Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_06-cv-00602/USCOURTS-caed-1_06-cv-00602-1/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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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

ELDON BURROWS,

Plaintiff, CV F 06 0602 AWI WMW P

vs. ORDER 

SERGEANT GIFFORD, et al.,

Defendants.

Plaintiff is a state prisoner proceeding pro se. Plaintiff seeks relief pursuant to 42

U.S.C. § 1983. This proceeding was referred to this court by Local Rule 72-302 pursuant to 28

U.S.C. § 636(b)(1).

This action proceeds on the original complaint. Plaintiff, an inmate in the

custody of the California Department of Corrections at Wasco State Prison, brings this civil

rights action against defendant correctional officials employed by the Department of Corrections

at Wasco State Prison. Plaintiff names the following individual defendants: Sergeant Gifford;

Correctional Officer Cera; Correctional Officer Macias. 

Plaintiff’s sole claim in this complaint is that he was injured as a result of a

dangerous condition. Plaintiff is a diabetic inmate and has been on dialysis for approximately 14

months. Three times a week, Plaintiff is transported to a hospital in Bakersfield for dialysis

treatment. On May 3, 2005, upon arrival at the clinic in Bakersfield, Officer Macias pulled out

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the step on the van, stepped on to the curb, and directed Plaintiff to exit the van. Plaintiff was

shacked with handcuffs and leg irons. Plaintiff alleges that “because of a broken step.” he fall

face forward into the road, injuring himself. Plaintiff alleges that the step had been broken for

some time, and Defendants knew of the condition, as the dialysis patients had complained of it. 

The court finds that by making these allegations, Plaintiff has alleged facts sufficient tot

state a claim for an Eighth Amendment violation under Farmer v. Brennan, 511 U.S. 825, 834

(1994). Specifically, Plaintiff’s allegations amount to a claim that Defendants knew of and

disregarded a serious risk to Plaintiff. Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:

1. Service is appropriate for the following defendants:

SERGEANT GIFFORD

C/O CERA

C/O MACIAS

2. The Clerk of the Court shall send plaintiff three USM-285 forms, three 

summonses, a Notice of Submission of Documents form, an instruction sheet and

a copy of the complaint filed May 17, 2006.

3. Within thirty (30) days from the date of this order, plaintiff shall complete the

attached Notice of Submission of Documents and submit the completed Notice to

the court with the following documents:

a. Completed summons;

b. One completed USM-285 form for each defendant listed above; and 

c. Four copies of the endorsed complaint filed May 17, 2006. 

4. Plaintiff need not attempt service on defendants and need not request waiver of

service. Upon receipt of the above-described documents, the court will direct the

United States Marshal to serve the above-named defendants pursuant to Federal

Rule of Civil Procedure 4 without payment of costs. 

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5. The failure to comply with this order will result in a recommendation that this

action be dismissed.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: August 2, 2006 /s/ William M. Wunderlich 

mmkd34 UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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