Goode v. Canedo ( 2024 )

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 9 SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 10 11 BENJAMIN DENNIS GOODE, Case No.: 3:21-cv-2054-GPC-KSC 12 ORDER GRANTING DEFENDANT Plaintiff, 13 CANEDO’S MOTION FOR vs. SUMMARY JUDGMENT PURSUANT 14 TO FED. R. CIV. P. 56 J. CANEDO, et al., 15 Defendants. [ECF No. 68] 16 17 18 19 Before the Court is a Motion for Summary Judgment filed by Defendant J. Canedo 20 on February 29, 2024. ECF No. 68. For the reasons discussed below, the Court GRANTS 21 Defendant Canedo’s motion and directs the Clerk of Court to entry judgment in his favor. 22 I. BACKGROUND 23 A. Procedural History 24 On December 9, 2021, Goode filed a civil rights complaint, pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 25 1983, alleging violations of the Eighth Amendment and seeking injunctive relief and 26 money damages. ECF No. 1. After the Court dismissed the original complaint, Goode filed 27 a first amended complaint (“FAC”) on January 19, 2023. ECF No. 18. In it, Goode alleged 28 that while he was an inmate at R.J. Donovan Correctional Facility (“RJD”), Defendant 1 Canedo violated his Eighth Amendment rights when (1) Canedo directed Goode’s transfer 2 to COVID-19 isolation when Goode was not positive for the virus, and (2) Canedo ordered 3 the removal of Goode’s continuous positive airway pressure (“CPAP”) machine. See 4 generally, id. 5 On October 5, 2024, Canedo filed a motion for judgment on the pleadings. ECF No. 6 50. This Court granted the motion in part and denied it in part on November 11, 2024. ECF 7 No. 61. Specifically, the Court granted Defendant’s motion as to Goode’s claim related to 8 the removal of his CPAP machine but denied it as to Goode’s claim regarding his 9 December 13, 2020 transfer to COVID isolation. See id. at 7. Goode subsequently filed his 10 own motion for judgement on the pleadings on January 26, 2024 (ECF No. 62), which this 11 Court denied on April 5, 2024. ECF No. 74 12 On February 29, 2024, Canedo filed the instant Motion for Summary Judgement on 13 Goode’s remaining Eighth Amendment claim. ECF No. 68. After being notified of the 14 requirements for opposing summary judgment (ECF No. 71), Goode filed his opposition 15 on March 25, 2024. ECF No. 73. Canedo did not file a reply. 16 B. Undisputed Material Facts 17 On summary judgment, facts must be viewed in the light most favorable to the 18 nonmoving party, in this case Goode. 1 See Wright v. Beck, 981 F.3d 719, 726 (9th Cir. 19 2020). Unless otherwise indicated, the facts below are not disputed. 20 In December 2020, RJD was experiencing its “first wave of COVID-19 outbreaks.” 21 Declaration of S. Roberts in Supp. of Mot. for Summ. J., ECF No. 68-5 (hereafter “Roberts 22 Decl.”) at ¶ 4. At that time, RJD and California Department of Corrections and 23 Rehabilitation (“CDCR”) staff were developing protocols for the reporting and transferring 24 of inmates who had contracted, or been exposed to, the virus in an effort to slow its spread. 25 26 1 Because Goode’s FAC is verified, it “may be considered as an affidavit in opposition to 27 summary judgment if it is based on personal knowledge and sets forth specific facts admissible in evidence.” Lopez v. Smith, 203 F.3d 1122, 1132 n.14 (9th Cir. 2000) (en banc). 28 1 Id. According RJD’s Chief Medical Executive, “it was a chaotic time.” Id. 2 Under the protocol in place at RJD on December 13, 2020, “medical staff of incident 3 command would receive [COVID-19] test results and communicate to custody staff on 4 incident command [which inmates] would be transferred to quarantine or isolation.” Id. A 5 custody document called a medical classification chronology (“MCC”) would be created 6 and placed on the Strategic Offender Management System (“SOMS”). Id. Under this 7 protocol, inmates who medical staff determined to be COVID-19 positive were ordered 8 transferred to isolation and inmates who had been exposed to COVID -19 were transferred 9 to quarantine. Id.; see also at Declaration of J. Canedo in Supp. Summ. J, ECF No. 68-6 10 (hereafter “Canedo Decl.”) at ¶ 3. Custody staff, who carried out the transfers, did not make 11 medical decisions and were expected to follow through on the transfer order contained in 12 the MCC. Roberts Decl. at ¶ 5; see also Canedo Decl. at ¶ 3. Custody staff did not have 13 access to an inmate’s medical records and “could only rely on the medical classification 14 chronologies available in SOMS to verify that an inmate was ordered by medial staff to 15 transfer.” Id. 16 In December 2020, Canedo was assigned as an RJD “correctional captain.” Canedo 17 Decl. at ¶ 1. In that capacity, Canedo periodically received a list of inmates who medical 18 staff ordered transferred to COVID-19 isolation or quarantine, along with a copy of the 19 MCC ordering the transfer. Id. at ¶ 3. Canedo was also able to access an inmate’s MCC by 20 checking SOMS. Beyond what was contained in the MCC, Canedo had no access to 21 information regarding the inmate’s medical status. Id. at ¶ 4. Canedo had no medical 22 education or training and it was not part of his duties to make medical decisions or orders 23 regarding the relocation of an inmate to COVID-19 isolation or quarantine. Id. at ¶ 5. 24 On December 9, 2020, Goode tested negative for COVID-19. ECF No. 18-1 at 54; 25 see also FAC at 3; Declaration of D. Duan in Supp. of Mot. for Summ. J. ECF No. 68-4, 26 Ex. 2 (hereafter “Pl.’s Depo.”) at 9–10. On December 13, 2020, Canedo received an MCC 27 ordering Goode’s transfer to isolation. Canedo Decl. at ¶ 6; see also id. at Ex. 1. The MCC 28 indicated that Plaintiff was classified for “temporary medical hold,” and “temporary 1 medical isolation.” Canedo Decl., Ex. 1. It also included the notation: “Isolation COVID 2 CONFIRMED until 12/27/2020.” Id. The information contained MCC was all Canedo had 3 to rely upon as the basis for Goode’s transfer to isolation on December 13, 2020. Canedo 4 Decl. at ¶¶ 6, 9. 5 As a correctional captain, Canedo relied on other correctional staff to carry out the 6 transfers. Id. at ¶ 7. On the evening of December 13, 2020, Correctional Officers Meza and 7 Freeman came to Goode’s cell to carry out the transfer. FAC at 3; see also Pl.’s Depo. at 8 Freeman told Goode he was being transferred to “D-Gym,” where COVID-19-positive 9 inmates were being isolated. FAC at 3. Goode told Freeman there must be a mistake 10 because he had recently tested negative. Id.; see also Pl.’s Depo. at 12. Officer Freeman 11 radioed Sergeant Canedo.2 Goode overheard Freeman telling Canedo over the radio that 12 Goode claimed to have tested negative for COVID-19. See FAC at 3, 8; Pl.’s Depo at 17. 13 Canedo responded, “Tell him to roll up. He’s leaving to go to D-Yard.” Pl.’s Depo. at 18. 14 Goode believed Canedo “was the only CDCR employee that was involved in [his transfer] 15 that was high enough rank to have performed the move.” FAC at 12. Goode, however, did 16 not know whether Canedo was responsible for the decision to transfer him. See Pl.’s Depo. 17 at 24. He also did not know if Canedo had the authority to override a decision made by 18 medical staff. Id. at 24–25. 19 Plaintiff was moved to the isolation area in D-Gym, where COVID-19 positive 20 inmates were held. FAC at 3. At that time, there were 30–40 inmates in the gym, many of 21 whom were coughing, sneezing and sweating. ECF No. 18-1 at 77. Bunk beds were spread 22 across the gym, approximately four feet apart, and Plaintiff was assigned a bottom bunk. 23 Id. The bunk above him was occupied by “an inmate who seemed to be extremely sick,” 24 and who “would lean over the side of the bed and c[o]ugh downward . . . all night.” Id. 25 26 2 Canedo attests he does not specifically recall Freeman contacting him but states that he “could 27 have been alerted to an issue via the radio.” Canedo Decl. at ¶ 7. Had that happened, Canedo states, it would have been his practice to check the MCC on SOMS to confirm the order. “If the 28 1 Goode feared he would contract COVID-19 and possibly die. FAC at 9. 2 The next morning, December 14, 2020, an unnamed sergeant supervising D-Gym 3 “check[ed] with medical and discover[ed] Plaintiff’s last [COVID-19] test [had been] 4 negative.” Id. at 12. The sergeant told Plaintiff a “mistake” had been made and 5 “immediately moved” Goode out of D-Gym and into quarantine in the Observation 6 Housing Unit. Id. Goode asked if he could go back to his cell, but the sergeant informed 7 him that because there was a chance Goode had been exposed to the virus during his time 8 in D-Gym, he must go to quarantine. Id. at 12; see also Pl.’s Depo. at 22. Goode assumed 9 he would only be in quarantine for 14 days, but he was ultimately there for 56 days. FAC 10 at 19, see also Pl.’s Depo. at 20. 11 Plaintiff did not contract COVID-19 while in isolation or quarantine. See Pl’s Depo. 12 at 22. However, after the night spent in the “highly infected gym,” and the subsequent 56 13 days in quarantine, Goode developed, and has been diagnosed with, Post-Traumatic Stress 14 Disorder (“PTSD”). FAC at 9, 14. He suffers from stress and anxiety that prevent him from 15 sleeping. Id. at 4. When he does sleep, he has “nightmares where he cannot save himself 16 from choking.” Id. He also suffers from hormonal imbalances, his “glands [are] constantly 17 issuing too much adrenaline and other chemicals because he is in constant fear of a life[-] 18 threatening situation,” and his “body weight has changed drastically.” Id. at 4–5. 19 II. DEFENDANT’S MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT 20 Canedo seeks summary judgment, arguing there is no triable issue as to whether he 21 violated Goode’s Eighth Amendment rights when he participated in carrying out the 22 December 13, 2020 order that Goode be transferred to COVID-19 isolation. See generally, 23 Def.’s Mem. of P. & A. Supp. Mot. for Summ. J., ECF No. 68-1 (hereafter “Def.’s P. & 24 A.”). 25 A. Summary Judgment Standard 26 Summary judgment is proper where the pleadings, discovery and affidavits show 27 that there is “no genuine dispute as to any material fact and the movant is entitled to 28 judgment as a matter of law.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(a). While Goode bears the burden of proof 1 at trial, Canedo, as the moving party, bears the initial burden of informing a court of the 2 basis for his motion and of identifying the portions of the record that demonstrate an 3 absence of a genuine dispute of material fact. See Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 4 323 (1986). A fact is material if it might affect the outcome of the lawsuit under governing 5 law, and a dispute about such a material fact is genuine “if the evidence is such that a 6 reasonable jury could return a verdict for the nonmoving party.” Anderson v. Liberty 7 Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 248 (1986). 8 If Defendant Canedo meets his initial responsibility, the burden then shifts to Goode 9 to establish a genuine dispute as to any material facts that exist. Matsushita Elec. Indus. 10 Co. v. Zenith Radio Corp., 475 U.S. 574, 586 (1986). To do so, Goode must present 11 evidence in the form of affidavits and/or admissible discovery material to support his 12 contention that a genuine dispute of material fact exists. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(c)(1); 13 Matsushita, 475 U.S. at 586 n.11. “A [p]laintiff’s verified complaint may be considered as 14 an affidavit in opposition to summary judgment if it is based on personal knowledge and 15 sets forth specific facts admissible in evidence.” Lopez v. Smith, 203 F.3d 1122, 1132 n.14. 16 (9th Cir. 2000). 17 Finally, district courts must “construe liberally motion papers and pleadings filed by 18 pro se inmates and . . . avoid applying summary judgment rules strictly.” Thomas v. Ponder, 19 611 F.3d 1144, 1150 (9th Cir. 2010). However, conclusory, speculative testimony in 20 affidavits and moving papers is insufficient to raise a genuine factual dispute and defeat 21 summary judgment. Soremekun v. Thrifty Payless, Inc., 509 F.3d 978, 984 (9th Cir. 2007). 22 If Plaintiff “fails to properly support an assertion of fact or fails to properly address 23 [Defendant’s] assertion of fact, as required by Rule 56(c), the court may . . . consider the 24 fact undisputed for purposes of the motion . . ..” Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(e)(2). A “motion for 25 summary judgment may not be defeated . . . by evidence that is ‘merely colorable’ or ‘is 26 not significantly probative.’” Anderson, 477 U.S. at 249–50; Hardage v. CBS Broad. Inc., 27 427 F.3d 1177, 1183 (9th Cir. 2006). 28 / / / 1 C. Discussion 2 In his motion, Canedo argues summary judgment is required as to Goode’s sole 3 Eighth Amendment claim because there is no genuine dispute of material fact that he acted 4 without deliberate indifference to Goode’s health and safety when he directed Goode’s 5 transfer to COVID-19 isolation. He further contends there is no genuine dispute he was not 6 the proximate cause of Goode’s injuries. Finally, Canedo states he is entitled to qualified 7 immunity. See generally, Def.’s P. & A., ECF No. 68-1. 8 In his Opposition, Goode argues a genuine dispute exists because Canedo “knew” 9 he was negative for COVID-19 and that Canedo’s actions were the cause of his injuries 10 because Canedo directed his transfer to COVID-19 isolation.3 See Pl.’s Opp. to Def.’s M. 11 for Summ. J, ECF No. 73 (“hereafter Pl.’s Opp.) at 9–11, 14, 17. 12 1. Eight Amendment Standard 13 Two requirements must be met to show an Eighth Amendment violation. Farmer v. 14 Brennan, 511 U.S. 825, 834 (1994). “First, the deprivation must be, objectively, 15 sufficiently serious.” Id. (internal quotation marks and citation omitted). Second, “prison 16 officials must have a sufficiently culpable state of mind,” which for conditions of 17 confinement claims, “is one of deliberate indifference.” Id. (internal quotation marks and 18 citation omitted). 19 “[T]o satisfy the objective prong, it is enough for the inmate to demonstrate that he 20 was exposed to a substantial risk of some range of serious harms; the harm he actually 21 suffered need not have been the most likely result among this range of outcomes.” Lemire 22 23 24 3 Goode also appears to argue Defendant’s summary judgment motion is untimely because it was filed “past the 30-day limitation after closing of discovery.” ECF No. 73 at 2. Federal Rule of 25 Civil Procedure 56(b) specifies that 30 days after the close of discovery is the default deadline for 26 a summary judgment motion “[u]less a different time is set by local rule of the court orders otherwise.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(b). Here, the Court’s June 14, 2023 Scheduling Order set a February 27 29, 2024 deadline for filing dispositive motions, including motions for summary judgment. ECF No. 54 at 4. Canedo filed the instant motion on February 29, 2024 and therefore it is timely. See 28 1 v. California Dep’t of Corr. & Rehab., 726 F.3d 1062, 1076 (9th Cir. 2013). Here, 2 Defendant does not dispute that exposure to individuals infected with COVID-19 poses a 3 substantial risk of serious harm. See Plata v. Newsom, 445 F. Supp. 3d 557, 559 (N.D. Cal. 4 Apr. 17, 2020) (“[N]o one questions that [COVID-19] poses a substantial risk of serious 5 harm” to prisoners.). Thus, the question here is whether Canedo acted with deliberate 6 indifference. 7 Prison officials act with deliberate indifference when they know of and disregard an 8 excessive risk to inmate health or safety Farmer, 511 U.S. at 837. The circumstances, 9 nature, and duration of the deprivations are critical in determining whether the conditions 10 complained of are grave enough to form the basis of a viable Eighth Amendment claim. 11 Johnson v. Lewis, 217 F.3d 726, 731 (9th Cir. 2006). Mere negligence on the part of a 12 prison official is not sufficient to establish liability, but rather, the official's conduct must 13 have been wanton. Farmer, 511 U.S. at 835; Frost v. Agnos, 152 F.3d 1124, 1128 (9th Cir. 14 1998). 15 The standard for deliberate indifference is subjective, requiring the plaintiff to show 16 the defendant had a “sufficiently culpable state of mind.” See Wilson v. Seiter, 501 U.S. 17 294, 297 (1991). To do so here, there must be a genuine dispute as to whether Canedo knew 18 Goode faced a substantial risk of serious harm and disregarded that risk by failing to take 19 reasonable steps to abate it. Farmer, 511 U.S. at 837. Put another way, the evidence must 20 show Canedo was (1) aware of facts from which the inference could be drawn that a 21 substantial risk of serious harm existed if Goode was moved to isolation and (2) he actually 22 drew that inference. Id. If the evidence merely shows Canedo should have been aware of 23 the risk but was not, he has not violated the Eighth Amendment, no matter how severe the 24 risk. Gibson v. County of Washoe, 290 F.3d 1175, 1188 (9th Cir. 2002) (overruled on other 25 grounds by Castro v. County of Los Angeles, 833 F.3d 1060, 1076 (9th Cir. 2016)). 26 2. Deliberate Indifference 27 Defendant argues there is no genuine dispute he lacked the subjective knowledge 28 required to show he acted with deliberate indifference when he directed Goode’s move to 1 isolation. See Def.’s P. & A. at 10–15. 2 Canedo points to undisputed evidence which shows that on December 13, 2020, 3 medical staff at RJD prepared an MCC, noting Goode was positive for COVID-19 and 4 ordering his transfer to isolation4 until December 27, 2020. Canedo Decl., Ex. 1; see also 5 Goode Depo. at 25. In accordance with the protocol in place at the time, Canedo relied on 6 the information and order contained in the MCC when he directed Goode’s transfer. 7 Canedo Decl. at ¶ 10; see also Roberts Decl. at ¶ 5. Based on this reliance, Canedo would 8 have had no reason to believe Goode’s transfer to isolation, where he would be held among 9 other COVID-19-positive inmates, would present a risk to Goode’s health and safety 10 because according the MCC, Goode was already positive for the virus. Indeed, given his 11 belief Goode was positive for COVID-19,5 had Canedo not followed the order, he may 12 have risked the health and safety of other inmates and staff. Cf. Wakefield v. Thompson, 13 177 F.3d 1160, 1165 (9th Cir. 999) (“Following Estelle, we have held that a prison official 14 acts with deliberate indifference when he ignores the instructions of the prisoner’s treating 15 physician or surgeon.”). 16 Furthermore, federal courts have found that non-medical personnel are generally 17 entitled to rely on the opinions of medical professionals with respect to an inmate’s 18 treatment. See, e.g., McGee v. Adams, 721 F.3d 474, 483 (7th Cir. 2013) (holding that non- 19 medical personnel may rely upon medical opinions of healthcare professionals unless “they 20 21 4 In his Opposition, Plaintiff states that his transfer to “D-Gym, a highly contagious group 22 quarantine unit,” was inconsistent with the MCC’s order that he be sent to “isolation.” Pl.’s Opp. 23 at 9, 11. This contention, however, is based on a misunderstanding of the difference between quarantine and isolation. As noted above, the term “isolation” refers to areas (such as D-Gym) 24 where infected inmates were held, while “quarantine” denotes areas where inmates suspected of being exposed to the virus were held. See Roberts Decl. at ¶ 4. 25 26 5 While in hindsight there is no dispute the MCC erroneously stated Goode was positive for COVID-19 (see ECF No. 18-1 at 54), there is no evidence in the record the error was intentional. 27 Negligence and even gross negligence are not enough to amount to an Eighth Amendment violation. Farmer, 511 U.S. at 835. 28 1 have a reason to believe (or actual knowledge) that prison doctors or their assistants are 2 mistreating (or not treating) a prisoner”) (internal quotations and citations omitted); Mercer 3 v. Athens Cnty., Ohio, 72 F.4th 152, 162–63 (6th Cir. 2023) (“[A] non-medically trained 4 officer does not act with deliberate indifference to an inmate’s medical needs when he 5 ‘reasonably deferred to the medical professionals’ opinions.”); Snell v. Neville, 998 F.3d 6 474, 498 (1st Cir. 2021) (same); Spruill v. Gillis, 372 F.3d 218, 236 (3d Cir. 2004) (“If a 7 prisoner is under the care of medical experts . . . a non-medical prison official will generally 8 be justified in believing that the prisoner is in capable hands.”); Hamby v. Hammond, 2015 9 WL 1263253, at *27 (W.D. Wash. Feb. 11, 2015) (holding that non-medical corrections 10 officials are generally entitled to rely on judgment of prison medical staff). Thus, the Court 11 finds Canedo satisfied his initial burden by demonstrating an absence of a genuine dispute 12 as to his lack of subjective knowledge of a risk to Goode’s health and safety. 13 In his Opposition, Goode asserts Canedo “knew” he did not have COVID-19 14 because he told Officer Freeman he was negative for the virus and Freeman relayed that 15 information to Canedo over the radio. See Pl’s Opp. at 5–6. But deliberate indifference is 16 not established by merely showing that a defendant was informed of a potential risk, it 17 requires an actual perception of a risk by the defendant. See Farmer, 511 U.S. at 836 & 18 n.4. Thus, even assuming Canedo was aware Goode had insisted the information in the 19 MCC was erroneous and he was, in fact, negative for COVID-19, the uncontroverted 20 evidence in the record shows Canedo actually relied on the information in the MCC and 21 presumed its accuracy. Goode points to no evidence to the contrary beyond his own 22 speculation.6 See Soremekun, 509 F.3d at 984 (stating conclusory, speculative testimony 23 in affidavits and moving papers is insufficient to raise genuine issues of fact and defeat 24 summary judgment). 25 26 6 In his Opposition Plaintiff speculates that Canedo got “someone to fabricate the medical 27 classification chronology” but points to no evidence in the record to support such a claim. Pl.’s Opp. at 11. 28 1 In addition, Goode admits he was not aware of RJD’s protocol for moving inmates 2 at that time. Pl.’s Depo. at 19, 24. And he does not dispute that Canedo was unable to access 3 his medical records or otherwise confirm his COVID-19 test results. Id. at 24–25; see also 4 Roberts Decl. at ¶ 5. Nor does he dispute that under RJD’s protocol, Canedo was without 5 authority to override the transfer order contained in the MCC. Pl.’s Depo. at 24–25; see 6 also, Canedo Decl. at ¶ 9, Ex. 1; Roberts Decl. at ¶ 5. In short, Plaintiff has failed to satisfy 7 his burden by pointing to evidence in the record which raises a genuine dispute that Canedo 8 lacked actual knowledge of a risk to his health and safety. 9 Therefore, after reviewing all the evidence presented in the light most favorable to 10 Plaintiff, the Court concludes no reasonable trier of fact could find Canedo acted with 11 deliberate indifference when he directed his transfer to isolation. Thus, Canedo is entitled 12 to summary judgment. Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(a); Celotex, 477 U.S. at 325. 13 3. Proximate Cause 14 In addition, the Court finds Canedo is also entitled to summary judgment because 15 there is no genuine dispute that Canedo lacked the means and authority to be the proximate 16 cause of Plaintiff’s injuries. “An official is liable under § 1983 only if ‘culpable action, or 17 inaction, is directly attributed to them.’” Starr v. Baca, 652 F.3d 1202, 1205 (9th Cir. 2011). 18 As such, when resolving a claim under the Eighth Amendment against an individual 19 defendant, causation must be resolved via “a very individualized approach which accounts 20 for the duties, discretion, and means of each defendant.” Leer v. Murphy, 844 F.2d 628, 21 633–34 (9th Cir. 1988) (citing with approval Williams v. Bennett, 689 F.2d 1370, 1384 22 (11th Cir. 1982) (“There can be no duty, the breach of which is actionable, to do that which 23 is beyond the power, authority, or means of the charged party. One may be callously 24 indifferent to the fate of prisoners and yet not be liable for their injuries. Those whose 25 callous indifference results in liability are those under a duty—possessed of authority and 26 means—to prevent the injury.”)). 27 Here, Canedo points to undisputed evidence showing his role in Goode’s transfer 28 was simply to direct his staff to carry out the transfer ordered by medical staff. Canedo had 1 no part in generating the MCC ordering Goode’s move to isolation. See Canedo Decl. at ¶ 2 4; Roberts Decl. at ¶ 5. It is also undisputed the MCC was prepared by medical staff and 3 Canedo, a custodial captain with no medical training, was without authority to disregard it. 4 See Pl.’s Depo at 24–25; Canedo Decl. at ¶¶ 4–5; Roberts Decl. at ¶ 5. Thus, Defendant 5 has met his initial burden to show the absence of a genuine dispute as to proximate cause. 6 See Hines v. Youseff, 914 F.3d 1218, 1228 (9th Cir. 2019) (finding defendant who was 7 instructed to simply follow protocol developed by others and who had no discretion or 8 authority relating to the alleged conduct could not be held liable under the Eighth 9 Amendment). 10 In his Opposition, plaintiff argues a genuine dispute exists because “none of the 11 [medical staff] raised their hands and admitted to [preparing the MCC]” and because 12 Canedo did not submit a declaration from John Hodges, the doctor whose name appears on 13 the MCC. Pl.’s Opp. at 20. But plaintiff has not pointed to any evidence in the record 14 showing Canedo had any part in preparing the MCC order, beyond his own speculation. 15 Nor has Goode pointed to any evidence that shows Canedo had authority to disregard the 16 order. See Pl.’s Depo. at 24–25. As discussed above, Plaintiff may not defeat summary 17 judgment based on mere speculation or denials in the pleadings but, instead, must point to 18 evidence showing a genuine factual dispute exists. See Soremekun, 509 F.3d at 984; 19 Anderson, 477 U.S. at 249. Goode has failed to do so here. 20 In sum, after reviewing the evidence in the light most favorable to Goode, the Court 21 finds no genuine dispute that Canedo lacked the discretion or ability to override the MCC 22 order. See Hines, 914 F.3d at 1228. Therefore, no reasonable trier of fact could find 23 Canedo’s action was the proximate cause of Goode’s injuries and as such, Canedo is 24 entitled to summary judgment. Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(a); Celotex, 477 U.S. at 325. 25 4. Qualified Immunity 26 Canedo also argues the Court should grant summary judgment because he is entitled 27 to qualified immunity. Def,’s P. & A. at 16–18. Government officials have qualified 28 immunity from civil damages unless their conduct violates “clearly established statutory | constitutional rights of which a reasonable person would have known.” Harlow v. 2 || Fitzgerald, 457 U.S. 800, 818 (1982). Because Goode has failed to raise a triable issue as 3 ||to whether Canedo violated his Eighth Amendment rights, there is no need to determine 4 || whether he is entitled to qualified immunity. See Saucier v. Katz, 533 U.S. 194, 201 (2001). 5 Hil. CONCLUSION AND ORDER 6 For the above reasons, the Court GRANTS Defendant Canedo’s motion for 7 ||Summary judgment (ECF No. 68) pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(a) and DIRECTS the 8 Clerk of the Court to enter judgment in favor of Defendant Canedo.’ 9 IT IS SO ORDERED. 10 || Dated: May 1, 2024 72 st Hon. athe Cee 12 United States District Judge 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 ||’ Inhis FAC, Plaintiff lists Canedo and “John and Jane Does 1-100” as defendants. FAC at 2. The body of the FAC, however, contains no specific allegations against an individual “Doe” defendant 27 no Doe defendants have been identified or served. See id. Therefore, the Court DISMISSES 28 Defendants John and Jane Does 1100 for failure to prosecute. See Fed. R. Civ. Pro 41(b). 13 oe ee