 837. “Mere 26 negligence is not sufficient to establish liability.” Frost v. Agnos, 152 F.3d 1124, 1128 (9th 27 Cir. 1998). Moreover, this requires Pamplin to “demonstrate that the defendants’ actions 1 1062, 1074 (9th Cir. 2013) (citing Conn v. City of Reno, 591 F.3d 1081, 1098- 1101 (9th 2 Cir. 2010), vacated by City of Reno, Nev. v. Conn, 563 U.S. 915 (2011), reinstated in 3 relevant part 658 F.3d 897 (9th Cir. 2011). 4 Here, Defendants submitted authenticated evidence and sworn declarations which 5 affirmatively show the following: On September 12, 2018, Pamplin was classified, 6 pursuant to a settlement agreement in another civil rights action, to be transferred from 7 Ely State Prison (“ESP”) to WSCC. (ECF No. 42-1.) Prior to his move, on February 3, 8 2018 and March 5, 2018, respectively, Pamplin was classified by medical to be restricted 9 to a barrier free institution—noting specifically that he would not be housed at the High 10 Desert State Prison (“HDSP”). (ECF No. 44-1 at 2-3.) Upon arrival at WSCC, on 11 September 14, 2018, Pamplin filed an informal grievance, alleging that he had a flat yard 12 restriction, and he was in pain walking to the chow hall and pill call. (ECF No. 42-3 at 3- 13 4.) In response, McCullah responded that WSCC is a barrier free institution, and he 14 should kite to medical if he had difficulty walking. (Id. at 2.) On September 18, 2018, 15 Pamplin submitted a kite requesting transfer to a flat yard. (ECF No. 42-2.) In his kite, he 16 specified that the Offender Management Division (“OMD”) classified him to WSCC. (Id.) 17 On November 19, 2018, Rambur responded to Pamplin’s first level grievance, stating that 18 WSCC is considered a barrier free yard and Pamplin would be scheduled with a provider 19 to discuss classification and his need for a new AFO (brace for his drop foot). (ECF No. 20 42-3 at 5.) 21 On January 24, 2019, Pamplin was seen by medical in response to his kite. (ECF 22 No. 44-2.) Medication, x-rays, and an evaluation with Ortho-Pro regarding his drop foot 23 brace were ordered. (ECF Nos. 44-2, 44-3.) The x-rays were taken and were 24 unremarkable. (ECF No. 44-4.) Also at that medical appointment, Pamplin was 25 reclassified to a flat yard at either Northern Nevada Correctional Center (“NNCC”) or 26 Lovelock Correctional Center (“LCC”). (ECF Nos. 44-1 at 4, 44-2 at 2.) Pamplin was 27 moved several times within WSCC from September 2018 until February 15, 2019, when 1 The response to Pamplin’s second level grievance stated Pamplin was recently 2 seen at WSCC, a request for a new foot brace was approved by the Utilization Review 3 Panel, and Pamplin would be scheduled to see Ortho-Pro. (ECF No. 42-3 at 7.) Pamplin 4 received the drop foot brace on or about March 22, 2019. (ECF No. 44-5.) 5 Defendants—nurses who responded to Pamplin’s grievances—had no authority to 6 transfer Pamplin to a flat yard or prescribe medication/medical devices. (ECF Nos. 42-6, 7 42-7, 42-9.) OMD determines the placement of inmates within the NDOC. (ECF Nos. 42- 8 8, 42-9.) 9 Defendants have submitted evidence that establishes Pamplin was ultimately 10 moved to a flat yard, received medical treatment, Defendants had no authority to 11 move/transfer Pamplin, and no authority to prescribe him medication/medical devices. 12 Thus, Defendants have met their initial burden on summary judgment by showing the 13 absence of a genuine issue of material fact as to the deliberate indifference claim. See 14 Celotex Corp., 477 U.S. at 325. The burden now shifts to Pamplin to produce evidence 15 that demonstrates an issue of fact exists as to whether Defendants were deliberately 16 indifferent to his medical needs. Nissan, 210 F.3d at 1102. 17 In Pamplin’s response to the motion for summary judgment, Pamplin reiterates that 18 he submitted kites and grievances to be moved to another yard, yet he provides no 19 evidence that Defendants were aware of these other kites or grievances. (ECF No. 50.) 20 Aside from their responses to grievances, Defendants had no other involvement with 21 Pamplin and had no authority to transfer him and Pamplin does not present any evidence 22 to the contrary. Pamplin has failed to meet his burden on summary judgment to establish 23 that prison officials were deliberately indifferent to his medical needs as he failed to come 24 forward with any evidence to create an issue of fact as to whether Defendants deliberately 25 denied, delayed, or intentionally interfered with medical treatment. See Hallett, 296 F.3d 26 at 744. 27 Accordingly, Defendants’ motion for summary judgment is granted as to the Eighth 1 B. ADA 2 The ADA, 42 U.S.C. § 12132, applies in the prison context. Armstrong v. 3 Schwarzenegger, 622 F.3d 1058, 1063 (9th Cir. 2010). Pursuant to the ADA, “no qualified 4 individual with a disability shall, by reason of such disability, be excluded from 5 participation in or be denied the benefits of the services, programs, or activities of a public 6 entity, or be subjected to discrimination by any such entity.” 42 U.S.C. § 12132. The 7 Supreme Court has held that a prisoner may state an ADA claim based on the “alleged 8 deliberate refusal of prison officials to accommodate [a prisoner’s] disability-related needs 9 in such fundamentals as mobility, hygiene, medical care, and virtually all other prison 10 programs.” United States v. Georgia, 546 U.S. 151, 157 (2006). 11 However, the Ninth Circuit has held that “the ADA prohibits discrimination because 12 of disability, not inadequate treatment for disability.” Simmons v. Navajo County, Ariz., 13 609 F.3d 1011, 1022 (9th Cir. 2010) (emphasis added); see also Marlor v. Madison 14 County, 50 Fed. App’x 872, 874 (9th Cir. 2002) (stating that inadequate medical care 15 does not provide a basis for an ADA claim unless medical services are withheld due to 16 discrimination on the basis of disability). “Courts hold that allowing prisoners to utilize the 17 ADA and RA as causes of action for not receiving medical treatment is simply making ‘an 18 end run around the Eighth Amendment.’” King v. Calderwood, 2:13-cv-02080-GMN-PAL, 19 2015 WL 4937953, at *2 (D. Nev. Aug. 19, 2015) (citing Deeds v. Bannister, 3:11-cv- 20 00351-LRH-VPC, 2013 WL 1250343, at *5 (D. Nev. Jan. 8, 2013)). 21 Pamplin’s response states that he was not “treated appropriately” and “suffered 22 great pain … due to the lack or [denial] of treatment by these Defendants.” (ECF No. 50 23 at 8.) Pamplin also asserts that the Defendants could have transferred Pamplin and they 24 “fail[ed] to provide medical [and] for that reason they violated ADA.” (Id. at 6.) Thus, 25 Pamplin’s ADA claim is based on his allegation that Defendants failed to give him 26 adequate medical treatment—including transfer—for his disability. Pamplin’s ADA claim 27 is simply making “an end run around the Eighth Amendment”. As discussed above, 1 | the authority to transfer him, and Pamplin cannot use the ADA as an alternative basis to 2| recover damages. 3 Accordingly, Defendants’ motion for summary judgment is granted as to the ADA 4| claim.* 5| IV. CONCLUSION 6 For good cause appearing, and for the reasons stated above, IT IS HEREBY 7 | ORDERED that Defendants’ motion for summary judgment, (ECF No. 42), is GRANTED; 8] and, 9 IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Clerk of the Court CLOSE this case and 10| ENTER JUDGMENT accordingly. 11 DATED: February 16, 2022 . ‘ 12 13 UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 3 Because the Court finds that Pamplin’s claims fail on the merits, and is granting 28 the motion in its entirety, the Court need not address the other arguments or defenses presented in Defendants’ motion. AA