(PC) Johnson v. Newsom ( 2023 )

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 9 FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 10 11 ELLIS JOHNSON, No. 2:21-cv-0828 KJM KJN P 12 Plaintiff, 13 v. ORDER 14 KATHLEEN ALLISON, et al., 15 Defendants. 16 17 Plaintiff is a state prisoner, proceeding pro se. Plaintiff seeks relief pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 18 § 1983 and is proceeding in forma pauperis. This proceeding was referred to this court pursuant 19 to 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1) and Local Rule 302. Plaintiff’s second amended complaint is before the 20 court. 21 As set forth below, plaintiff’s pleading is dismissed with leave to amend. 22 Screening Standards 23 The court is required to screen complaints brought by prisoners seeking relief against a 24 governmental entity or officer or employee of a governmental entity. 28 U.S.C. § 1915A(a). The 25 court must dismiss a complaint or portion thereof if the prisoner has raised claims that are legally 26 “frivolous or malicious,” that fail to state a claim upon which relief may be granted, or that seek 27 monetary relief from a defendant who is immune from such relief. 28 U.S.C. § 1915A(b)(1), (2). 28 //// 1 A claim is legally frivolous when it lacks an arguable basis either in law or in fact. 2 Neitzke v. Williams, 490 U.S. 319, 325 (1989); Franklin v. Murphy, 745 F.2d 1221, 1227-28 (9th 3 Cir. 1984). The court may, therefore, dismiss a claim as frivolous where it is based on an 4 indisputably meritless legal theory or where the factual contentions are clearly baseless. Neitzke, 5 490 U.S. at 327. The critical inquiry is whether a constitutional claim, however inartfully 6 pleaded, has an arguable legal and factual basis. See Jackson v. Arizona, 885 F.2d 639, 640 (9th 7 Cir. 1989); Franklin, 745 F.2d at 1227. 8 A complaint, or portion thereof, should only be dismissed for failure to state a claim upon 9 which relief may be granted if it appears beyond doubt that plaintiff can prove no set of facts in 10 support of the claim or claims that would entitle him to relief. Hishon v. King & Spalding, 467 11 U.S. 69, 73 (1984) (citing Conley v. Gibson, 355 U.S. 41, 45-46 (1957)); Palmer v. Roosevelt 12 Lake Log Owners Ass’n, 651 F.2d 1289, 1294 (9th Cir. 1981). In reviewing a complaint under 13 this standard, the court must accept as true the allegations of the complaint in question, Hosp. 14 Bldg. Co. v. Rex Hosp. Trustees, 425 U.S. 738, 740 (1976), construe the pleading in the light 15 most favorable to the plaintiff, and resolve all doubts in the plaintiff's favor, Jenkins v. 16 McKeithen, 395 U.S. 411, 421 (1969). 17 The Civil Rights Act 18 To prevail on a claim under § 1983, a plaintiff must demonstrate: (1) the violation of a 19 federal constitutional or statutory right; and (2) that the violation was committed by a person 20 acting under the color of state law. See West v. Atkins, 487 U.S. 42, 48 (1988); Jones v. 21 Williams, 297 F.3d 930, 934 (9th Cir. 2002). An individual defendant is not liable on a civil 22 rights claim unless the facts establish the defendant’s personal involvement in the constitutional 23 deprivation or a causal connection between the defendant’s wrongful conduct and the alleged 24 constitutional deprivation. See Hansen v. Black, 885 F.2d 642, 646 (9th Cir. 1989); Johnson v. 25 Duffy, 588 F.2d 740, 743-44 (9th Cir. 1978). That is, plaintiff may not sue any official on the 26 theory that the official is liable for the unconstitutional conduct of his or her subordinates. 27 Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662, 679 (2009). The requisite causal connection between a 28 supervisor’s wrongful conduct and the violation of the prisoner’s constitutional rights can be 1 established in a number of ways, including by demonstrating that a supervisor’s own culpable 2 action or inaction in the training, supervision, or control of his subordinates was a cause of 3 plaintiff’s injury. Starr v. Baca, 652 F.3d 1202, 1208 (9th Cir. 2011). 4 Background 5 Plaintiff’s first amended complaint sought release from prison based on inadequate 6 conditions of confinement and named two defendants whose roles were limited to reviewing 7 plaintiff’s administrative grievances. Such claims were dismissed, but plaintiff was granted leave 8 to amend to state claims against individuals responsible for subjecting plaintiff to unsafe 9 conditions of confinement in light of his medical conditions, age, and the increased risks posed by 10 COVID-19. (ECF No. 41 at 3.) The district court noted that the law is clearly established that 11 prisoners have a constitutional right to be protected against a heightened exposure to serious, 12 easily communicable diseases such as COVID-19, which is highly contagious. (ECF No. 41 at 13 4.) The district court confirmed that a prisoner states an Eighth Amendment conditions of 14 confinement claim “if the prisoner can sufficiently allege that a defendant knew of the risks of 15 COVID-19 and had authority to mitigate the risks yet did nothing to mitigate those risks.” (ECF 16 No. 41 at 5.) 17 Plaintiff’s Second Amended Complaint 18 Plaintiff now alleges that defendant Dr. Martin Kuersten, Chief Medical Executive, 19 testified in state court that his “primary duties are oversight of the medical, health care institution 20 and supervisor – supervision of line-staff, physicians,” and confirmed that he helped design 21 COVID-19 mitigation efforts at California State Prison, Solano (“CSP-SOL”). (ECF No. 44 at 22 3.) Dr. Kuersten testified that “an inmate would only be placed in isolation if they are confirmed 23 positive with the COVID test. By summer 2021 that resistance to the quarantine for close 24 contacts became optional.” (ECF No. 44 at 3, 5.) Dr. Kuersten also testified that in 2021, 25 when we had further outbreaks they were actually more concentrated in “A” and “B” facilities which are called housing. But they also 26 contained much larger percentages of unvaccinated individuals because at that time it was the younger and healthier population that 27 declined to get vaccinated. 28 //// 1 (ECF No. 41 at 4.) Plaintiff claims that Dr. Kuersten is a member of the incident command post 2 that met to implement COVID-19 protocols at CSP-SOL. (Id.) 3 Plaintiff alleges that on or about December 2020, he was ordered by medical to be 4 removed from C facility housing because plaintiff is medically high risk and over age 50. At that 5 time, plaintiff had tested negative for COVID. Plaintiff could not refuse to comply, or he would 6 be issued a rules violation report and escorted in restraints to enforce the transfer order. 7 Plaintiff complied and he was transferred to B facility housing. Plaintiff was tested daily until 8 January 4, 2021, when his COVID-19 test result was positive. Plaintiff was immediately 9 transferred out of isolation to B facility gym with other positive inmates. (ECF No. 44 at 4.) 10 Plaintiff alleges that he was moved out of safe housing (Facility C) to Facility B that was 11 having further outbreaks, and this was known to Dr. Kuersten and his medical subordinates under 12 his supervision. Plaintiff argues that COVID-19 guidelines were already established but were not 13 followed in plaintiff’s case. Instead, medical staff designated to implement COVID-19 mitigation 14 policies at CSP-SOL failed to protect plaintiff from the imminent threat of harm. As a result, 15 plaintiff suffers complications related to COVID-19. 16 Plaintiff seeks declaratory and unidentified extraordinary relief, as well as punitive 17 damages. Plaintiff names Dr. Kuersten as the sole defendant. 18 Discussion 19 Plaintiff contends that Dr. Kuersten testified as to his role in setting policy concerning 20 COVID-19 precautions at CSP-SOL, but such testimony is based on Dr. Kuersten’s supervisorial 21 role as Chief Medical Executive. As noted above, plaintiff may not sue any official on the theory 22 that the official is liable for the unconstitutional conduct of his or her subordinates. Ashcroft, 556 23 U.S. at 679. In any event, designing COVID-19 mitigation efforts and meeting to implement 24 COVID-19 protocols at CSP-SOL, standing alone, do not demonstrate an Eighth Amendment 25 violation. 26 Further, plaintiff includes no specific allegations that demonstrate Dr. Kuersten was aware 27 that medical staff at CSP-SOL violated policy and moved plaintiff from Facility C to Facility B. 28 Even assuming Dr. Kuersten knew that Facility B was having increased outbreaks of COVID-19, 1 such knowledge fails to demonstrate Dr. Kuersten was personally involved in ordering plaintiff’s 2 transfer or even aware of such transfer. Plaintiff named no other members of the medical staff 3 who ordered plaintiff to transfer. 4 In addition, plaintiff does not identify when or in what court case Dr. Kuersten testified. 5 Dr. Kuersten qualified his testimony as to the concentrated outbreaks by testifying “when we had 6 further outbreaks they were actually more concentrated in ‘A’ and ‘B’ facilities.” (ECF No. 44 at 7 4, emphasis added.) But Dr. Kuersten did not specifically identify when in 2021 such 8 concentrated outbreaks took place, and thus it is unclear whether such concentrated outbreaks 9 took place at the time of plaintiff’s transfer. Dr. Kuersten’s testimony does not make clear when 10 he became aware of such increased outbreaks. 11 While detailed factual allegations are not required, “[t]hreadbare recitals of the elements 12 of a cause of action, supported by mere conclusory statements, do not suffice.” Ashcroft, 556 13 U.S. at 678 (citing Bell Atlantic Corp. v. Twombly, 550 U.S. 544, 555 (2007)). Plaintiff must set 14 forth “sufficient factual matter, accepted as true, to ‘state a claim to relief that is plausible on its 15 face.’” Ashcroft, 556 U.S. at 678 (quoting Bell Atlantic Corp., 550 U.S. at 570). 16 A claim has facial plausibility when the plaintiff pleads factual content that allows the court to draw the reasonable inference that the 17 defendant is liable for the misconduct alleged. The plausibility standard is not akin to a “probability requirement,” but it asks for 18 more than a sheer possibility that a defendant has acted unlawfully. Where a complaint pleads facts that are merely consistent with a 19 defendant’s liability, it stops short of the line between possibility and plausibility of entitlement to relief. 20 21 Ashcroft, 556 U.S. at 678 (citations and quotation marks omitted). Although legal conclusions 22 can provide the framework of a complaint, they must be supported by factual allegations, and are 23 not entitled to the assumption of truth. Id. at 1950. 24 The court finds the allegations in plaintiff's second amended complaint so vague and 25 conclusory that it is unable to determine whether the current action is frivolous or fails to state a 26 claim for relief. The court has determined that the second amended complaint does not contain a 27 short and plain statement as required by Fed. R. Civ. P. 8(a)(2). Although the Federal Rules 28 adopt a flexible pleading policy, a complaint must give fair notice and state the elements of the 1 claim plainly and succinctly. Jones v. Cmty. Redev. Agency, 733 F.2d 646, 649 (9th Cir. 1984). 2 Plaintiff must allege with at least some degree of particularity overt acts which defendants 3 engaged in that support plaintiff's claim. Id. Because plaintiff failed to comply with the 4 requirements of Fed. R. Civ. P. 8(a)(2), the second amended complaint must be dismissed. The 5 court will, however, grant leave to file a third amended complaint. 6 If plaintiff chooses to file a third amended complaint, plaintiff must demonstrate how the 7 conditions complained of have resulted in a deprivation of plaintiff’s federal constitutional or 8 statutory rights. See Ellis v. Cassidy, 625 F.2d 227 (9th Cir. 1980). Also, the third amended 9 complaint must allege in specific terms how each named defendant is involved. There can be no 10 liability under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 unless there is some affirmative link or connection between a 11 defendant’s actions and the claimed deprivation. Rizzo v. Goode, 423 U.S. 362 (1976); May v. 12 Enomoto, 633 F.2d 164, 167 (9th Cir. 1980); Johnson v. Duffy, 588 F.2d at 743. Furthermore, 13 vague and conclusory allegations of official participation in civil rights violations are not 14 sufficient. Ivey v. Bd. of Regents, 673 F.2d 266, 268 (9th Cir. 1982). 15 The third amended complaint must be complete in itself without reference to any prior 16 pleading. Local Rule 220; See Ramirez v. County of San Bernardino, 806 F.3d 1002, 1008 (9th 17 Cir. 2015) (“an ‘amended complaint supersedes the original, the latter being treated thereafter as 18 non-existent.’” (internal citation omitted)). Once plaintiff files a third amended complaint, the 19 original or prior pleading is superseded. 20 Finally, plaintiff is not required to provide exhibits with his third amended complaint. 21 However, plaintiff may request that the court append his prior exhibits (ECF No. 44 at 10-49) to 22 his third amended complaint. 23 Previously Named Individuals 24 Once filed, the undersigned intends to sua sponte screen plaintiff’s third amended 25 complaint. As noted above, plaintiff did not include Gates and Largoza as defendants in the 26 second amended complaint. It is not clear that plaintiff can amend to allege facts against either of 27 these individuals based on plaintiff’s prior description of their roles in reviewing administrative 28 //// 1 | grievances. Nevertheless, at this time, Gates and Largoza are relieved of any obligation to 2 || respond to plaintiffs third amended complaint pending further order of court. 3 In accordance with the above, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that: 4 1. Plaintiff's second amended complaint is dismissed; 5 2. Plaintiff is granted thirty days from the date of service of this order to file a third 6 || amended complaint that complies with the requirements of the Civil Rights Act, the Federal Rules 7 | of Civil Procedure, and the Local Rules of Practice; the third amended complaint must bear the 8 | docket number assigned this case and must be labeled “Third Amended Complaint”; plaintiff 9 || must file an original and two copies of the third amended complaint. 10 Failure to file a third amended complaint in accordance with this order will result in a 11 || recommendation that this action be dismissed. 12 3. Previously named individuals Gates and Largoza are relieved of any obligation to 13 | respond to plaintiff's third amended complaint pending further order of court. 14 || Dated: July 25, 2023 Aectl Aharon 16 KENDALL J. NE 4 /john0828. 14amd2 UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28