Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-4_16-cv-01098/USCOURTS-cand-4_16-cv-01098-1/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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United States District Court 

Northern District of Californi

a

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 

NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 

NOU THAO, 

Plaintiff, 

v. 

JOE DOBIE, et al., 

Defendants. 

Case No. 16-cv-01098-PJH 

ORDER ON MOTIONS 

Re: Dkt. Nos. 11, 16, 19, 20 

Plaintiff, a state prisoner, proceeds with a pro se civil rights complaint under 42 

U.S.C. § 1983. In this action plaintiff alleges that he was required to clean and work in an 

area containing lead paint and asbestos but defendant failed to provide proper protective 

clothing and the correct mask. He states that he was provided a shower but was not 

given fresh clothing and he had to wear the same clothing that was exposed to the lead 

paint and asbestos. Plaintiff does not describe any health effects but states prison 

officials will not have him tested and he continues to be exposed to asbestos. Plaintiff 

has filed a motion for default judgment and a motion to compel defendants to answer the 

complaint pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 1997e(g)(2). Defendants oppose the motion and seek 

an extension to file dispositive motions. 

MOTION TO COMPEL AN ANSWER 

42 U.S.C. 1997e(g) provides that : 

(1) Any defendant may waive the right to reply to any action 

brought by a prisoner confined in any jail, prison, or other 

correctional facility under section 1983 of this title or any other 

Federal law. Notwithstanding any other law or rule of 

procedure, such waiver shall not constitute an admission of 

the allegations contained in the complaint. No relief shall be 

granted to the plaintiff unless a reply has been filed. 

Case 4:16-cv-01098-PJH Document 24 Filed 01/12/17 Page 1 of 4
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United States District Court 

Northern District of Californi

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(2) The court may require any defendant to reply to a 

complaint brought under this section if it finds that the plaintiff 

has a reasonable opportunity to prevail on the merits. 

Defendants argue that they should not be required to file an answer because 

plaintiff does not have a reasonable opportunity to prevail on the merits. Defendants note 

that this action is based on speculative future harm and plaintiff presents no allegations of 

any injury. Defendants’ argument is well taken. Plaintiff concedes in the complaint that 

he does not know if he has suffered any injury. Defendants’ will not be required to reply 

to the complaint at this time, yet if the case continues after dispositive motions are 

adjudicated, the court may require defendants to file an answer. 

In their opposition to the motion to file an answer, defendants Dobie, Early, Loredo 

and Smith have filed a request that plaintiff’s action be dismissed as frivolous pursuant to 

28 U.S.C. § 1915(e) or that plaintiff show cause why summary judgment should not 

granted sua sponte pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(f). Docket No. 18. Plaintiff has filed a 

response. Docket No. 21. 

The court previously screened the complaint pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915 and 

found that liberally construed, plaintiff’s claims were sufficient to proceed. While the court 

finds that plaintiff does not have a reasonable opportunity to prevail on the merits, the 

court still finds that plaintiff presents sufficient allegations to proceed beyond § 1915 

screening. Defendants’ request is denied but they may raise their arguments in a 

dispositive motion. 

MISCELLANEOUS MOTIONS 

Plaintiff’s motion for default judgment is denied because defendants timely filed a 

waiver of reply to the complaint. Moreover, good cause appearing, it is hereby ordered 

that defendants’ requests for extensions are granted. Defendants have until February 15, 

2017, to file dispositive motions. 

CONCLUSION 

1. Plaintiff’s motions for default judgment and to compel an answer (Docket Nos. 

11, 16) are DENIED. 

Case 4:16-cv-01098-PJH Document 24 Filed 01/12/17 Page 2 of 4
United States District Court 

Northern District of Californi

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Case 4:16-cv-01098-PJH Document 24 Filed 01/12/17 Page 3 of 4
United States District Court 

Northern District of Californi

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Case 4:16-cv-01098-PJH Document 24 Filed 01/12/17 Page 4 of 4