Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-ared-4_24-cv-00501/USCOURTS-ared-4_24-cv-00501-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 360
Nature of Suit: Other Personal Injury
Cause of Action: 28:2271 Federal Tort Claims Act

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 

EASTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS 

CENTRAL DIVISION 

NICHOLAS LEONARD WOODS PLAINTIFF 

v. No. 4:24-cv-501-DPM 

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF 

JUSTICE FEDERAL BUREAU OF PRISON DEFENDANT 

ORDER

1. Woods’s application to proceed in forma pauperis, Doc. 1, is 

granted. He reports an inability to work and living on little income. 

2. The Court must screen Woods’s complaint. 28 U.S.C. 

§ 1915(e)(2). In March 2022, Woods was an inmate at the Forrest City 

Unit of the Federal Bureau of Prisons. While incarcerated, he fell from 

his top bunk, injuring his shoulder. Doc. 2 at 2. An MRI in December 

2022 confirmed Woods had torn his rotator cuff in his left shoulder and 

needed surgery. Doc. 2 at 33 & 43. He has since been released from the 

BOP but has yet to have his shoulder repaired. He says the delayed 

diagnosis and treatment has caused him unbearable suffering and 

unrelenting pain. He seeks $5 million dollars. Woods’s pro se Federal 

Tort Claims Act will be served. The Court directs the Clerk to substitute 

the United States of America as the proper defendant. 28 U.S.C. 

§ 1346(b)(1). 

Case 4:24-cv-00501-DPM Document 3 Filed 06/25/24 Page 1 of 2
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 The Clerk must provide copies of the summonses, the complaint, 

and this Order to the Marshal, who is directed to serve process by 

certified mail, restricted delivery, return receipt requested to the 

following: 

 Merrick B. Garland, Attorney General of the United States, 

Department of Justice, 950 Pennsylvania Ave. N.W., Room 

4400, Washington D.C. 20530; and 

 Johnathan D. Ross, United States Attorney, Eastern District 

of Arkansas, P.O. Box 1229, Little Rock, Arkansas 72203-

1229. 

 So Ordered. 

_________________________ 

 D.P. Marshall Jr. 

 United States District Judge 

 25 June 2024 

Case 4:24-cv-00501-DPM Document 3 Filed 06/25/24 Page 2 of 2