Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-3_09-cv-03839/USCOURTS-cand-3_09-cv-03839-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 555
Nature of Suit: Prisoner - Prison Condition
Cause of Action: 42:1983 Civil Rights Act

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

CHRISTIAN L. LINDBLAD, 

Plaintiff(s),

 vs.

A. HEDGPETH, Warden,

Defendant(s). 

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No. C 09-3839 CRB (PR)

ORDER OF DISMISSAL WITH

LEAVE TO AMEND

Plaintiff, a prisoner at Pleasant Valley State Prison (PVSP), has filed a pro

se civil rights complaint for damages under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 alleging improper

medical care while he was incarcerated at Salinas Valley State Prison (SVSP). 

Plaintiff specifically alleges that SVSP medical staff ignored his adverse allergic

reaction to antibiotics until he had to be rushed to the hospital and, weeks later, 

ignored his severe pain and vomiting until again he had to be rushed to the

hospital and have his gall bladder removed. Plaintiff only names SVSP Warden

Hedgpeth as a defendant.

DISCUSSION

A. Standard of Review

Federal courts must engage in a preliminary screening of cases in which

prisoners seek redress from a governmental entity or officer or employee of a

governmental entity. 28 U.S.C. § 1915A(a). The court must identify cognizable

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claims or dismiss the complaint, or any portion of the complaint, if the complaint

"is frivolous, malicious, or fails to state a claim upon which relief may be

granted," or "seeks monetary relief from a defendant who is immune from such

relief." Id. § 1915A(b). Pro se pleadings must be liberally construed, however. 

Balistreri v. Pacifica Police Dep't, 901 F.2d 696, 699 (9th Cir. 1990).

To state a claim under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, a plaintiff must allege two 

elements: (1) that a right secured by the Constitution or laws of the United States

was violated, and (2) that the alleged violation was committed by a person acting

under the color of state law. West v. Atkins, 487 U.S. 42, 48 (1988).

B. Legal Claims

Deliberate indifference to serious medical needs violates the Eighth

Amendment's proscription against cruel and unusual punishment. See Estelle v.

Gamble, 429 U.S. 97, 104 (1976). A prison official is deliberately indifferent if

he knows that a prisoner faces a substantial risk of serious harm and disregards

that risk by failing to take reasonable steps to abate it. Farmer v. Brennan, 511

U.S. 825, 837 (1994).

In order to state a claim for damages for deliberate indifference to serious

medical needs under § 1983, plaintiff must name individual defendants and allege

how each of them actually and proximately caused the deprivation of a federally

protected right. See Leer v. Murphy, 844 F.2d 628, 634 (9th Cir. 1988). Plaintiff

will be afforded an opportunity to do so.

SVSP Warden Hedgpeth cannot be liable under § 1983 solely on the

theory that he were responsible for the actions or omissions of his employees. 

See Taylor v. List, 880 F.2d 1040, 1045 (9th Cir. 1989).

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CONCLUSION

For the foregoing reasons, the complaint is dismissed with leave to amend,

as indicated above, within 30 days of this order. The pleading must be simple

and concise and must include the caption and civil case number used in this order

and the words FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT on the first page. Failure to

file a proper amended complaint within the designated time will result in the

dismissal of this action.

Plaintiff is advised that the amended complaint will supersede the original

complaint and all other pleadings. Claims and defendants not included in the

amended complaint will not be considered by the court. See King v. Atiyeh, 814

F.2d 565, 567 (9th Cir. 1987).

SO ORDERED.

DATED: March 11, 2010 

CHARLES R. BREYER

United States District Judge

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