Ware v. Sullivan ( 2024 )

1 2 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 3 DISTRICT OF NEVADA 4 ERIN WARE, Case No. 3:22-cv-00037-ART-CSD 5 Plaintiff, ORDER GRANTING IN PART AND 6 v. DENYING IN PART DEFENDANTS’ MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT 7 M. SULLIVAN, et al., 8 Defendants. 9 10 Pro se Plaintiff Erin Ware (“Ware”) brings this action under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 11 against Defendants Dr. Naughton, Sullivan, Richard, Flores, and Keast 12 (collectively, “Defendants”) for two claims of deliberate indifference to a serious 13 medical need in violation of the Eighth Amendment. 14 Before the Court is Defendants’ motion for summary judgment (ECF No. 15 37), Plaintiff’s response (ECF No. 44),1 and Defendants’ reply (ECF No. 45). 16 Magistrate Judge Craig S. Denney has issued a Report and Recommendation 17 (“R&R”) recommending that Defendants’ motion be granted. (ECF No. 57, 18 originally filed as ECF No 55.) 19 Also before the court are several motions filed by Ware concerning requests 20 for appointment of counsel and review of medical records. Following Judge 21 Denney’s R&R, Ware filed a motion to stay the case pending an order on his 22 23 24 25 1 As noted in the R&R, ECF No. 44 is titled “Plaintiff’s Motion for Summary Judgment.” However, because the deadline for filing dispositive motions has passed, the Court construes this as a 26 response to Defendants’ motion for summary judgment. 1 27 1 motion to appoint counsel. (ECF No. 56.) Judge Denney then denied Ware’s 2 motion to appoint counsel. (ECF No. 58.) Plaintiff then filed an objection to Judge 3 Denney’s prior order denying Plaintiff’s motion to review medical records. (ECF 4 No. 59, ECF No. 52.) Finally, Plaintiff filed a motion to reconsider the appointment 5 of counsel. (ECF No. 60.) 6 For the reasons stated below, the Court grants in part and denies in part 7 Defendants’ motion for summary judgment; denies Plaintiff’s motion to stay the 8 case as moot; denies without prejudice Plaintiff’s motion to review medical 9 records in his cell; and grants Plaintiff’s motion for appointment of counsel. 10 I. BACKGROUND 11 A. FACTS 12 Ware is an inmate in custody of the Nevada Department of Corrections 13 (“NDOC”), proceeding pro se with this 42 U.S.C. § 1983 action. (ECF No. 9.) The 14 events giving rise to this action took place while Ware was housed at Northern 15 Nevada Correctional Center (“NNCC”). (Id.) After screening the complaint, the 16 Court allowed Ware to proceed with two claims: a claim against Dr. Naughton 17 and Keast for alleged delay in sending Ware to the hospital; and a claim against 18 Dr. Naughton, Sullivan, Richard, and Flores for alleged refusal to provide Ware 19 with oral antibiotics. (ECF No. 8.) 20 Ware claims that on September 18, 2020, while receiving dialysis, he 21 complained of chest pain and asked the dialysis nurse to take blood cultures. 22 (ECF No. 1-1 at 8.) After he completed dialysis, the nurse drew blood to use for 23 blood cultures. (Id.) Medical records confirm that blood cultures ordered by Dr. 24 Naughton were collected on September 18. (ECF No. 39-1 at 2.) Later that day, 25 Ware claims that he was experiencing extreme chest pain so he “manned down” 26 and walked to the infirmary to request medical treatment. (ECF No. 1-1 at 8.) Dr. 2 27 1 Naughton said there was nothing that could be done until the blood cultures were 2 completed; refused to provide Ware pain medication; and told Ware to drink water 3 and stay hydrated. (Id.) 4 Ware claims that the blood cultures were returned on September 19, 5 showing that Ware had two internal blood infections “with 60-65% vegetation on 6 the mitral valve.” (Id.) Because Ware was still in extreme pain, he “manned down” 7 for a second time. (Id. at 8-9.) A nurse checked his vitals and told him he was fine 8 and should return to his cell. (Id. at 9.) According to medical records, the blood 9 cultures were “received” on September 19, “entered” on September 18, and 10 “reported” on September 20 and 21. (ECF No. 39-1 at 2-3.) Defendants claim that 11 results were reported to NDOC on September 20 or September 21. (ECF No. 37 12 at 3, 7, 8.) 13 Ware claims that he “manned down” for a third time on September 20 and 14 was again told that he was fine. (ECF No. 1-1 at 9). 15 On September 21, Ware claims that he was so weak that he had to be 16 brought to dialysis in a wheelchair. (Id.) During dialysis, Ware spoke to Keast and 17 told him he was in significant pain and that the blood culture showed he had two 18 blood infections. (Id.) Keast responded that Ware looked fine and that the cultures 19 might be wrong if someone had tampered with them. (Id.) Keast told Ware they 20 would have to redo the cultures, and that Ware was just trying to go to the 21 hospital to get better food. (Id.) Keast claims that this conversation did not occur. 22 (ECF No. 37-3 at 2.) 23 Later that night, Ware claims that he “manned down” for a fourth time. 24 (ECF No. 1-1 at 10.) A nurse said that Ware looked horrible and had him taken 25 to the infirmary on a medical cart. (Id.) Dr. Naughton ordered that Ware stay in 26 the infirmary for 24 hours for observation. (Id.) Ware told the nurse that he had 3 27 1 seen his lab results and he had two blood infections. (Id.) The nurse reviewed his 2 chart and had Plaintiff sent to the hospital. (Id. at 10-11.) Dr. Naughton’s 3 declaration does not mention this conversation. (ECF No. 37-6.) 4 The Court has not seen records confirming the first three “man downs,” 5 but records confirm what Ware claims was the fourth “man down” at 6:10 p.m. 6 on September 21. (ECF No. 39-2 at 2, ECF No. 1-1 at 10.) Defendants claim that 7 this was the first “man down.” (ECF No. 37 at 8.) The evaluation, which was 8 completed at 7:20 p.m., states that Ware was “laying in bed reporting ‘I haven’t 9 been feeling well for days and they told me I have an infection in my blood and 10 now my whole body is hurting.’” (Id.) The “plan” states: “On call MD notified of 11 assessment, order received for transfer to [Carson Tahoe Hospital] for further 12 evaluation.” (Id.) 13 Ware was transferred to the hospital on September 21. (ECF No. 37 at 3, 14 ECF No. 39-3 at 2.) Ware claims that once he reached the hospital, Dr Swarts (an 15 infectious disease specialist who has since passed away), told Ware he was lucky 16 to be alive because the infection had reached his heart. (ECF Nos. 1-1 at 11, 60 17 at 2.) Dr. Swarts said that it takes time for that to happen and asked why the 18 prison had waited to send him to the hospital. (ECF No. 1-1 at 11.) The Court has 19 not seen any record of the initial evaluation by Dr. Swarts. 20 Ware stayed in the hospital for 30 days, receiving three different 21 intravenous (IV) antibiotics daily. (Id.) Defendants have provided a “Progress Note” 22 written by Dr. Swarts on October 19, which recommended continuation of IV 23 antibiotics (ceftriaxone daptomycin and ampicillin) until November 25, 2020, and 24 recommended considering prophylactic oral antibiotics after November 25 to 25 prevent groin catheter infection. (ECF No. 39-4 at 2.) 26 Ware claims that Dr. Swarts told him that, after the conclusion of the IV 4 27 1 antibiotics, he would have to take two oral antibiotics daily for the rest of his life. 2 (ECF No. 1-1 at 12.) When Ware returned to the prison, he was given a 30-day 3 supply of the two oral antibiotics. (Id.) Ware claims that after the initial supply 4 ran out, he requested a refill, but Dr. Naughton refused his request. (Id.) Ware 5 alleges that he filed grievances over the lack of oral antibiotics, but medical staff 6 Sullivan, Richard, and Flores denied his grievances. (Id.) Medical records show 7 that Ware was provided with IV antibiotics until November 25 and a 6-week 8 supply of two oral antibiotics to keep on his person (“KOP”). (ECF No. 37 at 3-4, 9 ECF No. 39-4, ECF No. 39-5.) 10 On October 22, 2020, Ware filed a grievance regarding the delay in sending 11 him to the hospital. (ECF No. 37-1 at 3.) Sullivan denied the grievance, stating 12 that: “on 9/18/2020 blood cultures were taken. Lab Corp did not report the labs 13 to NNCC until 9/22/2020,2 as it takes several days for the labs to be processed. 14 You were sent to the ER on 9/21/2020. Since return from the ER you have been 15 seen by the provider, orders have been written and are being followed.” (Id. at 2.) 16 On November 12, 2020, Ware filed a first level grievance. (Id. at 9-10.) Richard 17 denied the grievance, explaining that a blood culture test takes “2-10 days” and 18 repeating the assertion that Ware’s test was “drawn on 9/18/20 and results were 19 available on 9/22/20.” (Id. at 8.) On November 20, Ware filed a second level 20 grievance, which Minev “resolved” because Ware had provided “no additional 21 information for consideration.” (Id. at 12-15.) 22 Ware claims that the delay caused him to “suffer with pain needlessly for 23 24 25 26 2 This date is inconsistent with the medical records. (ECF No. 39-1 at 2-3.) 5 27 1 days, and allowed the infection to grow, needing 31 days in the hospital to cure 2 it.” (ECF No. 44 at 8.) Ware also claims that he still suffers from chest pain 3 because of the damage caused by the delay in sending him to the hospital. (ECF 4 No. 1-1 at 14.) 5 B. PROCEDURAL HISTORY 6 In October 2023, Defendants filed a motion for summary judgment, seeking 7 to dismiss both claims because: (1) there is no evidence of deliberate indifference; 8 (2) Keast, Sullivan, Richard and Flores did not personally participate in the 9 alleged violation of the Eighth Amendment; and (3) Defendants are entitled to 10 qualified immunity. (ECF No. 37.) 11 Judge Denney issued an R&R recommending that Defendants’ motion for 12 summary judgment be granted. Neither party filed an objection to the R&R. Ware 13 filed motions to reconsider Judge Denney’s prior orders denying appointment of 14 counsel and denying in-cell review of medical records, which the Court addresses 15 in Section III below. 16 II. SUMMARY JUDGMENT 17 A. REVIEW OF REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS 18 Under the Federal Magistrates Act, a Court “may accept, reject, or modify, 19 in whole or in part, the findings or recommendations made by [a] magistrate 20 judge.” 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1). Where a party timely objects to a magistrate judge's 21 report and recommendation, then the court is required to “make a de 22 novo determination of those portions of the [report and recommendation] to which 23 objection is made.” 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1). A court is not required to conduct “any 24 review at all . . . of any issue that is not the subject of an objection.” Thomas v. 25 Arn, 474 U.S. 140, 149 (1985). 26 6 27 1 B. LEGAL STANDARD 2 A party is entitled to summary judgment when “the movant shows that 3 there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and the movant is entitled to 4 judgment as a matter of law.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(a); see also Celotex Corp v. 5 Cartrett, 477 U.S. 317, 330 (1986) (citing Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(c)). An issue is 6 “genuine” if the evidence would permit a reasonable jury to return a verdict for 7 the nonmoving party. Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 249 (1986). 8 A fact is “material” if it could affect the outcome of the case. Id. at 248. Where 9 reasonable minds could differ on the material facts at issue, summary judgment 10 is not appropriate. Anderson, 477 U.S. at 250. 11 In considering a motion for summary judgment, all reasonable inferences 12 are drawn in the light most favorable to the non-moving party. In re Slatkin, 525 13 F.3d 805, 810 (9th Cir. 2008) (citation omitted); Kaiser Cement Corp. v. Fischbach 14 & Moore Inc., 793 F.2d 1100, 1103 (9th Cir. 1986). However, if the evidence of 15 the nonmoving party “is not significantly probative, summary judgment may be 16 granted.” Anderson, 477 U.S. at 249-250 (citations omitted). The court’s function 17 is not to weigh the evidence and determine the truth or to make credibility 18 determinations. Celotex, 477 U.S. at 249, 255; Anderson, 477 U.S. at 249. 19 In deciding a motion for summary judgment, the court applies a burden- 20 shifting analysis. “When the party moving for summary judgment would bear the 21 burden of proof at trial, ‘it must come forward with evidence which would entitle 22 it to a directed verdict if the evidence went uncontroverted at trial.’ . . . In such a 23 case, the moving party has the initial burden of establishing the absence of a 24 genuine [dispute] of fact on each issue material to its case.” C.A.R. Transp. 25 Brokerage Co. v. Darden Rest., Inc., 213 F.3d 474, 480 (9th Cir. 2000) (internal 26 citations omitted). When the nonmoving party bears the burden of proving the 7 27 1 claim or defense, the moving party can meet its burden in two ways: (1) by 2 presenting evidence to negate an essential element of the nonmoving party’s case; 3 or (2) by demonstrating that the nonmoving party cannot establish an element 4 essential to that party’s case on which that party will have the burden of proof at 5 trial. See Celotex, 477 U.S. at 323-25. 6 If the moving party satisfies its initial burden, the burden shifts to the 7 nonmoving party to establish that a genuine dispute exists as to a material fact. 8 See Matsushita Elec. Indus. Co. v. Zenith Radio Corp., 475 U.S. 574, 586 (1986). 9 The opposing party need not establish a genuine dispute of material fact 10 conclusively in its favor. It is sufficient that “the claimed factual dispute be shown 11 to require a jury or judge to resolve the parties’ differing versions of truth at trial.” 12 T.W. Elec. Serv., Inc. v. Pac. Elec. Contractors Ass’n, 809 F.2d 626, 630 (9th Cir. 13 1987) (quotation marks and citation omitted). The nonmoving party cannot avoid 14 summary judgment by relying solely on conclusory allegations that are 15 unsupported by factual data. Matsushita, 475 U.S. at 587. Instead, they must go 16 beyond the assertions and allegations of the pleadings and set forth specific facts 17 by producing competent evidence that shows a genuine dispute of material fact 18 for trial. Celotex, 477 U.S. at 324. 19 C. EIGHTH AMENDMENT: INADEQUATE MEDICAL CARE 20 The government has an “obligation to provide medical care for those whom 21 it is punishing by incarceration,” and failure to meet that obligation can 22 constitute an Eighth Amendment violation cognizable under § 1983. Estelle v. 23 Gamble, 429 U.S. 97, 103–05 (1976). In order to prevail on an Eighth Amendment 24 claim for inadequate medical care, a plaintiff must show “deliberate indifference” 25 to “serious medical needs.” Id. at 104. This includes “both an objective standard— 26 that the deprivation was serious enough to constitute cruel and unusual 8 27 1 punishment—and a subjective standard—deliberate indifference.” Snow v. 2 McDaniel, 681 F.3d 978, 985 (9th Cir. 2012), overruled in part on other grounds 3 by Peralta v. Dillard, 744 F.3d 1076 (9th Cir. 2014) (en banc). 4 Ninth Circuit cases “make clear that prison officials violate the Constitution 5 when they ‘deny, delay or intentionally interfere’ with needed medical treatment.” 6 Sandoval v. County of San Diego, 985 F.3d 657, 679 (9th Cir. 2021) (quoting Jett 7 v. Penner, 439 F.3d 1091, 1096 (9th Cir. 2006)); see also Clement v. Gomez, 298 8 F.3d 898, 905 (9th Cir. 2002); Hallett v. Morgan, 296 F.3d 732, 744 (9th Cir. 9 2002); Lopez v. Smith, 203 F.3d 1122, 1131 (9th Cir. 2000) (en banc); Stewart v. 10 Aranas, 32 F.4th 1192, 1195 (9th Cir. 2022). Where the prisoner is alleging that 11 delay of medical treatment evinces deliberate indifference, however, the prisoner 12 generally must show that the delay led to further injury. See Hallett, 296 F.3d at 13 745–46; Shapley v. Nev. Bd. of State Prison Comm’rs, 766 F.2d 404, 407 (9th Cir. 14 1985) (per curiam). 15 The Ninth Circuit has held that four-hour delay in providing showers and 16 medical attention to inmates who had been suffering from harmful effects from 17 pepper spray vapors was sufficient to deny summary judgment. Clement, 298 18 F.3d at 905–06. In Blackmore v. Kalamazoo County, the Sixth Circuit found that 19 a two-day delay in transport to hospital after the inmate was showing signs of 20 appendicitis presented sufficient evidence to reverse a grant of summary 21 judgment. Blackmore v. Kalamazoo Cnty., 390 F.3d 890, 900 (6th Cir. 2004). 22 Similarly, a three-day delay in transportation to hospital for a detainee who had 23 not taken what an officer believed was her heart medication and who was 24 displaying “classic” signs of an impending heart attack constituted deliberate 25 indifference. Estate of Carter v. Detroit, 408 F.3d 305, 312–13 (6th Cir. 2005). 26 Relying in part on that case, the Ninth Circuit found that a similar delay of several 9 27 1 hours where the plaintiff was displaying symptoms of a heart attack could 2 constitute deliberate indifference. Russell v. Lumitap, 31 F.4th 729, 743 (9th Cir. 3 2022). 4 D. QUALIFIED IMMUNITY 5 “The doctrine of qualified immunity protects government officials from 6 liability for civil damages insofar as their conduct does not violate clearly 7 established statutory or constitutional rights of which a reasonable person would 8 have known.” Pearson v. Callahan, 555 U.S. 223, 231 (2009). “In § 1983 actions, 9 qualified immunity protects government officials from liability for civil damages 10 insofar as their conduct does not violate clearly established statutory or 11 constitutional rights of which a reasonable person would have known.” Sampson 12 v. County of Los Angeles, 974 F.3d 1012, 1018 (9th Cir. 2020) (citations and 13 internal quotation marks omitted). 14 The Supreme Court has set forth a two-part analysis for resolving 15 government officials’ qualified immunity claims. See Saucier v. Katz, 533 U.S. 16 194, 201 (2001), overruled in part on other grounds by Pearson v. Callahan, 555 17 U.S. 223, 236 (2009). Under this analysis, “[q]ualified immunity protects 18 government officials from liability under § 1983 unless (1) they violated a federal 19 statutory or constitutional right, and (2) the unlawfulness of their conduct was 20 clearly established at the time.” Cuevas v. City of Tulare, 107 F.4th 894, 898 (9th 21 Cir. 2024) (citation and internal quotation marks omitted). First, the court 22 considers whether the facts “[t]aken in the light most favorable to the party 23 asserting the injury … show [that] the [defendant’s] conduct violated a 24 constitutional right[.]” Saucier, 533 U.S. at 201. Second, the court must 25 determine whether the right was clearly established at the time of the alleged 26 violation. Id. Courts exercise “discretion in deciding which of the two prongs of 10 27 1 the qualified immunity analysis should be addressed first in light of the 2 circumstances in the particular case at hand.” Pearson, 555 U.S. at 236. 3 “To be clearly established, a right must be sufficiently clear that every 4 reasonable official would have understood that what he is doing violates that 5 right.” Taylor v. Barkes, 575 U.S. 822 (2015) (per curiam). “[A] court must define 6 the right at issue with ‘specificity’ and ‘not … at a high level of generality.’” Gordon 7 v. County of Orange, 6 F.4th 961, 968 (9th Cir. 2021) (quoting City of Escondido 8 v. Emmons, 586 U.S. 38, 42 (2019) (per curiam)). “A constitutional right is clearly 9 established if every reasonable official would have understood that what he is 10 doing violates that right at the time of his conduct.” Sampson v. County of Los 11 Angeles by & through L.A. Cnty. Dep’t of Child. & Fam. Servs., 974 F.3d 1012, 12 1018–19 (9th Cir. 2020) (citation and internal quotation marks omitted). 13 To conclude that the right is clearly established, the court need not identify 14 an identical prior action. See Anderson, 483 U.S. at 640. However, “existing 15 precedent must have placed the statutory or constitutional question beyond 16 debate.” Foster v. City of Indio, 908 F.3d 1204, 1210 (9th Cir. 2018) (per curiam) 17 (quoting Kisela v. Hughes, 584 U.S. 100, 104 (2018) (per curiam)). 18 Although both the “clearly established right” and “reasonableness” 19 inquiries are questions of law, where there are factual disputes as to the parties’ 20 conduct or motives, the case cannot be resolved at summary judgment on 21 qualified immunity grounds. See Rosenbaum v. City of San Jose, 107 F.4th 919, 22 924 (9th Cir. 2024) (“Where factual disputes exist as to the objective 23 reasonableness of an officer’s conduct, the case cannot be resolved at summary 24 judgment on qualified immunity grounds.” (citation omitted)); Torres v. City of 25 Madera, 648 F.3d 1119, 1123 (9th Cir. 2011) (“Where the objective 26 reasonableness of an officer’s conduct turns on disputed issues of material fact, 11 27 1 it is a question of fact best resolved by a jury . . . ; only in the absence of material 2 disputes is it a pure question of law.” (citations and internal quotation marks 3 omitted)). 4 E. Claim One: Delay in Sending Plaintiff to Hospital 5 In their motion for summary judgment, Defendants argue first that Ware’s 6 first claim fails because the facts show no more than a difference of opinion. (ECF 7 No. 37 at 6-7.) However, Ware is not complaining about the treatment he 8 eventually received at hospital but is asserting that the delay in getting him to 9 that treatment constituted deliberate indifference. The cases Defendants cite are 10 therefore not applicable to this claim. 11 Defendants also argue that the facts do not support a claim of delay. (ECF 12 No. 37 at 7-8.) However, the medical records that Defendants point to do not 13 provide a full picture of the events that occurred in the four-day period from 14 September 18 to September 21. Defendants claim that Ware’s “man down” on the 15 evening of September 21 was the first man down, but do not explain why Dr. 16 Naughton ordered blood cultures three days earlier (September 18), or counter 17 Ware’s claims that these were taken because he complained of chest pain during 18 dialysis. Defendants do not counter Ware’s claims that on the morning of 19 September 21, he was so weak that he had to be brought to dialysis in a 20 wheelchair, and that while there he spoke to Keast about the blood culture results 21 and reported significant pain. Even if this was the first time that Defendants were 22 made aware of Ware’s condition, a delay of less than a day could support a valid 23 Eighth Amendment violation. See Clement, 298 F.3d at 905–06; Russell, 31 F.4th 24 at 743. Taking the facts in the light most favorable to Ware, there is enough in 25 the record to support a valid Eighth Amendment violation based on delayed 26 medical treatment. 12 27 1 Defendants next claim that Keast is not a proper defendant because, as a 2 registered nurse, he has “no ability to provide or prescribe immediate medical 3 treatment” and is “not the person who makes outside appointments for offenders” 4 (ECF No. 37 at 8.) Ware claims that on the morning of September 21, he spoke 5 with Keast about the blood culture results and about the significant pain he was 6 experiencing. Ware claims that Keast said he looked fine, that they may need to 7 re-draw the bloods, and that Ware was just trying to get to the hospital for better 8 food. Keast denies that this conversation occurred. However, it appears from 9 Ware’s “man down” report that nurses do have the ability to notify doctors of their 10 assessments, who will then make the order. Taking all inferences in Ware’s favor, 11 as we must at this stage, a reasonable jury could conclude that Keast’s failure to 12 notify a doctor about Ware’s symptoms and/or blood culture results constituted 13 deliberate indifference. As such, there is a genuine issue of material fact which 14 makes summary judgment as to Keast inappropriate. Even though Ware was 15 sent to hospital later that day, as Judge Denney’s R&R explains, a reasonable 16 jury could find that a delay of just a few hours constituted deliberate indifference 17 to a serious medical need. 18 Defendants next argue that there is no evidence that Dr. Naughton or Keast 19 ever saw the report with the blood culture results. (ECF No. 37 at 8-9). They point 20 to a notation indicating that the report should be forwarded to Dr. Quigly, the 21 nephrologist, but do not explain who wrote the notation. (Id. at 9.) The report 22 states that the ordering physician is Dr. Naughton, suggesting that he would be 23 the first person to receive the report back from LabCorp. Dr. Naughton’s 24 declaration does not include any statement as to receiving or not receiving the 25 blood culture reports. (See ECF No. 37-6.) Ware claims that both Keast and Dr. 26 Naughton were aware of the reports before the “man down” which resulted in his 13 27 1 transfer to hospital. As such, there is a genuine dispute as to whether Dr. 2 Naughton or Keast viewed the blood culture results before Ware’s hospital 3 transfer. 4 Defendants finally argue that Ware’s claim fails because he has failed to 5 show that delay caused further injury. However, Ware claims that Dr. Swarts told 6 Ware that he was lucky to be alive because the infection had reached his heart, 7 and asked why the prison had waited to send him to hospital. Defendants assert 8 that “[t]here is no way that a short delay between receiving the blood results and 9 his transfer to the Carson Tahoe Hospital allowed the untreated infection to 10 migrate to his heart.” (ECF No. 37 at 9.) However, Defendants neither provide 11 medical records of this first visit to Dr. Swarts that could confirm or refute Ware’s 12 claims nor do they provide any evidence discussing the time it takes for infections 13 to spread through the bloodstream to the heart. In addition, Ware claims that he 14 still suffers from chest pain because of damage caused by the delay in sending 15 him to hospital. As such, there remains a genuine dispute as to whether the delay 16 caused further harm. 17 Because there is a genuine dispute as to several material facts—including 18 the length of delay and the harm caused by the delay—summary judgment is 19 inappropriate on this claim. These factual disputes also mean that this case 20 cannot be resolved at summary judgment on qualified immunity grounds. 21 Because there is also a genuine dispute as to whether and to what extent Dr. 22 Naughton and Keast were involved in the events, the claim will proceed as to both 23 defendants. 24 // 25 // 26 // 14 27 1 F. Claim Two: Oral Antibiotics 2 Because Defendants have provided evidence sufficient to show that the 3 second claim fails as a matter of law, the Court adopts the R&R’s 4 recommendation to grant Defendants’ motion for summary judgment on this 5 claim. 6 Unlike the first claim, Ware’s claim that Dr. Swarts recommended oral 7 antibiotics for life is contradicted by medical evidence. The “Progress Note” 8 provided by Defendants shows that Dr. Swarts recommended continuation of IV 9 antibiotics until November 25 and recommended considering prophylactic oral 10 antibiotics after November 25. (ECF No. 39-4 at 2.) Medical records support 11 Defendants’ claim that they administered both sets of antibiotics as 12 recommended. (ECF Nos. 37 at 3-4, 39-4, 39-5.) 13 Because Defendants have met their burden of showing an absence of 14 genuine dispute of fact on this issue, the claim is dismissed. The Court adopts 15 the R&R’s recommendation to grant Defendants Dr. Naughton, Keast, Sullivan, 16 Richard, and Flores summary judgement on Claim Two. 17 III. APPOINTMENT OF COUNSEL 18 A. REVIEW OF MAGISTRATE JUDGE’S ORDER 19 Under LR IB 3–1, 28 U.S.C. § 636(b) and Rule 72, the Court may reconsider 20 a magistrate judge's pre-trial order where the order is timely objected to and 21 clearly erroneous or contrary to law. The Court often reviews objections to 22 magistrate judges’ orders de novo. See United States v. Reyna-Tapia, 328 F.3d 23 1114, 1116 (9th Cir. 2003) (“De novo review of the magistrate judges’ findings 24 and recommendations is required if, but only if, one or both parties file objections 25 to the findings and recommendations.”) (emphasis in original). But “[w]hen a 26 magistrate judge rules on a non-dispositive matter, a district judge may 15 27 1 ‘reconsider’ that ruling only if it is ‘clearly erroneous or contrary to law.’” CPC Pat. 2 Techs. Pty Ltd. v. Apple, Inc., 34 F.4th 801, 804 (9th Cir. 2022) (citing 28 U.S.C. 3 § 636(b)(1)(A); Fed. R. Civ. P. 72(a)). As a motion for appointment of counsel does 4 not appear in the enumerated list of dispositive motions in 28 U.S.C. § 5 636(b)(1)(A), it is non-dispositive. See also LR IB 1-4. Thus, we review Judge 6 Denney’s R&R under a “clear error” standard. 7 B. LEGAL STANDARD 8 Generally, a person has no right to counsel in civil actions. Palmer v. 9 Valdez, 560 F.3d 965, 970 (9th Cir. 2009) (citing Storseth v. Spellman, 654 F.2d 10 1349, 1353 (9th Cir. 1981)). The Court may only appoint counsel for a party 11 proceeding in forma pauperis in exceptional circumstances. 28 U.S.C. § 12 1915(e)(1). Tilei v. California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, 644 13 Fed. Appx. 758, 759 (9th Cir. 2016) (citing Terrell v. Brewer, 935 F.2d 1015, 1017 14 (9th Cir. 1991)). In order to determine whether exceptional circumstances exist, 15 the Court must consider “the likelihood of success on the merits as well as the 16 ability of the petitioner to articulate his arguments pro se in light of the complexity 17 of the legal issues involved.” Palmer, 560 F.3d at 970 (citation omitted). Neither 18 of these considerations is dispositive and the Court must examine them together. 19 Id. (citing Wilborn v. Escalderon, 789 F .2d 1328, 1331 (9th Cir. 1986)). 20 Courts recognize that appointment of counsel at a jury trial may be justified 21 even if the court declined to appoint counsel earlier in the case. See Walker v. 22 Price, 900 F.3d 933, 939-942 (7th Cir. 2018) (district court erred in denying 23 prisoner's pre-trial request for counsel at his jury trial). The assistance of counsel 24 becomes increasingly important as litigation enters its later stages and the tasks 25 become more complex. Perez v. Fenolgio, 792 F.3d 768, 785 (7th Cir. 2015) 26 (“Taking depositions, conducting witness examinations, applying the rules of 16 27 1 evidence, and making opening statements are beyond the ability of most pro se 2 litigants to successfully carry out.”). “[W]hile a pro se plaintiff may be able to 3 adequately articulate their claims on paper at the pretrial stage, presentation of 4 evidence at trial requires greater knowledge of legal rules and procedures as well 5 as increased technical skills in public speaking and presentation. Blanco v. 6 Jacoby, No. 320CV00050ARTCRD, 2023 WL 2238850, at *3 (D. Nev. Feb. 27, 7 2023) 8 C. DISCUSSION 9 The Court finds that exceptional circumstances exist and grants Plaintiff’s 10 motion for appointment of counsel. 11 In his motion for appointment of counsel, Ware explains that his 12 disabilities—caused by end stage renal disease—impact many major life activities 13 including walking, standing, lifting, drinking, eating, concentrating, thinking, 14 reasoning, and cognitive function. (ECF No. 53 at 1.) He experiences symptoms 15 including: “severe headaches, optical migraines, swelling, angioedema, pitting 16 edema, severe nausea, vomiting, exhaustion, fatigue, weakness, breathing 17 issues, chronic chest pain, heartbeat irregularities, nose bleeds, excessively high 18 exposure to infection, cognitive impairment, sleepiness, vision impairment, 19 decreased vitality, loss of energy, confusion, chronic itching, chronic severe 20 muscle cramps, chronic muscle spasms, ortho-static hypotension, dizziness, 21 fainting, falling, and loss of consciousness.” (Id. at 1-2.) Ware also states that he 22 suffers from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. (Id. at 2.) Ware further states that 23 he has “an extremely low literacy rate” which makes him fully reliant on “jail 24 house lawyers” who are almost never present. (Id. at 3.) 25 Judge Denney denied the motion based on Ware’s ability to adequately 26 articulate himself in his response to Defendants’ motion for summary judgment, 17 27 1 and based on a finding that Ware was unlikely to succeed on the merits. (ECF 2 No. 58 at 2.) 3 In his motion to reconsider the motion for appointment of counsel, Ware 4 explains that his health has “depleted enormously” and he has had “frequent 5 hospitalizations” which have prevented him from being able to visit the law library 6 to research caselaw. (ECF No. 60 at 1.) Ware claims that he has sent “numerous 7 (sic) requests/kites to medical” so that he can review his medical records but 8 “[d]ue to medical mishaps,” has not been able to. (Id.) He further explains that 9 Dr. Swarts—who “was an expert witness”—is now deceased. (Id.at 2.) His frequent 10 hospitalizations have prevented him from locating “inmates or nurse 11 professionals who were nearby when these issues took place.” (Id. at 3.) 12 At this stage in the proceedings, extraordinary circumstances now exist in 13 support of appointing counsel. While Ware adequately represented himself during 14 the initial phases of this case, trying his case to a jury will be a significantly more 15 complex undertaking. Having considered Ware’s likelihood of success on the first 16 claim, his health problems, the complexity of issues, and the difficulty that Ware 17 has experienced in accessing his own medical records, the Court finds that 18 exceptional circumstances exist and grants Plaintiff’s motion for appointment of 19 counsel. The scope of the appointment shall be for the remainder of this case, 20 including trial if necessary. By referring this case to the Program, the court is not 21 expressing an opinion as to the merits of the case. 22 IV. REVIEW OF MEDICAL RECORDS 23 In his motion for an order “to review full medical files in cell,” Ware claims 24 that he has had “no” access to his medical files and that NNCC medical staff have 25 denied several kites and delayed review of his medical files. (ECF No. 49 at 4.) In 26 response, Defendants argue that pursuant to prison regulations, inmates are 18 27 1 prohibited from possessing medical records in their cells. (ECF No. 51 at 2.) 2 Defendants explain that Ware can review his medical records by filing a kite 3 “stating that the review is for litigation purposes.” (ECF No. 51 at 2-3.) 4 Judge Denney denied this motion pursuant to Administrative Regulation 5 639 and advised that “Plaintiff may kite the Warden’s office to review his medical 6 records and may take whatever notes he deems appropriate.” (ECF No. 52 at 1.) 7 Ware then filed a motion objecting to Judge Denney’s order, reiterating his 8 request to review his entire medical records in his cell, including progress notes, 9 consultations, orders, prescriptions, hospital dates and hospital discharge 10 summaries, from 2021 to 2024. (ECF No. 59 at 2.) 11 The Court denies this motion without prejudice. Because the Court has 12 granted Ware’s motion for appointment of counsel, the Court notes that pro bono 13 counsel—once identified and appointed—should be able to review assist Ware in 14 reviewing his medical records without the need for in-cell review. 15 V. CONCLUSION 16 It is therefore ordered that Defendants’ motion for summary judgment (ECF 17 No. 37) is denied as to Plaintiff’s first claim (delay in sending Plaintiff to the 18 hospital) and granted as to Plaintiff’s second claim (refusal to provide Plaintiff 19 oral antibiotics). Plaintiff’s claim of deliberate indifference to a serious medical 20 need based on the delay in sending him to the hospital will proceed against 21 Defendants Keast and Dr. Naughton. Defendants Sullivan, Richard, and Flores 22 are dismissed from this case. 23 It is further ordered that Plaintiff’s motion to stay the case (ECF No. 56) is 24 denied as moot. 25 It is further ordered that Plaintiff’s motion to review medical records in his 26 cell (ECF No. 49) is denied without prejudice. 19 27 1 It is further ordered that Plaintiff's motion for appointment of counsel (ECF 2 || No. 60) is granted. This case is referred to the Pro Bono Program adopted in 3 || Amended General Order 2019-07 for the purpose of identifying counsel willing to 4 || be appointed as pro bono counsel for Plaintiff. It is ordered that the Clerk shall 5 || forward this order to the Pro Bono Liaison. 6 7 DATED THIS 20th day of September 2024. 8 9 Aras jlosed Ter 10 ANNE R. TRAUM 1] UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 20 28