Figalora v. Smith

238 F. Supp. 2d 658, 2002 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 21071, 2002 WL 31444530
CourtDistrict Court, D. Delaware
DecidedOctober 21, 2002
DocketNo. CIV.A.02-01348-SLR
StatusPublished

This text of 238 F. Supp. 2d 658 (Figalora v. Smith) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, D. Delaware primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Figalora v. Smith, 238 F. Supp. 2d 658, 2002 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 21071, 2002 WL 31444530 (D. Del. 2002).

Opinion

MEMORANDUM ORDER

SUE L. ROBINSON, District Judge.

Plaintiff Carolyn Figalora, SB I # 318796, a pro se litigant, was incarcerated at the Baylor Women’s Correctional Institution (“BWCI”) located in New Castle, Delaware at the time she initiated this action. Plaintiff filed this action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983 and requested leave to proceed in forma pauperis pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915.

I. STANDARD OF REVIEW

The court has jurisdiction over this matter pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1331. Reviewing complaints filed pursuant to 28 U.S.C. [660]*660§ 1915 is a two-step process. First, the court must determine whether plaintiff is eligible for pauper status. On August 1, 2002, the court granted plaintiff leave to proceed in forma pauperis and ordered her to pay $9.85 as an initial partial filing fee within thirty days from the date the order was sent. Plaintiff paid $9.85 on August 27, 2002.

Once the pauper determination is made, the court must then determine whether the action is frivolous, malicious, fails to state a claim upon which relief may be granted or seeks monetary relief from a defendant immune from such relief pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §§ 1915(e)(2)(B)-1915A(b)(l).1 If the court finds plaintiffs complaint falls under any of the exclusions listed in the statutes, then the court must dismiss the complaint.

When reviewing complaints pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §§ 1915(e)(2)(B)-1915A(b)(l), the court must apply the standard of review set forth in Fed.R.Civ.P. 12(b)(6). See Neal v. Pennsylvania Bd. of Probation and Parole, No. 96-7923, 1997 WL 338838 (E.D.Pa. June 19, 1997)(apply-ing Rule 12(b)(6) standard as appropriate standard for dismissing claim under § 1915A). Accordingly, the court must “accept as true the factual allegations in the complaint and all reasonable inferences that can be drawn therefrom.” Nami v. Fauver, 82 F.3d 63, 65 (3d Cir.1996). Pro se complaints are held to “less stringent standards than formal pleadings drafted by lawyers and can only be dismissed for failure to state a claim if it appears ‘beyond doubt that the plaintiff can prove no set of facts in support of [her] claim which would entitle [her] to relief.’ ” Estelle v. Gamble, 429 U.S. 97, 106, 97 S.Ct. 285, 50 L.Ed.2d 251 (1976)(quoting Conley v. Gibson, 355 U.S. 41, 45-46, 78 S.Ct. 99, 2 L.Ed.2d 80 (1957)).

The standard for determining whether an action is frivolous is well established. The Supreme Court has explained that a complaint is frivolous “where it lacks an arguable basis either in law or in fact.” Neitzke v. Williams, 490 U.S. 319, 325, 109 S.Ct. 1827, 104 L.Ed.2d 338 (1989).2 As discussed below, plaintiffs Eighth Amendment claim against defendant Smith has no arguable basis in law or in fact, and shall be dismissed as frivolous pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §§ 1915(e)(2)(B)— 1915A(b)(l). Plaintiffs vicarious liability claim against defendants Ryan, Howard and Taylor also has no arguable basis in law or in fact, and shall be dismissed as frivolous pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §§ 1915(e)(2)(B)-1915A(b)(l). Plaintiffs First Amendment claim shall be dismissed without prejudice. Finally, plaintiffs Eighth Amendment claim against defendant Banks is not frivolous within the meaning of 28 U.S.C. §§ 1915(e)(2)(B)-[661]*6611915A(b)(l) and an appropriate order shall be entered.

II. DISCUSSION

A. The Complaint

Plaintiff alleges that defendant Smith entered her dorm room while plaintiff was sleeping and poured hot water on her. (D.I. 2 at 3) Plaintiff alleges that she suffered second and third degree burns to her face and neck. Plaintiff further alleges that she notified “several of the officers” including defendant Banks and Officer Hurley that defendant Smith was threatening her.3 Plaintiff also alleges that her son was not allowed to take pictures of her injuries, even though there is a camera available in the BWCI visiting room. (Id.) Plaintiff requests that she be awarded compensatory damages. She also requests early release from confinement. To the extent that plaintiff seeks release, such relief is only available through a petition for writ of habeas corpus. See Preiser v. Rodriguez, 411 U.S. 475, 93 S.Ct. 1827, 36 L.Ed.2d 439 (1973). Plaintiff has also filed a letter motion requesting that the court not release her home address to defendant Smith. (D.I.4) Because the court finds that plaintiffs claim against defendant Smith is frivolous, the motion shall be denied as moot.

B. Analysis

1. Plaintiffs Eighth Amendment Claims

In order to impose liability on a defendant under § 1983, plaintiff must show that defendant Smith acted under color of state law. See West v. Atkins, 487 U.S. 42, 48, 108 S.Ct. 2250, 101 L.Ed.2d 40 (1988) (citing Parratt v. Taylor, 451 U.S. 527, 535, 101 S.Ct. 1908, 68 L.Ed.2d 420 (1981))(overruled in part, not relevant here, by Daniels v. Williams, 474 U.S. 327, 330-31, 106 S.Ct. 662, 88 L.Ed.2d 662 (1986)). Defendant Smith is a fellow inmate and plaintiff does not allege that she acted in conjunction with any state employee. Furthermore, plaintiffs description of the assault indicates that it was private conduct which is not actionable under § 1983. See District of Columbia v. Carter, 409 U.S. 418, 424, 93 S.Ct. 602, 34 L.Ed.2d 613 (1973); Stufflet v. Frame, No. 86-5178, 1986 WL 13297 (E.D.Pa. Nov. 20, 1986). Plaintiffs claim that defendant Smith violated her Eighth Amendment right to be free from cruel and unusual punishment has no arguable basis in law or in fact. Therefore, plaintiffs Eighth Amendment claim against defendant Smith is frivolous and shall be dismissed pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §§ 1915(e)(2)(B)-1915A (b)(1).

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Related

Conley v. Gibson
355 U.S. 41 (Supreme Court, 1957)
District of Columbia v. Carter
409 U.S. 418 (Supreme Court, 1973)
Preiser v. Rodriguez
411 U.S. 475 (Supreme Court, 1973)
Rizzo v. Goode
423 U.S. 362 (Supreme Court, 1976)
Estelle v. Gamble
429 U.S. 97 (Supreme Court, 1976)
Monell v. New York City Dept. of Social Servs.
436 U.S. 658 (Supreme Court, 1978)
Parratt v. Taylor
451 U.S. 527 (Supreme Court, 1981)
Daniels v. Williams
474 U.S. 327 (Supreme Court, 1986)
West v. Atkins
487 U.S. 42 (Supreme Court, 1988)
City of Canton v. Harris
489 U.S. 378 (Supreme Court, 1989)
Neitzke v. Williams
490 U.S. 319 (Supreme Court, 1989)
Nami v. Fauver
82 F.3d 63 (Third Circuit, 1996)
Darr v. Wolfe
767 F.2d 79 (Third Circuit, 1985)
Sample v. Diecks
885 F.2d 1099 (Third Circuit, 1989)

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Bluebook (online)
238 F. Supp. 2d 658, 2002 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 21071, 2002 WL 31444530, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/figalora-v-smith-ded-2002.