Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-3_08-cv-01265/USCOURTS-cand-3_08-cv-01265-0/pdf.json

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

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

JEFFERY E. WALKER, 

Plaintiff(s),

 vs.

JANE DOE, et al.,

Defendant(s). 

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No. C 08-1265 CRB (PR)

ORDER OF DISMISSAL

Plaintiff, a prisoner at the California Medical Facility in Vacaville, has

filed a pro se complaint for damages under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 alleging that on

January 17, 2006, while he was at the San Francisco County Jail, Jane Doe gave

him a razor he requested and he proceeded to cut his wrists. Plaintiff argues that

had Doe checked, she would have discovered that he had been previously housed

in the mental health unit on suicide watch. Plaintiff claims that Doe's

"negligence" and failure to follow policy concerning razors caused him his

injury. 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

Case 3:08-cv-01265-CRB Document 4 Filed 03/14/08 Page 1 of 2
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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. 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

Although regrettable, plaintiff's allegations must be dismissed because

they amount to no more than a claim for negligence or gross negligence, and it is

well-established that neither is actionable under § 1983 in the prison context. See

Farmer v. Brennan, 511 U.S. 825, 835-36 & n.4 (1994); Wood v. Housewright,

900 F.2d 1332, 1334 (9th Cir. 1990). Plaintiff may have a claim under California 

law in the state courts, but not under § 1983 here.

CONCLUSION

For the foregoing reasons, the complaint is DISMISSED under the

authority of 28 U.S.C. § 1915A(b). 

The clerk shall enter judgment in accordance with this order, terminate all

pending motions as moot, and close the file. 

SO ORDERED.

DATED: March 14, 2008 

CHARLES R. BREYER

United States District Judge

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