Caplinger v. Corrections Corp. of America

Ninth Circuit

Caplinger v. Corrections Corp. of America

634 F. App'x 604

CourtCourt of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit

DecidedFebruary 4, 2016

Docket14-35190

StatusUnpublished

This text of 634 F. App'x 604 (Caplinger v. Corrections Corp. of America) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook

Caplinger v. Corrections Corp. of America, 634 F. App'x 604 (9th Cir. 2016).

Pincite

Opinion

MEMORANDUM **

Inmate Neal Caplinger appeals from the district court’s grant of summary judgment to Dr. David Agler and Corrections Corporation of America (“CCA”) on his 42 U.S.C. § 1983 claim. The facts of this case are known to the parties, and we do not repeat them here. We have jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1291. ■

I

To establish a claim of deliberate indifference, Caplinger must establish that Dr. Agler “kn[ew] of and disregarded] an excessive risk to inmate health and safety.” Toguchi v. Chung, 391 F.3d 1051, 1057 (9th Cir.2004) (quoting Gibson v. County of Washoe, 290 F.3d 1175, 1187 (9th Cir, 2002)). On this record, no reasonable jury could conclude that Dr. Agler possessed such a mental state. Caplinger argues Dr. Agler should have done more to expedite his treatment. But “a complaint that a physician has been negligent in diagnosing or treating a medical condition does not state a valid claim of medical mistreatment under the Eighth Amendment.” Estelle v. Gamble, 429 U.S. 97, 106, 97 S.Ct. 285, 50 L.Ed.2d 251 (1976). Summary judgment was proper.

II

The district court was also correct in granting summary judgment as to Ca- *605 plinger’s claim against CCA. To prevail on his claim against CCA, Caplinger must show that “(1) [h]e was- deprived of a constitutional right; (2) [CCA] had a policy; (3) the policy amounted to a deliberate indifference to h[is] constitutional right; and (4) the policy was the ‘moving force behind the constitutional violation.’ ” Mabe v. San Bernardino County, 237 F.3d 1101, 1110-11 (9th Cir.2001) (quoting Van Ort v. Estate of Stanewich, 92 F.3d 831, 835 (9th Cir.1996)). Caplinger argues the “month-long delays” create a genuine issue of material fact as to whether CCA had a custom of delaying offsite appointments. Nothing in the record suggests the gaps between appointments were attributable to CCA policy.

Because no genuine issues of material fact exist that could support Caplinger’s claims, the district court’s judgment is

AFFIRMED.

**

This disposition is not appropriate for publication and is not precedent except as provided by Ninth Circuit Rule 36-3.

Free access — add to your briefcase to read the full text and ask questions with AI

MEMORANDUM **

Inmate Neal Caplinger appeals from the district court’s grant of summary judgment to Dr. David Agler and Corrections Corporation of America (“CCA”) on his 42 U.S.C. § 1983 claim. The facts of this case are known to the parties, and we do not repeat them here. We have jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1291. ■

I

To establish a claim of deliberate indifference, Caplinger must establish that Dr. Agler “kn[ew] of and disregarded] an excessive risk to inmate health and safety.” Toguchi v. Chung, 391 F.3d 1051, 1057 (9th Cir.2004) (quoting Gibson v. County of Washoe, 290 F.3d 1175, 1187 (9th Cir, 2002)). On this record, no reasonable jury could conclude that Dr. Agler possessed such a mental state. Caplinger argues Dr. Agler should have done more to expedite his treatment. But “a complaint that a physician has been negligent in diagnosing or treating a medical condition does not state a valid claim of medical mistreatment under the Eighth Amendment.” Estelle v. Gamble, 429 U.S. 97, 106, 97 S.Ct. 285, 50 L.Ed.2d 251 (1976). Summary judgment was proper.

II

The district court was also correct in granting summary judgment as to Ca- *605 plinger’s claim against CCA. To prevail on his claim against CCA, Caplinger must show that “(1) [h]e was- deprived of a constitutional right; (2) [CCA] had a policy; (3) the policy amounted to a deliberate indifference to h[is] constitutional right; and (4) the policy was the ‘moving force behind the constitutional violation.’ ” Mabe v. San Bernardino County, 237 F.3d 1101, 1110-11 (9th Cir.2001) (quoting Van Ort v. Estate of Stanewich, 92 F.3d 831, 835 (9th Cir.1996)). Caplinger argues the “month-long delays” create a genuine issue of material fact as to whether CCA had a custom of delaying offsite appointments. Nothing in the record suggests the gaps between appointments were attributable to CCA policy.

Because no genuine issues of material fact exist that could support Caplinger’s claims, the district court’s judgment is

AFFIRMED.

**

This disposition is not appropriate for publication and is not precedent except as provided by Ninth Circuit Rule 36-3.

Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)

634 F. App'x 604, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/caplinger-v-corrections-corp-of-america-ca9-2016.

Opinion

Related

Cite This Page — Counsel Stack