1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 9 EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 10 11 MANUEL RODRIGUEZ, Case No. 1:21-cv-00572-NONE-EPG 12 Plaintiff, 13 v. FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS RECOMMENDING THAT DEFENDANTS’ 14 CHRISTIAN PFEIFFER, et al., MOTION TO DISMISS BE GRANTED AND THAT PLAINTIFF BE GRANTED LEAVE 15 Defendants. TO AMEND THE COMPLAINT 16 (ECF No. 9) 17 OBJECTIONS, IF ANY, DUE WITHIN FOURTEEN DAYS 18 19 I. BACKGROUND 20 Plaintiff Manuel Rodriguez (“Plaintiff”), proceeding through counsel, filed this action 21 pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983 on April 5, 2021, alleging claims against Defendants Christian Pfeiffer, Michael Felder, Harpreet Singh R.N., E. Vito, L.V.N., Lawrence Aflague R.N.R., and 22 Does 1 through 10 for deliberate indifference to Plaintiff’s serious medical needs in violation of 23 the Eighth Amendment. (ECF No. 1.) 24 On June 14, 2021, Defendants Pfeiffer, Felder, and Vitto1 filed a motion to dismiss the 25 complaint pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(b)(6). (ECF No. 9.) Plaintiff filed an 26 opposition on June 30, 2021. (ECF No. 15.) Defendants Pfeiffer, Felder, and Vitto filed a reply on 27
28 1 Defendants Singh and Alague did not join in the motion. 1 July 9, 2021. (ECF No. 16.) 2 For the following reasons, the Court recommends that Defendants’ motion to dismiss be 3 granted and that Plaintiff be granted leave to amend the complaint. 4 II. PLAINTIFF’S COMPLAINT The complaint’s relevant factual allegations, which are accepted as true for the purposes 5 of this motion, are as follows: 6 Plaintiff is an incarcerated and convicted prisoner in the custody of the California 7 Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (“CDCR”). (ECF No. 1 at 2.) Plaintiff is currently 8 incarcerated at the California Health Care Facility in Stockton, California. (Id.) 9 Defendant Pfeiffer is the Acting Warden at Kern Valley State Prison (“KVSP”). (ECF No. 10 1 at 2.) Defendant Felder is the CEO of KVSP and “in that position had overall charge with the 11 provision of medical care at KVSP.” (Id.) Defendants Singh, Vito, and Aflague are healthcare 12 workers licensed in California to practice nursing or other ancillary healthcare. (Id.)2 13 Defendants Pfeiffer and Felder oversee the provision of healthcare at KVSP and ensure 14 that it provides adequate healthcare to those inmates with serious medical needs. (ECF No. 1 at 15 3.) Defendants are responsible for providing adequate medical care for the inmates at KVSP 16 under State, Federal, and constitutional law. (Id.) Defendants Pfeiffer and Felder knew that 17 incarcerated prisoners were totally dependent on Defendants for medical care and, if Defendants 18 did not act according to law, inmates such as Plaintiff would be unable to receive prompt and 19 appropriate medical care. (Id.) Defendants were also responsible for providing security and 20 custodial supervision to inmates. (Id.) They were responsible for monitoring sick or ill inmates to 21 determine which had serious medical needs requiring response. (Id.) 22 In May of 2019, while Plaintiff was incarcerated at KVSP, Plaintiff suffered a neck injury. 23 (ECF No. 1 at 3.) In June and July of 2019, he complained of neck pain and suffered progressive pain and disability. (Id.) When Plaintiff requested to be seen by medical staff, he was seen by 24 nursing staff who did not have the training, experience, or knowledge to make a diagnosis, 25 properly evaluate the injury, or recommend diagnostic tests, and they did not make a referral to a 26 medical doctor. (Id.) From the date of his injury to July 9, 2019, Plaintiff was not seen by a 27
28 2 Plaintiff also alleges Does 1 through 10 were employed at KVSP in various positions. (ECF No. 1 at 2.) 1 medical doctor. (Id.) Plaintiff was seen on July 9, 2019 because he had collapsed, was not able to 2 ambulate, and suffered sensory changes. (Id. at 3-4.) Because of Defendants’ delay, Plaintiff 3 “suffered catastrophic consequences of the injury which he had sustained in May, 2019.” (Id. at 4 4.) On June 6, 2019, Plaintiff requested to see Health Care Medical because his shoulder and 5 neck were injured. (ECF No. 1 at 4.) Plaintiff was not allowed to be seen by a doctor at that time. 6 (Id.) Defendant Doe 1, a nurse, told Plaintiff that there was nothing that could be done because it 7 was a pinched nerve and the only way that Plaintiff would be seen by a doctor was if his pain was 8 getting worse. (Id.) The only care that was provided to Plaintiff consisted of Ibuprofen and a 9 worksheet with exercises for his shoulder. (Id.) This opinion was seconded by David Rohrdanz 10 M.D., who was consulted with by nursing staff from KVSP but did not see or evaluate Plaintiff. 11 (Id.) Even though Dr. Rohrdanz did not see, speak to, or examine Plaintiff, he seconded the 12 opinion of nursing and indicated that the health care staff at KVSP was encouraged to ignore or 13 delay necessary medical diagnosis and treatment. (Id.) 14 By July 1, 2019, Plaintiff’s pain was getting substantially worse but neither nursing, 15 medical, or any other type of health care would provide care and treatment. (ECF No. 1 at 4.) 16 Plaintiff walked in to the Health Care Office but the office would only provide a Health Care 17 Request Form to refill his Ibuprofen. (Id.) 18 On or about July 4, 2019, Plaintiff experienced pain that affected his ability to move and 19 sleep. (ECF No. 1 at 4.) Plaintiff was in so much pain and discomfort that he went “mandown” 20 and custodial staff contacted the Health Care Office at KVSP. (Id.) Plaintiff was seen by 21 Defendant Singh, a nurse. (Id.) Plaintiff advised Defendant Singh of the incident, the progression 22 of pain thereafter, that his pain was a “10/10,” and that the pain had progressed so that Plaintiff’s 23 chest hurt. (Id. at 4-5.) Defendant Singh documented Plaintiff’s complaints and discounted them because he had a subjective animosity towards Plaintiff and a preconceived opinion that all 24 inmates including Plaintiff were not providing true and accurate accounts of pain and their 25 present physical condition. (Id. at 5.) Defendant Singh’s examination of Plaintiff was cursory and 26 performed with the predetermined opinion that all inmates including Plaintiff were falsifying their 27 complaints to seek pain medication and were “drug seeking.” (Id.) Defendant Singh refused to 28 1 allow Plaintiff to see a doctor and gave him Ibuprofen. (Id.) 2 On July 8, 2019, Plaintiff was seen by Defendant Aflague. (ECF No. 1 at 5.) Plaintiff 3 advised Defendant Aflague of his history and that he had progressively worsening neck pain, 4 numbness, tingling, and weakness down his right hand and arm. (Id.) Once again, Defendant Aflague failed to perform an examination or summon a doctor even though Defendant Aflague 5 did not have the knowledge, training, education, or experience to competently evaluate those 6 signs and symptoms. (Id.) Defendant Aflague instead told Plaintiff that he would be seen by a 7 doctor in two or three weeks. (Id.) Even though Plaintiff told Defendant Aflague that the pain was 8 unbearable, Defendant Aflague ignored his symptoms and Plaintiff was sent back to his cell. (Id.) 9 On July 9, 2019, Plaintiff attempted to ambulate to his education classes. (ECF No. 1 at 10 5.) Because he was in severe pain, Plaintiff was sent back to his cell. (Id.) As Plaintiff was 11 walking back to his cell, his legs collapsed. (Id.) Custodial officers who observed Plaintiff 12 summoned medical personnel by alarm and Plaintiff was taken to medical. (Id.) At medical, Does 13 1-3 once again stated that Plaintiff was falsifying his symptoms and attempted to send him back 14 to his cell. (Id.) At this time, Plaintiff had a sensory deficit below his chest at the thoracic T8/9 15 level. (Id. at 5-6.) 16 Plaintiff was finally seen by a doctor on July 9, 2019, over two hours after custodial 17 officers sounded the alarm. (Id. at 6.) This was the first time that Plaintiff was seen by a medical 18 doctor for his injury. (ECF No. 1 at 6.) At that examination, which was performed at 19 approximately 1940 hours, it was determined that Plaintiff had a sensory deficit below T8/9 20 where he could not feel anything, even strong pinches. (Id.) It was also determined at that time 21 that Plaintiff’s reflexes in his lower legs were abnormal and that his toes were in an equinus 22 position. (Id.) The medical doctor made orders to transfer Plaintiff to an outside health care 23 facility to rule out an epidural abscess and for examination, diagnosis, and definitive care. (Id.) Plaintiff was subsequently diagnosed with an epidural abscess. (ECF No. 1 at 6.) An 24 epidural abscess is an infection that forms in the central nervous system. (Id.) Abscesses that are 25 enclosed in the bony confines of the spinal column can expand to compress the spinal cord and 26 cause severe symptoms, including paralysis or death. (Id.) Prompt diagnoses and treatment of the 27 condition are imperative to avert complications. (Id.) If there is prompt diagnoses and treatment 28 1 by aspiration or drainage of the abscess, a cure can be achieved. (Id.) Time is of the essence and 2 prompt examination by a qualified healthcare provider followed by prompt diagnosis and 3 treatment is required to avert disastrous consequences. (Id.) In Plaintiff’s case, the epidural 4 abscess was a result of Plaintiff’s neck injury in May of 2019. (Id.) Plaintiff was taken to a healthcare facility outside KVSP where he was admitted, 5 diagnosed with an epidural abscess, and operated upon. (ECF No. 1 at 6.) However, because of 6 Defendants’ delay in diagnosis and treatment, which was avoidable, the epidural abscess caused 7 severe, catastrophic, and disabling damage to Plaintiff’s spine, rendering him quadriplegic and 8 dependent on others for all of his activities of daily living. (Id. at 6-7.) 9 Defendants each acted with deliberate indifference to Plaintiff’s medical condition. (ECF 10 No. 1 at 7.) There was a culture at KVSP, tolerated and ratified by Defendants Pfeiffer and 11 Felder, that all prisoners would be viewed as persons who were seeking pain medications not for 12 therapeutic purposes but for illicit and/or recreational purposes. (Id.) That culture resulted in all 13 prisoners being viewed as liars when complaining of pain. (Id.) If pain medication was dispensed, 14 it was essentially over the counter pain medication, no matter the inmate’s presentation. (Id.) This 15 custom and practice had the net effect of denying medical care to persons with serious medical 16 needs. (Id.) 17 Defendants were each aware that the KVSP medical staff was primarily made up of 18 nursing staff who act as the gatekeepers for inmates to be seen my medical doctors. (ECF No. 1 at 19 7.) The KVSP nursing staff was not qualified by education, training, or state licensing to act in 20 this position. (Id.) This was a deliberate policy to minimize the participation of medical doctors in 21 the care and treatment of inmates to minimize the cost of medical care. (Id.) 22 Plaintiff was not seen by a medical doctor for more than one month after he first sought 23 examination and treatment for his neck injury, and that only occurred on July 9, 2019, because of his collapse. (ECF No. 1 at 7.) The delay was caused by Defendants’ deliberate indifference to a 24 serious medical need. (Id.) Defendants each had reason to know that Plaintiff had a serious 25 medical need because, as time progressed, his symptoms were getting worse and gave all 26 indication of having nervous system involvement. (Id. at 7-8.) Defendants’ practice was to 27 minimize symptoms and complaints and to provide over the counter medication as a panacea for 28 1 most, if not all, physical complaints. (Id. at 8.) Had Plaintiff been sent immediately for definitive 2 diagnosis when he originally voiced physical complaints and sought treatment, Plaintiff would 3 have more probably than not had a definitive treatment and cure of the epidural abscess. (Id.) 4 However, Defendants’ delay caused by their deliberate indifference and conscious disregard was a substantial factor in the severity of Plaintiff’s now permanent condition of quadriplegia. (Id.) 5 The deliberate indifference was the result of Defendants’ subjective belief that all inmates, 6 including Plaintiff, were “drug seeking” and falsifying their symptoms, as well as the custom and 7 practice to minimize the costs of inmate medical care. (Id.) 8 Plaintiff brings a claim under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 for violation of his Eighth Amendment 9 rights. (ECF No. 1 at 8-11.) Plaintiff alleges that Defendants Pfeiffer and Felder created, 10 maintained, and promoted a system of rendition of medical care where the primary healthcare 11 providers would be nursing and other ancillary healthcare staff who did not have the expertise or 12 knowledge to diagnose and treat patients. (Id. at 10.) “There was an administrative mandate set 13 forth by custom and practice” that the KVSP nursing and ancillary staff would be primary 14 healthcare providers and that inmates would be actively prevented from being treated by medical 15 doctors. (Id.) There was also a mindset, which Defendants Pfeiffer and Felder encouraged and 16 tolerated, that these “primary healthcare providers” would deny treatment and care and 17 examination by medical doctors and would consider any inmate requesting treatment for pain or 18 pain medication as being “drug seeking” and providing only over the counter pain medication, no 19 matter the inmate’s presentation. (Id.) 20 Additionally, each of the Defendant health care providers knew that Plaintiff had 21 sustained a neck injury and knew that over the period of time his symptoms were getting worse. 22 (ECF No. 1 at 10.) These defendants knew that Plaintiff’s symptoms were neurologically related 23 and Plaintiff had a serious medical need. (Id.) Regardless, they failed and refused to refer Plaintiff to a medical doctor for examination, diagnosis, and treatment. (Id.) 24 III. DEFENDANTS’ MOTION TO DISMISS 25 a. Defendants’ Position 26 The motion argues that Defendants Pfeiffer and Felder are immune from suit under the 27 Eleventh Amendment because they are being sued solely in their official capacities. (ECF No. 9-1 28 1 at 4-5.) Additionally, the factual allegations are insufficient to state a claim against them for 2 deliberate indifference. (Id. at 7-8.) Further, other than alleging Defendant Vitto’s occupation, the 3 complaint does not contain any factual allegations against Defendant Vitto. (Id. at 8-9.) 4 b. Plaintiff’s Position In his opposition, Plaintiff concedes that the complaint names Defendant Pfeiffer and 5 Felder in their official capacities as Acting Warden and CEO of KVSP. (ECF No. 15 at 2.) 6 However, Plaintiff argues that Eleventh Amendment immunity does not apply because Plaintiff is 7 not only seeking to sue the state based on a state policy. (Id. at 3-6.) Additionally, while there are 8 no specific allegations against Defendant Vitto, the allegations are sufficient to state a claim 9 against him. (Id. at 7.) If the motion to dismiss is granted, Plaintiff requests leave to amend. (Id. at 10 7-8.) 11 IV. GENERAL LEGAL STANDARDS 12 a. Motions to Dismiss 13 In considering a motion to dismiss, the Court must accept all allegations of material fact in 14 the complaint as true. Erickson v. Pardus, 551 U.S. 89, 93-94 (2007); Hosp. Bldg. Co. v. Rex 15 Hosp. Trustees, 425 U.S. 738, 740 (1976). The Court must also construe the alleged facts in the 16 light most favorable to the plaintiff. Scheuer v. Rhodes, 416 U.S. 232, 236 (1974), abrogated on 17 other grounds by Harlow v. Fitzgerald, 457 U.S. 800 (1982); Barnett v. Centoni, 31 F.3d 813, 18 816 (9th Cir.1994) (per curiam). All ambiguities or doubts must also be resolved in the plaintiff’s 19 favor. See Jenkins v. McKeithen, 395 U.S. 411, 421 (1969). “While the Court cannot accept 20 new facts alleged in opposition papers, a plaintiff’s briefing may always be used to clarify 21 allegations in a complaint.” Yordy v. Astrue, 2010 WL 653099, at *2 (N.D. Cal. Feb. 22, 2010) 22 (citing Pegram v. Herdrich, 530 U.S. 211, 230 (2000)). 23 A motion to dismiss pursuant to Rule 12(b)(6) operates to test the sufficiency of the complaint. See Iqbal, 556 U.S. at 679. The first step in testing the sufficiency of the complaint is 24 to identify any conclusory allegations. Iqbal, 556 U.S. at 679. “Threadbare recitals of the 25 elements of a cause of action, supported by mere conclusory statements, do not suffice.” Id. at 26 678 (citing Twombly, 550 U.S. at 555). “[A] plaintiff’s obligation to provide the grounds of his 27 entitlement to relief requires more than labels and conclusions, and a formulaic recitation of the 28 1 elements of a cause of action will not do.” Twombly, 550 U.S. at 555 (citations and quotation 2 marks omitted). 3 After assuming the veracity of all well-pleaded factual allegations, the second step is for 4 the court to determine whether the complaint pleads “a claim to relief that is plausible on its face.” Iqbal, 556 U.S. at 678 (citing Twombly, 550 U.S. at 556). A claim is facially plausible 5 when the plaintiff “pleads factual content that allows the court to draw the reasonable inference 6 that the defendant is liable for the misconduct alleged.” Id. at 678 (citing Twombly, 550 U.S. at 7 556). The standard for plausibility is not akin to a “probability requirement,” but it requires “more 8 than a sheer possibility that a defendant has acted unlawfully.” Id. 9 b. Section 1983 10 The Civil Rights Act under which this action was filed provides: 11 Every person who, under color of any statute, ordinance, regulation, 12 custom, or usage, of any State or Territory or the District of Columbia, subjects, or causes to be subjected, any citizen of the 13 United States or other person within the jurisdiction thereof to the deprivation of any rights, privileges, or immunities secured by the 14 Constitution and laws, shall be liable to the party injured in an action at law, suit in equity, or other proper proceeding for redress.... 15 42 U.S.C. § 1983. “[Section] 1983 ‘is not itself a source of substantive rights,’ but merely 16 provides ‘a method for vindicating federal rights elsewhere conferred.’” Graham v. Connor, 490 17 U.S. 386, 393-94 (1989) (quoting Baker v. McCollan, 443 U.S. 137, 144 n.3 (1979)); see also 18 Chapman v. Houston Welfare Rights Org., 441 U.S. 600, 618 (1979); Hall v. City of Los Angeles, 19 697 F.3d 1059, 1068 (9th Cir. 2012); Crowley v. Nevada, 678 F.3d 730, 734 (9th Cir. 2012); 20 Anderson v. Warner, 451 F.3d 1063, 1067 (9th Cir. 2006). 21 To state a claim under § 1983, a plaintiff must allege that (1) the defendant acted under 22 color of state law, and (2) the defendant deprived him of rights secured by the Constitution or federal law. Long v. County of Los Angeles, 442 F.3d 1178, 1185 (9th Cir. 2006); see also Marsh 23 v. Cnty. of San Diego, 680 F.3d 1148, 1158 (9th Cir. 2012) (discussing “under color of state 24 law”). A person deprives another of a constitutional right, “within the meaning of § 1983, ‘if he 25 does an affirmative act, participates in another's affirmative act, or omits to perform an act which 26 he is legally required to do that causes the deprivation of which complaint is made.’” Preschooler 27 II v. Clark Cnty. Sch. Bd. of Trs., 479 F.3d 1175, 1183 (9th Cir. 2007) (quoting Johnson v. Duffy, 28 1 588 F.2d 740, 743 (9th Cir. 1978)). “The requisite causal connection may be established when an 2 official sets in motion a ‘series of acts by others which the actor knows or reasonably should 3 know would cause others to inflict’ constitutional harms.” Preschooler II, 479 F.3d at 1183 4 (quoting Johnson, 588 F.2d at 743). This standard of causation “closely resembles the standard ‘foreseeability’ formulation of proximate cause.” Arnold v. Int'l Bus. Mach. Corp., 637 F.2d 5 1350, 1355 (9th Cir. 1981); see also Harper v. City of Los Angeles, 533 F.3d 1010, 1026 (9th Cir. 6 2008). 7 Additionally, a plaintiff must demonstrate that each named defendant personally 8 participated in the deprivation of his rights. Iqbal, 556 U.S. at 676-77. In other words, there must 9 be an actual connection or link between the actions of the defendants and the deprivation alleged 10 to have been suffered by Plaintiff. See Monell v. Dep't of Soc. Servs. of City of N.Y., 436 U.S. 658, 11 691, 695 (1978). 12 c. Eighth Amendment Deliberate Indifference 13 “[T]o maintain an Eighth Amendment claim based on prison medical treatment, an inmate 14 must show ‘deliberate indifference to serious medical needs.’” Jett v. Penner, 439 F.3d 1091, 15 1096 (9th Cir. 2006) (quoting Estelle v. Gamble, 429 U.S. 97, 104 (1976)). This requires Plaintiff 16 to show (1) “a ‘serious medical need’ by demonstrating that ‘failure to treat a prisoner’s condition 17 could result in further significant injury or the unnecessary and wanton infliction of pain,’” and 18 (2) that “the defendant’s response to the need was deliberately indifferent.” Id. (quoting 19 McGuckin v. Smith, 974 F.2d 1050, 1059-60 (9th Cir. 1992)) (citation and internal quotations 20 marks omitted), overruled on other grounds by WMX Technologies v. Miller, 104 F.3d 1133 (9th 21 Cir. 1997) (en banc). 22 Deliberate indifference is established only where the defendant subjectively “knows of and 23 disregards an excessive risk to inmate health and safety.” Toguchi v. Chung, 391 F.3d 1051, 1057 (9th Cir. 2004) (emphasis added) (citation and internal quotation marks omitted). Deliberate 24 indifference can be established “by showing (a) a purposeful act or failure to respond to a 25 prisoner’s pain or possible medical need and (b) harm caused by the indifference.” Jett, 439 F.3d 26 at 1096 (citation omitted). Civil recklessness (failure “to act in the face of an unjustifiably high 27 risk of harm that is either known or so obvious that it should be known”) is insufficient to 28 1 establish an Eighth Amendment violation. Farmer v. Brennan, 511 U.S. 825, 836-37 & n.5 2 (1994) (citations omitted). 3 A difference of opinion between an inmate and prison medical personnel—or between 4 medical professionals—regarding appropriate medical diagnosis and treatment is not enough to establish a deliberate indifference claim. Sanchez v. Vild, 891 F.2d 240, 242 (9th Cir. 1989); 5 Toguchi v. Chung, 391 F.3d 1051, 1058 (9th Cir. 2004). Additionally, “a complaint that a 6 physician has been negligent in diagnosing or treating a medical condition does not state a valid 7 claim of medical mistreatment under the Eighth Amendment. Medical malpractice does not 8 become a constitutional violation merely because the victim is a prisoner.” Estelle, 429 U.S. at 9 106. To establish a difference of opinion rising to the level of deliberate indifference, a “plaintiff 10 must show that the course of treatment the doctors chose was medically unacceptable under the 11 circumstances.” Jackson v. McIntosh, 90 F.3d 330, 332 (9th Cir. 1996). 12 V. DISCUSSION 13 a. Defendants Pfeiffer and Felder 14 i. Eleventh Amendment Immunity 15 Defendants Pfeiffer and Felder first argue that they are entitled to Eleventh Amendment 16 immunity because they are sued in their official capacities. (ECF Nos. 9-1 at 4-5, 16 at 1-2.) 17 Plaintiff concedes that these defendants are named in their official capacities, but argues that 18 Eleventh Amendment immunity does not apply because this case concerns the rendition of 19 medical care at KVSP, and not CDCR’s policies and procedures. (ECF No. 16 at 2-7.) 20 The Eleventh Amendment bars a plaintiff's claims for damages against the state, its 21 agencies or its officials in their official capacities, unless the state waives its immunity. Kentucky 22 v. Graham, 473 U.S. 159, 169 (1985); see also Will v. Michigan Dep't of State Police, 491 U.S. 23 58, 71 (1989). Section 1983 does not abrogate the states’ Eleventh Amendment immunity from suit. See Quern v. Jordan, 440 U.S. 332, 344–45 (1979). 24 When state officials are sued in their official-capacities, the suit is treated as against the 25 state. Kentucky v. Graham, 473 U.S. 159, 166 (1985); Doe v. Lawrence Livermore Nat'l Lab., 131 26 F.3d 836, 839 (9th Cir.1997); see also Arizonas for Official English v. Arizona, 520 U.S. 43, 69 n. 27 24 (1997) (“State officers in their official capacities, like States themselves, are not amenable to 28 1 suit for damages under § 1983.”). “1983 claims against government officials in their official 2 capacities are really suits against the governmental employer because the employer must pay any 3 damages awarded.” Butler v. Elle, 281 F.3d 1014, 1023 fn. 8 (9th Cir.2002). In such suits, the real 4 party in interest is the entity for which the official works. Hafer v. Melo, 502 U.S. 21, 25 (1991). By contrast, “[p]ersonal-capacity suits seek to impose personal liability upon a government 5 official for actions [taken] under color of state law.” Id. at 165. “[T]he distinction between official 6 capacity suits and personal-capacity suits is more than ‘a mere pleading device.’” Hafer, 502 U.S. 7 at 27 (quoting Will, 491 U.S. at 71). 8 Here, as Plaintiff concedes, the complaint names Defendants Pfeiffer and Felder in their 9 official capacities and only seeks monetary relief.3 (ECF No. 1 at 1, 12-13.) The real party in 10 interest is therefore these defendants’ employer, CDCR. Although Plaintiff argues that he is not 11 seeking to sue the state based on state policy, because the compliant names Defendants Pfeiffer 12 and Felder in their official capacities Plaintiff’s claims must be treated as being brought against 13 the state. State officers sued in their official capacities receive the same immunity as the 14 government agency that employs them. Thus, the Court recommends that Plaintiff’s claims 15 against Defendants Pfeiffer and Felder be dismissed. 16 ii. Supervisory Liability 17 Defendants Pfeiffer and Felder also argue that the factual allegations against them are 18 insufficient to state a claim for deliberate indifference. (ECF No. 9-1 at 7-8.) As discussed above, 19 the Court has found that these defendants are entitled to Eleventh Amendment immunity. 20 However, because the Court also recommends granting leave to amend as discussed below, it will 21 also address Defendants Pfeiffer and Felder’s argument that the factual allegations fail to 22 establish supervisory liability against them. 23 A plaintiff proceeding under § 1983 must demonstrate that each named defendant personally participated in the deprivation of his rights. Iqbal, 556 U.S. at 676-77. In other words, 24 25 3 The Eleventh Amendment does not bar a declaratory or injunctive relief § 1983 claim against an official- 26 capacity state officer for violations of a plaintiff's constitutional rights. See Krainski v. Nevada ex rel. Bd. of Regents of Nev., 616 F.3d 963, 967–68 (9th Cir.2010) (“A narrow exception [to the Eleventh Amendment bar] exists where 27 the relief sought is prospective in nature and is based on an ongoing violation of the plaintiff's federal constitutional or statutory rights.” (internal quotations omitted)). However, the complaint does not seek declaratory or injunctive 28 relief against Defendants Pfeiffer or Felder. 1 there must be an actual connection or link between the actions of the defendants and the 2 deprivation alleged to have been suffered by Plaintiff. See Monell v. Dep't of Soc. Servs. of City of 3 N.Y., 436 U.S. 658, 691, 695 (1978). Supervisory personnel are generally not liable under § 1983 4 for the actions of their employees under a theory of respondeat superior and, therefore, when a named defendant holds a supervisory position, the causal link between him and the claimed 5 constitutional violation must be specifically alleged. Iqbal, 556 U.S. at 676-77; Fayle v. Stapley, 6 607 F.2d 858, 862 (9th Cir. 1979); Mosher v. Saalfeld, 589 F.2d 438, 441 (9th Cir. 1978). 7 To state a claim for relief under § 1983 based on a theory of supervisory liability, a 8 plaintiff must allege some facts that would support a claim that the supervisory defendants either 9 personally participated in the alleged deprivation of constitutional rights; knew of the violations 10 and failed to act to prevent them; or promulgated or “implement[ed] a policy so deficient that the 11 policy itself is a repudiation of constitutional rights' and is ‘the moving force of the constitutional 12 violation.” Hansen v. Black, 885 F.2d 642, 646 (9th Cir. 1989) (citations and internal quotation 13 marks omitted); Taylor v. List, 880 F.2d 1040, 1045 (9th Cir. 1989). For instance, a supervisor 14 may be liable for his “own culpable action or inaction in the training, supervision, or control of 15 his subordinates,” “his acquiescence in the constitutional deprivations of which the complaint is 16 made,” or “conduct that showed a reckless or callous indifference to the rights of others.” Larez v. 17 City of Los Angeles, 946 F.2d 630, 646 (9th Cir. 1991) (internal citations, quotation marks, and 18 alterations omitted). 19 Plaintiff does not allege that these defendants were personally involved in the alleged 20 deliberate indifference. Therefore, he must allege either that these Defendants Pfeiffer and Felder 21 knew of the constitutional violations and failed to act to prevent them, or that they promulgated or 22 implemented a constitutionally deficient policy. Plaintiff contends that the complaint adequately 23 alleges that Defendants Pfeiffer and Felder were aware of and participated in 1) a culture of denying inmates care by considering pain complaints to be a sham and only for the purpose of 24 obtaining medications for illicit or recreational purposes; and 2) a medical structure where nurses 25 acted as gatekeepers for inmates to be seen by medical doctors in order to reduce costs. (ECF No. 26 15 at 6.) 27
28 1 Again, Plaintiff alleges that “There was an administrative mandate set forth by custom and 2 practice” that the KVSP nursing and ancillary staff would be primary healthcare providers and 3 that inmates would be actively prevented from being treated by medical doctors. (Id.) There was 4 also a mindset, which Defendants Pfeiffer and Felder encouraged and tolerated, that these “primary healthcare providers” would deny treatment and care and examination by medical 5 doctors and would consider any inmate requesting treatment for pain or pain medication as being 6 “drug seeking” and providing only over the counter pain medication, no matter the inmate’s 7 presentation. (Id.) 8 The complaint’s allegations regarding Defendants Pfeiffer and Felder’s involvement in the 9 alleged constitutional violations are conclusory and are not supported by sufficient factual detail. 10 Plaintiff does not allege any facts supporting that there is such a policy, such as a document 11 stating a policy or a statement by a medical professional referring to such a policy, informal or 12 otherwise. Plaintiff does not allege anything Defendants Pfeiffer and Felder did or said that leads 13 to this conclusion. Plaintiff does not allege how Defendants Pfeiffer and Felder were responsible 14 for or otherwise involved in the policies or practices at issue. Plaintiff also does not allege that 15 any of the other defendants chose not to provide treatment due to these policies or practices. 16 Without such facts, alleging that there was a general “mindset” that was “tolerated” is not 17 sufficient to state a constitutional claim against these defendants. To state a claim, a complaint 18 must contain sufficient factual detail for the Court to draw the reasonable conclusion that the 19 defendant is liable for the misconduct alleged. Iqbal, 556 U.S. at 678; See also Krainskin v. Nev. 20 Ex rel. Bd. Of Regents of Nev. Sys. Of Higher Educ., 616 F.3d 963, 969 (9th Cir. 2010) 21 (dismissing complaint because plaintiff “merely alleged in a conclusory fashion that the officers 22 ‘knew or should have known’” of the violation); Sullivan v. Biter, 2017 WL 1540256, at *1 (E.D. 23 Cal. Apr. 28, 2017) (“Conclusory allegations that various prison officials knew or should have known about constitutional violations occurring against plaintiff simply because of their general 24 supervisory role are insufficient to state a claim under 42 U.S.C. § 1983.”). 25 Thus, the Court finds that the complaint fails to state a claim against Defendants Pfeiffer 26 and Felder for deliberate indifference on the basis of supervisory liability. 27 /// 28 1 iii. Leave to Amend 2 Plaintiff requests leave to amend the complaint. (ECF No. 15 at 8.) Defendants’ briefing 3 does not address whether leave to amend should be granted. (See ECF Nos. 9, 16.) 4 Under Rule 15 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, “the court should freely give leave [to amend] when justice so requires.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 15(a)(2). As discussed above, the Court 5 finds that Defendants Pfeiffer and Felder are entitled to Eleventh Amendment immunity. 6 Plaintiff’s opposition indicates that Plaintiff intends to impose liability against Defendants 7 Pfeiffer and Felder in their personal capacity. (ECF No. 15 at 4.)The Court will recommend that 8 Plaintiff be granted leave to amend the complaint to allege that the claims against Defendants 9 Pfeiffer and Felder seek to impose personal liability for actions taken under color of state law. 10 Additionally, the Court will recommend that Plaintiff be granted leave to amend to the 11 extent he can allege additional facts showing a causal link between Defendants Pfeiffer and 12 Felder and the alleged deliberate indifference. If Plaintiff chooses to amend his complaint, he 13 should describe what each defendant did that violated his constitutional rights. If liability as to 14 Defendants Pfeiffer and Felder is based on the implementation of a policy, Plaintiff should 15 describe what these defendants did to promulgate or implement the policy and should identify 16 facts that lead Plaintiff to believe there is a policy that caused the constitutional violation. 17 b. Defendant Vitto 18 Defendant Vitto argues that the claim against him should be dismissed because Plaintiff 19 does not allege what, if anything, he did or did not do to cause him harm. (ECF No. 9-1 at 8.) 20 Plaintiff alleges that Defendant Vitto is a Licensed Vocational Nurse and is a healthcare worker 21 duly licensed in the state of California to practice nursing or other ancillary healthcare but 22 Defendant Vitto otherwise is not mentioned in the complaint. (Id.) Plaintiff, in turn, argues that 23 the allegations against Defendant Vitto because Defendants Singh and Aflague have filed an answer admitting that Plaintiff was seen by nursing staff, which would include Defendant Vitto. 24 (ECF No. 15 at 7.) 25 Rule 8(a) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure requires a complaint to contain “a short 26 and plain statement of the claim showing that the pleader is entitled to relief.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 27 8(a)(2). Although a complaint is not required to include detailed factual allegations, it must set 28 1 forth “sufficient factual matter, accepted as true, to ‘state a claim to relief that is plausible on its 2 face.’” Iqbal, 556 U.S. at 678 (quoting Twombly, 550 U.S. at 570). It must also contain “sufficient 3 allegations of underlying facts to give fair notice and to enable the opposing party to defend itself 4 effectively.” Starr v. Baca, 652 F.3d 1202, 1216 (9th Cir. 2011). Moreover, Plaintiff must demonstrate that each named defendant personally participated in the deprivation of his 5 rights. Iqbal, 556 U.S. at 676-77. 6 Plaintiff’s complaint fails to connect Plaintiff’s factual allegations to the claim he is 7 attempting to bring against Defendant Vitto. Other than alleging Defendant Vitto’s occupation, 8 the complaint does not mention this defendant. Plaintiff does not allege how Defendant Vitto 9 violated his constitutional rights. General references to “Defendants” or “nursing staff” do not 10 give fair notice to Defendant Vitto to enable him to defend himself effectively. Therefore, the 11 complaint violates Rule 8 and the Court recommends that the claim against Defendant Vitto be 12 dismissed. 13 Plaintiff requests leave to amend. (ECF No. 15 at 7.) His opposition describes two 14 occasions when Defendant Vitto saw Plaintiff but did not refer him to a doctor and only refilled 15 his Ibuprofen. (Id.) Defendants again do not address Plaintiff’s request for leave to amend. (See 16 ECF Nos. 9, 16.) As discussed above, leave to amend should be freely granted. Thus, the Court 17 will recommend that Plaintiff be granted leave to amend his claim against Defendant Vitto. As 18 mentioned above, if Plaintiff chooses to amend his complaint, he should allege what each 19 defendant did to violate his constitutional rights. 20 VI. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION 21 Accordingly, based on the foregoing, IT IS HEREBY RECOMMENDED that: 22 1. Defendants Pfeiffer, Felder, and Vitto’s motion to dismiss (ECF No. 9) be granted; 23 2. Plaintiff be granted leave to amend his claims against Defendants Pfeiffer, Felder, and Vitto; 24 3. Plaintiff be directed to file his First Amended Complaint within thirty (30) days of 25 service of an order adopting these findings and recommendations; and 26 4. Defendant be directed to respond to Plaintiff’s First Amended Complaint within 27 fourteen (14) days of service. 28 1 These findings and recommendations are submitted to the United States district judge 2 | assigned to the case, pursuant to the provisions of Title 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1). Within fourteen 3 | (4) days after being served with these findings and recommendations, any party may file written 4 | objections with the court. Such a document should be captioned “Objections to Magistrate Judge's 5 | Findings and Recommendations.” Any reply to the objections shall be served and filed within 6 fourteen (14) days after service of the objections. The parties are advised that failure to file 7 objections within the specified time may result in the waiver of rights on appeal. Wilkerson v. 8 Wheeler, 772 F.3d 834, 838-39 (9th Cir. 2014) (citing Baxter v. Sullivan, 923 F.2d 1391, 1394
9 (9th Cir. 1991)). 10 | Tr IS SO ORDERED. 11 15 | Dated: _August 31, 2021 [sf ey — UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 16