Stones v. McDonald

7 F. Supp. 3d 422, 2014 WL 26810, 2014 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 187
CourtDistrict Court, D. Delaware
DecidedJanuary 2, 2014
DocketCiv. No. 12-711-SLR
StatusPublished
Cited by9 cases

This text of 7 F. Supp. 3d 422 (Stones v. McDonald) 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
Stones v. McDonald, 7 F. Supp. 3d 422, 2014 WL 26810, 2014 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 187 (D. Del. 2014).

Opinion

MEMORANDUM OPINION

ROBINSON, District Judge

I. INTRODUCTION

Plaintiff Dereck E. Stones (“plaintiff’), an inmate at the Sussex Correctional Institute (“SCI”), Georgetown, Delaware, filed this lawsuit pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. (D.1.3) He proceeds pro se and has been granted leave to proceed in forma pauper-is. Presently before the court are plaintiffs motions to compel (D.1.44, 49), request for counsel (D.1.64), and motion to appoint expert (D.1.65); State defendants’ motion for judgment on the pleadings (D.1.37) and motion for summary judgment (D.1.70); and medical defendants’ motion to strike (D.1.53) and motion for summary judgment (D.1.68). The court has jurisdiction pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1331. For the following reasons, the court will: (1) deny as moot State defendants’ motion for judgment on the pleadings (D.1.37) and medical defendants’ motion to strike (D.1.53); (2) deny plaintiffs motions to compel (D.1.44, 49), request for counsel (D.1.64), and motion to appoint expert (D.1.65); and (3) grant medical defendants’ motion for summary judgment (D.1.68) and State defendants’ motion for summary judgment (D.1.70).

II. PROCEDURAL AND FACTUAL BACKGROUND

Plaintiff filed his complaint on June 5, 2012 alleging defendants deliberately delayed addressing a serious medical need and/or failed to address the condition. In addition, the complaint alleges that Delaware Department of Correction (“DOC”) has a policy of entering into contracts for medical care with for-profit providers that place the bottom-line ahead of an inmate’s medical needs. (D.1.3) Named as defendants are Dr. Lawrence McDonald (“Dr.McDonald”) and Correct Care Solutions (“CCS”) (together “medical defendants”), and Warden G.R. Johnson (“Johnson”) and Carl C. Danberg (“Danberg”), former DOC Commissioner (together “State defendants”).1 Plaintiff seeks in-junctive relief in the form of medical care, as well as compensatory and punitive damages.

CCS is the-contract medical provider for the DOC. Plaintiff testified that in July or August 2010, he injured the nerves in his left ankle and foot when his foot slipped off a curb, and he rolled his ankle. (D.I. 3; D.I. 69, ex. A at 10) Plaintiffs medical records indicate that he presented to SCI medical on August 12, 2010 regarding the injury. (D.I. 69, ex. B at DOC 129) The injury caused permanent nerve damage to plaintiffs left lower extremity. (Id. at DOC436-437) Plaintiff submitted numer[428]*428ous slips for medical care from 2010 through 2013, the majority of which sought renewal of medications, some that contained bottom-bunk requests, and several with specific requests for foot or ankle care, those specifically dated October 19, 2010, April 25, 2011, November 29, 2011, December 15, 2011, February 5 and 28, 2012, March 31, 2012, October 16, 2012, November 1, 2013 and May 9, 2013, (D.I. 58 at DOC206-279, 281-285, 475-177, 479-505, 507-519, 520-25, 526-533, 534-36, 539-540, 550, 552-563) Plaintiff submitted two grievances seeking medical care for his ankle/foot, one on May 27, 2011 and the other on December 28, 2011. (D.I. 27 at DOC 176-185) The first grievance sought an MRI and the second grievance sought immediate corrective surgery without further delay. (Id.)

CCS progress notes indicate that plaintiff was either seen by medical personnel or had his medical records reviewed in: (1) 2010 on August 12 and 19, and November 4; (2) 2011 on January 27 and 29, February 7 and 22, March 28, April 27, June 1, 28, and 29, August 8 and 30, September 9 and 26, October 20, November 4, and December 9 and 13; (3) 2012 on February 9, 14,15, March 8, June 21, and November 8; and (4) 2013 on January 23, February 22, May 2, and May 22. (D.I. 58 at DOC265, 280, 307, 307, 311-314, 567, 568, 572-78, 580-83) There were two physician’s orders in 2010, and numerous other physician’s orders in 2011, 2012, and 2013. (Id. at DOC255, 257, 258, 452, 453, 455-59, 463, 466, 467, 469, 470) Finally, Dr. McDonald, as well as other CCS medical personnel, submitted outpatient referral requests for plaintiff on numerous occasions throughout 2011. (Id. at DOC232, 237, 238, 243-245, 248, 249, 412, 418, 421, 422, 424, 427, 432, 440, 446)

Subsequent to the injury, plaintiffs left foot and ankle were x-rayed on August 19, 2010 and March 16, 2011, an EMG study was performed on June 29, 2011, and an MRI of the left ankle and left foot was conducted on August 30, 2011. (D.I. 69, ex. B at 119, 120, 129, 230, 439) X-ray findings were normal, the EMG studies of the left peroneal nerve were normal for latencies with moderate to severely diminished amplitudes distally and decrement in amplitude across the fibular head, and the MRI revealed nerve damage common per-oneal nerve left — motor neuropathy and lateral ankle ligament tears. (Id.)

The first request for medical care following the injury occurred on October 19, 2010 when plaintiff complained of “having problems with my (left ankle) again. It keeps “ ‘rolling/twisting’ when I walk at times.” (D.I. 72 at A50) Plaintiff was seen on November 4, 2010, and told to increase his exercises, avoid running and wear support boots, and he was scheduled for a follow-up in 90 days. (Id. at A65)

A CCS outpatient referral request dated February 17, 2011 states, “needs physical therapy for home progress for increased ... strength.” (D.I. 58 at DOC248) Dr. McDonald referred plaintiff to physical therapy at Tidewater Physical Therapy, an initial evaluation took place on February 28, 2011, and plaintiff was given a home exercise program. (D.I. 69, ex. B at DOC231, 241-42; D.I. 72 at A33-34) The plan included physical therapy two times per week for four weeks with a long term goal of independent home exercises. (D.I. 69, ex. B at DOC241-242) The off-site return progress note stated, “needs ongoing PT to correct deficits.” (D.I. 58 at DOC246) A CCS consult sheet with the same date contains the name notation. (Id. at 247) A CCS consult sheet dated March 25, 2011, recommends physical therapy three times per week for four weeks at Old Town Physical Therapy. (D.I.75, ex. C) Medical records indicate [429]*429that plaintiff performed exercises, but do not reflect that plaintiff was sent to an outside physical therapist. (D.I. 72 at A24, 63, 65)

Dr. McDonald referred plaintiff to an outside neurologist. Prior to his visit with the neurologist, plaintiff was issued an ankle support from the medical department. (D.I.72, A127) Plaintiff was seen by neurologist Dr. William Thomas (“Dr.Thomas”) on June 29, 2011, who performed an EMG. (D.I. 69, ex. B at DOC230, 239) Dr. Thomas reviewed medical testing that included motor nerve studies of the left peroneal nerve that indicated moderate to severely diminished amplitudes distally and decrement in amplitude across the fibular head. (Id. at DOC 230) Dr. Thomas’ impression was “acute on chronic severe left peroneal mononeuropathy secondary to entrapment and/or traction injury proximally across the fibular head.” (Id. at DOC230) Dr. Thomas recommended an orthopedic surgical evaluation and management of the problem peroneal nerve entrapment. (Id.)

On August 8, 2011, plaintiff was seen by outside orthopaedic physician Dr. Roman Orsini (“Dr.Orsini”) of Orthopaedic Associates of Southern Delaware. Dr. Orsini evaluated plaintiff and ordered an MRI.

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Bluebook (online)
7 F. Supp. 3d 422, 2014 WL 26810, 2014 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 187, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/stones-v-mcdonald-ded-2014.