Frick v. Dy ( 2022 )

1 2 3 4 5 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 6 WESTERN DISTRICT OF WASHINGTON AT SEATTLE 7 8 CHRISTOPHER FRICK, 9 Plaintiff, Case No. C22-801-JHC-MLP 10 v. ORDER 11 DR. DY, et al., 12 Defendants. 13 14 I. INTRODUCTION 15 This is a prisoner civil rights action proceeding under Bivens v. Six Unknown Federal 16 Narcotics Agents, 403 U.S. 388 (1971). Plaintiff Christopher Frick, proceeding pro se and in 17 forma pauperis (“IFP”), is a federal prisoner who was confined at the Federal Detention Center 18 (“FDC”) in SeaTac, Washington.1 19 This matter comes before the Court on Plaintiff’s “Motions to Add”: (1) “Seven 20 Corners”; (2) FDC SeaTac Assistant Health Services Administrator (“AHSA”) Kevin Posalski; 21 1 Since the filing of Plaintiff’s motions, the Honorable Richard A. Jones temporarily released Plaintiff in 22 on December 14, 2022, for purposes of obtaining treatment for his medical conditions in the community in his underlying criminal case. See United States v. Frick, CR21-110-RAJ-1 (W.D. Wash.), dkt. 23 ## 126-27. Plaintiff executed an appearance bond and has a status hearing set for January 20, 2023, before Judge Jones. (Id.) 1 (3) FDC SeaTac Health Services Administrator (“HSA”) “T. Thomas”; (4) FDC SeaTac Warden 2 Israel Jacquez, and (5) the Federal Bureau of Prisons (“BOP”) as defendants in this action 3 (“Plaintiff’s Motions”). (Dkt. ## 39, 42-43.) Defendants have not filed a response in opposition 4 to Plaintiff’s Motions. 5 Having considered Plaintiff’s submissions, the governing law, and the balance of the 6 record, Plaintiff’s Motions (dkt. ## 39, 42-43) are GRANTED in part and DENIED in part, as 7 further explained below. 8 III. BACKGROUND 9 On September 2, 2022, this Court directed that Plaintiff’s second amended complaint 10 (“SAC”) be served on Defendants. (Dkt. # 26.) In sum, Plaintiff’s SAC generally alleges that, 11 from June 2021 to present, he has suffered various deprivations of his constitutional rights due to 12 Defendants’ handling of his Crohn’s Disease, dental issues, and the COVID-19 pandemic.2 (See 13 SAC (dkt. # 24) at 1-14.) Plaintiff now seeks to join additional defendants in this matter. (Dkt. 14 ## 39, 42-43.) 15 First, Plaintiff seeks to add “Seven Corners” as a defendant for its alleged failure to 16 maintain or forward his “continuity of care” medical records to Chi Franciscan Health Services. 17 (Dkt. # 39 at 1.) Though unclear from Plaintiff’s Motion, it appears “Seven Corners” operated as 18 Plaintiff’s health care administrator while he was confined at FDC SeaTac. (See id.) Plaintiff 19 alleges “Seven Corners” failed to forward his medical records, which caused the cancellation of 20 an August 30, 2022, colonoscopy appointment, after he had already finished colonoscopy 21 preparation. (Id.) Plaintiff claims this failure to forward his medical records resulted in deliberate 22 23 2 Plaintiff’s claims were previously detailed in full in this Court’s second Order declining service and granting leave to amend. (See dkt. # 17 at 2-8.) 1 indifference to his medical needs because of the abdominal pain he suffers from due to his 2 Crohn’s Disease and the resulting delay in receiving medical treatment for his condition. (Id.) 3 Plaintiff next seeks to add AHSA Posalski and HSA “T. Thomas” based on their failure 4 to treat his Crohn’s Disease and high blood pressure. (Dkt. # 42 at 1.) Plaintiff alleges that, on 5 October 31, 2022, in his underlying criminal case, the Honorable Richard A. Jones ordered 6 AHSA Posalski to provide Plaintiff medical treatment within two weeks for his Crohn’s Disease, 7 high blood pressure, and tooth pain. (Id.) Plaintiff notes that he was taken to an outside oral 8 surgeon on November 3, 2022, to have his tooth pain addressed, at which time he was provided 9 with blood pressure readings indicative of stage 3 hypertension. (Id.) Plaintiff alleges that since 10 his return from his oral surgery appointment to FDC SeaTac, his blood pressure and Crohn’s 11 Disease have remained unmonitored and unaddressed. (Id.) Plaintiff alleges that AHSA Posalski 12 and HSA “T. Thomas” were both deliberately indifferent to his medical needs by being aware of 13 his blood pressure readings but failing to monitor them or have them addressed by an outside 14 medical provider. (Id.) 15 Plaintiff further alleges that upon his return from the oral surgeon to FDC SeaTac, he was 16 prescribed hydrocodone for pain associated with his oral surgery but received ibuprofen in its 17 place. (Dkt. # 42 at 2.) Plaintiff alleges that ibuprofen is contraindicated for his Crohn’s Disease 18 as its use can cause internal bleeding. (Id.) Plaintiff alleges that AHSA Posalski was therefore 19 also deliberately indifferent to his medical needs in this regard by prescribing a medication that 20 could cause Plaintiff serious adverse effects. (Id.) 21 Finally, Plaintiff seeks to add the BOP as a defendant and to add new claims against 22 Warden Jacquez. (Dkt. # 43 at 1.) Plaintiff seeks to assert that Warden Jacquez and the BOP 23 implemented the “Primary Care Provider Team” (“PCPT”) health service program, which has 1 led to various deficiencies with his medical care at FDC SeaTac due to inadequate staffing. (Id. 2 at 1.) Plaintiff alleges that he has tried on multiple occasions to utilize the electronic sick call 3 system as part of the PCPT program to no avail, resulting in inadequate care for his medical 4 conditions and deliberate indifference to his serious medical needs. (Id.) Plaintiff claims he has 5 suffered for 18 months while at FDC SeaTac due to the failure to provide him medical care for 6 his exposed tooth nerve, Crohn’s Disease, and high blood pressure, and that his medical 7 conditions have become life threatening based on his current blood pressure readings and lab 8 results. (Id. at 2.) 9 III. DISCUSSION 10 Plaintiff’s Motions seek to join the above-identified defendants and claims pursuant to 11 Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 15(a).3 (See dkt. # 39 at 1.) Therefore, Plaintiff’s Motions are, in 12 effect, motions to amend his complaint. 13 Rule 15(a)(1) provides that a party may amend its complaint once as a matter of course 14 within 21 days after serving it—or if the pleading is one to which a responsive pleading is 15 required—21 days after service of a responsive pleading or a motion under Rule 12(b), (e), or (f), 16 whichever is earlier. Fed. R. Civ. P. 15(a)(1). Additionally, Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 20 17 provides for joinder. Under Rule 20, defendants may be joined in one action if “any right to 18 relief is asserted against them jointly, severally, or in the alternative with respect to or arising out 19 of the same transaction, occurrence, or series of transactions or occurrences” and “any question 20 of law or fact common to all defendants will arise in the action.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 20(a)(2). 21 22 3 Though Plaintiff failed to provide any authority for his requested joinder of AHSA Posalski, HSA “T. Thomas,” Warden Jacquez, and the BOP (see dkt. ## 42-43), the Court will construe his pro se request 23 liberally. See Erickson v. Pardus, 551 U.S. 89, 93 (2007); Blaisdell v. Frappiea, 729 F.3d 1237, 1241 (9th Cir. 2013). 1 This Court’s Local Civil Rule (“LCR”) 15 further imposes requirements for amendment 2 of a pleading. Pursuant to LCR 15, a party who moves for leave to amend a pleading must attach 3 a copy of the proposed amended pleading as an exhibit to their motion, indicate how it differs 4 from the preceding pleading, and must not incorporate by reference any part of the preceding 5 pleading, including exhibits. See LCR 15. 6 This Court previously directed service of Plaintiff’s SAC on September 2, 2022. (Dkt. 7 # 26.) FDC SeaTac Defendants Chief Dentist J. Parker, “Dr. Dy,” Unit DC Counselor “Smith,” 8 Unit DB Counselor “Beihling,” Unit Team Supervisor “Fernandez,” Warden Jacquez, and HSA 9 Giles Durano received copies of Plaintiff’s summons and complaint by certified mail between 10 November 9, 2022, and November 12, 2022.4 (See dkt. ## 37 at 2, 38 at 2.) Plaintiff’s Motions 11 were all filed between November 16, 2022, and November 23, 2022, shortly after Defendants 12 received service. (See dkt. ## 39, 42-43.) 13 Plaintiff’s Motions are therefore timely filed to allow for amendment of his complaint as 14 a matter of course. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 15(a)(1). Joinder of Plaintiff’s newly identified FDC 15 SeaTac HSA defendants also appears proper. Plaintiff’s claims for relief against AHSA Posalski 16 and HSA “T. Thomas” all arise out of circumstances related to his alleged inadequate medical 17 care and treatment at FDC SeaTac previously raised in his SAC, and questions of law or fact 18 common to all of the FDC SeaTac defendants will arise. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 20(a)(2). 19 Nevertheless, though Plaintiff will be permitted to amend his complaint, there are several 20 deficiencies with his sought amendments and joinder. Plaintiff may not file piecemeal documents 21 comprising his complaint. Instead, Plaintiff must submit an amended complaint, which conforms 22 23 4 Defendant Scotty Bussell is no longer a BOP employee, and to the Court’s knowledge, has not been served. (Dkt. # 37 at 1 n.2.) However, on December 16, 2022, the Assistant United States Attorney representing Defendants entered a notice of appearance on behalf of Mr. Bussell. (Dkt. # 46.) 1 with the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and this Court’s Local Rules, containing all of his 2 claims against all of the parties he seeks to proceed against in this action. Any amended 3 complaint must therefore remedy the deficiencies described below. 4 First, with regard to his addition of AHSA Posalski and HSA “T. Thomas” and claims 5 against them, Plaintiff is advised that his amended complaint must: (1) identify the individual(s) 6 whom he alleges caused him harm and the constitutional right he believes was violated by the 7 conduct of each individual; and (2) allege specific facts demonstrating how each individual 8 personally participated in causing him constitutional harm. See Crumpton v. Gates, 947 F.2d 9 1418, 1420 (9th Cir. 1991); Arnold v. IBM, 637 F.2d 1350, 1355 (9th Cir. 1981). “The inquiry 10 into causation must be individualized and focus on the duties and responsibilities of each 11 individual defendant whose acts or omissions are alleged to have caused a constitutional 12 deprivation.” Leer v. Murphy, 844 F.2d 628, 633 (9th Cir. 1988). 13 Next, Plaintiff must provide the Court with a copy of an amended complaint that 14 comprehensively incorporates and identifies all of his intended claims and defendants. See LCR 15 15. In particular, Plaintiff must submit an amended complaint that identifies all of his claims 16 against all defendants and indicates how his amended complaint differs from his SAC 17 submission and what amendments were made. See LCR 15. Plaintiff must not incorporate by 18 reference any part of his prior pleadings. Any additional claims or defendants sought to be added 19 will be subject to this Court’s review under Rule 15(a)(2) for inclusion. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 20 15(a)(2) (“In all other cases, a party may amend its pleading only with the opposing party’s 21 written consent or the court’s leave.”). 22 Furthermore, as explained to Plaintiff in this Court’s prior screening orders, the BOP 23 cannot be named as a defendant in this action as there can be no Bivens cause of action against a 1 federal agency. See FDIC v. Meyer, 510 U.S. 471, 484-486 (1994). Similarly, there can be no 2 Bivens cause of action against “Seven Corners” because it appears it operates as a private health 3 care benefits contractor for FDC SeaTac. (See dkt. # 39 at 1.) The Supreme Court has 4 barred Bivens claims against such entities. See Corr. Servs. Corp. v. Malesko, 534 U.S. 61, 66 5 n.2 (2001) (holding FDIC v. Meyer “forecloses the extension of Bivens to private entities”); see 6 also Minneci v. Pollard, 565 U.S. 118, 131 (2012) (declining to extend Bivens claim against 7 privately employed prison personnel and finding prisoner must instead seek a remedy under state 8 tort law.) Because “the purpose of Bivens is to deter individual federal officers from committing 9 constitutional violations[,]” Bivens does not provide an action for damages against private 10 entities acting under color of federal law. See Corr. Servs. Corp., 534 U.S. at 70-72. Plaintiff is 11 therefore advised that any amended complaint seeking to add the BOP and “Seven Corners,” or 12 otherwise seeking to allege claims against them, would be found futile. To the extent, Plaintiff 13 intends to assert an additional claim against Warden Jacquez, Plaintiff’s amended complaint will 14 need to identify this separate claim in his amended complaint. 15 Finally, it is unclear from Plaintiff’s Motions and latest exhibit submissions (see dkt. 16 # 45), whether Plaintiff has exhausted administrative remedies with respect to his new 17 defendants and claims. Thus, Plaintiff is advised that his new claims will be subject to dismissal, 18 without consideration of the merits of his claims, if he failed to exhaust his new claims through 19 the administrative remedy process. See 42 U.S.C. § 1997e(a); Albino v. Baca, 747 F.3d 1162, 20 1170 (9th Cir. 2014). 21 IV. CONCLUSION 22 Based on the foregoing, Plaintiff’s Motions (dkt. ## 39, 42-43) are GRANTED in part 23 and DENIED in part. Specifically, Plaintiff’s Motions (dkt. ## 42-43) are GRANTED as to the 1 addition of claims against AHSA Posalski, HSA “T. Thomas,” and Warden Jacquez, but 2 DENIED as to the BOP. Plaintiff’s Motion (dkt. # 39) as to the addition of claims against “Seven 3 Corners” is DENIED. Plaintiff is directed to submit an amended complaint conforming with the 4 Court’s requirements by January 6, 2023. Defendants’ deadline to respond to Plaintiff’s future 5 amended complaint shall remain February 13, 2023 at this time. 6 The Clerk is directed to send copies of this Order to the parties and to the Honorable John 7 H. Chun. Given Plaintiff’s release from FDC SeaTac, the Clerk is further directed to send a copy 8 of this Order to Plaintiff’s last known address at: 27340 Village Place NW, Stanwood, WA 9 98292. 10 Dated this 22nd day of December, 2022. 11 A 12 MICHELLE L. PETERSON United States Magistrate Judge 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23