Mark Trenton Williams v. Lonnell Seamster, Head Nurse, Tucker Unit, Well-Path

District Court, E.D. Arkansas·Decided August 4, 2026·No. 4:24-cv-00477·Unknown

Opinion

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT EASTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS CENTRAL DIVISION

MARK TRENTON WILLIAMS PLAINTIFF ADC# 180488

V. Case No. 4:24-CV-00477-BSM-BBM

LONNELL SEAMSTER, Head Nurse, Tucker Unit, Well-Path DEFENDANT RECOMMENDED DISPOSITION The following Recommended Disposition (“Recommendation”) has been sent to United States District Judge Brian S. Miller. You may file written objections to all or part of this Recommendation. If you do so, those objections must (1) specifically explain the factual and/or legal basis for your objection; and (2) be received by the Clerk of this Court within 14 days of the date of this Recommendation. If you do not file objections, Judge Miller may adopt this Recommendation without independently reviewing all of the evidence in the record. By not objecting, you may waive the right to appeal questions of fact. I. INTRODUCTION On June 3, 2024, Plaintiff Mark Trenton Williams, a prisoner in the Arkansas Division of Correction (“ADC”), filed a pro se Complaint under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, alleging that Defendants violated his constitutional rights. (Doc. 2). After Williams amended his Complaint, (Doc. 9), and the Court screened the Amended Complaint in accordance with the Prison Litigation Reform Act, Williams is proceeding on claims that Lonnell Seamster, an Advanced Practice Nurse (“APN”), was deliberately indifferent to his serious medical needs by throwing away his medication and denying him a wheelchair. (Docs. 10–11); see (Doc. 21 at 1, ¶ 1). Williams is proceeding against APN Seamster in his individual capacity only. (Doc. 11).

APN Seamster filed a Motion for Summary Judgment, (Doc. 19), a Brief in Support, (Doc. 20), and a Statement of Undisputed Facts, (Doc. 21). Williams filed a Response. (Doc. 23).1 APN Seamster has not filed a reply, and the time to do so has passed. Thus, the issues are ready for disposition. II. BACKGROUND2

Williams’s claims stem from his 15-month incarceration in the ADC’s Tucker Unit, See (Doc. 9) (Doc. 21-24). On September 22, 2022—shortly after Williams transferred to the Tucker Unit—he was seen for a chronic-care visit by a non-party doctor. (Doc. 21 at 1, ¶ 3) (Doc. 21-2). At the time, Williams used a wheelchair and had a history of COPD, hypertension, and vascular disease. (Doc. 21 at 1, ¶ 2). After Williams reported that he no

longer took his blood-pressure medication, the doctor discontinued the prescription but noted that Williams’s blood pressure should be followed closely. Id. at ¶ 3; (Doc. 21-2). The doctor continued Williams’s other chronic-care medication; ordered labs and a follow- up visit; and advised Williams that he should eat protein, hydrate, and elevate his legs when

1 Because Williams did not file a response to APN Seamster’s Statement of Undisputed Facts, all of the material facts in APN Seamster’s Statement of Undisputed Facts are deemed admitted. LOCAL RULE 56.1(c). See also (Doc. 22) (informing Williams of Local Rule 56.1(c)). 2 These facts are sourced from Williams’s operative and verified Amended Complaint, (Doc. 9), the admitted Statement of Undisputed Facts, (Doc. 21), and the supporting exhibits, which include Williams’s ADC medical records and a doctor’s affidavit, (Doc. 21-1 to 21-24). lying down or sitting. (Doc. 21-1 at 1, ¶ 3); (Doc. 21-2). Although the doctor noted Williams’s use of a wheelchair, he did not enter an order for a wheelchair. (Doc. 21-1 at 1, ¶ 3); (Doc. 21-2).

In October 2022, Williams received treatment for shingles and back pain. (Doc. 21 at 2, ¶ 5) (Doc. 21-3). When Williams was seen for a shingles follow-up on November 3, 2022, APN Seamster noted that Williams was in a wheelchair without an active prescription for such, was full weight-bearing, and had full range of motion in both legs. (Doc. 21-5). APN Seamster concluded that there was “[n]o indication for a wheelchair at

this time.” Id. APN Seamster did not discontinue any medications and, at that time, did not discontinue the wheelchair. See id. At Williams’s chronic-care follow-up on December 1, 2022, APN Seamster questioned Williams about his need for a wheelchair. (Doc. 21-6 at 1). Williams responded that he needed the wheelchair due to his vascular disease, explaining that, “When I stand[,]

my legs swell up and bust.” Id. APN Seamster again noted that Williams was full weight- bearing and had full range of motion in all extremities, id., but recorded bilateral weakness in Williams’s lower extremities. Id. at 1–2. APN Seamster discontinued the wheelchair, prescribed a walker, and recommended exercise for Williams’s vascular disease. Id. at 2. APN Seamster did not discontinue any medications. See id. at 1–2.

On February 7, 2023, APN Seamster saw Williams for complaints of nerve pain. (Doc. 21-6 at 1). APN Seamster noted that Williams had a “[c]oordinated walk with walker.” Id. He added ibuprofen but otherwise continued Williams’s medications. Id. On February 28, 2023, APN Seamster saw Williams for complaints of a rash. (Doc. 21-7). APN Seamster discontinued Williams’s skin cream (zinc oxide), and, instead, prescribed hydrocortisone cream and a prednisone burst. Id. He noted that Williams had a

“[c]oordinated walk with normal gait.” Id. He reviewed and continued Williams’s medications. Id. On April 9, 2023, Williams had a syncopal episode3 and was transferred to the Jefferson Regional Medical Center (“JRMC”). (Doc. 21 at 3, ¶ 10) (Doc. 21-1 at 2, ¶ 6). Williams was treated for orthostatic hypotension, which “is a decrease in blood pressure

following standing up from sitting or lying.” (Doc. 21-1 at 2, ¶ 6). After a five- to six-day hospital stay, JRMC discharged Williams with a recommendation that midodrine be added to Williams’s medication regimen. (Doc. 21-1 at 2, ¶ 6) (Doc. 21-8). APN Seamster ordered the midodrine on April 17, 2023, but Dr. Chris Horon reviewed the order and wrote “read black box warning.…not sure this patient needs this

drug.” (Doc. 21 at 3, ¶ 10) (Doc. 21-9). On April 18, APN Seamster had a follow-up visit with Williams regarding the JRMC stay and discharge instructions. (Doc. 21-9). Williams denied “dizziness, nausea, vomiting, lightheadedness, or syncopal episode.” Id. APN Seamster noted that Williams continued to have a “[c]oordinated walk with walker.” Id. He recommended orthostatic blood-pressure checks, adequate water and sodium intake,

and that Williams “[t]ransition slowly from supine to sitting to standing.” Id. He ordered a follow-up visit in two weeks for evaluation of Williams’s blood pressure and did not

3 See Syncopal & Syncope, Stedman’s Medical Dictionary 875530 & 875540 (2014) (“Loss of consciousness and postural tone caused by diminished cerebral blood flow.”). provide the prescription for midodrine and another prescription, fludrocortisone. Id. Williams’s medications were otherwise continued. Id. On May 4, 2023, Williams reported to the infirmary with complaints of “nerve pain

with the feeling of stinging and needles to stomach and down right leg.” (Doc. 21-11). He said that ibuprofen was offering no relief. Id. APN Seamster discontinued the ibuprofen and added Tylenol. Id. Williams’s medications were otherwise unchanged, and he continued to have a “[c]oordinated walk with walker” and “[t]ransfers without complications.” Id.

On August 10, 2023, APN Seamster conducted a physical examination of Williams. (Doc. 21-14 at 2–4). APN Seamster noted that Williams had bilateral weakness in his lower extremities, but he discontinued Williams’s walker prescription in favor of a cane. Id. at 3. APN Seamster provided Williams with duty restrictions and additional medication for his skin condition. Id. Williams’s medications were otherwise continued. Id.

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Mark Trenton Williams v. Lonnell Seamster, Head Nurse, Tucker Unit, Well-Path, (E.D. Ark. 2026).

Mark Trenton Williams v. Lonnell Seamster, Head Nurse, Tucker Unit, Well-Path (Mark Trenton Williams v. Lonnell Seamster, Head Nurse, Tucker Unit, Well-Path) — published by Counsel Stack Legal Research, free access to 12M+ legal documents.

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