Lamont Antwain Laprade v. Western Regional Jail, et al.

District Court, S.D. West Virginia·Decided June 15, 2026·No. 3:25-cv-00574·Unknown

Opinion

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF WEST VIRGINIA

HUNTINGTON DIVISION

LAMONT ANTWAIN LAPRADE,

Plaintiff,

v. Case No. 3:25-cv-00574

WESTERN REGIONAL JAIL, et al.,

Defendant.

PROPOSED FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Plaintiff Lamont Antwain Laprade (“Plaintiff”), acting pro se, filed his Complaint in this matter on September 26, 2025, against Defendants Western Regional Jail, James Smith, Wexford Health Sources, Austin Jordan, Dr. P. Galapon, and Boswell Pharmacy Services LLC. Currently pending before the Court are: (1) Defendants Wexford Health Sources, Inc., Austin Jordan, and Dr. P. Galapon’s (“Medical Defendants”) Motion to Dismiss, (ECF No. 17); (2) Defendants West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation, improperly identified in the Complaint as Western Regional Jail, and James Smith’s (“Jail Defendants”) Amended Motion to Dismiss, (ECF No. 24); and (3) Defendant Boswell Pharmacy Services LLC’s (“Boswell”) Motion to Dismiss, (ECF No. 28). Plaintiff has filed a consolidated response in opposition to the motions, (ECF No. 30), and each defendant group filed a reply, (ECF Nos. 31, 32, 33). This matter is assigned to the Honorable Robert C. Chambers, United States District Judge, and by Standing Order has been referred to the undersigned United States Magistrate Judge for submission of proposed findings of fact and recommendations for disposition pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1)(B). Having thoroughly reviewed the Complaint, the parties’ memoranda, and the attached exhibits, the undersigned FINDS that Plaintiff fails to state a claim upon which relief may be granted under 42 U.S.C. § 1983. Accordingly, the undersigned RECOMMENDS that Defendants’ motions to dismiss, (ECF Nos. 17, 24, 28), be GRANTED; that Plaintiff’s Complaint, (ECF No. 2), be DISMISSED; and that this civil

action be REMOVED from the docket of the Court. I. Relevant Facts and Procedural History On September 26, 2025, Plaintiff, acting pro se and then incarcerated at the Western Regional Jail (“WRJ”) in Barboursville, West Virginia, filed an Application to Proceed without Prepayment of Fees and Costs and a Complaint pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. (ECF Nos. 1, 2). Plaintiff named as defendants Western Regional Jail; James Smith; Wexford Health Sources, Inc. (“Wexford”); Austin Jordan; Dr. P. Galapon; and Boswell Pharmacy Services LLC (“Boswell”). (ECF No. 2 at 1). He sought monetary damages in the amount of $50,000. (ECF No. 2 at 5). In the Complaint, Plaintiff alleges that in August 2025, he submitted a sick-call request concerning skin irritation and flaking affecting multiple areas of his body. (ECF

No. 2 at 4). Plaintiff states that he was evaluated by Defendant Dr. Galapon and prescribed a tar-based shampoo. (Id.). According to Plaintiff, after using the prescribed shampoo, he experienced redness, irritation, and burns to his skin. (Id. at 4-5). Plaintiff contends that he thereafter received ointment and hydrocortisone cream, but he alleges that he suffered permanent scarring, discoloration, and emotional distress as a result of the treatment. (Id. at 4-6). On October 30, 2025, Defendants Wexford, Austin Jordan, and Dr. P. Galapon filed a Motion to Dismiss and memorandum in support. (ECF Nos. 17, 18). They argue, among other things, that Plaintiff fails to allege facts plausibly establishing deliberate indifference to a serious medical need, fails to allege personal involvement by Defendant Jordan, and fails to state a viable claim for relief against Wexford based on any policy or custom. (ECF No. 18 at 7-10). Defendants further contend that Plaintiff did receive medical attention and that the allegations, even accepted as true, sound in negligence

rather than a constitutional deprivation. (ECF No. 18 at 10-11). On November 20, 2025, Defendants West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation (“WVDCR”), which notes it was improperly identified in the Complaint as WRJ, and James Smith filed an amended Motion to Dismiss and memorandum in support. (ECF Nos. 24, 25). They argue that WVDCR is not a “person” subject to suit under § 1983 and is entitled to sovereign immunity, and that Plaintiff pleads no facts showing James Smith’s personal involvement in the alleged events. (ECF No. 25 at 5-8). They further assert that Plaintiff’s allegations concern medical care provided by other defendants, that Smith cannot be held liable based solely on his supervisory role, that they are entitled to qualified immunity, and that the Complaint therefore fails to state a plausible claim against either Jail Defendant. (Id. at 8-14).

On December 19, 2025, Defendant Boswell filed its Motion to Dismiss and memorandum in support, asserting that Plaintiff fails to allege facts connecting Boswell to any constitutional deprivation or otherwise stating a plausible claim for relief. (ECF Nos. 28, 29). On December 31, 2025, Plaintiff filed a consolidated response in opposition to the pending motions together with numerous exhibits. (ECF No. 30). In the response, Plaintiff disputes Defendants’ characterization of his claims as sounding in negligence and contends that Defendants knowingly exposed him to a harmful medical product and failed to adequately respond after he reported worsening symptoms. (Id.). Plaintiff also relies upon attached medical records, grievances, and product-related materials in support of his position. (Id.). The Medical Defendants replied on January 9, 2026, maintaining that Plaintiff’s response attempts to introduce allegations not contained in the operative Complaint and

reiterating that the pleaded facts do not establish a constitutional violation or a basis for liability against Wexford or Jordan. (ECF No. 31). The Jail Defendants replied on January 12, 2026, likewise arguing that Plaintiff’s response cannot amend the Complaint and emphasizing that Plaintiff still fails to allege conduct attributable to Smith or facts overcoming WVDCR’s immunity. (ECF No. 32). Defendant Boswell replied on January 13, 2026, similarly asserting that Plaintiff’s response and exhibits do not cure the absence of factual allegations connecting Defendant Boswell to the alleged injury. (ECF No. 33). Thereafter, Plaintiff filed a notice requesting that his response brief be construed as his “initial complaint.” (ECF No. 34). By Order entered April 8, 2026, the Court advised Plaintiff that if he wished to amend his pleading, he must file a motion seeking leave to amend and attach a proposed amended complaint. (ECF No. 35). Plaintiff subsequently

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

Lamont Antwain Laprade v. Western Regional Jail, et al., (S.D.W. Va. 2026).

Lamont Antwain Laprade v. Western Regional Jail, et al. (Lamont Antwain Laprade v. Western Regional Jail, et al.) — published by Counsel Stack Legal Research, free access to 12M+ legal documents.

Related

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)
Thomas v. Arn
474 U.S. 140 (Supreme Court, 1986)
Will v. Michigan Department of State Police
491 U.S. 58 (Supreme Court, 1989)
Regents of University of California v. Doe
519 U.S. 425 (Supreme Court, 1997)
Erickson v. Pardus
551 U.S. 89 (Supreme Court, 2007)
Bell Atlantic Corp. v. Twombly
550 U.S. 544 (Supreme Court, 2007)
Ashcroft v. Iqbal
556 U.S. 662 (Supreme Court, 2009)
United States v. Edward Lester Schronce, Jr.
727 F.2d 91 (Fourth Circuit, 1984)
Snyder v. Ridenour
889 F.2d 1363 (Fourth Circuit, 1989)
Roach v. Burke
825 F. Supp. 116 (N.D. West Virginia, 1993)
Samuel Jackson v. Joseph Lightsey
775 F.3d 170 (Fourth Circuit, 2014)
Dustin Williamson v. Bryan Stirling
912 F.3d 154 (Fourth Circuit, 2018)
Charles Short v. J. Hartman
87 F.4th 593 (Fourth Circuit, 2023)