Barry Kirven v. Rick Thaler ( 2011 )


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  •      Case: 10-20822 Document: 00511503663 Page: 1 Date Filed: 06/09/2011
    IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
    FOR THE FIFTH CIRCUIT  United States Court of Appeals
    Fifth Circuit
    FILED
    June 9, 2011
    No. 10-20822
    Summary Calendar                         Lyle W. Cayce
    Clerk
    BARRY KIRVEN,
    Plaintiff-Appellant
    v.
    RICK THALER; CORRECTIONAL OFFICER REILLY, Warden of Huntsville
    Unit; JAMIE WILLIAMS; DR. E. JULYE, Doctor of Huntsville Unit,
    Defendants-Appellees
    Appeal from the United States District Court
    for the Southern District of Texas
    USDC No. 4:09-CV-1440
    Before WIENER, PRADO, and OWEN, Circuit Judges.
    PER CURIAM:*
    Plaintiff-Appellant Barry Kirven, Texas prisoner # 1473071, filed the
    instant civil rights complaint, seeking redress for injuries allegedly suffered as
    a result of constitutionally inadequate medical care.                  Kirven’s complaint
    concerned the treatment he received in connection with a growth on his toe,
    which was first detected by prison medical personnel in December 2007. The
    growth gradually increased in size, and Kirven’s toe was amputated in March
    *
    Pursuant to 5TH CIR . R. 47.5, the court has determined that this opinion should not
    be published and is not precedent except under the limited circumstances set forth in 5TH CIR .
    R. 47.5.4.
    Case: 10-20822 Document: 00511503663 Page: 2 Date Filed: 06/09/2011
    No. 10-20822
    2009. The district court dismissed the complaint as frivolous after reviewing
    Kirven’s medical records.
    An in forma pauperis (IFP) complaint may be dismissed as frivolous under
    
    28 U.S.C. § 1915
    (e)(2)(B)(i) if it lacks any arguable basis in law or fact. Norton
    v. Dimazana, 
    122 F.3d 286
    , 291 (5th Cir. 1997). We review a § 1915 dismissal
    as frivolous for abuse of discretion. Id.
    Kirven contends that, given the size and the rate of growth of the mass on
    his toe, the delay in surgery constitutes deliberate indifference to his serious
    medical need. As the district court determined, however, from December 2007
    through March 2009, Kirven received ongoing medical evaluation and treatment
    for his condition, including care provided by Dr. E. Julye. The medical care
    received by Kirven included physical examinations, x-rays, MRIs, medication,
    resection, and ultimately surgery to amputate the toe, followed by post-surgical
    care.    Kirven’s contention that amputation of his toe would have been
    unnecessary but for the delays in his treatment is essentially a claim of neglect
    or medical malpractice.      Such claims do not rise to the level of an Eighth
    Amendment deliberate-indifference violation. See Varnado v. Lynaugh, 
    920 F.2d 320
    , 321 (5th Cir. 1991).
    As Kirven cannot demonstrate that he was denied constitutionally
    adequate medical care, he cannot establish that any policy or practice of
    supervisory officials Nathaniel Quarterman, C. O’Reilly, or Jamie Williams
    resulted in the violation of his constitutional rights. See Bustos v. Martini Club,
    Inc., 
    599 F.3d 458
    , 468 (5th Cir. 2010). Because Kirven pleaded his best case,
    the district court did not reversibly err by dismissing his action without
    providing Kirven an opportunity to amend his complaint. See Bazrowx v. Scott,
    
    136 F.3d 1053
    , 1054 & n.7 (5th Cir. 1998); Jacquez v. Procunier, 
    801 F.2d 789
    ,
    793 (5th Cir. 1986).
    The district court’s dismissal of Kirven’s complaint as frivolous counts as
    one strike for purposes of 
    28 U.S.C. § 1915
    (g). See Adepegba v. Hammons, 103
    2
    Case: 10-20822 Document: 00511503663 Page: 3 Date Filed: 06/09/2011
    No. 10-
    20822 F.3d 383
    , 387-88 (5th Cir. 1996).       Kirven is hereby warned that if he
    accumulates three strikes he will no longer be allowed to proceed in forma
    pauperis in any civil action or appeal filed while he is incarcerated or detained
    in any facility unless he is under imminent danger of serious physical injury.
    See § 1915(g).
    AFFIRMED; SANCTION WARNING ISSUED.
    3