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finding that, in 2003, "the law regarding the fundamental right to be protected from the known risks of suicide in jail and to have serious medical needs attended to were clearly established"
Summary of this case from Campos v. County of KernOpinion
No. CIVS022488FCDJFM.
December 15, 2005.
Stewart Lee Katz, Kathryn A. Clark, The Law Office of Stewart Katz, Sacramento, CA, for Plaintiffs.
Dayton Van Vranken Longyear, Longyear O'Dea and Lavra, Robert Frederick Tyler, Jr., Wilke Fleury Hoffelt Gould and Birney, Sacramento, CA, for Defendants.
AMENDED MEMORANDUM AND ORDER
This matter is before the court on defendants', County of Sacramento ("county"), Sheriff Lou Blanas ("Blanas"), Captain Jim Cooper ("Cooper"), Deputy Thomas Mantei ("Mantei"), Judith Johnson, R.N. ("Johnson"), Cheryl Paizis, D.O. ("Paizis"), Henry Ishibashi ("Ishibashi"), Gail Gipson, R.N. ("Gipson"), and Nancy Harnett ("Harnett"), motion for summary judgment or, in the alternative, motion for summary adjudication pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 56.
BACKGROUND
Unless otherwise noted, the facts recited herein are undisputed. See Pls.' Opp'n to Defs.' Stmt. of Undisputed Material Facts, filed Sept. 27, 2005; Defs.' Replies to Pl.'s Opp'n to Defs.' Stmt. of Undisputed Material Facts, filed Nov. 4, 2005. Where the facts are in dispute, the court recounts plaintiff's version of the facts.
This is a consolidated civil right action brought under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 with supplemental state claims brought by the Estates of three decedents, Mohammad Reza Abdollahi ("Abdollahi"), Jake Summers ("Summers"), and Jose Arambula ("Arambula"), and individual plaintiffs who are the parents or children of the decedents. All three decedents were inmates at the Sacramento County Jail when they committed suicide. Plaintiffs bring claims arising out of the suicides of the three inmates against the County of Sacramento, Sacramento County Sheriff Lou Blanas ("Blanas"), Captain James Cooper ("Cooper"), Deputy Thomas Mantei ("Mantei"), Judith Johnson, R.N., ("Johnson"), Henry Ishibahsi ("Ishibashi"), and Nancy Harnett ("Harnett").
This action also consolidated the claims arising out of the death of a fourth inmate, Julien Provencher. The Provencher plaintiffs have dismissed their claims, and plaintiffs and defendants have filed stipulations with the court pursuant to Rule 41.
The Summers plaintiffs have dismissed their claims against Judith Johnson, R.N. Plaintiffs and defendants have filed a stipulation with the court pursuant to Rule 41.
This action was also brought against Gail Gipson, R.N., and Cheryl Paizis, D.O. The claims against Gipson were brought only by the Provencher plaintiffs, and have been dismissed. All plaintiffs have dismissed their claims against Cheryl Paizis, and plaintiffs and defendants have filed stipulations with the court pursuant to Rule 41.
A. Decedent Abdollahi
Abdollahi was a pre-trial detainee in the Sacramento County jail for offenses involving the possession and use of drugs. (Pls.' Opp'n to Defs.' Stmt. of Undisputed Material Facts ("UMF"), filed Sept. 27, 2005, No. 161). Abdollahi was a heroin addict. (Id. at No. 171). He was interviewed at a medical screening where he appeared under the influence of some type of narcotics, which the nurse recorded was heroin. (Id. at Nos. 162, 169). He disclosed his addiction to heroin to the nurse, stating that he used I.V. heroin daily in his legs and arms. (Id. at No. 171). Abdollahi subsequently passed out. (Pls.' Stmt. of Disputed Facts ("SDF"), filed Oct. 10, 2005, No. 21).
On March 26, 2002, three days after incarceration, Abdollahi pressed his cell emergency button and threatened to commit suicide unless he could see a doctor. (UMF No. 202; SDF No. 22). Abdollahi was not seen by a doctor, but by a Jail Psychiatric Services ("JPS") clinician, defendant Ishibashi. (SDF No. 22). Ishibashi interviewed Abdollahi for approximately ten minutes. (Id. at No. 23). Defendants contend that Ishibashi determined that Abdollahi was not suicidal, but that he was complaining about medication for withdrawals. (Def. Ishibashi's Reply to Pls.' Opp'n to Defs.' Stmt. of Undisputed Facts ("Ishibashi RSUF"), filed Nov. 4, 2005, No. 6). Plaintiff's dispute this contention. (Id.) Ishibashi contacted Deputy Duke ("Duke"), the officer on shift, and told Duke that he would contact the medical staff to check on Abdollahi's medication; Ishibashi later called Duke to tell him that Abdollahi was getting medication. (UMF Nos. 212-13). Ishibashi gave Duke his pager number and asked that he be called if Abdollahi was still feeling suicidal. (Id. at No. 214).
Later that night, Deputy Mantei arrived for his shift and was briefed by Duke. (Id. at No. 215). When Mantei conducted the cell checks during his shift, he noticed that the light in Abdollahi's cell was covered with blue paper. (Id. at Nos. 219-20). Mantei entered the cell to remove the paper and noticed that Abdolahi had a torn piece of sheet, approximately 6 inches wide, around his neck and shoulders. (Id. at No. 221). Mantei asked Abdollahi what the sheet was doing around his neck, and Abdollahi did not respond. (Id.) Mantei took all parts of the sheet and left the cell, leaving Abdollahi with a blanket. (Id. at No. 222; Deposition of Thomas Mantei ("Mantei Dep."), Pls.' Exh. 17, at 86). Mantei did not notify JPS about his observations when conducting the cell check. (Mantei Dep. at 81).
At 12:30 a.m., Duke conducted a cell check. (UMF No. 230). He immediately saw Abdollahi hanging from the bottom of the top bunk by a ligature. (Id.). Abdollahi had hung himself from a bunk hole, using strips of his blanket as a ligature. (Id. at No. 235).
B. Decedent Summers
Summers was a pre-trial detainee at the Sacramento County Jail for the offense of strong arm robbery. (Id. at No. 271). Summers was addicted to heroin. (SDF No. 27).
Summers was housed in a cell without a cellmate. (Id. at No. 29). After a traumatic day in court, Summers was brought back to his cell and left unchecked, alone in his cell, for the entire day. (Id. at Nos. 29-30). Deputy Kingsley, the only deputy working in Summers' housing unit that day, indicated in the log book that he had performed the cell checks when, in fact, he had not. (UMF Nos. 291-92; SDF No. 30). Kingsley was never disciplined for failing to properly perform cell checks in the unit or for falsifying the logbook. (Deposition of Ross Kingsley ("Kingsley Dep."), Pls.' Exh. 7, at 28-30).
An inmate worker found Summers' body at 5:45 p.m. (UMF No. 294). Prior to his death, Summers had written a suicide note on the wall of his cell. (SDF No. 31). The state of Summers' body when found indicates that he had been dead for some time before his body was discovered. (Id. at No. 33). Summers had hung himself from a bunk hole in the top bunk of the cell, using a torn-up sheet as a ligature. (UMF No. 301).
C. Decedent Arambula
Arambula was transferred to the Sacramento County Jail from the prison CDC Solano on February 21, 2001. (Id. at No. 371). Upon his arrival, the jail was made aware that Arambula had a history of psychiatric issues and suicide attempts. (Id.). The social worker assigned to Arambula saw him on February 22, 2003, and noted that Arambula had auditory command hallucinations concerning killing himself. (Declaration of Edward Kaufman ("Kaufman Decl."), Exh. 15, ¶ 45). He denied that he would follow those commands. (Id.) The social worker informally suggested that Arambula be housed in the out-patient housing unit, but her suggestion was rejected. (Deposition of Suzanne Royston ("Royston Dep."), Exh. 119, at 24).
JPS psychiatrists conducted psychiatric evaluations of Arambula during March and April of 2003. (Kaufman Decl. ¶¶ 46-47). They noted his history of suicide attempts. (Id. ¶ 46). Arambula also had delusions, such as thinking he was God. (Id. ¶ 47). JPS found that he was psychotic and continued his antipsychotic medication at a low dosage. (Id. ¶ 46). Arambula complained of daily command hallucinations, but JPS doctors found that he was able to resist acting on those. (Id. ¶ 47).
Subsequently, Arambula's relationship with JPS deteriorated. (Id. ¶ 48). He refused to meet with his social worker on several occasions and requested that his medication stop. (Id.) When a JPS psychiatrist attempted to meet with Arambula in June 2003, Arambula refused, but assured her that he was okay to stop his medication, and that his hallucinations had decreased and minimized his past suicidal attempts. (Id.)
On July 24, 2003, Arambula flooded his cell. (UMF No. 373). He was placed outside the control room, where he engaged in an animated conversation with himself. (Id. at No. 374). He then walked to the sliding glass doors and repeatedly banged his forehead into the door in a purposeful manner. (Id. at No. 375). At least four deputies responded to Arambula's actions. (Id. at Nos. 376-82). Arambula resisted and kicked at the officers. (Id. at Nos. 377-85). After the deputies subdued him, Arambula began banging his head into the cement floor. (Id. at No. 386). Arambula was placed into a restraint chair. (Id. at No. 387).
JPS was contacted by both the nurse who came to inspect Arambula's restraints and by the deputies who expressed concern over Arambula's behavior. (Def. Harnett's Reply to Pls.' Opp'n to Defs.' Stmt. of Undisputed Facts ("Harnett RSUF"), filed Nov. 4, 2005, No. 3; SDF No. 37). At no point were the deputies alerted to Arambula's documented history of suicide attempts, psychiatric hospitalizations, his diagnosis as psychotic, or the fact that he had stopped taking prescribed anti-psychotic medications. (SDF No. 36).
Nancy Harnett, an unlicensed social worker, interviewed Arambula. (UMF No. 390; Harnett RSUF No. 7; Defs.' Reply to Pls.' Stmt. of Disputed Facts ("RSDF"), filed Nov. 4, 2005, No. 40). The officers told her about Arambula's erratic behavior. (Harnett RSUF No. 6). Harnett spent approximately ten minutes with Arambula. (Id. at No. 7). Harnett told custody that there was no need for any precautions and indicated that he was "whiney." (UMF No. 391; SDF No. 38).
Arambula was placed back in his cell where he remained for approximately four hours until he was found hanging. (UMF No. 392). Arambula hung himself from a fire sprinkler in the middle of his cell, using a bed sheet as a ligature. (Id. at No. 4080-9).
D. Policies and Practices
The County implemented several policies that plaintiffs challenge as establishing municipal liability. First, the County had a policy of housing heroin addicts in the general population with a detoxification protocol, but without an individualized treatment plan from a physician. (Id. at Nos. 32-33). Second, the county defendant implemented a policy regarding its cell checks and staffing. Plaintiffs contend that at the time of Summers' death, the Sacramento County Jail was systematically understaffed and frequently assigned a single officer to work a housing unit. (SDF No. 15). Plaintiffs also contend that, during this time, cell checks occurred less frequently than the proscribed hourly checks, (Id. at No. 16), and that jail officials condoned or ratified a policy of "pencil whipping," which consisted of officers marking that cell checks had been performed when they actually had not. (Deposition of Chester Stewart ("Stewart Dep."), Pls.' Exh. 8, at 27-28). Finally, plaintiffs contend that at the time of all three suicides, the Sacramento County Jail had suicide prevention policies that were grossly inadequate. (SDF No. 17). Plaintiffs assert that, at the time of Abdollahi's and Summers' death, the program was a program in name only, and that there were deficient procedures for identification, evaluation, monitoring, placement, communication and training. (Declaration of Richard Hayward (Hayward Decl."), Pls.' Exh. 16). The suicide prevention program was revised in October 2002, prior to Arambula's death. (Suicide Prevention Program, Pls.' Exh. 20). Plaintiff's contend that this revised program was still constitutionally deficient because of the absence of a requirement that custodial staff increase monitoring levels on potentially suicidal inmates and its lack of a system to effectively communicate an individual's suicide risk to custodial staff. (Hayward Decl. ¶ 24).
"Cell checks" is a term of art that describes the regular inspection of inmates by correctional staff. (Pls.' Opp'n Summ. J., filed September 28, 2005, at 17).
Defendants filed motions for summary judgment, or in the alternative, summary adjudication, for all claims brought by the plaintiffs. While defendants filed some of their motions separately, the court addresses all defendants' motions together.
STANDARD
The Federal Rules of Civil Procedure provide for summary adjudication when "the pleadings, depositions, answers to interrogatories, and admissions on file, together with affidavits, if any, show that there is 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). One of the principal purposes of the rule is to dispose of factually unsupported claims or defenses. Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 325, 106 S. Ct. 2548, 91 L. Ed. 2d 265 (1986).
In considering a motion for summary judgment, the court must examine all the evidence in the light most favorable to the non-moving party. United States v. Diebold, Inc., 369 U.S. 654, 655, 82 S. Ct. 993, 8 L. Ed. 2d 176 (1962). If the moving party does not bear the burden of proof at trial, he or she may discharge his burden of showing that no genuine issue of material fact remains by demonstrating that "there is an absence of evidence to support the non-moving party's case." Celotex, 477 U.S. at 325. Once the moving party meets the requirements of Rule 56 by showing there is an absence of evidence to support the non-moving party's case, the burden shifts to the party resisting the motion, who "must set forth specific facts showing that there is a genuine issue for trial." Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 256, 106 S. Ct. 2505, 91 L. Ed. 2d 202 (1986). Genuine factual issues must exist that "can be resolved only by a finder of fact, because they may reasonably be resolved in favor of either party." Id. at 250. In judging evidence at the summary judgment stage, the court does not make credibility determinations or weigh conflicting evidence. See T.W. Elec. v. Pacific Elec. Contractors Ass'n, 809 F.2d 626, 630-31 (9th Cir. 1987) (citing Matsushita Elec. Indus. Co., Ltd. v. Zenith Radio Corp., 475 U.S. 574, 587, 106 S. Ct. 1348, 89 L. Ed. 2d 538 (1986)). The evidence presented by the parties must be admissible. Fed.R.Civ.P. 56(e). Conclusory, speculative testimony in affidavits and moving papers is insufficient to raise genuine issues of fact and defeat summary judgment. See Falls Riverway Realty, Inc. v. City of Niagara Falls, 754 F.2d 49, 57 (2d Cir. 1985); Thornhill Publ'g Co., Inc. v. GTE Corp., 594 F.2d 730, 738 (9th Cir. 1979).
ANALYSIS
The plaintiffs bring claims against various defendants under both federal law and state law. As a general matter, plaintiffs have alleged claims under § 1983 against each defendant. To state a claim under § 1983, plaintiffs must demonstrate that (1) defendants acted under color of law, and (2) defendants deprived plaintiff of rights secured by the Constitution or federal statutes. Gibson v. U.S., 781 F.2d 1334, 1338 (9th Cir. 1986). Defendants do not dispute that they were acting under color of law in regard to the conduct in question. Therefore, the court's analysis will focus only on the issue of whether there is a triable issue of fact that defendants deprived the plaintiffs of constitutionally protected rights.The impetus of all plaintiffs' claims is that various municipal actors caused the wrongful deaths of Abdollahi, Summers, and Arambula. Plaintiffs allege that defendants' policies, actions, or omissions constituted constitutional violations because the defendants were deliberately indifferent to the needs of the three inmates who were exhibiting suicidal tendencies.
In Farmer v. Brennan, 511 U.S. 825, 833 (1994), the Supreme Court held that "prison officials must ensure that inmates receive adequate food, clothing, shelter, and medical care, and must take reasonable measures to guarantee the safety of the inmates. (Internal quotations omitted). In bringing a claim against prison officials under § 1983 on the basis of prison conditions, a claimant must show (1) an objectively, sufficiently serious deprivation and (2) that the prison official had a "sufficiently culpable state of mind," which in prison condition cases is "one of deliberate indifference to inmate health or safety." Id. at 835.
The petitioner in Farmer was a post-conviction prisoner, and therefore, the Supreme Court analyzed the § 1983 claims based upon prison officials acts or omissions under the 8th Amendment cruel and unusual punishment clause. Pre-trial detainees' claims against prison officials are based upon the guarantees under the due process clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. However, the standard and interpretation of deliberate indifference is the same under both clauses for the purposes of prisoner suits. See Gibson v. County of Washoe, Nevada, 290 F.3d 1175, 1196 (9th Cir. 2002). Thus, the same analysis will apply to all of the plaintiffs' claims regardless of whether the inmate was a pre-trial or post-conviction detainee.
The standard of deliberate indifference requires that the official must "both be aware of facts from which the inference could be drawn that a substantial risk of serious harm exists, and he must also draw the inference." Id. at 837.
Whether a prison official had the requisite knowledge of a substantial risk is a question of fact subject to demonstration in the usual ways, including inference from circumstantial evidence, and a factfinder may conclude that a prison official knew of a substantial risk from the very fact that the risk was obvious.Id.
Applying these standards to plaintiffs' § 1983 claims, the court addresses the claims against each defendant in turn.
I. Claims against the County of Sacramento
Plaintiffs concede that they have no viable state law claims against Sacramento County because of applicable immunities. Therefore, the court does not address these arguments, and summary judgement is GRANTED to defendant County as to the state law claims.
Plaintiffs allege several violations of Section 1983 against the County of Sacramento. Specifically, Abdollahi and Summers allege that the county violated their substantive due process rights, Arambula alleges that the county violated the Eighth Amendment prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment, and all of the plaintiffs allege the loss of the parent/child relationship in violation of their substantive due process rights.
"A municipality may be held liable under a claim brought under § 1983 only when the municipality inflicts an injury, and it may not be held liable under a respondeat superior theory." Gibson v. County of Washoe, Nev., 290 F.3d 1175, 1185 (9th Cir. 2002) (citing Monell v. New York City Dept. of Social Services, 436 U.S. 658, 694, (1978)). The Ninth Circuit has provided that county liability can be established by direct liability and liability by omission. Id. at 1186.
A. Direct Liability
Plaintiffs argue that county defendant is directly liable under Section 1983 for policies it employed. To establish direct liability, plaintiff must show "that a municipality itself violated someone's rights or that it directed its employee to do so." Gibson at 1185 (citing Board of County Comm'rs of Bryan County v. Brown, 520 U.S. 397, 404 (1994)). A plaintiff may hold a municipality liable under section 1983 for its official acts pursuant to city policy, regulation, custom, or usage. Chew v. Gates, 27 F.3d 1432, 1444 (9th Cir. 1994) (citing Monell, 436 U.S. at 690-91, 694).
At the Nov. 18, 2005 hearing, plaintiffs conceded that the county's liability for the Sacramento County Jail's suicide prevention policy is more appropriately analyzed under a liability by omission theory, and not under a theory of direct liability. Therefore, the court will only address the policy as potential liability by omission.
In order for the County to be liable under a direct liability theory, the County must have (1) had a policy that posed a substantial risk to plaintiffs and (2) known that its policy posed this risk. Gibson, 290 F.3d at 1188. In addition, a plaintiff must then demonstrate that the municipal policy or failure to supervise "caused" the constitutional deprivation. Id. A municipal policy "causes" injury where it is the "moving force" behind the violation. Chew, 27 F.3d at 1444 (citingMonell, 436 U.S. at 690-91, 694).
1. Heroin Detoxification Policies and Procedures
Plaintiffs argue that the county's heroin detoxification policies and procedures posed a substantial risk to plaintiffs and that the county was aware of the risk that this policy posed. The County had a policy of housing heroin addicts in the general population with a detoxification protocol, but without an individualized treatment plan from a physician. As such, plaintiffs contend that county defendants heroin detoxification policy was grossly inadequate because inmates did not receive an individualized treatment plan from a medical doctor and were housed in the general population. (See SDF No. 18).
While both Abdollahi and Summers were addicted to heroin, jail personnel received no indication or information that Summers was experiencing withdrawals from heroin. Plaintiffs have produced no evidence that Summers was experiencing heroin withdrawals while at the Sacramento County Jail. While plaintiffs contend that the screening process may have been inadequate in identifying that Summers was an addict, they have not presented evidence that this was the moving force or even a direct cause of his death. Further, plaintiffs have produced no evidence that Arambula was a heroin addict or experiencing withdrawal symptoms. Therefore, the claim against the county based upon the heroin detoxification policy is analyzed only as it applied to Abdollahi. Defendants' motion for summary judgment in regards to county liability for the heroin detoxification policy as it applies to the Summers plaintiffs and the Arambula plaintiffs is GRANTED.
In regards to the Abdollahi plaintiffs, plaintiffs present evidence to demonstrate that the county's heroin detoxification policy constituted a substantial risk. Plaintiffs present the statements of a psychiatric expert, Edward Kaufman, M.D., that provide that inmates who are withdrawing from drugs are more likely to commit suicide because inadequate treatment results in a great deal of pain and suffering from heroin withdrawal. (SDF No. 4; Kaufman Decl., Pl.'s Exh. 15, ¶ 26). Kaufman further states that heroin is the most physiologically addicting drug because of crippling muscle pain, vomiting, severe diarrhea, and the inability to sleep. (Kaufman Decl. ¶ 34). In addition, Kaufman contends that the county's inadequate detoxification policy was a direct cause of Abdollahi's death. (Id. ¶ 42);see Cabrales v. County of Los Angeles, 864 F.2d 1454, 1461 (9th Cir. 1988) ( vacated on other grounds) (finding that prison or jail officials show deliberate indifference when prisoners cannot adequately receive treatment from medical staff). Thus, a reasonable juror could find that the county's policy of housing heroin addicts within the general population poses a substantial risk to plaintiffs.
Plaintiffs provide evidence that the county knew of the substantial risk that its heroin detoxification posed. An entity's awareness can be demonstrated by direct or circumstantial evidence. Gibson, at 290 F.3d 1190. The court in Gibson found that the County of Washoe, Nevada circumstantially knew that its policies presented significant risks to detainees with manic disorders and supported its finding with three reasons.Id. First, the Gibson court found that county policymakers knew that some prisoners arrive at the jail with urgent health problems. Second, the court found that mental illness and manic phases specifically were within the range of health problems requiring urgent health care. Id. Third, the court found that the county not only knew of the need to treat the mentally ill, but in fact ignored these medical needs. Id. at 1191.
In this case, defendant county knew that some inmates are heroin users or heroin addicts; the county's chemical dependence policy imputes such knowledge. (UMF No. 33; Chemical Dependence Policy, Adm. Policy 1414, Pls.' Exh. 33, filed September 19, 2005). The county also knew that heroin withdrawal is a health problem that requires medical attention; the county had an established detoxification policy to give some medical attention. (Id.) Finally, plaintiffs present evidence that the county decided not to implement sufficient procedures to respond to those risks. The county required individuals intoxicated with alcohol to be placed in detoxification cells for closer monitoring. (UMF No. 30; Detoxification Mgmt CHS Policy 1404, Pls.' Exh. 34). However, the County's heroin detoxification policy required employees to place detainees requiring Heroin detoxification in the prison's general population. (UMF No. 32). Thus, a juror could reasonably conclude that the county directly knew or constructively knew of the substantial risk that its heroin detoxification policy presented to Abdollahi.
Plaintiffs also present evidence that the county's heroin detoxification policy caused the constitutional violation and was its moving force. According to Kaufman, the Sacramento County Jail's inadequate detoxification procedures directly contributed to Abdollahi's death. (Kaufman Decl., Pl.'s Exh. 15 at 42).
Because a reasonable juror could conclude that the county's policy regarding heroin detoxification posed a substantial risk to Abdollahi, that the county was aware of that risk, and that the policy was the moving force behind the constitutional violation, defendants' motion for summary judgment for county liability based upon the heroin detoxification policy as it applies to the Abdollahi plaintiffs is DENIED.
2. Cell Checks and Staffing
Plaintiffs challenge the county's policy regarding cell checks and staffing in the Sacramento County Jail. Plaintiffs argue that the county's practice of assigning a single officer to conduct cell checks without a corresponding policy of how to properly conduct cell checks with only one officer contributed to Summers' suicide.
While both Abdollahi and Arambula may have benefitted from more frequent cell checks, plaintiffs have produced no evidence that the alleged understaffing or deficient cell check policy contributed to or were a direct cause of the deaths of either Abdollahi or Arambula. Therefore, the claim against the county based upon its policies of cell checks and staffing is analyzed only as it applied to Summers. Defendants' motion for summary judgment in regards to county liability for the cell check policy as it applies to the Abdollahi plaintiffs and the Arambula plaintiffs is GRANTED.
In regards to the Summers plaintiffs, plaintiffs present evidence to demonstrate that the county's policies constituted a substantial risk. Title 15, Section 1027 of the California Code of Regulations mandates the performance of cell checks by a sufficient number of personnel. Further, plaintiffs present evidence that cell checks are essential for the protection of inmates and that cell checks and cellmates are the factors that interrupt most suicide attempts. (SDF No. 9).
Thus, a jury could reasonably conclude that the county's policy of understaffing which resulted in less frequent cell checks posed a substantial risk.
Plaintiffs present evidence to demonstrate that defendant county knew that its policies regarding staffing and cell checks posed a substantial risk. County employees knew that inadequate cell checks would affect the safety of its inmates. (See Deposition of Lou Blanas, Pls.' Exh 4, at 7; Deposition of James Cooper, Pls.' Exh. 39, at 28). The county also had notice that there was a common practice of "pencil whipping", logging that cell checks had been done when they had not. This practice was a frequent topic at watch briefings, yet no discipline was administered to deputies who engaged in this conduct, including Deputy Kingsley. (Stewart Dep. at 27-28; Kingsley Dep. at 283-0). Further, plaintiffs contend that defendants allowed visual checks, such as those which occurred during pill counts, to replace requisite cell checks, when such visual checks were insufficient. (UMF No. 330).
Plaintiffs argue that cell checks could not be performed adequately because the jail was significantly understaffed. (Main Jail Division Staffing Reports, Exhs. 109-111 filed September 29, 2005.) The county's decision to not fully staff the jail demonstrates awareness because the county is, in essence, ignoring the substantial risk that results from this decision.See Gibson 290 F.3d at 1191 (finding that a county's decision to not fully staff its services constitutes knowledge). Thus, a juror could reasonably find that the county was aware its policies regarding cell checks and policies posed a substantial risk.
Plaintiffs further contend that the defendant county's policies regarding cell checks and staffing also constituted a moving force. Plaintiffs present evidence that one specific factor that contributed to Summers' death was inadequate observation of him in his cell. (Kaufman Decl. ¶ 55).
Because a reasonable juror could conclude that the county's policy regarding cell checks and staffing posed a substantial risk to Summers, that the county was aware of that risk, and that the policy was the moving force behind the constitutional violation, defendants' motion for summary judgment for county liability based upon the cell check policy as it applies to the Summers plaintiffs is DENIED.
B. Liability by Omission
Alternatively, a municipality can also be liable by a failure to act, such as inadequate training policies. For example, a policy of inadequate police training may serve as the basis for section 1983 liability only where "the failure to train amounts to deliberate indifference to the rights of persons with whom the police come into contact," and where the identified training deficiencies are "closely related" to the plaintiff's ultimate injury. See City of Canton v. Harris, 489 U.S. 378, 388-91 (1989) ( questioned in Tokar v. Armontrout, 97 F.3d 1078, 1083 (8th Cir. 1996), providing that the deliberate indifference standard is not objective). The question of whether a municipality may be held liable under a "failure-to-train" theory is generally a question for the jury. See Oviatt v. Pearce, 954 F.2d 1470, 1478 (9th Cir. 1992).
For a claim of liability by omission to go to the jury, plaintiffs must demonstrate evidence that (1) a county employee violated plaintiffs' rights; (2) the county has customs or policies that amount to deliberate indifference; and (3) these policies were the moving force behind the employee's violation of plaintiffs' constitutional rights.Gibson, 290 F.3d at 1194. In this case, all plaintiffs' allege that the omissions in the county's policies, procedures, and practices pertaining to suicide prevention serves as a basis of Section 1983 liability against the county defendants.
The county's suicide prevention policy changed in 2002, after the deaths of Summers and Abdollahi. Therefore, a different policy applied at the time of Arambula's death.
1. The Suicide Prevention Policy in place at the time of the Abdollahi and Summers Deaths
Plaintiffs claim that county defendants are liable for omissions in training of county employees regarding suicide prevention.
To satisfy the first prong of Gibson, plaintiffs allege that various county employees violated plaintiff's constitutional rights. In Abdollahi's case, plaintiffs present evidence that defendants Mantei and Ishibashi violated Abdollahi's constitutional rights through deliberate indifference to his safety. For the reasons discussed below regarding plaintiffs' claims against Mantei and Ishibashi, this prong has been satisfied. In Summers' case, plaintiffs present no evidence that a county employee violated Summers' rights through deliberate indifference. Kingsley, the only officer who worked at the time of Summer's death, made notations in his log book that he had performed cell checks when in fact, he had not. (UMF No. 291). However, this conduct, without more, does not amount to deliberate indifference to Summers' safety. Plaintiffs do not present direct or circumstantial evidence that Kingsley knew that Summers was suicidal. Without the supported contention that a county employee committed a constitutional violation, plaintiffs' claim for liability by omission cannot stand. Thus, defendants' motion for summary judgment for county liability based upon the suicide prevention policy as it applies to the Summers plaintiffs is GRANTED.
To satisfy the second prong of Gibson, the Abdollahi plaintiffs must present evidence that the county has customs or policies that amount to deliberate indifference. Gibson, 290 F.3d at 1194. Deliberate indifference occurs when the policymakers' omission "is so obvious, and the inadequacy so likely to result in the violation of constitutional rights." Canton, 489 U.S. at 390. "The need to act may be obvious because any reasonable person would recognize the need." Gibson, 290 F.3d at 1195. Deliberate indifference under this theory does not contain a subjective component. Id. (citing Farmer, 511 U.S. at 841.
The Abdollahi plaintiffs present evidence that deputy Mantei did not receive adequate training regarding the identification of suicide risk factors nor regarding the management of inmates that are going through heroin withdrawals. (UMF No. 256; Mantei Dep. at 51, 56). These plaintiffs also present evidence that the county maintained a policy that encouraged deficient referrals or communications with JPS. (UMF No. 47). The county's omission in training its employees to identify or handle suicide risks, to manage inmates undergoing heroin withdrawals, and to communicate suicide risks to JPS creates a genuine issue of material fact with regard to the county's deliberate indifference. Plaintiffs are not required to demonstrate that defendant county knew these policies are deliberately indifferent under the liability by omission theory. Gibson, 290 F.3d at 1195. Because these omissions are likely to result in the violation of Abdollahi's constitutional right to receive adequate medical care while in the custody of the county, a reasonable juror could conclude that defendant county was deliberately indifferent to Abdollahi's medical needs.
In order to satisfy Gibson's third prong, plaintiffs present evidence to demonstrate that the omissions in training in heroin detoxification and suicide prevention was a moving force in the violation of Abdollahi's rights. Plaintiffs submit evidence that the lack of sufficient training was a direct cause of Abdollahi's death. (Declaration of Richard Hayward ("Hayward Decl."), Pls.' Exh. 16, ¶¶ 16-17; Kaufman Decl. ¶¶ 42-43).
Given the evidence that plaintiffs have presented in regards to the county's suicide prevention policy as it applies to the Abdollahi plaintiffs, these plaintiffs have raised a triable issue of fact for their claim of liability by omission. Defendants' motion for summary judgment for county liability based upon the suicide prevention policy as it applies to the Abdollahi plaintiffs is DENIED.
2. The Suicide Prevention Policy in place at the time of the Arambula Death
In Arambula's case, plaintiffs claims that the county revised its suicide prevention policy but still failed to train its employees to effectively communicate an individual's suicide risk factors. (Pls.' Opp. Summ. J. at 26). Plaintiffs contend that, in the absence of such a policy, Harnett failed to effectively communicate suicide factors to the deputies that held Arambula in their custody. (SDF No. 36).
To satisfy the first prong of Gibson, plaintiffs present evidence that defendant Harnett violated Arambula's constitutional rights through deliberate indifference to his safety. For the reasons discussed below plaintiffs' claims against Harnett, this prong has been satisfied.
To satisfy the second prong of Gibson, the Arambula plaintiffs must present evidence that the county has customs or policies that amount to deliberate indifference. In the case of Arambula, defendants present evidence that the county empaneled a task force to review all relevant aspects of the jail operations including training, screening, structural plant issues, environmental issues, emergency procedures, inmate monitoring, management interventions, inmate outreach, and administrative review. (UMF No. 52). A total of 21 meetings of this task force took place. (Id. at No. 54). In response, the county provided more training to county employees regarding suicide risks, typical signs, and manifestations. (Id. at No. 73). Plaintiffs do not dispute that these measures were taken.
Plaintiffs present evidence that more detailed evaluations as well as communication of varying risks of suicidality to deputies on duty may have been a better policy for the county to adopt. (Hayward Decl. ¶ 24). However, this evidence is insufficient to substantiate an allegation of deliberate indifference. In light of the evidence that defendants have presented as well as that of the plaintiffs, no reasonable juror could find that the county was deliberately indifferent through its suicide prevention policy as it applied to Arambula. Therefore, defendants' motion for summary judgment for county liability based upon the suicide prevention policy as it applies to the Arambula plaintiffs is GRANTED.
II. Claims Against Blanas and Cooper
A. Federal Claims
All plaintiffs claim that defendants Blanas and Cooper are liable under § 1983 both personally and in their official capacities. The Estates of Abdollahi and Summers claim violations of Fourteenth Amendment substantive due process, and the Estate of Arambula claims violations of the Eighth Amendment protection against cruel and unusual punishment. All individual plaintiffs claim that Blanas and Cooper violated their substantive due process rights by depriving them of parent child relationships by allegedly causing the wrongful deaths of Abdollahi, Summers, and Arambula.
1. Personal Capacity Liability
Plaintiffs claim that Blanas and Cooper are liable in their personal and individual capacities for constitutional violations. In the case of a supervisor, "individual liability hinges upon his participation in the deprivation of constitutional rights."Larez v. City of Los Angeles, 946 F.2d 630, 646 (9th Cir. 1991). This participation may involve the setting in motion of acts which cause others to inflict constitutional injury.Johnson v. Duffy, 588 F.2d 740, 743-44 (9th Cir. 1978). For the court to hold defendants liable in their individual capacities, plaintiffs must demonstrate: (1) that defendants' "own culpable action or inaction in the training, supervision, or control of his subordinates" caused the constitutional injury; (2) that they "acquiesce[d] in the constitutional deprivations of which [the] complaint is made;" or (3) that their conduct showed a "reckless or callous indifference to the rights of others." See Larez, 946 F.2d at 646 (internal citations omitted).
Defendants argue that they are entitled to summary adjudication of the individual capacity claims because neither defendant personally participated in any of the decisions, actions, or omissions which plaintiffs allege caused the wrongful deaths, nor did either defendant actually supervise the activities of any of those who allegedly caused the wrongful deaths. (Defs.' Mot. at 31). Defendants argue that because of the lack of participation or supervision of the conduct in question, plaintiffs cannot establish the requisite causal connection between the Constitutional deprivation and the conduct of defendants Blanas and Cooper. (Id. at 32).
Plaintiffs argue that Blanas and Cooper are individually liable "because their actions or inactions condoned or ratified the misconduct by their subordinates which led to the suicides." (Pls.' Opp'n at 53). Plaintiffs argue that personal liability is based on Blanas and Cooper's failure to take any remedial steps after the constitutional violations related to the jail suicides, either through correction of policy, discipline, or adequate investigation. (Id.)
Plaintiffs rely heavily on Larez to substantiate their arguments that Blanas and Cooper should be held liable in their individual capacities. The Larez court held that ratification by inaction in response to a subordinate's conduct that violate's a plaintiff's constitutional right may be sufficient to hold a supervisor responsible for constitutional deprivations. Id. However, in Larez, the police chief had significantly more involvement with the constitutional violations than either Blanas and Cooper did. In Larez, the plaintiffs' expert witness, "armed with both many years practical police experience and empirical data on police department procedures and operations nationwide and in Los Angeles specifically," testified that he would have disciplined the officers and would have established new procedures so that the violations did not occur in the future. Id. The plaintiffs in that case also presented evidence that the police chief signed a letter, informing the plaintiff that none of his complaints would be sustained. Id.
Plaintiffs in this case have not presented evidence of such significant personal contact and ratification as in Larez to establish a triable issue of individual liability for either defendant Blanas or Cooper. Rather, defendants have produced evidence that in response to the suicides, Blanas, through his leadership team that included Cooper, impaneled a Suicide Prevention Task Force which sought to improve training, policies, practices, and procedures relating to suicides. (UMF Nos. 49-51; Defs.' Reply P. A., filed Nov. 4, 2005, at 2). The task force reviewed aspects of jail operations including training, screening, and inmate monitoring. (UMF No. 52). This evidence demonstrates that, unlike the chief inLarez, Blanas and Cooper sought to address the policies which allegedly caused the suicides. Further, unlike the evidence of direct involvement of the chief in Larez, Blanas did not act as a direct supervisor of the allegedly offending officers. Therefore, the basis for plaintiffs' claims of individual liability of Blanas and Cooper rest only on Cooper's ratification of his subordinate's conduct through a failure to discipline. There is no authority for maintaining a claim for individual liability based solely on the failure to discipline subordinates. See Larez, 946 F.2d at 646 (upholding jury verdict that a police chief was individually liable because he (1) failed to discipline the officers for constitutional violations; (2) failed to establish new procedures to avert reoccurrence; and (3) signed a letter informing plaintiff that none of the complaints would be sustained). Because plaintiffs have not shown sufficient evidence that a triable issue of fact exists as to Blanas and Cooper's individual liability, defendants' motion for summary judgment is GRANTED.
2. Official Capacity Liability
Plaintiffs further claim that defendants Blanas and Cooper are liable in their official capacities. Official capacity suits "generally represent . . . another way of pleading an action against an entity of which an officer is an agent." Kentucky v. Graham, 473 U.S. 159, 165-66 (1985) (citing Monell v. New York City Dept. of Soc. Svcs., 436 U.S. 658, 690 n. 55 (1978). To hold defendants liable in their official capacities, plaintiffs must show that a policy or custom or a one time decision by a governmentally authorized decision maker played a part in the violation of federal law. McRorie v. Shimoda, 795 F.2d 780, 783 (9th Cir. 1986).
Blanas was the Sheriff of Sacramento County at all relevant times, and thus, the official responsible for policies, practices, and customs in the jail. (UMF No. 1; SDF No. 11). As discussed in the court's analysis of defendant county's municipal liability, plaintiffs have presented evidence that jail policies relating to suicide prevention, heroin detoxification, and cell checks played a part in the alleged constitutional violations of Abdollahi and Summers. See Kentucky v. Graham, 473 U.S. 159, 166 (1985) ("[I]n an official-capacity suit, the entity's policy or custom must have played a part in the violation of federal law.") (internal quotation omitted). Based upon this evidence, a reasonable juror could conclude that Blanas developed, implemented, or maintained policies that he knew or reasonably should have known were deliberately indifferent to decedents'' personal security and were a moving force in the violations of their constitutional rights. See Redman v. County of San Diego, 942 F.2d 1435, 1448 (9th Cir. 1991). Thus, defendants' motion for summary judgment on the basis of defendant Blanas' official liability as to the Abdollahi and Summers plaintiffs is DENIED. However, because plaintiffs did not produce evidence that deliberately indifferent county policies played a part in the death of Arambula, defendants' motion for summary judgment as it applies to the Arambula plaintiffs is GRANTED.
Cooper was the commander of the jail at the time of the deaths of both Summers and Abdollahi, and thus, had authority over operations orders, disciplinary matters, and investigations. (UMF No. 2; Deposition of Captain James Cooper ("Cooper Dep."), Pl.'s Exh. 39, at 10, 20). Plaintiffs do not provide evidence that Cooper had any control or policy-making authority in regards to the suicide prevention policy or the heroin detoxification policy, Consequently, there is no evidence upon which a reasonable jury could conclude that Cooper was deliberately indifferent to decedents'' rights in relation to these policies.See Redman, 942 F.2d at 1449. However, plaintiffs present evidence that Cooper established a policy that ratified and encouraged "pencil-whipping" and inadequate cell checks through his failure to discipline officers who engaged in these practices. (SDF No. 17; Cooper Dep. at 27). Plaintiff's expert states that this policy or practice was a direct cause of Summers' death. Based upon this evidence, a reasonable juror could conclude that Cooper implemented or maintained policies and practices which he knew or should have reasonably known were deliberately indifferent to Summers' personal security. Therefore, defendants' motion for summary judgment on the basis of Cooper's official liability as it relates to the Abdollahi and Arambula plaintiffs is GRANTED. Defendants' motion as it relates to the Summers' plaintiffs is DENIED.
Defendants argue that they are entitled to qualified immunity. In an official capacity action, this defense is unavailable.Graham, 473 U.S. at 167. Because the action against the agency officials is, in essence, an action against the agency, "the only immunities that can be claimed . . . are forms of sovereign immunity that the entity, qua entity, may possess." Id. Defendants are not entitled to qualified immunity for liability in their official capacities.
B. State Law Claims
The Estates of Abdollahi, Summers, and Arambula claim that defendant Blanas is liable under state law for negligence per se. Defendants argue that because Blanas' liability is based upon policy level activities which are within his discretion, he is entitled to state law discretionary immunity pursuant to California Government Code § 820.2.
In their second amended complaint, plaintiffs alleged a claim of negligence/negligence per se against Cooper. However, in their opposition to defendants' motion for summary judgment, plaintiffs fail to point to any statutory duty giving rise to liability by Cooper. Plaintiffs also fail to discuss any factual basis for liability for Cooper under their sixth claim for relief. Therefore, defendants' motion for summary judgment for Cooper's liability under state law for negligence/negligence per se is GRANTED.
Government Code § 820.2 provides immunity to a public employee for injuries resulting form "his act or omission where the act or omission was the result of the exercise of the discretion vested in him, whether or not such discretion be abused." Cal. Gov't Code § 820.2 (West 2005). Generally, "a discretionary act is one which requires the exercise of judgment or choice." Kemmerer v. County of Fresno, 200 Cal. App. 3d 1426, 1437 (1988). However, California courts have not set forth a definitive rule which resolve every case. Id. Rather, the California Supreme Court has adopted an analysis that relies on the "policy considerations relevant to the purpose of granting immunity to the governmental agency whose employees act in discretionary capacities." Id. (internal citations omitted).
Immunity is reserved for those basic policy decisions which have been expressly committed to coordinate branches of government, and as to which judicial interference would thus be 'unseemly.' Such areas of quasi-legislative policy-making are sufficiently sensitive to call for judicial abstention from interference that might even in the first instance affect the coordinate body's decision-making process. Barmer v. Leeds, 24 Cal. 4th 676, 685 (2000).
Plaintiffs argue that defendant Blanas' liability is not based upon policy level discretionary decisions, but upon his failure to perform mandatory duties imposed by California law. Section 26605 of the California Government Code provides that "the sheriff shall take charge of and be the sole and exclusive authority to keep the county jail and the prisoners in it." Cal. Govt. Code § 26605 (West 2005). Plaintiff argues that because Blanas is the sole and exclusive authority of the Sacramento County Jail, he had mandatory duties to implement regulations relating to the maintenance of the jail. Plaintiffs claim that Blanas' alleged failure to fulfill these mandatory duties makes him negligent per se.
Section 470A of the California Building Code sets forth the design criteria for furnishings in local detention facilities. 24 CCR § 470A. This section provides that inmates' beds "must . . . have a solid bottom." Id. § 470A.3.5. The Guideline following this requirement explains that "[b]eds with solid bottoms are specified to limit the suicide risk associated with perforated pans that can provide a location for an inmate to hang themselves." Id. This regulation does not implicate any basic policy decisions, but rather, imposes a mandatory duty to furnish local detention facilities with solid bottom beds. Therefore, § 820.2 immunity does not apply to any liability arising out of the failure to furnish the inmates' cells with solid bottom beds.
Defendants point to the immunity provided in California Government Code § 840, which immunizes employees for public property conditions which cause injury. Specifically, § 840 provides that "a public employee is not liable for injury caused by a condition of public property where such condition exists because of any act or omission of such employee within the scope of his employment." Id. However, pursuant to § 840.2, a public employee can be held liable for injury caused by a dangerous condition of public property. "Dangerous condition" means a condition of property that creates a substantial risk of injury when such property is used with due care in a manner in which it is reasonably foreseeable that it will be used. Cal. Gov't Code § 830(a). In these circumstances, the bunk holes were not a "dangerous condition." While it may be foreseeable that inmates could use bunk holes as a location for tying the ligature to hanging themselves, the use of the bunk hole in this manner cannot possibly interpreted as use "with due care" as contemplated by the statute. See Chowdhury v. City of Los Angeles, 38 Cal. App. 4th 1187, 1196 (1995). Therefore, the bunk holes are not a "dangerous condition" and defendant Blanas is entitled to immunity.
Plaintiffs also argue that Blanas had a mandatory duty to provide adequate staffing in the jail. Plaintiffs contend that the resultant failure to perform safety checks caused Summers' death and thus, supports a negligence claim by the Summers plaintiffs. Defendants point to the state immunity provided by California Government Code § 845.2. Section 845.2 provides that "neither a public entity nor a public employee is liable for failure to provide a prison, jail or penal or correctional facility or, if such facility is provided, for failure to provide sufficient equipment, personnel or facilities therein." Id. Because this section provided Blanas clear immunity for any failure to provide personnel, plaintiffs' negligence claim based upon these grounds fail.
Finally, plaintiffs argue that Blanas failed to provide for an adequate heroin detoxification program or an adequate suicide prevention program. Regulations require that detention facilities have written medical policies on detoxification as well as written plans for a suicide prevention program. 15 CCR §§ 1213, 1219 (West 2005). The regulations do not specify what components these policies must have. Plaintiffs allege negligence based upon the adequacy of the jails policies. These policy decisions regarding the choice of elements to include in jail detoxification programs and suicide prevention programs are the types of basic policy decisions that the legislature granted immunity for in § 820.2. See Barner v. Leeds, 24 Cal. 4th at 685.
Plaintiffs further claim that defendants Blanas and Cooper are liable under state law for negligent supervision and training. The evidence provided by plaintiffs focuses on defendants' failure to discipline their subordinates for allegedly inappropriate conduct. The decision whether or not to initiate disciplinary proceedings and what discipline to impose is a discretionary decision. See Kemmerer, 200 Cal. App. 3d at 1438. "The decision involves the exercise of analysis and judgment as to what is just and proper under the circumstances and is not a purely ministerial act." Id.; see also Caldwell, 10 Cal. 4th at 983 ("The . . . determination whether to . . . fire a person . . . must be considered a basic policy decision, immune from civil damages actions."). Therefore, state law immunity applies to Blanas' and Cooper's decisions whether to discipline their employees.
Plaintiffs' claim for negligent training also fails for the same reasons. Plaintiffs' claim focuses on Blanas' and Cooper's training policies. Neither of these officials were responsible for the day-to-day operations of the jail. Rather, they served in supervisory roles. The negligent training claim is only supported by evidence that the policies for training prison personnel was deficient. Under state law, these are the types of basic policy decisions that "involve the exercise of analysis and judgment as to what is just and proper under the circumstances." See Kemmerer, 200 Cal. App. 3d at 1438. Therefore, the decisions relating to prison training policies are entitled to immunity under § 820.2.
Because defendants Blanas and Cooper are entitled to immunity from all of plaintiffs' state law claims, defendants' motion for summary judgment is GRANTED.
III. Claims Against Mantei
A. Federal Claims
The Abdollahi plaintiffs claim that defendant Mantei is individually liable under federal law for his acts or omissions of deliberate indifference which led to Abdollahi's death. Specifically, the Estate of Abdollahi claims that Mantei violated the deceased's substantive due process rights by his deliberate indifference to serious medical needs, health, and safety that allegedly resulted in Abdollahi's death by suicide. Sina Abdollahi, individually, claims that Mantei violated his substantive due process rights by depriving him of a parent child relationship by allegedly causing Abdollahi's wrongful death.
Defendants argue that no reasonable juror could conclude that Mantei was deliberately indifferent to the safety of Abdollahi. Defendants present evidence that Mantei did not realize that Abdollahi had torn the sheet and wrapped it around his shoulders and neck in an effort to commit suicide, but rather interpreted the circumstances as an effort by Abdollahi to get warm. (Decl. of Thomas Mantei ("Mantei Decl."), Defs.' Exh. 73, ¶ 11). Defendants further argue that because Mantei opened the cell after noticing that the cell light was darkened and took the torn sheet from Abdollahi, (Id. ¶¶ 11-12), no reasonable juror could find that he acted with deliberate indifference.
Plaintiffs, however, present circumstantial evidence that Mantei knew that Abdollahi was a potential suicide risk. Deputy Duke, the officer on shift with Mantei, informed him that Abdollahi was suicidal and had been seen by JPS. (UMF No. 215). Mantei performed cell checks that night using a locator book to make sure that the names and pictures in the book matched the person in the cell. (UMF 224; Mantei Dep. at 61-62). Plaintiffs argue that this evidence shows that Mantei knew that the inmate he observed with the sheet around his neck was Abdollahi.
Plaintiffs also present evidence that Mantei was aware of the risk that Abdollahi would commit suicide based upon the observation of Abdollahi in his cell. Abdollahi's cell light was covered by a blue piece of paper when Mantei performed his inspections. (UMF No. 220). Mantei knew that, inter alia, inmates covered their lights to cover conduct that is against the rules. (Mantei Decl. ¶ 18). Mantei saw Abdollahi lying on top of his blanket with his bed sheet torn into two pieces and wrapped around his neck and shoulders. (UMF No. 221). Mantei knew that, inter alia, sheets were torn by inmates for purposes of making a ligature which could be used for a suicide attempt. (Mantei Decl. ¶ 13). Years earlier, Mantei had interrupted an inmate from committing suicide by removing a blanket from around the inmate's neck. (Mantei Dep. at 64). Mantei did not ask Abdollahi about the torn sheet, and Abdollahi made no explanation. (UMF No. 221; Mantei Dep. at 86).
While defendants contend that Mantei did not have the requisite knowledge of the risk to be held liable under a deliberate indifference standard, plaintiff has offered several pieces of circumstantial evidence that could lead a reasonable factfinder to conclude that Mantei was aware of a substantial risk to Abdollahi. On a motion for summary judgment, the court must examine all evidence in the light most favorable to the non-moving party. See Fed.R.Civ.Proc. 56. Because defendants have not shown that there are no material facts in dispute and because plaintiffs have offered evidence that there are triable issues of fact, defendants motion for summary judgment regarding defendant Mantei's liability under federal law is DENIED.
B. State Law Claims
The Estate of Abdollahi also alleges that defendant Mantei is liable under state law (1) for failure to furnish or summon medical care; and (2) for negligence.
California Government Code § 845.6 creates an affirmative duty for public employees "to furnish or obtain medical care for a prisoner in his custody." "Under certain limited conditions, that is, actual or constructive knowledge of a need for immediate medical care, a duty of 'reasonable action to summon' medical care is created." Hart v. County of Orange, 254 Cal. App. 2d 302, 306 (1967). California courts have recognized that questions about jail personnel's actual or constructive knowledge of a prisoner's need for immediate medical care as well as the reasonableness of actions taken to meet this need are factual questions most appropriately decided by a jury. Zeilman v. County of Kern, 168 Cal. App. 3d 1174, 1184 (1985) (finding summary judgment was inappropriate for claims brought under § 845.6); Johnson v. County of Los Angeles, 143 Cal. App. 3d 298, 317 (1983); Hart, 254 Cal. App. 2d at 307, 62 Cal.Rptr. 73.
Defendants argue that Mantei is immune from such claims as they arise out of Mantei's failure to determine that Abdollahi was suicidal. California Government Code § 855.8 provides immunity to public employees from § 845.6 liability for injuries "resulting from diagnosing or failing to diagnose that a person is afflicted with mental illness or addiction or from failing to prescribe for mental illness or addiction." This exception does not preclude all liability relating to mentally ill prisoners as a matter of law. Johnson, 143 Cal. App. 3d at 317. The scope of § 855.8 immunity is more limited than the scope of the general duty to summon medical care; it only immunizes an employee's failure to diagnose or to prescribe treatment. Id.
Plaintiffs present evidence that Mantei knew that Abdollahi was in need of immediate medical care. As discussed in the context of their federal claims, plaintiffs have produced circumstantial evidence that Mantei knew that Abdollahi was a potential suicide risk and that the circumstances of Abdollahi's cell check, including a darkened cell light and a torn sheet around his neck and shoulders, put Mantei on notice that Abdollahi was suffering severe distress. A reasonable juror could find that evidence of Abdollahi's suicidal condition would require Mantei to summon medical care. The knowledge of defendant Mantei and the reasonableness of his action not to summon medical care are questions of fact to be determined at trial. See id. Thus, defendants' motion for summary judgment based upon Mantei's failure to summon medical care claim is DENIED.
The Estate of Abdollahi also brings a claim of state law negligence/negligence per se against defendant Mantei. However, plaintiffs do not point to any statute imposing duty or liability apart from those discussed above. Plaintiffs also do not address the separate claim of negligence in their opposition. Because plaintiffs have failed to present any evidence to support a separate theory for a state law claim of negligence, defendants' motion for summary judgment based upon Mantei's negligence/negligence per se is GRANTED.
IV. Claims Against Johnson
A. Federal Claims
The Abdollahi and Arambula plaintiffs claim that defendant Johnson is individually liable under § 1983 in her supervisory capacity. The Estate of Abdollahi claims violations of Fourteenth Amendment substantive due process, and the Estate of Arambula claims violations of the Eighth Amendment protection against cruel and unusual punishment. The individual Abdollahi and Arambula plaintiffs claim that Johnson violated their substantive due process rights by depriving them of parent child relationships by allegedly causing the wrongful deaths of Abdollahi and Arambula through her deliberate indifference.
Defendants argue that Johnson is entitled to summary judgment on this claims because the training provided to JPS staff was adequate, JPS had a system of quick and effective identification, assessment, and treatment of inmates with mental health care needs, and the communication between JPS and the county defendants was sufficient to survive a constitutional challenge. Johnson asserts that because JPS had adequate policies and because JPS staff had adequate training, she cannot be deemed deliberately indifferent for the purposes of § 1983 liability.
Plaintiffs contend that the liability of Johnson is based not on her failure to train JPS staff, but rather on her failure to adequately supervise or monitor her subordinates. Specifically, plaintiffs argue that Johnson condoned or ratified deliberate and reckless indifference to the medical needs of Abdollahi and Arambula by condoning inadequate treatment by defendants Ishibashi and Hartnett. Plaintiffs also argue that Johnson failed to establish new procedures for averting the reoccurrence of such constitutional violations in the future.
As to the claims of the Abdollahi plaintiffs, plaintiffs present evidence that Johnson failed to discipline or conduct an adequate investigation into defendant Ishibashi's evaluation and conduct of Abdollahi. Plaintiffs, again, rely heavily on Larez to argue that Johnson is personally liable on a ratification theory. However, as discussed in regards to defendants Blanas and Coopers' individual liability, failure to discipline, without more, is insufficient to state a claim for personal liability under § 1983. Because plaintiffs fail to present evidence that Johnson ratified or condoned deliberately indifferent conduct by defendant Ishibashi, defendants' motion for summary judgment for Johnson's § 1983 claim brought by the Abdollahi plaintiffs is GRANTED.
Plaintiffs assert in their Statement of Disputed Facts that "Johnson affirmatively misrepresented the actions of Ishibashi so as to minimize any wrongdoing on his part and impliedly by her." (SDF No. 45). However, plaintiffs' cited evidence does not support this point.
As to the Arambula plaintiffs, plaintiffs present significantly more evidence that Johnson ratified, condoned, and encouraged deliberately indifferent behavior of defendant Harnett. Plaintiffs present evidence that Harnett was not a licensed social worker, nor was license-eligible, and therefore, she did not meet the minimum requirements of her job. (SDF No. 40). Plaintiffs present evidence that Harnett was seen by a co-worker ripping up inmate requests for medical attention several months before the Arambula death. (Id. at No. 41). The co-worker reported this fact to Johnson who took no responsive action. (Id.) Plaintiffs further present evidence that on March 3, 2003, Sgt. Nesemann wrote a memo to Johnson complaining of Harnett's handling of a suicidal inmate. (Id. at No. 42). Despite knowledge of these alleged problems, in addition to knowledge of the circumstances surrounding Harnett's conduct relating to the Arambula suicide, Johnson gave Harnett an outstanding annual evaluation. (Id. at No. 43).
Defendants dispute these facts. (RSDF Nos. 40-43). However, these facts fall in line with the type of significant contact and ratification that the Larez court held could establish individual liability under § 1983. See Larez, 946 F.2d at 646. Based upon the evidence presented, plaintiffs have established a triable issue of fact that Johnson was deliberately indifferent in her supervision of defendant Harnett. Therefore, defendants' motion for summary judgment for individual liability of defendant Johnson under § 1983 as it applies to the Arambula plaintiffs is DENIED.
Defendant Johnson further argues that she is entitled to qualified immunity for any of the claims brought by plaintiffs under § 1983. The doctrine of qualified immunity protects from suit government officers who do not knowingly violate the law. Gasho v. United States, 39 F.3d 1420, 1438 (9th Cir. 1994). Qualified immunity is a generous standard designed to protect "all but the plainly incompetent or those who knowingly violate the law." Burns v. Reed, 500 U.S. 478, 495 (1991) (citation omitted). An officer can establish qualified immunity by demonstrating (1) that the law governing her conduct was not clearly established at the time of the challenged actions, or (2) that under the clearly established law, she could reasonably have believed that the alleged conduct was lawful. See Katz v. United States, 194 F.3d 962, 967 (9th Cir. 1999); Mendoza v. Block, 27 F.3d 1357, 1360 (9th Cir. 1994);see also Harlow v. Fitzgerald, 457 U.S. 800, 818, 102 S.Ct. 2727, 73 L.Ed.2d 396 (1982) (observing that police officers "are shielded from liability for civil damages insofar as their conduct does not violate clearly established statutory or constitutional rights of which a reasonable person would have known.")
The question of immunity generally is not one for the jury. Qualified immunity "'is an immunity from suit rather than a mere defense to liability'. . . . [Therefore,] [i]mmunity ordinarily should be decided by the court long before trial." Hunter v. Bryant, 502 U.S. 224, 228 (1991) (citation omitted). However, if a genuine issue of material fact exists regarding the circumstances under which the officer acted, then the court should make the determination after the facts have been developed at trial. Act Up!\Portland v. Bagley, 988 F.2d 868, 873 (9th Cir. 1993).
The initial inquiry that the court must make to determine whether an official is entitled to qualified immunity is whether, "[t]aken in the light most favorable to the party asserting the injury, do the facts alleged show the officer's conduct violated a constitutional right?" Id. (citing Siegert v. Gilley, 500 U.S. 226, 232 (1991). Based upon the court's analysis of Johnson's supervisory liability above, the court has found that plaintiffs have presented sufficient evidence for a reasonable juror to find that a constitutional violation did occur.
If, as in this case, a violation could be made out on a favorable view of the parties' submissions, the next inquiry is whether the constitutional right was clearly established. Id. This inquiry must be taken in the light of the specific context of the case. The contours of the right must be sufficiently clear that a reasonable official would understand that what she is doing violates that right. Id. However, this does not mean that an official action is protected by qualified immunity unless the very action in question has previously been held unlawful, but, rather, in light of pre-existing law, the unlawfulness must be apparent. Hope v. Pelzer, 536 U.S. 730, 739 (2002) (internal citations omitted). The salient question is whether the law at the time of the disputed conduct gave defendants "fair warning that their alleged treatment of plaintiffs was unconstitutional."See id. at 741.
The conduct in question surrounds the suicide of inmates Arambula, which occurred in July 2003. At this time, the law regarding the fundamental right to be protected from the known risks of suicide in jail and to have serious medical needs attended to were clearly established. Prison officials can be held liable for deficient policies, either formal or established by custom, where such policies were deliberately indifferent to inmates' medical needs. See Cabrales v. County of Los Angeles, 864 F.2d 1454, 1461 (9th Cir. 1988) opinion reinstated,Cabrales v. County of Los Angeles, 886 F.2d 235 (9th Cir. 1989). This principle applies to the conduct of officials and medical personnel surrounding prisoner suicides. Id. Further, at the time of the conduct in question, the law was clear that a municipal supervisor could be liable in his individual capacity for ratifying and encouraging constitutional violations of his subordinates where the supervisor failed to discipline officers for violations, failed to reassess policies to avert reoccurrences of violations, and ratified inadequate investigations into the alleged violations. See Larez v. City of Los Angeles, 946 F.2d 630, 646 (9th Cir. 1991).
In light of the established state of the law at the time in question, defendant Johnson had "fair warning that their alleged treatment of plaintiffs was unconstitutional." Hope, 536 U.S. at 741. Because there are triable issues of fact as to whether Johnson was deliberately indifferent to the conduct of Harnett, and thus created a policy of condoning indifferent and reckless behavior by Harnett, and because defendant had notice that her alleged conduct was unconstitutional, the court cannot find that Johnson is entitled to qualified immunity at this stage of the litigation.
B. State Law Claims
The Estates of Abdollahi and Arambula claim that Johnson is liable under state law for negligence per se and negligent supervision. Defendants argue that because Johnson's liability is based upon policy level activities which are within her discretion, she is entitled to state law discretionary immunity pursuant to California Government Code § 820.2.
In regards to the negligence per se claim, plaintiffs fail to identify any statute establishing duty or liability. Plaintiffs also fail to present any evidence to support this claim. Thus, defendants' motion for summary judgment as to the negligence per se claims against Johnson is GRANTED.
In regards to plaintiffs' claims the negligent supervision, the gravamen of the claims are that Johnson failed to discipline or investigate Ishibashi or Harnett after receiving knowledge of their allegedly inappropriate or inadequate conduct. As analyzed in the court's discussion of plaintiffs' state law claims against defendants Blanas and Cooper, the decision whether or not to initiate disciplinary proceedings and what discipline to impose is a discretionary decision. See Kemmerer, 200 Cal. App. 3d at 1438. Therefore, Johnson is entitled to discretionary immunity pursuant to § 820.2 for her decisions to discipline or not to discipline defendants Ishibashi and Harnett. Defendants' motion for summary judgment as to plaintiffs' claims of negligent supervision against Johnson is GRANTED.
V. Claims Against Ishibashi
A. Federal Claims
The Abdollahi plaintiffs bring a claim against defendant Ishibashi under § 1983 for violations of substantive due process. The Estate of Abdollahi claims that Ishibashi violated Abdollahi's substantive due process rights through his deliberate indifference to Abdollahi's medical needs that allegedly resulted in Abdollahi's death by suicide. Sina Abdollahi, individually, claims that Ishibashi violated his substantive due process rights by depriving him of a parent child relationship by allegedly causing Abdollahi's wrongful death.
Defendants argue that no reasonable juror could conclude that Ishibashi was deliberately indifferent to the safety of Abdollahi. Defendants present evidence that Ishibashi subjectively believed that Abdollahi was not a suicide risk and that he executed a reasonable plan to meet Abdollahi's needs as he perceived them. Defendants contend that Ishibashi conducted a quick assessment of Abdollahi, from which he determined that Abdollahi's complaints were not based on suicidal intent or a need to see a doctor, but rather to obtain medications for his withdrawal symptoms. (Ishibashi RSUF No. 6). Ishibashi then called the deputy on the floor to contact him if Abdollahi made any future threats and to confirm that Abdollahi was scheduled to receive the medications he desired. (Id. at No. 7). Defendants argue that these facts show that Ishibashi was not deliberately indifferent to a substantial risk to Abdollahi's safety because he was not subjectively aware that Abdollahi was a suicide risk and because he took reasonable measures after an assessment of Abdollahi's condition.
Plaintiffs dispute the facts that defendants present in their motion and present circumstantial evidence that Ishibashi knew that Abdollahi was a potential suicide risk. Plaintiffs do not dispute that Ishibashi assessed Abdollahi in a short time. Plaintiffs point out that the assessment took less than ten minutes. (SDF No. 23; Ishibashi RSUF No. 12). However, plaintiffs contend that Ishibashi knew that a proper suicide assessment would have taken thirty to sixty minutes. (SDF No. 23). Ishibashi knew that Abdollahi had a history of heroin abuse and observed that Abdollahi was experiencing medical symptoms consistent with heroin withdrawal. (Id. at No. 24). Further, Ishibashi was aware that an individual experiencing heroin withdrawal poses a high suicidal risk unless properly monitored and treated. (Ishibashi RSUF No. 6).
Plaintiffs also present circumstantial evidence that Ishibashi was deliberately indifferent to the risk that Abdollahi would commit suicide. Ishibashi knew that Abdollahi had threatened to kill himself if he did not see a doctor. (Id. at No. 4). However, he did not ascertain whether Abdollahi had been seen by a doctor, nor did he ever obtain such medical help. (Id. at No. 7). Ishibashi's response to his assessment of Abdollahi was to observe Abdollahi's pill count. (Id. at No. 9).
Defendants argue that plaintiffs' claims amount to contentions that Ishibashi should have done more by way of diagnosis and treatment. In Estelle v. Gamble, 429 U.S. 97, 108 (1976), the Supreme Court held that "a medical decision no to order an X-ray, or like measures, do not represent cruel and unusual punishment." However, the facts presented by the plaintiffs in this case demonstrate circumstances that extend beyond "an inadvertent failure to provide adequate medical care" as was the case inEstelle. Plaintiffs have presented circumstantial evidence that Ishibashi knew that Abdollahi was a suicide risk. Plaintiffs have also presented evidence that Ishibashi was deliberately indifferent in his responses to such knowledge. Thus, plaintiffs have presented facts that demonstrate to this court that there is a triable issue of fact as to whether defendant Ishibashi was deliberately indifferent to a substantial risk to Abdollahi's safety. Summary judgement is therefore inappropriate, and defendants' motion is DENIED.
B. State Law Claims
The Estate of Abdollahi also claims that defendant Ishibashi is liable under state law for failure to furnish or summon medical care. As discussed in the court's analysis plaintiffs' state law claims against defendant Mantei's, California Government Code § 845.6 creates an affirmative duty for public employees "to furnish or obtain medical care for a prisoner in his custody." Defendants argue that under § 855.8, Ishibashi is immune from such claims as they arise out of his failure to determine that Abdollahi was suicidal. As discussed in relation to defendant Mantei, the scope of § 855.8 immunity is more limited than the scope of the general duty to summon medical care; it only immunizes an employee's failure to diagnose or to prescribe treatment. Johnson, 143 Cal. App. 3d at 317.
Plaintiffs present evidence that Ishibashi knew that Abdollahi was in need of immediate medical care, regardless of any clinical assessment that he personally made. As discussed in the context of their federal claims, plaintiffs have produced circumstantial evidence that Ishibashi knew that Abdollahi was a potential suicide risk. Plaintiffs have also produced evidence that Ishibashi observed that Abdollahi was undergoing withdrawal from heroin and that Ishibashi knew that Abdollahi had complained of the need to see a doctor and of the inadequacy of his medication. A reasonable juror could find that evidence of Abdollahi's distressed condition as well as Abdollahi's threat that he would kill himself if he did not see a doctor would require Ishibashi to summon medical care. The knowledge of defendant Ishibashi and the reasonableness of his action not to summon medical care are questions of fact to be determined at trial.See id.
Defendants also argue that Ishibashi is immune under California Government Code § 856. Section 856 provides immunity to public employees for any injury resulting from the determination of whether to confine a person for mental illness or addiction. Like § 855.8, this immunity is limited and applies only to injuries relating to the determination of whether a person should be confined. It does not cover the scope of a public employee's duty to summon medical care. Plaintiffs' claims are not limited to injury resulting from a failure to confine Abdollahi. Plaintiffs claim that Ishibashi failed to summon medical care when confronted with circumstances that put him on notice of an immediate need to do so. As discussed above, plaintiffs have produced evidence such that a reasonable juror could find that Ishibashi was required to summon medical care for Abdollahi. Because § 856 immunity does not extend to the limits of the duty created by § 845.6, Ishibashi is not immune from plaintiffs' claim.
The Estate of Abdollahi further claims that Ishibashi is liable under state law for professional negligence. Under California law, a professional is "required to possess and exercise . . . that reasonable degree of knowledge and skill which is ordinarily possessed and exercised by other members of his profession in similar circumstances." Landeros v. Flood, 17 Cal. 3d 399, 408 (1976). Generally, the determination of whether conduct complied with the professional standard of care requires expert testimony, unless the conduct in question is within the common knowledge of layman. See Flowers v. Torrance Memorial Hosp. Med. Ctr., 8 Cal. 4th 992, 1001 (1994); Landeros, 17 Cal. 3d at 410.
Ishibashi argues that he is entitled to summary judgment because, in the expert opinion of Charles Meyers, Ph.D., his conduct in relation to Abdollahi met the applicable "standard of care." (Decl. of Charles Meyers, ¶¶ 3-4). Ishibashi also argues that plaintiffs have no expert opinion to the contrary. However, plaintiffs do offer expert testimony that Ishibashi's conduct was inadequate. In the expert opinion of Edward Kaufman, M.D., "the protocol followed for Abdollahi was inadequate." (Kayfman Decl. ¶ 29). He states that the inadequate evaluation by Ishibashi directly contributed to Abdollahi's death. In the expert opinion of Richard Hayward, Ph.D., Ishibashi's treatment of Abdollahi "fell below the requisite standard of care." (Hayward Decl. ¶ 26).
In judging evidence at the summary judgment stage, the court does not make credibility determinations or weigh conflicting evidence. See T.W. Elec. v. Pacific Elec. Contractors Ass'n, 809 F.2d 626, 630-31 (9th Cir. 1987). Both defendants and plaintiffs have offered expert testimony regarding whether the conduct of Ishibashi violated the requisite standard of care. Because the court cannot assess the credibility of the experts, and because the evidence is conflicting, there is a triable issue of fact as to whether Ishibashi was professionally negligent in his conduct toward Abdollahi. Therefore, summary judgment is inappropriate, and defendants' motion is DENIED.
VI. Claims Against Harnett
A. Federal Claims
The Arambula plaintiffs bring a claim against defendant Harnett under § 1983 for violations of substantive due process. The Estate of Arambula claims that Harnett violated Arambula's substantive due process rights through her deliberate indifference to Arambula's medical needs that allegedly resulted in Arambula's death by suicide. Elias Arambula, Andrew Arambula, Ausencio Arambula, and Socorro Arambula claim that Harnett violated their substantive due process rights by depriving them of a parent child relationship by allegedly causing Arambula's wrongful death.
Defendants argue that no reasonable juror could conclude that Harnett was deliberately indifferent to the safety of Arambula. Defendants present evidence that Harnett subjectively believed that Arambula was not a suicide risk. Plaintiffs, however, present circumstantial evidence that Harnett knew that Aramula was a potential suicide risk. Arambula's jail file documented a history of psychiatric problems, including the need for medication, auditory hallucinations, and prior suicide attempts. (SDF No. 35). The file also documented that Arambula refused to speak to JPS and refused to take his medication. (Id.) Harnett may have viewed Arambula's file before leaving her office to conduct the assessment, but admits that she reviewed at least a portion of Arambula's chart after her meeting. (Harnett RSUF Nos. 5, 10). Further, plaintiffs point to evidence that prior to Arambula's placement in a restraint chair and the subsequent assessment by Harnett, jail personnel observed Arambula talking to himself, banging his head into solid objects and physically resisting efforts by jailers to subdue him. (UMF Nos. 375-86). Harnett asked the custody officers what caused Arambula to be placed in the restraint chair. (Harnett RSUF No. 6). She has no present recollection as to what they told her, except that he had exhibited strange behavior. (Id.)
Based upon the above evidence, a reasonable juror could find that Harnett was deliberately indifferent to a substantial risk to Arambula's mental health needs. Therefore, summary judgment is inappropriate, and defendants' motion is DENIED.
B. State Law Claims
The Estate of Arambula also claims that defendant Harnett is liable under state law for failure to furnish or summon medical care. As discussed in the court's analysis of plaintiffs' state law claims against defendant Mantei, California Government Code § 845.6 creates an affirmative duty for public employees "to furnish or obtain medical care for a prisoner in his custody." Defendants argue that under § 855.8, Harnett is immune from such claims as they arise out of her failure to determine that Arambula was suicidal. As discussed in relation to defendant Mantei, the scope of § 855.8 immunity is more limited than the scope of the general duty to summon medical care; it only immunizes an employee's failure to diagnose or to prescribe treatment. Johnson, 143 Cal. App. 3d at 317.
Plaintiffs present evidence that Harnett knew that Arambula was in need of immediate medical care, regardless of any clinical assessment that she personally made. As discussed in the context of their federal claims, plaintiffs have produced circumstantial evidence that Harnett knew that Arambula was a potential suicide risk. Plaintiffs have also produced evidence that Harnett knew that Arambula was exhibiting strange behavior (such that he was placed in a restraint chair), and that he had a history of suicide attempts and need for medication for mental illnesses. A reasonable juror could find that evidence of Arambula's past history of mental illness and treatment documented in his jail file as well as the fact that Harnett was called to assess Arambula after he was placed in a restraint chair would require Harnett to summon medical care. The knowledge of defendant Harnett and the reasonableness of his action not to summon medical care are questions of fact to be determined at trial. See id.
Defendants also argue that Harnett is immune under California Government Code § 856. As discussed in the court's analysis of plaintiffs' state law claims against defendant Ishibashi, this immunity is limited and applies only to injuries relating to the determination of whether a person should be confined. It does not cover the scope of a public employee's duty to summon medical care. Plaintiffs' claims are not limited to injury resulting from a failure to confine Arambula. Plaintiffs claim that Harnett failed to summon medical care when confronted with circumstances that put her on notice of an immediate need to do so. As discussed above, plaintiffs have produced evidence such that a reasonable juror could find that Harnett was required to summon medical care for Arambula. Because § 856 immunity does not extend to the limits of the duty created by § 845.6, Harnett is not immune from plaintiffs' claim.
The Estate of Arambula further claims that Harnett is liable under state law for professional negligence. Under California law, a professional is "required to possess and exercise . . . that reasonable degree of knowledge and skill which is ordinarily possessed and exercised by other members of his profession in similar circumstances." Landeros v. Flood, 17 Cal. 3d 399, 408 (1976). Generally, the determination of whether conduct complied with the professional standard of care requires expert testimony, unless the conduct in question is within the common knowledge of layman. See Flowers v. Torrance Memorial Hosp. Med. Ctr., 8 Cal. 4th 992, 1001 (1994); Landeros, 17 Cal. 3d at 410.
Harnett argues that she is entitled to summary judgment because, in the expert opinion of Charles Meyers, Ph.D., her conduct in relation to Arambula met the applicable "standard of care." (Meyers Decl. ¶ 7). Harnett also argues that plaintiffs have no expert opinion to the contrary. However, plaintiffs do offer expert testimony that Harnett's conduct was inadequate. In the expert opinion of Edward Kaufman, M.D., the lack of evaluation by Harnett of Arambula's suicidal potential on the day he died directly contributed to his death. (Kaufman Decl. ¶ 51). In the expert opinion of Richard Hayward, Ph.D., Harnett's treatment of Arambula "fell below the requisite standard of care." (Hayward Decl. ¶ 28).
In judging evidence at the summary judgment stage, the court does not make credibility determinations or weigh conflicting evidence. See T.W. Elec. v. Pacific Elec. Contractors Ass'n, 809 F.2d 626, 630-31 (9th Cir. 1987). Both defendants and plaintiffs have offered expert testimony regarding whether the conduct of Harnett violated the requisite standard of care. Because the court cannot assess the credibility of the experts, and because the evidence is conflicting, there is a triable issue of fact as to whether Harnett was professionally negligent in his conduct toward Arambula. Therefore, summary judgment is inappropriate, and defendants' motion is DENIED.
CONCLUSION
Based on the foregoing analysis, the court makes the following orders:A. As to the claims brought by the Abdollahi plaintiffs:
1. Defendant County of Sacramento's motion for summary judgment is:
(a) GRANTED as it applies to the cell check and staffing policies;
(b) DENIED as it applies to the heroin detoxification policy and the suicide prevention policy;
2. Defendant Blanas' motion for summary judgment is:
(a) GRANTED as it applies to § 1983 individual capacity liability;
(b) DENIED as it applies to § 1983 official capacity liability;
(c) GRANTED as it applies to plaintiffs' state law claims;
3. Defendant Cooper's motion for summary judgment is GRANTED as to all claims;
4. Defendant Mantei's motion for summary judgment is:
(a) DENIED as it applies to § 1983 liability;
(b) DENIED as it applies to plaintiffs' claims for failure to summon medical care;
(c) GRANTED as it applies to plaintiffs' claims for negligence/negligence per se;
5. Defendant Johnson's motion for summary judgment is GRANTED as to all claims;
6. Defendant Ishibashi's motion for summary judgment is:
(a) DENIED as it applies to § 1983 liability;
(b) DENIED as it applies to plaintiffs' state law claims;
B. As to the claims brought by the Summers plaintiffs:
1. Defendant County of Sacramento's motion for summary judgment is:
(a) DENIED as it applies to the cell check and staffing policies;
(b) GRANTED as it applies to the heroin detoxification policy and the suicide prevention policy;
2. Defendant Blanas' motion for summary judgment is:
(a) GRANTED as it applies to § 1983 individual capacity liability;
(b) DENIED as it applies to § 1983 official capacity liability;
(c) GRANTED as it applies to plaintiffs' state law claims;
3. Defendant Cooper's motion for summary judgment is:
(a) GRANTED as it applies to § 1983 individual capacity liability;
(b) DENIED as it applies to § 1983 official capacity liability;
(c) GRANTED as it applies to plaintiffs' state law claims;
C. As to the claims brought by the Arambula plaintiffs:
1. Defendant County of Sacramento's motion for summary judgment is GRANTED as to all claims;
2. Defendant Blanas' motion for summary judgment is GRANTED as to all claims;
3. Defendant Cooper's motion for summary judgment is GRANTED as to all claims;
4. Defendant Johnson's motion for summary judgment is:
(a) DENIED as it applies to § 1983 liability;
(b) GRANTED as it applies to plaintiffs' state law claims;
5. Defendant Harnett's motion for summary judgment is:
(a) DENIED as it applies to § 1983 liability;
(b) DENIED as it applies to plaintiffs' state law claims;
IT IS SO ORDERED.