Reed v. Department of Corrections

CourtDistrict Court, W.D. Louisiana
DecidedJuly 28, 2023
Docket3:17-cv-01382
StatusUnknown

This text of Reed v. Department of Corrections (Reed v. Department of Corrections) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, W.D. Louisiana primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Reed v. Department of Corrections, (W.D. La. 2023).

Opinion

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT WESTERN DISTRICT OF LOUISIANA MONROE DIVISION

LESLIE REED ET AL CASE NO. 3:17-CV-01382

VERSUS JUDGE TERRY A. DOUGHTY

LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF MAG. JUDGE KAYLA D. MCCLUSKY CORRECTIONS ET AL

MEMORANDUM RULING

Before the Court is a Motion for Summary Judgment [Doc. No. 103] filed by Defendants Jay Russell (“Russell”) and Donna Norman (“Norman”) (collectively, “Defendants”). Plaintiffs Leslie Reed (“Reed”) and Otis McGinnis (“McGinnis”) (collectively, “Plaintiffs”) filed a response in opposition [Doc. No. 109], and Defendants filed a reply [Doc. No. 111]. For the reasons set forth herein, Defendants’ Motion is GRANTED. I. BACKGROUND The instant action revolves around the death of Brandon Reed (“Reed”), a former inmate of Ouachita Correctional Center (“OCC”) in Monroe, Louisiana.1 Reed was booked into OCC on November 4, 2015.2 In their initial complaint, Plaintiffs assert that in February 2016, while incarcerated at OCC, Reed began experiencing a chronic cough, difficulty eating and digesting food, and significant weight loss.3 Further, Plaintiffs claim that Reed and his family members, including his mother, father, siblings, and uncle, reported his medical conditions to the Louisiana Department of Corrections and the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office on multiple occasions.4

1 [Doc. No. 1] 2 [Doc. No. 103-1, citing [Doc. No. 103-3, p. 3]] 3 [Doc. No. 109, p. 2] Plaintiffs made these allegations in the factual background section of the memorandum in opposition. Plaintiffs did not provide citations or evidentiary support for these claims. 4 [Id.] According to Plaintiffs, Reed sought medical assistance at Prison Medical Services for his symptoms in May and August 2016 from Donna Norman N.P. and Deputy Crecink.5 However, Plaintiffs allege that he was only provided with cough drops and anxiety medication without undergoing any further evaluations.6 Plaintiffs argue that Defendants’ actions violated Reed’s constitutional rights and ultimately led to his death on October 26, 2016.7 Reed’s cause of death

was sepsis caused by pneumonia, which Plaintiffs claim could have been prevented through adequate medical care.8 As a result of the foregoing, Plaintiffs filed suit against Norman and Russell. Norman is an OCC medical staff member sued in her individual capacity.9 Russell is the Sheriff of Ouachita Parish, Louisiana, sued in his official capacity as sheriff.10 The Complaint alleges several claims against Defendants. First, Plaintiffs claim that Defendants violated Reed’s constitutional rights, specifically his rights to due process, equal protection under the law, and to be secure in his person, by showing deliberate indifference to his medical needs while he was in the custody of the Louisiana Department of Corrections and/or Ouachita Parish Sheriff.11 Second, Plaintiffs assert that Defendants failed to provide Reed with

adequate medical care and treatment, despite his ongoing complaints and pleas for help.12 They argue that this failure to intervene and provide necessary medical services resulted in Reed’s death from sepsis caused by pneumonia, which they contend was a preventable and foreseeable outcome.13 Lastly, Plaintiffs claim that as a result of Defendants’ actions and omissions, they have

5 [Id.] 6 [Doc. No. 109, p. 2] 7 [Id. at p. 4] 8 [Id. at p. 4] 9 [Doc. Nos. 1; 103-1, p. 11] 10 [Id.] 11 [Doc. No. 1] 12 [Id.] 13 [Id.] suffered substantial damages, including medical expenses, deterioration of Reed’s physical health, humiliation, depression, stress, and loss of enjoyment of life.14 In their Motion for Summary Judgment, Defendants dispute the claims made by Plaintiffs, arguing that Defendants were not responsible for Reed’s medical care during certain periods.15 They also assert that any alleged denial of medical care by Norman is either time-barred or, in the

alternative, lacks merit.16 Defendants point out that Reed’s condition deteriorated at the hospital, leading to his cardiac arrest on October 24, 2016, and subsequent passing on October 26, 2016.17 Thus, Defendants argue they are entitled to judgment as a matter of law on each of Plaintiffs’ claims against them. In response, Plaintiffs argue that Defendant, Norman, is not entitled to qualified immunity relying on assertions that she was aware of Reed’s condition and that her subordinates refused to treat Reed.18 Additionally, Plaintiffs argue that their claims are not time barred because the discovery rule applies, and the claims were filed at an appropriate time given their discovery.19 Finally, Plaintiffs allege that they are afforded with the presumption that Defendants actions were the cause of Reed’s death.20

LAW AND ANALYSIS A. Standard of Review Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 56(a) states: A party may move for summary judgment, identifying each claim or defense--or the part of each claim or defense--on which summary judgment is sought. The court shall grant summary judgment if the movant shows that there is no genuine dispute as to any material fact

14 [Id.] 15 [Doc. No. 103-1] 16 [Id.] 17 [Id.] 18 [Doc. No. 109, pp. 10] 19 [Id. at pp. 6–7] 20 [Id. at pp. 18] and the movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. The court should state on the record the reasons for granting or denying the motion.

“If the moving party meets the initial burden of showing there is no genuine issue of material fact, the burden shifts to the nonmoving party to produce evidence or designate specific facts showing the existence of a genuine issue for trial.” Distribuidora Mari Jose, S.A. de C.V. v. Transmaritime, Inc., 738 F.3d 703, 706 (5th Cir. 2013) (internal quotation marks and citation omitted); see also FED. R. CIV. P. 56(c)(1). A fact is “material” if proof of its existence or nonexistence would affect the outcome of the lawsuit under applicable law in the case. Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 248, 106 S. Ct. 2505, 91 L. Ed. 2d 202 (1986). A dispute about a material fact is “genuine” if the evidence is such that a reasonable fact finder could render a verdict for the nonmoving party. Id. “[A] party cannot defeat summary judgment with conclusory allegations, unsubstantiated assertions, or only a scintilla of evidence.” Turner v. Baylor Richardson Med. Ctr., 476 F.3d 337, 343 (5th Cir. 2007) (citing Anderson, 477 U.S. at 248). However, in evaluating the evidence tendered by the parties, the Court must accept the evidence of the nonmovant as credible and draw all justifiable inferences in its favor. Anderson, 477 U.S. at 255. “A non-conclusory affidavit can create genuine issues of material fact that preclude summary judgment, even if the affidavit is self- serving and uncorroborated.” Lester v. Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., 805 F. App'x 288, 291 (5th Cir. 2020) (citations omitted). B. Analysis Defendants argue the following in support of their Motion for Summary Judgment: 1) All claims prior to October 2016 have prescribed;21 2) Plaintiffs have no valid claims against Russell

21 [Doc. No. 103-1, pp.

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Reed v. Department of Corrections, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/reed-v-department-of-corrections-lawd-2023.