Opinion
No. 2:09-cv-3407 KJM JFM (PC)
02-20-2013
JOSEPH G. ALCALA, Plaintiff, v. MIKE MARTEL, Warden, et al., Defendants.
ORDER AND
FINDINGS & RECOMMENDATIONS
Plaintiff is a state prisoner proceeding pro se with a civil rights action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. Plaintiff alleges that defendants Naseer, Palomino and Carrillo violated his Eighth Amendment rights by acting with deliberate indifference to his serious medical needs. Before the court is defendants' motion for summary judgment. Plaintiff opposes the motion. For the following reasons, the motion should be granted.
UNDISPUTED FACTS
All facts are undisputed unless noted otherwise. At all times relevant to this action, plaintiff was a state prisoner incarcerated at Mule Creek State Prison ("MCSP") in Ione, California. Defendant Sahir Naseer was a physician at MCSP. Naseer Decl., ¶¶ 1-2. Defendant Aurelia Palomino was a registered nurse at MCSP. Palomino Decl., ¶¶ 1-2. Defendant R. Carrillo was a correctional sergeant at MCSP. Carrillo Decl., ¶¶ 1-2.
On May 18, 2008, plaintiff completed a Health Care Services Request Form, CDC 7362 ("CDC 7362 Form"), complaining of a "hard lump on [his] left mid/upper abdomen about the size of [his] fist." Pl.'s Opp'n Mot. Summ. J., Ex. A. Plaintiff did not complain of pain on this form. See id.; see also Alcala Dep. at 24.
On May 20, 2008, plaintiff was assessed by Nurse Palomino in response to his CDC 7362 Form. Pl.'s Opp'n Mot. Summ. J., Ex. A; Palomino Decl., ¶ 4. Based on her assessment of plaintiff, Nurse Palomino informed Dr. Naseer of plaintiff's medical condition that same day because she deemed it was medically warranted and the proper course of treatment. Palomino Decl., ¶ 4.
On May 20, 2008, plaintiff was examined by Dr. Naseer. Naseer Decl., ¶ 5. Dr. Naseer submitted a Physician Request for Services on plaintiff's behalf requesting that plaintiff be referred to San Joaquin General Hospital ("SJGH") "ASAP" for a CT scan of his abdomen and pelvis with contrast. Id.; Naseer Decl, Ex. A. Dr. Naseer also indicated that this request was "Routine" by circling that option on the Physician Request for Services form. Naseer Decl., Ex. A. Also on May 20, 2008, Dr. Naseer submitted a Physician Request for Services on plaintiff's behalf requesting that plaintiff be referred to SJGH for a routine surgery consultation after his CT scan was scheduled. Id. ¶ 6.
When Dr. Naseer wishes to obtain outside treatment for an inmate, he must complete a Physician Request for Services, which requires the approval of the Chief Medical Officer. Naseer Decl., ¶ 4. Dr. Naseer does not schedule appointments with outside providers. Id. The prison's utilization management schedulers are responsible for acquiring contracting with outside providers and scheduling those appointments. Id. On the Physician Request for Services, Dr. Naseer can indicate urgency by circling the terms 'emergent,' 'urgent' or 'routine.' Id. He also has the option to write in terms, such as "ASAP." Id. Besides his circling options, Dr. Naseer has no authority as to how quickly appointments are scheduled. Id.
On May 20, 2008, Dr. Naseer also gave Nurse Palomino a verbal order to write an order for plaintiff to be seen in the MD (Doctor's) Line in one week for a follow-up of his abdominal mass. Naseer Decl., ¶ 6; Naseer Decl., Ex. C. Additionally, Dr. Naseer ordered laboratory tests for plaintiff, including a complete blood count, comprehensive metabolic panel and urinalysis. Id.
Dr. Naseer's requests for a CT scan and routine surgery consultation were approved on May 21, 2008. Naseer Decl., ¶¶ 5-6; Exs. A-B.
On June 2, 2008, plaintiff completed another CDC 7362 Form complaining of "a (fist size) lump on the left side of [his] Abdomen, which keeps [him] up all night long suffering profound discomfort and persistant [sic] belching." Pl.'s Opp'n Mot. Summ. J., Ex. B. Plaintiff did not complain of pain. Id.; Alcala Dep. at 33.
Plaintiff was examined by Nurse Palomino on June 3, 2008 in response to the June 2, 2008 CDC 7362 Form. Pl.'s Opp'n Mot. Summ. J., Ex. B; Palomino Decl., ¶ 6. Nurse Palomino's notes indicate that plaintiff had a pending CT scan and that he was scheduled to see Dr. Naseer within the week. Pl.'s Opp'n Mot. Summ. J., Ex. B; Palomino Decl., ¶ 6.
On June 5, 2008, Dr. Naseer examined plaintiff for a follow-up of his abdominal mass. Naseer Decl., ¶ 8; Ex. D. In his notes, Dr. Naseer noted that plaintiff had already been referred for a surgery consultation and CT scan, which he was to receive within thirty days. Id. He also noted that plaintiff did not have any new complaints and no complaints of pain. Id.
On June 9, 2008, plaintiff went "man-down" on the yard and was taken to the Triage and Treatment Area ("TTA") at MCSP. Palomino Decl., ¶ 7; Ex. D. The TTA notes reflect that plaintiff was alert and oriented, though anxious, on examination. Palomino Decl., Ex. D. During the examination, plaintiff expressed concern over when he was scheduled to receive a CT scan. Id. The notes indicate that he was in no acute distress and was described as "very calm." Id. After discussion with TTA staff, the notes indicate that plaintiff stated his anxiety was resolved, and he was placed on the MD Line for the next day. Id.
On June 10, 2008, plaintiff submitted a third CDC 7362 Form. Palomino Decl., Ex. E. In this form, plaintiff sought "Immediate Emergency Health Care Treatment, In that I have a large (Base-Ball Size) lump in my left Abdomen that is causing me pain, discomfort, bloating, constipation, indigestion, loss of weight, loss of appetite, and it must be pressing down against my heart because when I lie flat on my back I can see the left side of my stomach palpitating hard up and down with the beat of my heart." Id.
In response to this third CDC 7362 Form, plaintiff was seen by Nurse S. Massaglia, not a party to this action, on June 13, 2008. Palomino Decl., ¶ 8; Ex. E. After Nurse Massaglia's assessment, plaintiff was referred to Dr. Hawkins, also not a party to this action. Id. Based on Dr. Hawkins's verbal orders, plaintiff was sent to SJGH for a CAT scan. See Palomino Decl., Ex. F. Neither Nurse Palomino nor Dr. Naseer assessed or examined plaintiff on this day.
On June 17, 2008, plaintiff filled out a fourth CDC 7362 Form. Palomino Decl., Ex. F. Plaintiff wanted to know what the next steps would be in his health care plan. Id.
On June 18, 2008, Nurse Palomino assessed plaintiff in response to the June 17, 2008 CDC 7362 Form. Palomino Decl., ¶ 9; Ex. F. Following this assessment, Nurse Palomino spoke with Dr. Hawkins about plaintiff's medical history, request for a regular diet and request to see a doctor. Palomino Decl., ¶ 9. Dr. Hawkins gave Nurse Palomino verbal orders for a regular diet, a follow-up appointment for plaintiff on June 20, 2008 in the MD Line, and a dietitian evaluation. Id. On June 23, 2008, plaintiff's diet was changed to a regular diet. Id. ¶ 10; Ex. G. On June 24, 2008, plaintiff filled out a fifth CDC 7362 Form. Palomino Decl., ¶ 11; Ex. H. On this form, which was addressed to Dr. Hawkins, plaintiff expressed concerns with the seriousness of his condition due to the size of his tumor and its spread to plaintiff's lungs. Id. Plaintiff requested to be sent out to receive a biopsy and prospective treatment. Id.
On June 25, 2008, plaintiff completed a sixth CDC 7362 Form requesting medicine for pain management. Palomino Decl., ¶ 11; Ex. H.
On June 27, 2008, Nurse Palomino assessed plaintiff with respect to his fifth and sixth CDC 7362 Forms. Palomino Decl., ¶ 11; Ex. H. During the assessment, plaintiff scored his pain at night as 10 on a scale of 1 to 10. Id. Nurse Palomino contacted Physician Assistant ("PA") Todd who prescribed Tylenol #3. Id. Nurse Palomino also reassured plaintiff that his biopsy was pending after PA Todd verified the appointment with the receiving and release nurse. Id. PA Todd wrote an order for plaintiff to follow up in the MD Line between June 30 and July 3, 3008. Id.
On June 30, 2008, plaintiff's cell mate, Ronald Rivers, called "man-down" at 7:30 a.m. after plaintiff repeatedly complained of pain. Alcala Dep. at 68-69. In response, plaintiff claims defendant Carrillo and several other officers arrived at plaintiff's cell where plaintiff was lying in a fetal position on his bed. Id. at 71-73. Plaintiff alleges Carrillo accused plaintiff of faking his illness. Id. at 73-76. Plaintiff also alleges Carrillo refused to allow medical staff to carry plaintiff on a stretcher from his second floor cell to the bottom of the stairs where a cart awaited to take plaintiff to the TTA. Id. Instead, plaintiff was forced to walk with the assistance of two or three people "[m]aybe 25, 30 feet" from his cell to the top of the stairs and then down "[m]aybe 15 steps" to the cart at the bottom of the steps. Id. Plaintiff estimates he walked for a total of five to seven minutes. Id. at 77. He also claims that he was forced to wait a couple of hours before being seen by a doctor in the TTA. See id. at 80.
Plaintiff was seen in the TTA at 8:00 a.m. the morning of June 30, 2008 with complaints of constipation for five days and an inability to eat for two days. Naseer Decl., Ex. G. At 8:45 a.m., plaintiff was seen by Dr. Wesley Hashimoto, not a party to this action, who diagnosed plaintiff with an enlarging abdominal mass and possible colon obstruction. Id. Plaintiff was sent by ambulance to SJGH Emergency Department. Id.
Plaintiff remained at SJGH from June 30, 2008 to July 2, 2008. Naseer Decl., ¶ 12.
On his return from SJGH, plaintiff was placed in administrative segregation where he remained until July 11, 2008. Alcala Dep. at 82-85. None of the defendants were responsible for plaintiff's placement in administrative segregation. Carrillo Decl., ¶ 8; Naseer Decl., ¶ 23; Palomino Decl. ¶ 18.
On July 5, 2008, plaintiff completed a seventh CDC 7362 Form. Palomino Decl., ¶ 12; Ex. I. Plaintiff requested a natural laxative to help with his constipation. Id.
On July 8, 2008, plaintiff was seen by a doctor in the TTA. Naseer Decl., Ex. J. The doctor prescribed Lactulose, Milk of Magnesia and Tylenol #3, wrote an order for plaintiff to return to the MD Line in 1-2 weeks, to receive an extra sack lunch for 30 days, to enroll in the High Risk Clinic and to be referred to oncology ASAP. Id.
On July 9, 2008, a triage nurse assessed plaintiff in response to his July 5, 2008 CDC 7362 Form. Palomino Decl., ¶ 12; Ex. I. Neither Nurse Palomino nor Dr. Naseer saw plaintiff in response to this request.
On July 9, 2008, plaintiff completed an eighth CDC 7362 Form. Palomino Decl., ¶ 13; Ex. J. Plaintiff requested to see the dietician to make changes to his diet. Id. Neither Nurse Palomino nor Dr. Naseer saw plaintiff in response to this request.
On July 11, 2008, plaintiff was seen in the TTA at 7:00 a.m. following an emergency response. Palomino Decl., ¶ 14; Ex. K. The TTA notes indicate that plaintiff was taken by emergency cart to TTA where he complained of severe abdominal pain. Id., Ex. K. Neither Nurse Palomino nor Dr. Naseer saw plaintiff in response to this emergency.
Plaintiff was admitted to SJGH on July 11, 2008 and was discharged on July 21, 2008. Naseer Decl., Ex. L. He was ultimately diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma stage IV. Id. Plaintiff began chemotherapy treatment on July 17, 2008. Id. Plaintiff's cancer is presently in remission. Alcala Dep. at 15-16.
RELEVANT PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND
Plaintiff initiated this action on December 8, 2009 as a petition for writ of habeas corpus. See Doc. No. 1. Plaintiff's petition was comprised of two claims: the instant claim and a challenge to a disciplinary conviction and subsequent loss of good-time credits. Because the first claim concerned his conditions of confinement and the second claim concerned the fact or duration of his confinement, the court converted the petition to a civil rights action, and plaintiff was ordered to bring his challenge to the disciplinary conviction in a separate action pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2254. See Doc. No. 10; Related Case 2:10-cv-3448-JFM.
On September 16, 2011, defendants filed a motion for summary judgment. Ultimately, on June 20, 2012, the undersigned recommended that the September 16, 2011 motion for summary judgment be granted. See Doc. No. 72. However, the June 20, 2012 findings and recommendations were vacated pursuant to Woods v. Carey, 684 F.3d 934 (9th Cir. 2012) and plaintiff was again informed of the requirements for opposing a motion for summary judgment. See Doc. No. 80. Defendants September 16, 2011 motion for summary judgment was denied without prejudice and defendants were given thirty days to refile a motion for summary judgment. See id.
On August 23, 2012, defendants refiled their motion for summary judgment. See Doc. No. 81. Defendants request judicial notice of the second amended complaint in their motion. Plaintiff filed his opposition on November 13, 2012. See Doc. No. 89. In his opposition, plaintiff requests judicial notice of (1) the second amended complaint, (2) his deposition, (3) various court orders in this case, (4) plaintiff's disputed issues of fact and exhibits, (5) plaintiff's opposition to defendants' motion for summary judgment; and (6) declarations attached to plaintiff's opposition to defendants' motion for summary judgment. Defendants filed a reply on November 20, 2012. See Doc. No. 90. Defendants' reply also included a request for judicial notice which included documents associated with James E. Daly, an individual whose declaration was attached to plaintiff's opposition to the motion for summary judgment as well as plaintiff's prior admissions to two facts to defendants' September 16, 2011 motion for summary judgment. Plaintiff filed a sur-reply on December 17, 2012. See Doc. No. 94. Defendants filed objections to plaintiff's sur-reply on November 19, 2012 and requested that the sur-reply not be considered.
SUMMARY JUDGMENT STANDARDS UNDER RULE 56
Summary judgment is appropriate when it is demonstrated that there exists "no genuine issue as to any material fact and that the moving party is entitled to a judgment as a matter of law." FED. R. CIV. P. 56(c).
Under summary judgment practice, the moving party
always bears the initial responsibility of informing the district court of the basis for its motion, and identifying those portions of "the pleadings, depositions, answers to interrogatories, and admissions on file, together with the affidavits, if any," which it believes demonstrate the absence of a genuine issue of material fact.Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 323 (1986) (quoting FED. R. CIV. P. 56(c)). "[W]here the nonmoving party will bear the burden of proof at trial on a dispositive issue, a summary judgment motion may properly be made in reliance solely on the 'pleadings, depositions, answers to interrogatories, and admissions on file.'" Id. Indeed, summary judgment should be entered, after adequate time for discovery and upon motion, against a party who fails to make a showing sufficient to establish the existence of an element essential to that party's case, and on which that party will bear the burden of proof at trial. See id. at 322. "[A] complete failure of proof concerning an essential element of the nonmoving party's case necessarily renders all other facts immaterial." Id. In such a circumstance, summary judgment should be granted, "so long as whatever is before the district court demonstrates that the standard for entry of summary judgment, as set forth in Rule 56(c), is satisfied." Id. at 323.
If the moving party meets its initial responsibility, the burden then shifts to the opposing party to establish that a genuine issue as to any material fact actually does exist. See Matsushita Elec. Indus. Co. v. Zenith Radio Corp., 475 U.S. 574, 586 (1986). In attempting to establish the existence of this factual dispute, the opposing party may not rely upon the allegations or denials of its pleadings but is required to tender evidence of specific facts in the form of affidavits, and/or admissible discovery material, in support of its contention that the dispute exists. See FED. R. CIV. P. 56(e); Matsushita, 475 U.S. at 586 n.11. The opposing party must demonstrate that the fact in contention is material, i.e., a fact that might affect the outcome of the suit under the governing law, see Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 248 (1986); T.W. Elec. Serv., Inc. v. Pacific Elec. Contractors Ass'n, 809 F.2d 626, 630 (9th Cir. 1987), and that the dispute is genuine, i.e., the evidence is such that a reasonable jury could return a verdict for the nonmoving party, see Wool v. Tandem Computers, Inc., 818 F.2d 1433, 1436 (9th Cir. 1987).
In the endeavor to establish the existence of a factual dispute, the opposing party need not establish a material issue of fact conclusively in its favor. It is sufficient that "the claimed factual dispute be shown to require a jury or judge to resolve the parties' differing versions of the truth at trial." T.W. Elec. Serv., 809 F.2d at 631. Thus, the "purpose of summary judgment is to 'pierce the pleadings and to assess the proof in order to see whether there is a genuine need for trial.'" Matsushita, 475 U.S. at 587 (quoting FED. R. CIV. P. 56(e) advisory committee's note on 1963 amendments).
In resolving the summary judgment motion, the court examines the pleadings, depositions, answers to interrogatories, and admissions on file, together with the affidavits, if any. See FED. R. CIV. P. 56(c). The evidence of the opposing party is to be believed. See Anderson, 477 U.S. at 255. All reasonable inferences that may be drawn from the facts placed before the court must be drawn in favor of the opposing party. See Matsushita, 475 U.S. at 587. Nevertheless, inferences are not drawn out of the air, and it is the opposing party's obligation to produce a factual predicate from which the inference may be drawn. See Richards v. Nielsen Freight Lines, 602 F. Supp. 1224, 1244-45 (E.D. Cal. 1985), aff'd, 810 F.2d 898, 902 (9th Cir. 1987). Finally, to demonstrate a genuine issue, the opposing party "must do more than simply show that there is some metaphysical doubt as to the material facts . . . . Where the record taken as a whole could not lead a rational trier of fact to find for the nonmoving party, there is no 'genuine issue for trial.'" Matsushita, 475 U.S. at 587 (citation omitted).
On November 30, 2010, the court advised plaintiff of the requirements for opposing a motion pursuant to Rule 56 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. See Rand v. Rowland, 154 F.3d 952, 957 (9th Cir. 1998) (en banc), cert. denied, 527 U.S. 1035 (1999), and Klingele v. Eikenberry, 849 F.2d 409 (9th Cir. 1988). Plaintiff was once again informed of the requirements to oppose a motion pursuant to Rule 56 on August 20, 2012 by the court and by the defendants on August 23, 2012.
DISCUSSION
I. Defendants' Request to Strike Sur-Reply
Defendants request that plaintiff's sur-reply be stricken. See Doc. No. 95. Sur-replies concerning motions are generally not permitted, and plaintiff did not seek leave to file a sur-reply. See Local Rule 230(l). Therefore, the sur-reply will not be considered and will be struck.
II. Requests for Judicial Notice
Both plaintiff and defendants have made several requests for judicial notice. Judicial notice is governed by Federal Rule of Evidence 201, which governs only judicial notice of adjudicative facts. "A judicially noticed fact must be one not subject to reasonable dispute in that it is either (1) generally known within the territorial jurisdiction of the trial court or (2) capable of accurate and ready determination by resort to sources whose accuracy cannot reasonably be questioned." FED. R. EVID. 201. In other words, "the fact must be one that only an unreasonable person would insist on disputing." United States v. Jones, 29 F.3d 1549, 1553 (11th Cir. 1994). While federal courts may notice judicial records, the content of such records and deposition testimony are not established facts that can be judicially notice. See In re Oracle Corp. Sec. Litig., 627 F.3d 376, 386 n. 1 (9th Cir. 2010); Newman v. San Joaquin Delta Community College Dist., 272 F.R.D. 505, 516 (E.D. Cal. 2011). However, a court can take judicial notice of its own records. See United States v. Wilson, 631 F.2d 118, 119 (9th Cir. 1980).
In their motion for summary judgment, defendants have requested that the court take judicial notice of plaintiff's second amended complaint filed on June 22, 2010. See Doc. No. 81-7. However, it is unnecessary to take judicial notice of documents already in the record. See Aguirre v. Home Depot U.S.A., Inc., Civ. No. 10-0311, 2012 WL 3639074, at *7 (E.D. Cal. Aug. 23, 2012) (citing Lew v. U.S. Bank Nat. Ass'n, No. C. 11-4546, 2012 WL 1029227, at *1 n. 1 (N.D. Cal. Mar. 26, 2012)). Thus, this request will be denied.
Plaintiff requests that the court take judicial notice of (1) the second amended complaint, (2) his deposition, (3) various court orders in this case, (4) plaintiff's disputed issues of fact and exhibits, (5) plaintiff's opposition to defendants' motion for summary judgment; and (6) declarations attached to plaintiff's opposition to defendants' motion for summary judgment. This request will similarly be denied as most of these documents are already part of the record in this case. See id. Additionally, with respect to plaintiff's deposition, the court notes that a deposition transcript is not a proper matter for judicial notice. See Nicewander v. MTC Financial, Inc., Civ. No. 10-2141, 2012 WL 1185943, at *2 n. 2 (S.D. Cal. Apr. 8, 2012) (citing Provencio v. Vazquez, 258 F.R.D. 626, 638 n. 4 (E.D. Cal. 2009)).
Finally, in their reply, defendants request that the court take judicial notice that James E. Daly, an individual whose declaration is attached to plaintiff's opposition to the motion for summary judgment, is currently incarcerated at Mule Creek State Prison and include public documentation to that effect. They also seek judicial notice that James E. Daly's physician and surgeon license was revoked on February 24, 2006 and include public documentation to that effect. As these are matters of public record, judicial notice of these facts is proper.
Additionally, defendants request judicial notice of two facts (# 6 and # 53) that plaintiff admitted in opposing defendants' prior motion for summary judgment that was denied without prejudice. Plaintiff's prior admissions to defendants' prior motion for summary judgment are already part of the record in this case. Therefore, judicial notice of the prior admissions in this case will be denied. See Aguirre, 2012 WL 3639074, at *7.
Accordingly, defendants' request for judicial notice as set forth in their reply is denied except to the fact that James E. Daly is currently incarcerated at Mule Creek State Prison and that his physician and surgeon license was revoked on February 24, 2006.
III. Defendants' Motion for Summary Judgment
A. Eighth Amendment Claims of Deliberate Indifference
1. Dr. Sahir Naseer
In order to establish a violation of the Eighth Amendment based on alleged inadequate medical care, an inmate must prove acts or omissions sufficiently harmful to evidence deliberate indifference to serious medical needs. Hudson v. McMillian, 503 U.S. 1, 5 (1992); Estelle v. Gamble, 429 U.S. 97, 106 (1976). A difference of medical opinion about treatment, without more, does not amount to a deliberate indifference to serious medical needs. See Sanchez, 891 F.2d at 242. Mere indifference, medical malpractice, or negligence will not support a cause of action under the Eighth Amendment. See Broughton v. Cutter Lab., 622 F.2d 458, 460 (9th Cir. 1980).
In the instant case, plaintiff's Eighth Amendment claim is predicated, at bottom, on the plaintiff's impression that Dr. Naseer should have sent him to an outside hospital immediately upon becoming aware of the lump in plaintiff's abdomen. Plaintiff, however, has tendered no evidence that the medical judgment of Dr. Naseer was the product of deliberate indifference to his condition. To the contrary, the undisputed evidence shows that, based on plaintiff's complaints, and following Dr. Naseer's examination of plaintiff, Dr. Naseer referred plaintiff to SJSH for a CT scan, requested a number of laboratory tests and ordered a routine surgery consultation following the CT scan. Although plaintiff contends Dr. Naseer should have done more, "a difference of medical opinion as to the need to pursue one course of treatment over another [is] insufficient, as a matter of law, to establish deliberate indifference." Jackson v. McIntosh, 90 F.3d 330, 332 (9th Cir. 1996) (internal quotation marks omitted). Instead, the plaintiff "must show that the course of treatment the doctors chose was medically unacceptable under the circumstances, and that they chose this course in conscious disregard of an excessive risk to [the] plaintiff's health." Id. (internal citations omitted); see also Sanchez v. Vild, 891 F.2d 240, 242 (9th Cir. 1989) ("A difference of opinion does not amount to a deliberate indifference to [a prisoner's] serious medical needs."); see also Fleming v. Lefevere, 423 F. Supp. 2d 1064, 1070 (C.D. Cal. 2006) ("Plaintiff's own opinion as to the appropriate course of care does not create a triable issue of fact because he has not shown that he has any medical training or expertise upon which to base such an opinion."). Plaintiff has failed to make such a showing.
For these reasons, defendant Dr. Naseer is entitled to summary judgment on plaintiff's Eighth Amendment claim.
2. Nurse Aurelia Palomino
Plaintiff brings suit against Nurse Palomino on the ground that she was deliberately indifferent to his serious medical needs when she refused to refer him to a doctor after plaintiff's repeated requests for examination. The record does not support plaintiff's claim.
Plaintiff first saw Nurse Palomino on May 20, 2008. Following the nurse's assessment of plaintiff, Nurse Palomino contacted Dr. Naseer regarding plaintiff's medical condition. Plaintiff acknowledges that Nurse Palomino deemed his condition "serious enough" to contact Dr. Naseer. See Alcala Dep. at 24. There is no deliberate indifference on these facts.
Nurse Palomino next saw plaintiff on June 3, 2008 when she informed plaintiff that he had a pending CT scan and that he was scheduled to see Dr. Naseer within the week. Nurse Palomino clearly did not deny plaintiff the opportunity to see a doctor, as it is evident that plaintiff was seen by Dr. Naseer two days later on June 5, 2008. There is no deliberate indifference on these facts.
Following her third assessment of plaintiff in response to his June 17, 2008 CDC 7362 Form, Nurse Palomino spoke to Dr. Hawkins regarding plaintiff's medical condition and his request for a change in diet. Plaintiff was thereafter scheduled for a follow-up appointment in the MD Line and he received a change in diet. Plaintiff admits that Nurse Palomino did "nothing wrong" with respect to this assessment. Alcala Dep. at 61. Thus, there is no deliberate indifference here.
Finally, in response to plaintiff's June 25, 2008 request for medication, Nurse Palomino contacted PA Todd, who ordered pain medication for plaintiff. Plaintiff admits Nurse Palomino did not err regarding this request. Alcala Dep. at 65. There is no deliberate indifference here.
Because plaintiff has failed to submit any evidence that Nurse Palomino was deliberately indifferent to his medical needs, Nurse Palomino is entitled to summary judgment on plaintiff's Eighth Amendment claim.
3. Correctional Officer R. Carrillo
Plaintiff lastly alleges that Carrillo violated his Eighth Amendment rights by accusing plaintiff of faking his illness and thereafter refusing to allow plaintiff to be transported on a stretcher after plaintiff went "man-down" on June 30, 2008.
It is true that delays in providing medical care may manifest deliberate indifference. See Estelle v. Gamble, 429 U.S. 97, 104-05 (1976). Such claims require proof of two elements: "the seriousness of the prisoner's medical need and the nature of the defendant's response to that need." McGuckin v. Smith, 974 F.2d 1050, 1059 (9th Cir.1991). However, in order to establish a claim of deliberate indifference arising from delay in providing care, a plaintiff must show that the delay was harmful. See Berry v. Bunnell, 39 F.3d 1056, 1057 (9th Cir. 1994); Wood v. Housewright, 900 F.2d 1332, 1335 (9th Cir. 1990); Hunt v. Dental Dep't, 865 F.2d 198, 200 (9th Cir. 1989); Shapley v. Nevada Bd. of State Prison Comm'rs, 766 F.2d 404, 407 (9th Cir. 1985). "A prisoner need not show his harm was substantial; however, such would provide additional support for the inmate's claim that the defendant was deliberately indifferent to his needs." Jett v. Penner, 439 F.3d 1091, 1096 (9th Cir. 2006).
Even drawing all reasonable inferences in favor of plaintiff, the court nonetheless finds that summary judgment should be entered in favor of Carrillo. Plaintiff has simply failed to submit any evidence that would demonstrate deliberate indifference on Carrillo's part. Plaintiff alleges that during the seven minutes that he was forced to walk 30 feet from his cell to the top of the stairs and then 15 steps to the bottom of the stairs, Carrillo's actions contributed to plaintiff's pain and suffering. Although pain and suffering may be actionable under the Eighth Amendment, McGuckin, 974 F.2d at 1060, the court cannot find that this seven minute period constitutes a violation, particularly in light of plaintiff's failure to submit any evidence that the delay exacerbated his pain or worsened his medical condition. See Berry v. Bunnell, 39 F.3d 1056, 1057 (9th Cir. 1994)
At best, Carrillo can be accused of insensitive comments and an uncaring attitude, yet insofar as plaintiff alleges Carrillo verbally abused and/or harassed plaintiff by accusing him of faking an illness, this claim fails as a matter of law because verbal harassment does not constitute a violation of the Eighth Amendment. Keenan v. Hall, 83 F.3d 1083, 1092 (9th Cir. 1996).
B. Conditions of Confinement
Plaintiff also raises claims challenging the decision to place plaintiff in administrative segregation following his return from SJGH. Plaintiff, however, readily admits that none of the defendants were involved in that decision. Accordingly, summary judgment should be entered on this claim.
C. Qualified Immunity
Because the court concluded above that plaintiff fails to raise a triable issue of fact on his claims that his constitutional rights were violated, the court need not reach the issue of qualified immunity.
Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:
1. Plaintiff's sur-reply to defendants' motion for summary judgment, Doc. No. 94, is struck.
2. Defendants' requests for judicial notice as set forth in their motion for summary judgment and their reply are denied except to regarding their request for judicial notice that James E. Daly is currently incarcerated at Mule Creek State Prison and that his physician and surgeon license was revoked on February 24, 2006.
3. Plaintiff's requests for judicial notice as set forth in his opposition to the motion for summary judgment are denied.
Furthermore, IT IS HEREBY RECOMMENDED that defendants' motion for summary judgment be granted.
These findings and recommendations are submitted to the United States District Judge assigned to the case, pursuant to the provisions of 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(l). Within fourteen days after being served with these findings and recommendations, any party may file written objections with the court and serve a copy on all parties. Such a document should be captioned "Objections to Magistrate Judge's Findings and Recommendations." Any reply to the objections shall be served and filed within seven days after service of the objections. The parties are advised that failure to file objections within the specified time may waive the right to appeal the District Court's order. Martinez v. Ylst, 951 F.2d 1153 (9th Cir. 1991).
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UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE