Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_24-cv-00683/USCOURTS-caed-2_24-cv-00683-5/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 550
Nature of Suit: Prisoner - Civil Rights (U.S. defendant)
Cause of Action: 42:1983 Prisoner Civil Rights

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

DONALD JOSHUA SMITH,

Plaintiff,

v.

CHAUDRY UZMA, et al.,

Defendants.

Case No. 2:24-cv-00683-TLN-JDP (PC)

ORDER 

Plaintiff, a state prisoner, brings this action against several medical providers at the 

California Health Care Facility and San Joaquin General Hospital. On November 13, 2024, I 

screened plaintiff’s first amended complaint and found that it stated viable Eighth Amendment 

inadequate medical care claims against defendants Uzma and Gill. ECF No. 16. I found that the 

complaint failed to state a viable claim against any other defendant, however. Plaintiff filed a 

notice of election on December 23, 2024, indicating his intent to proceed with the claims that I 

identified as viable, with the caveat that he also proceed with his claim against San Joaquin 

General Hospital. ECF No. 25. That claim, however, is premised on a theory of respondeat 

superior liability, ECF No. 10 at 2, which is unavailable in section 1983 actions. See Jett v. 

Dallas Indep. Sch. Dist., 491 U.S. 701, 736 (1989) (“We have rejected respondeat superior as a 

Case 2:24-cv-00683-TLN-JDP Document 26 Filed 01/14/25 Page 1 of 2
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basis for holding a state actor liable under section 1983.”). My screening order failed to apprise 

plaintiff of this fact or to consider the viability of any claim against the San Joaquin General 

Hospital, a defendant mentioned only in the caption. 

Accordingly, it is ORDERED that: 

1. Within thirty days, plaintiff may once again confirm his intent to proceed only 

with the Eighth Amendment claims against Uzma and Gill, or delay service and file an amended 

complaint.

2. The Clerk of Court shall send plaintiff a section 1983 complaint form with this 

order.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: January 13, 2025 

JEREMY D. PETERSON

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 2:24-cv-00683-TLN-JDP Document 26 Filed 01/14/25 Page 2 of 2