Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-azd-2_13-cv-01012/USCOURTS-azd-2_13-cv-01012-0/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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WO 

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 

FOR THE DISTRICT OF ARIZONA 

Douglas M. Levitski, 

Plaintiff, 

 vs. 

Charles Ryan, et al., 

Defendants. 

No. CV 13-1012-PHX-RCB (JFM) 

 O R D E R 

Plaintiff Douglas M. Levitski, who is confined in the Arizona State Prison 

Complex-Lewis, in Buckeye, Arizona, has filed a pro se civil rights Complaint pursuant 

to 42 U.S.C. § 1983 (Doc. 1) and paid the filing and administrative fees (Doc. 3). The 

Court will dismiss the Complaint with leave to amend. 

I. Statutory Screening of Prisoner Complaints

 The Court is required to screen complaints brought by prisoners seeking relief 

against a governmental entity or an officer or an employee of a governmental entity. 28 

U.S.C. § 1915A(a). The Court must dismiss a complaint or portion thereof if a plaintiff 

has raised claims that are legally frivolous or malicious, that fail to state a claim upon 

which relief may be granted, or that seek monetary relief from a defendant who is 

immune from such relief. 28 U.S.C. § 1915A(b)(1), (2). 

 A pleading must contain a “short and plain statement of the claim showing that the 

pleader is entitled to relief.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 8(a)(2) (emphasis added). While Rule 8 

does not demand detailed factual allegations, “it demands more than an unadorned, theCase 2:13-cv-01012-RCB--JFM Document 6 Filed 07/30/13 Page 1 of 23
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defendant-unlawfully-harmed-me accusation.” Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662, 678 

(2009). “Threadbare recitals of the elements of a cause of action, supported by mere 

conclusory statements, do not suffice.” Id. 

 “[A] complaint must contain sufficient factual matter, accepted as true, to ‘state a 

claim to relief that is plausible on its face.’” Id. (quoting Bell Atlantic Corp. v. Twombly, 

550 U.S. 544, 570 (2007)). A claim is plausible “when the plaintiff pleads factual 

content that allows the court to draw the reasonable inference that the defendant is liable 

for the misconduct alleged.” Id. “Determining whether a complaint states a plausible 

claim for relief [is] . . . a context-specific task that requires the reviewing court to draw 

on its judicial experience and common sense.” Id. at 679. Thus, although a plaintiff’s 

specific factual allegations may be consistent with a constitutional claim, a court must 

assess whether there are other “more likely explanations” for a defendant’s conduct. Id.

at 681. 

 But as the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit has instructed, 

courts must “continue to construe pro se filings liberally.” Hebbe v. Pliler, 627 F.3d 338, 

342 (9th Cir. 2010). A “complaint [filed by a pro se prisoner] ‘must be held to less 

stringent standards than formal pleadings drafted by lawyers.’” Id. (quoting Erickson v. 

Pardus, 551 U.S. 89, 94 (2007) (per curiam)). 

 If the Court determines that a pleading could be cured by the allegation of other 

facts, a pro se litigant is entitled to an opportunity to amend a complaint before dismissal 

of the action. See Lopez v. Smith, 203 F.3d 1122, 1127-29 (9th Cir. 2000) (en banc). The 

Court should not, however, advise the litigant how to cure the defects. This type of 

advice “would undermine district judges’ role as impartial decisionmakers.” Pliler v. 

Ford, 542 U.S. 225, 231 (2004); see also Lopez, 203 F.3d at 1131 n.13 (declining to 

decide whether the court was required to inform a litigant of deficiencies). The Court 

will dismiss Plaintiff’s Complaint for failure to state a claim, but because the Complaint 

may possibly be saved by amendment, will dismiss the Complaint with leave to amend. 

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II. Complaint 

Plaintiff alleges three counts for failure to provide constitutionally-adequate 

medical care, “deliberate indifference to a prisoner’s serious medical needs by nonmedical factors,” and the “wanton infliction of unnecessary pain, anguish and suffering” 

in violation of the Eighth Amendment. Plaintiff sues the following Defendants: Arizona 

Department of Corrections (ADOC) Director Charles Ryan, in his individual and official 

capacities; ADOC Interim Director of the Division of Health Services Richard Pratt, in 

his individual and official capacities; Dr. Thomas Bell, Statewide Director of Medical 

Services for Wexford Health Sources, Inc. (Wexford)1

; Dr. Kenneth Merchant, 

Wexford’s Primary Healthcare Provider for the Lewis Complex, Bachman Yard, in his 

individual and official capacities; Dr. Carmelo Echuerra, Wexford’s Director of Medical 

Services for Lewis Complex, in his individual and official capacities; Dr. Hector Garcia, 

Wexford’s Regional Director of Medical Services, in his individual and official 

capacities; Corrections Officer J. Ball (Badge No. 4429); Jim Reinhart, ADOC Regional 

Operations Manager for the Lewis Complex; Cameron Lewis, ADOC On-Site Manager 

for the Lewis Complex, in her individual and official capacities; and “John and Jane Doe 

(1 through 50) employees, officers, medical staff, Arizona Department of Corrections, 

and/or Wexford Health Sources, Inc. and or their successors in his/her or their individual 

and/or official capacity.” (Doc. 1 at 1A.) Plaintiff seeks a preliminary injunction to 

provide him with medical care, compensatory and punitive damages, a lis pendens

against all individually-named Defendants, as well as injunctive and declaratory relief. 

 In support of his Complaint, Plaintiff states that he is 74 years old and has been 

denied adequate medical care for several years. On September 14, 2005, Plaintiff’s 

orthopedic surgeon wrote a letter addressed to whom it may concern stating that Plaintiff 

suffers from degenerative joint disease in his left knee and that he advised Plaintiff to 

 

1

 Wexford provided medical care to inmates under a contract with ADOC from 

July 1, 2012 until March 3, 2013. Corizon, Inc. assumed healthcare responsibility for inmates beginning March 4, 2013. 

See http://www.azcorrections.gov/adc/news/2013/HealthCareTransition.pdf (last visited July 26, 2013). 

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undergo surgery to replace the left knee. Plaintiff gave a copy of the letter to the Superior 

Court prior to his sentencing2

 and “several time[s]” to Defendants Ryan, Bell, Pratt, 

Merchant, Carmelo, Echurra, Garcia, Reinhart, Lewis and John and Jane Doe (1 through 

50). (Id. at 3B.) He does not say how or when he gave or sent the letter to those 

Defendants or if he received any response. Since October 2005, Plaintiff has submitted 

“numerous volumes” of health need requests (HNRs), written kites, “inmate informals,” 

grievances, and grievance appeals to Ryan. (Id. at 3.) 

 Plaintiff’s requests for medical care include requests for a total knee replacement, 

referrals to an orthopedic surgeon and to a rheumatologist, medical supplies and adaptive 

medical equipment to aid him in ambulating and to reduce his pain. Plaintiff asserts that 

the eight-year delay and/or denial of medical care and treatment for his “severe chronic 

medical conditions” have left him in “constant moderate to severe chronic pain.” (Id. at 

3C.) In addition to refusing to refer Plaintiff to outside specialists, Defendants “have also 

misplaced or lost the Plaintiff’s x-rays and radiologist reports once such reports and x-

 rays were ordered.” (Id. at 4B.) 

 Plaintiff further alleges that he was diagnosed by an optometrist around 2011 with 

retinal scarring in the left eye, an “emaculate hole,” retinal detachment and cataracts in 

both eyes. (Id. at 3C.) The optometrist referred Plaintiff to an ophthalmologist for 

treatment and eye surgery. Plaintiff states that the “actions, inactions, [and] 

acquiescences” of Defendants Ryan, Bell, Pratt, Merchant, Echuerra, Garcia, Reinhart, 

Lewis, and John and Jane Doe (1 through 50), as well as the delay and denial of Plaintiff 

seeing an ophthalmologist, have caused a loss of vision and chronic headaches. (Id.) 

 In addition, Plaintiff alleges that he has been diagnosed with, and treatment has 

been recommended for, the following medical conditions: constant moderate to severe 

pain; hypertension; arthritis; degenerative joint disease; high cholesterol; degenerative 

 

2

 According to records available on-line, Plaintiff was admitted to ADOC custody on October 26, 2005. 

See http://www.azcorrections.gov/inmate_datasearch/results_Minh.aspx?InmateNumber =199622&LastName=LEVITSKI&FNMI=D&SearchType=SearchInet (last visited July 25, 2013). 

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cartilage; enlarged prostate; chronic sinusitis; chronic allergies; and a severe skin 

condition.3

 Plaintiff asserts that he has been prescribed pain medication, but Defendants 

have failed to provide him “an [un]interrupted supply of prescription medication when 

prescribed by a physician.”4

 (Id. at 3D.) 

 Also, according to Plaintiff, he needs to be seen by an outside dermatologist when 

he has an outbreak of his skin condition, as that is the only time his chronic skin 

condition can be diagnosed. He describes an outbreak of his skin condition as “white 

splotches (mostly on his face), which break open, bleed, and have a discharge” and which 

“even a lay person would easily recognize as needing emergency medical attention.” 

(Id.) Plaintiff alleges that Defendants Ryan, Bell, Pratt, Merchant, Echuerra, Garcia, 

Reinhart, Lewis, and John and Jane Doe (1 through 50) have caused him to suffer 

needlessly by failing to put in place a system whereby Plaintiff could be seen 

immediately when his skin condition flares up. The only way Plaintiff can make his 

urgent medical needs known is by filing an HNR and waiting an average of six months to 

be seen by medical staff. Plaintiff contends that this system is “outdated and archaic.” 

(Id.) One problem with the system, according to Plaintiff, is that it allows Defendant J. 

Ball, a corrections officer, to act as “medical triage” to the medical unit at Bachman 

Yard. (Id.) Plaintiff alleges that when he reported to the medical unit, Ball would not 

allow Plaintiff to see the nurse or to enter the medical unit. Ball told Plaintiff to submit 

an HNR and when Plaintiff told Ball he had already submitted several HNRs, Ball asked 

Plaintiff what the problem was. Plaintiff showed Ball the problem. Ball, whom Plaintiff 

contends is unqualified to render medical services, then went inside and returned with 

A&D cream for Plaintiff and told him to wait to be called into medical.5

 

 

3

 Plaintiff provides no details about when he was diagnosed with those conditions, 

by whom, or the treatment, if any, prescribed. Also, he does not state whether he has 

been denied treatment for his hypertension, arthritis, high cholesterol, enlarged prostate, chronic sinusitis and chronic allergies, including when, by whom, and how. 

4

 Plaintiff does not state what medication(s) he was prescribed, when, by whom, or who failed to provide the prescribed medication(s) and when that occurred. 

5

 Although Plaintiff apparently reported to the medical unit because of his skin 

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 In addition to submitting HNRs, inmate informal requests, inmate grievances and 

grievance appeals, Plaintiff says that on December 18, 2012, he tried to access medical 

care through ADOC Policy 1101.11, which relates to inmates eligible for benefits 

through the Veterans Administration.6

 Plaintiff states that he is a qualified United States 

veteran eligible for treatment at the VA medical center, but that Defendants told him that 

he cannot “dictate what type of medical care or treatment [he] can receive, [and] that the 

medical care [he] need[s] can be provided by [ADOC] or their medical vendor.” (Id. at 

4A.) Also, although not entirely clear, it appears that Plaintiff submitted an HNR to 

assess his status as an inmate with special needs as covered by Title II of the Americans 

with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (RA).7

 

Someone asked Plaintiff to remove or sign off on this request, and when Plaintiff refused, 

he was told to return to his housing unit. Plaintiff states that no action has been taken on 

his ADA status request in over a year. 

 Plaintiff asserts that he has been retaliated against for the grievances and grievance 

appeals he has filed, and that Defendants have placed budgetary considerations and 

profits over Plaintiff’s constitutional and statutory rights.8

 condition, that is not clear from the Complaint. Nor does Plaintiff state what his 

symptoms were at the time he spoke to Ball. Finally, is it not clear if this interaction with 

Ball occurred on more than one occasion or when he reported to the medical unit. 

6 See ADOC, Department Order Manual, Ch. 1100, Inmate Health Services, 

http://www.azcorrections.gov/Policies/1100/1101.pdf (last visited July 26, 2013). 

7

 Plaintiff did not allege an ADA and/or RA claim in a separate count and does not appear to seek relief in his Complaint for an ADA or RA violation. The ADA and RA 

apply in the incarceration context. See Pennsylvania Dep’t of Corrs. v. Yeskey, 524 U.S. 

206, 213 (1998). To state a claim for a violation of Title II of the ADA, a plaintiff must allege facts to support that (1) he is a qualified individual with a disability; (2) he was excluded from participation in or otherwise discriminated against with regard to a public entity’s services, programs, or activities; and (3) such exclusion or discrimination was by reason of his disability. Lovell v. Chandler, 303 F.3d 1039, 1052 (9th Cir. 2002). To 

state a claim for violation of § 504 of the RA, a plaintiff must allege facts to support that (1) he is handicapped within the meaning of the RA; (2) he is otherwise qualified for the benefits or services sought; (3) he was denied the benefit or services solely by reason of his handicap; and (4) the program providing the benefit or services receives federal 

financial assistance. Id. 

8

 Plaintiff did not allege a retaliation claim in a separate count and does not appear to seek relief on that basis. To state a viable constitutional claim for retaliation, a 

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III. Failure to State a Claim 

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

that (1) the conduct about which he complains was committed by a person acting under 

the color of state law and (2) the conduct deprived him of a federal constitutional or 

statutory right. Wood v. Outlander, 879 F.2d 583, 587 (9th Cir. 1989). In addition, a 

plaintiff must allege that he suffered a specific injury as a result of the conduct of a 

particular defendant and he must allege an affirmative link between the injury and the 

conduct of that defendant. Rizzo v. Goode, 423 U.S. 362, 371-72, 377 (1976). 

 Although Plaintiff lists three separate Counts, in all three he seeks relief for the 

alleged denial of constitutionally-adequate medical care. Not every claim by a prisoner 

relating to inadequate medical treatment states a violation of the Eighth or Fourteenth 

Amendment. To state a § 1983 medical claim, a plaintiff must show that the defendants 

acted with “deliberate indifference to serious medical needs.” Jett v. Penner, 439 F.3d 

1091, 1096 (9th Cir. 2006) (quoting Estelle v. Gamble, 429 U.S. 97, 104 (1976)). A 

plaintiff must show (1) a “serious medical need” by demonstrating that failure to treat the 

condition could result in further significant injury or the unnecessary and wanton 

infliction of pain and (2) the defendant’s response was deliberately indifferent. Jett, 439 

F.3d at 1096 (quotations omitted). 

 “Deliberate indifference is a high legal standard.” Toguchi v. Chung, 391 F.3d 

1051, 1060 (9th Cir. 2004). To act with deliberate indifference, a prison official must 

both know of and disregard an excessive risk to inmate health; “the official must both be 

 plaintiff must allege that a defendant acting under color of law took adverse action against him because he engaged in protected conduct, that the adverse action was not 

narrowly tailored to advance legitimate correctional goals, and that the adverse action chilled the plaintiff’s exercise of his First Amendment rights or caused him to suffer more than minimal harm. Rhodes v. Robinson, 408 F.3d 559, 567-58 (9th Cir. 2005); see also 

Hines v. Gomez, 108 F.3d 265, 267 (9th Cir. 1997) (retaliation claim requires an inmate show (1) that the prison official acted in retaliation for the exercise of a constitutionally- protected right, and (2) that the action “advanced no legitimate penological interest”). An inmate may also state a constitutional violation where, for example, he alleges that a grievance was denied in retaliation for exercising a constitutionally-protected right, see 

Bradley v. Hall, 64 F.3d 1276, 1279 (9th Cir. 1995), or in retaliation for filing a grievance, Valandingham v. Bojorquez, 866 F.2d 1135, 1138 (9th Cir. 1989). 

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aware of facts from which the inference could be drawn that a substantial risk of serious 

harm exists, and he must also draw the inference.” Farmer v. Brennan, 511 U.S. 825, 

837 (1994). Deliberate indifference in the medical context may be shown by a 

purposeful act or failure to respond to a prisoner’s pain or possible medical need and 

harm caused by the indifference. Jett, 439 F.3d at 1096. Deliberate indifference may 

also be shown when a prison official intentionally denies, delays, or interferes with 

medical treatment or by the way prison doctors respond to the prisoner’s medical needs. 

Estelle, 429 U.S. at 104-05; Jett, 439 F.3d at 1096. 

 Deliberate indifference is a higher standard than negligence or lack of ordinary 

due care for the prisoner’s safety. Farmer, 511 U.S. at 835. “Neither negligence nor 

gross negligence will constitute deliberate indifference.” Clement v. California Dep’t of 

Corrs., 220 F. Supp. 2d 1098, 1105 (N.D. Cal. 2002); see also Broughton v. Cutter Labs., 

622 F.2d 458, 460 (9th Cir. 1980) (mere claims of “indifference,” “negligence,” or 

“medical malpractice” do not support a claim under § 1983). “A difference of opinion 

does not amount to deliberate indifference to [a plaintiff’s] serious medical needs.” 

Sanchez v. Vild, 891 F.2d 240, 242 (9th Cir. 1989). A mere delay in medical care, 

without more, is insufficient to state a claim against prison officials for deliberate 

indifference. See Shapley v. Nevada Bd. of State Prison Comm’rs, 766 F.2d 404, 407 

(9th Cir. 1985). The indifference must be substantial. The action must rise to a level of 

“unnecessary and wanton infliction of pain.” Estelle, 429 U.S. at 105. 

 A. Defendant Ryan

 While Ryan may be sued under § 1983, Plaintiff fails to state a claim against him. 

 “Because vicarious liability is inapplicable to Bivens and § 1983 suits, a plaintiff 

must plead that each Government-official defendant, through the official’s own 

individual actions, has violated the Constitution.” Iqbal, 556 U.S. at 676. That means, 

“[a] plaintiff must allege facts, not simply conclusions, that show that an individual was 

personally involved in the deprivation of his civil rights.” Barren v. Harrington, 152 

F.3d 1193, 1194 (9th Cir. 1998). For an individual to be liable in his official capacity, a 

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plaintiff must allege that the official acted as a result of a policy, practice, or custom. See 

Cortez v. County of Los Angeles, 294 F.3d 1186, 1188 (9th Cir. 2001). Further, there is 

no respondeat superior liability under § 1983, so a defendant’s position as the supervisor 

of someone who allegedly violated a plaintiff’s constitutional rights does not make him 

liable. Monell v. New York City Dep’t of Soc. Servs., 436 U.S. 658, 691 (1978); Hamilton 

v. Endell, 981 F.2d 1062, 1067 (9th Cir. 1992); Taylor v. List, 880 F.2d 1040, 1045 (9th 

Cir. 1989). A supervisor in his individual capacity “is only liable for constitutional 

violations of his subordinates if the supervisor participated in or directed the violations, 

or knew of the violations and failed to act to prevent them.” Taylor, 880 F.2d at 1045. 

 Plaintiff fails to allege facts to support that Ryan is liable in either his official or 

individual capacity. For example, Plaintiff fails to allege when he gave Ryan the letter 

from his orthopedic surgeon and what response(s) he received, if any, from Ryan. Nor 

has Plaintiff alleged when or how he gave Ryan the “numerous volumes” of HNRs, 

written kites, inmate informals, grievances, and grievance appeals, what he said in those 

documents and whether Ryan responded to those documents.9

 Also, Plaintiff fails to 

allege that Ryan promulgated, condoned, or endorsed a policy, practice, or custom 

resulting in a violation of Plaintiff’s constitutional rights. Absent additional facts, 

Plaintiff fails to state a claim against Ryan and he will be dismissed. 

 B. Defendant Ball 

 Plaintiff sues Corrections Officer Ball, whom he says has served as “medical 

triage” to the medical unit at Bachman Yard. Plaintiff does not allege when he spoke to 

Ball or what he said to Ball. Apparently, Plaintiff spoke to Ball at some point about his 

skin condition, because Ball gave him some A&D cream and told him to submit a HNR, 

but Plaintiff does not provide any specifics of the interaction, when this occurred, or what 

his symptoms were at the time he spoke to Ball. Nor does he allege that Ball was aware 

 

9

 Plaintiff presumably submitted HNRs, kites, written informals, grievances and grievance appeals to people other than Ryan, but he fails to allege who those people might be, what he said in those volumes of documents, when he submitted them, and 

what response, if any, he received. 

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of facts from which the inference could be drawn that a substantial risk of serious harm 

existed, and that Ball drew that inference. Accordingly, Plaintiff fails to allege facts to 

support that Ball acted with deliberate indifference to Plaintiff’s serious medical needs 

and fails to state a claim against Ball. 

 C. Other Defendants 

 Plaintiff also sues Defendants Bell, Pratt, Merchant, Echuerra, Garcia, Reinhart, 

Lewis, and John and Jane Doe (1 through 50).10 

 Plaintiff’s generalized allegations against these Defendants do not provide any 

specifics showing that they personally participated in a deprivation of Plaintiff’s 

constitutional rights, were aware of a deprivation and failed to act, or promulgated, 

condoned, or endorsed policies that resulted in Plaintiff’s injuries. Indeed, Plaintiff 

makes no factual allegations against any of these Defendants other than he gave them the 

letter from his orthopedic surgeon and generally that their “actions, inactions, [and] 

acquiescences” caused him harm. Even then, he fails to allege when, where, how, or to 

whom he provided that letter or the specific acts or omissions that allegedly caused him 

harm. For example, with respect to the retinal scarring, retinal detachment and cataracts, 

Plaintiff fails to allege what requests he made, if any, for medical attention, when, to 

whom, how and any response(s) to his requests. Accordingly, Plaintiff fails to state a 

claim against these Defendants and Defendants Bell, Pratt, Merchant, Echuerra, Garcia, 

 

10 With respect to the unidentified Defendants John and Jane Doe (1 through 50), Rule 10(a) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure requires the plaintiff to include the names of the parties in the action. As a practical matter, it is impossible in most instances for the United States Marshal or his designee to serve a summons and complaint or amended complaint upon an anonymous defendant. The Ninth Circuit has held that 

where identity is unknown prior to the filing of a complaint, the plaintiff should be given an opportunity through discovery to identify the unknown defendants, unless it is clear 

that discovery would not uncover the identities, or that the complaint would be dismissed on other grounds. Wakefield v. Thompson, 177 F.3d 1160, 1163 (9th Cir. 1999) (citing Gillespie v. Civiletti, 629 F.2d 637, 642 (9th Cir. 1980)). Where the names of individual 

defendants are unknown at the time a complaint is filed, a plaintiff may refer to the individual unknown defendants as Defendant John (or Jane) Doe 1, John Doe 2, and so 

on, and allege facts to support how each particular Doe defendant violated the plaintiff’s constitutional rights. A plaintiff may thereafter use the discovery process to obtain the names of fictitiously-named defendants whom he believes violated his constitutional 

rights and seek leave to amend to name those defendants. 

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Reinhart, Lewis, and John and Jane Doe (1 through 50) will be dismissed. 

IV. Leave to Amend 

 For the foregoing reasons, Plaintiff’s Complaint will be dismissed for failure to 

state a claim upon which relief may be granted. Within 30 days, Plaintiff may submit a 

first amended complaint to cure the deficiencies outlined above. The Clerk of Court will 

mail Plaintiff a court-approved form to use for filing a first amended complaint. If 

Plaintiff fails to use the court-approved form, the Court may strike the amended 

complaint and dismiss this action without further notice to Plaintiff. 

 If Plaintiff files an amended complaint, Plaintiff must write short, plain statements 

telling the Court: (1) the constitutional right Plaintiff believes was violated; (2) the name 

of the Defendant who violated the right; (3) exactly what that Defendant did or failed to 

do; (4) how the action or inaction of that Defendant is connected to the violation of 

Plaintiff’s constitutional right; and (5) what specific injury Plaintiff suffered because of 

that Defendant’s conduct. See Rizzo, 423 U.S. at 371-72, 377. 

 Plaintiff must repeat this process for each person he names as a Defendant. If 

Plaintiff fails to affirmatively link the conduct of each named Defendant with the specific 

injury suffered by Plaintiff, the allegations against that Defendant will be dismissed for 

failure to state a claim. Conclusory allegations that a Defendant or group of 

Defendants has violated a constitutional right are not acceptable and will be 

dismissed. 

 Plaintiff must clearly designate on the face of the document that it is the “First 

Amended Complaint.” The first amended complaint must be retyped or rewritten in its 

entirety on the court-approved form and may not incorporate any part of the original 

Complaint by reference. Plaintiff may include only one claim per count. 

 A first amended complaint supersedes the original complaint. Ferdik v. Bonzelet, 

963 F.2d 1258, 1262 (9th Cir. 1992); Hal Roach Studios v. Richard Feiner & Co., 896 

F.2d 1542, 1546 (9th Cir. 1990). After amendment, the Court will treat an original 

complaint as nonexistent. Ferdik, 963 F.2d at 1262. Any cause of action that was raised 

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in the original complaint is waived if it is not raised in a first amended complaint. King v. 

Atiyeh, 814 F.2d 565, 567 (9th Cir. 1987). 

 If Plaintiff files an amended complaint, he shall heed the Instructions for 

completing the court-approved form, which specifically provide that no more than fifteen 

additional pages may be attached to the complaint. Also, with respect to each claim, 

Plaintiff need only “[s]tate the facts . . . without citing legal authority or arguments.” 

Finally, Plaintiff should note that a complaint having the factual elements of a cause of 

action scattered throughout the complaint and not organized into a “short and plain 

statement of the claim” may be dismissed for failure to satisfy Rule 8(a) of the Federal 

Rules of Civil Procedure. See Sparling v. Hoffman Constr. Co., 864 F.2d 635, 640 (9th 

Cir. 1988); see also McHenry v. Renne, 84 F.3d 1172 (9th Cir. 1996). 

V. Warnings

A. Address Changes

 Plaintiff must file and serve a notice of a change of address in accordance with 

Rule 83.3(d) of the Local Rules of Civil Procedure. Plaintiff must not include a motion 

for other relief with a notice of change of address. Failure to comply may result in 

dismissal of this action. 

B. Copies

 Plaintiff must submit an additional copy of every filing for use by the Court. See

LRCiv 5.4. Failure to comply may result in the filing being stricken without further 

notice to Plaintiff. 

 C. Possible “Strike”

 Because the Complaint has been dismissed for failure to state a claim, if Plaintiff 

fails to file an amended complaint correcting the deficiencies identified in this Order, the 

dismissal may count as a “strike” under the “3-strikes” provision of 28 U.S.C. § 1915(g). 

Under the 3-strikes provision, a prisoner may not bring a civil action or appeal a civil 

judgment in forma pauperis under 28 U.S.C. § 1915 “if the prisoner has, on 3 or more 

prior occasions, while incarcerated or detained in any facility, brought an action or appeal 

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in a court of the United States that was dismissed on the grounds that it is frivolous, 

malicious, or fails to state a claim upon which relief may be granted, unless the prisoner 

is under imminent danger of serious physical injury.” 28 U.S.C. § 1915(g). 

D. Possible Dismissal

 If Plaintiff fails to timely comply with every provision of this Order, including 

these warnings, the Court may dismiss this action without further notice. See Ferdik, 963 

F.2d at 1260-61 (a district court may dismiss an action for failure to comply with any 

order of the Court). 

IT IS ORDERED: 

 (1) The Complaint (Doc. 1) is dismissed for failure to state a claim. Plaintiff 

has 30 days from the date this Order is filed to file a first amended complaint in 

compliance with this Order. 

 (2) If Plaintiff fails to file an amended complaint within 30 days, the Clerk of 

Court must, without further notice, enter a judgment of dismissal of this action with 

prejudice that states that the dismissal may count as a “strike” under 28 U.S.C. § 1915(g). 

(3) The Clerk of Court must mail Plaintiff a court-approved form for filing a 

civil rights complaint by a prisoner. 

DATED this 30th day of July, 2013. 

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Revised 3/9/07 1

Instructions for a Prisoner Filing a Civil Rights Complaint 

in the United States District Court for the District of Arizona

1. Who May Use This Form. The civil rights complaint form is designed to help incarcerated

persons prepare a complaint seeking relief for a violation of their federal civil rights. These

complaints typically concern, but are not limited to, conditions of confinement. This form

should not be used to challenge your conviction or sentence. If you want to challenge a state

conviction or sentence, you should file a petition under 28 U.S.C. § 2254 for a writ of habeas

corpus by a person in state custody. If you want to challenge a federal conviction or sentence,

you should file a motion under 28 U.S.C. § 2255 to vacate sentence in the federal court that

entered the judgment. 

2. The Form. Local Rule of Civil Procedure (LRCiv) 3.4(a) provides that complaints by

incarcerated persons must be filed on the court-approved form. The form must be typed or

neatly handwritten. The form must be completely filled in to the extent applicable. All

questions must be answered clearly and concisely in the appropriate space on the form. If

needed, you may attach additional pages, but no more than fifteen additional pages, of standard

letter-sized paper. You must identify which part of the complaint is being continued and

number all pages. If you do not fill out the form properly, you will be asked to submit additional

or corrected information, which may delay the processing of your action. You do not need to

cite law. 

3. Your Signature. You must tell the truth and sign the form. If you make a false statement of

a material fact, you may be prosecuted for perjury.

4. The Filing Fee. The filing fee for this action is $350.00. If you are unable to immediately

pay the filing fee, you may request leave to proceed in forma pauperis. Please review the

“Information for Prisoners Seeking Leave to Proceed with a (Non-Habeas) Civil Action in

Federal Court In Forma Pauperis Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915” for additional instructions.

5. Original and Judge’s Copy. You must send an original plus one copy of your complaint and

of any other documents submitted to the Court. You must send one additional copy to the Court

if you wish to have a file-stamped copy of the document returned to you. All copies must be

identical to the original. Copies may be legibly handwritten.

6. Where to File. You should file your complaint in the division where you were confined

when your rights were allegedly violated. See LRCiv 5.1(a) and 77.1(a). If you were confined

in Maricopa, Pinal, Yuma, La Paz, or Gila County, file in the Phoenix Division. If you were

confined in Apache, Navajo, Coconino, Mohave, or Yavapai County, file in the Prescott

Division. If you were confined in Pima, Cochise, Santa Cruz, Graham, or Greenlee County, file

in the Tucson Division. Mail the original and one copy of the complaint with the $350 filing

fee or the application to proceed in forma pauperis to:

Case 2:13-cv-01012-RCB--JFM Document 6 Filed 07/30/13 Page 14 of 23
2

Phoenix & Prescott Divisions: OR Tucson Division:

U.S. District Court Clerk U.S. District Court Clerk

U.S. Courthouse, Suite 130 U.S. Courthouse, Suite 1500

401 West Washington Street, SPC 10 405 West Congress Street

Phoenix, Arizona 85003-2119 Tucson, Arizona 85701-5010

7. Change of Address. You must immediately notify the Court and the defendants in writing

of any change in your mailing address. Failure to notify the Court of any change in your

mailing address may result in the dismissal of your case.

8. Certificate of Service. You must furnish the defendants with a copy of any document you

submit to the Court (except the initial complaint and application to proceed in forma pauperis).

Each original document (except the initial complaint and application to proceed in forma

pauperis) must include a certificate of service on the last page of the document stating the date

a copy of the document was mailed to the defendants and the address to which it was mailed.

See Fed. R. Civ. P. 5(a), (d). Any document received by the Court that does not include a

certificate of service may be stricken. A certificate of service should be in the following form:

I hereby certify that a copy of the foregoing document was mailed

this (month, day, year) to:

Name: 

Address: 

 Attorney for Defendant(s)

 

(Signature)

9. Amended Complaint. If you need to change any of the information in the initial complaint,

you must file an amended complaint. The amended complaint must be written on the courtapproved civil rights complaint form. You may file one amended complaint without leave

(permission) of Court before any defendant has answered your original complaint. See Fed. R.

Civ. P. 15(a). After any defendant has filed an answer, you must file a motion for leave to

amend and lodge (submit) a proposed amended complaint. LRCiv 15.1. In addition, an

amended complaint may not incorporate by reference any part of your prior complaint. LRCiv

15.1(a)(2). Any allegations or defendants not included in the amended complaint are

considered dismissed. All amended complaints are subject to screening under the Prison

Litigation Reform Act; screening your amendment will take additional processing time.

10. Exhibits. You should not submit exhibits with the complaint or amended complaint.

Instead, the relevant information should be paraphrased. You should keep the exhibits to use

to support or oppose a motion to dismiss, a motion for summary judgment, or at trial.

11. Letters and Motions. It is generally inappropriate to write a letter to any judge or the staff

of any judge. The only appropriate way to communicate with the Court is by filing a written

pleading or motion.

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3

12. Completing the Civil Rights Complaint Form.

HEADING:

1. Your Name. Print your name, prison or inmate number, and institutional mailing

address on the lines provided.

2. Defendants. If there are four or fewer defendants, print the name of each. If you

name more than four defendants, print the name of the first defendant on the first line,

write the words “and others” on the second line, and attach an additional page listing the

names of all of the defendants. Insert the additional page after page 1 and number it “1-

A” at the bottom.

3. Jury Demand. If you want a jury trial, you must write “JURY TRIAL DEMANDED”

in the space below “CIVIL RIGHTS COMPLAINT BY A PRISONER.” Failure to do

so may result in the loss of the right to a jury trial. A jury trial is not available if you are

seeking only injunctive relief.

Part A. JURISDICTION:

1. Nature of Suit. Mark whether you are filing the complaint pursuant to 42 U.S.C.

§ 1983 for state, county, or city defendants; “Bivens v. Six Unknown Federal Narcotics

Agents” for federal defendants; or “other.” If you mark “other,” identify the source of

that authority. 

2. Location. Identify the institution and city where the alleged violation of your rights

occurred. 

3. Defendants. Print all of the requested information about each of the defendants in the

spaces provided. If you are naming more than four defendants, you must provide the

necessary information about each additional defendant on separate pages labeled “2-A,”

“2-B,” etc., at the bottom. Insert the additional page(s) immediately behind page 2.

Part B. PREVIOUS LAWSUITS:

You must identify any other lawsuit you have filed in either state or federal court while

you were a prisoner. Print all of the requested information about each lawsuit in the spaces

provided. If you have filed more than three lawsuits, you must provide the necessary

information about each additional lawsuit on a separate page. Label the page(s) as “2-A,” “2-

B,” etc., at the bottom of the page and insert the additional page(s) immediately behind page 2.

Part C. CAUSE OF ACTION:

You must identify what rights each defendant violated. The form provides space to

allege three separate counts (one violation per count). If you are alleging more than three

counts, you must provide the necessary information about each additional count on a separate

page. Number the additional pages “5-A,” “5-B,” etc., and insert them immediately behind page

5. Remember that you are limited to a total of fifteen additional pages.

Case 2:13-cv-01012-RCB--JFM Document 6 Filed 07/30/13 Page 16 of 23
4

1. Counts. You must identify which civil right was violated. You may allege the

violation of only one civil right per count.

2. Issue Involved. Check the box that most closely identifies the issue involved in your

claim. You may check only one box per count. If you check the box marked “Other,”

you must identify the specific issue involved.

3. Supporting Facts. After you have identified which civil right was violated, you must

state the supporting facts. Be as specific as possible. You must state what each

individual defendant did to violate your rights. If there is more than one defendant, you

must identify which defendant did what act. You also should state the date(s) on which

the act(s) occurred, if possible.

4. Injury. State precisely how you were injured by the alleged violation of your rights.

5. Administrative Remedies. You must exhaust any available administrative remedies

before you file a civil rights complaint. See 42 U.S.C. § 1997e. Consequently, you

should disclose whether you have exhausted the inmate grievance procedures or

administrative appeals for each count in your complaint. If the grievance procedures

were not available for any of your counts, fully explain why on the lines provided.

Part D. REQUEST FOR RELIEF:

Print the relief you are seeking in the space provided. 

SIGNATURE:

You must sign your name and print the date you signed the complaint. Failure to sign

the complaint will delay the processing of your action. Unless you are an attorney, you may not

bring an action on behalf of anyone but yourself.

FINAL NOTE

You should follow these instructions carefully. Failure to do so may result in your

complaint being stricken or dismissed. All questions must be answered concisely in the proper

space on the form. If you need more space, you may attach no more than fifteen additional

pages. But the form must be completely filled in to the extent applicable. If you attach

additional pages, be sure to identify which section of the complaint is being continued and

number the pages.

Case 2:13-cv-01012-RCB--JFM Document 6 Filed 07/30/13 Page 17 of 23
Revised 3/9/07 1 550/555

Name and Prisoner/Booking Number

Place of Confinement

Mailing Address

City, State, Zip Code

(Failure to notify the Court of your change of address may result in dismissal of this action.) 

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE DISTRICT OF ARIZONA

)

 , )

(Full Name of Plaintiff) Plaintiff, )

)

 vs. ) CASE NO. 

) (To be supplied by the Clerk)

(1) , )

(Full Name of Defendant) )

(2) , )

) CIVIL RIGHTS COMPLAINT

(3) ,) BY A PRISONER

)

(4) , ) G Original Complaint

Defendant(s). ) G First Amended Complaint

G Check if there are additional Defendants and attach page 1-A listing them. ) G Second Amended Complaint

A. JURISDICTION

1. This Court has jurisdiction over this action pursuant to:

G 28 U.S.C. § 1343(a); 42 U.S.C. § 1983

G 28 U.S.C. § 1331; Bivens v. Six Unknown Federal Narcotics Agents, 403 U.S. 388 (1971).

G Other: .

2. Institution/city where violation occurred: .

Case 2:13-cv-01012-RCB--JFM Document 6 Filed 07/30/13 Page 18 of 23
2

B. DEFENDANTS

1. Name of first Defendant: . The first Defendant is employed as:

at . (Position and Title) (Institution)

2. Name of second Defendant: . The second Defendant is employed as:

at . (Position and Title) (Institution)

3. Name of third Defendant: . The third Defendant is employed as:

at . (Position and Title) (Institution)

4. Name of fourth Defendant: . The fourth Defendant is employed as:

at . (Position and Title) (Institution)

If you name more than four Defendants, answer the questions listed above for each additional Defendant on a separate page.

C. PREVIOUS LAWSUITS

1. Have you filed any other lawsuits while you were a prisoner? G Yes G No

2. If yes, how many lawsuits have you filed? . Describe the previous lawsuits:

a. First prior lawsuit:

1. Parties: v. 

2. Court and case number: .

3. Result: (Was the case dismissed? Was it appealed? Is it still pending?)

.

b. Second prior lawsuit:

1. Parties: v. 

2. Court and case number: .

3. Result: (Was the case dismissed? Was it appealed? Is it still pending?)

.

c. Third prior lawsuit:

1. Parties: v. 

2. Court and case number: .

3. Result: (Was the case dismissed? Was it appealed? Is it still pending?)

.

If you filed more than three lawsuits, answer the questions listed above for each additional lawsuit on a separate page.

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D. CAUSE OF ACTION

COUNT I

1. State the constitutional or other federal civil right that was violated: 

.

2. Count I. Identify the issue involved. Check only one. State additional issues in separate counts.

G Basic necessities G Mail G Access to the court G Medical care 

G Disciplinary proceedings G Property G Exercise of religion G Retaliation

G Excessive force by an officer G Threat to safety G Other: .

3. Supporting Facts. State as briefly as possible the FACTS supporting Count I. Describe exactly what

each Defendant did or did not do that violated your rights. State the facts clearly in your own words without

citing legal authority or arguments.

.

4. Injury. State how you were injured by the actions or inactions of the Defendant(s).

.

5. Administrative Remedies:

a. Are there any administrative remedies (grievance procedures or administrative appeals) available

at your institution? G Yes G No

b. Did you submit a request for administrative relief on Count I? G Yes G No

c. Did you appeal your request for relief on Count I to the highest level? G Yes G No

d. If you did not submit or appeal a request for administrative relief at any level, briefly explain why

you did not. 

.

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COUNT II

1. State the constitutional or other federal civil right that was violated: 

.

2. Count II. Identify the issue involved. Check only one. State additional issues in separate counts.

G Basic necessities G Mail G Access to the court G Medical care 

G Disciplinary proceedings G Property G Exercise of religion G Retaliation

G Excessive force by an officer G Threat to safety G Other: .

3. Supporting Facts. State as briefly as possible the FACTS supporting Count II. Describe exactly what

each Defendant did or did not do that violated your rights. State the facts clearly in your own words without

citing legal authority or arguments.

.

4. Injury. State how you were injured by the actions or inactions of the Defendant(s).

.

5. Administrative Remedies.

a. Are there any administrative remedies (grievance procedures or administrative appeals) available

at your institution? G Yes G No

b. Did you submit a request for administrative relief on Count II? G Yes G No

c. Did you appeal your request for relief on Count II to the highest level? G Yes G No

d. If you did not submit or appeal a request for administrative relief at any level, briefly explain why

you did not. 

.

Case 2:13-cv-01012-RCB--JFM Document 6 Filed 07/30/13 Page 21 of 23
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COUNT III

1. State the constitutional or other federal civil right that was violated: 

.

2. Count III. Identify the issue involved. Check only one. State additional issues in separate counts.

G Basic necessities G Mail G Access to the court G Medical care 

G Disciplinary proceedings G Property G Exercise of religion G Retaliation

G Excessive force by an officer G Threat to safety G Other: .

3. Supporting Facts. State as briefly as possible the FACTS supporting Count III. Describe exactly what

each Defendant did or did not do that violated your rights. State the facts clearly in your own words without

citing legal authority or arguments.

.

4. Injury. State how you were injured by the actions or inactions of the Defendant(s).

.

5. Administrative Remedies.

a. Are there any administrative remedies (grievance procedures or administrative appeals) available

at your institution? G Yes G No

b. Did you submit a request for administrative relief on Count III? G Yes G No

c. Did you appeal your request for relief on Count III to the highest level? G Yes G No

d. If you did not submit or appeal a request for administrative relief at any level, briefly explain why

you did not. 

.

If you assert more than three Counts, answer the questions listed above for each additional Count on a separate page.

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E. REQUEST FOR RELIEF

State the relief you are seeking:

.

I declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct.

Executed on 

DATE SIGNATURE OF PLAINTIFF

(Name and title of paralegal, legal assistant, or

other person who helped prepare this complaint)

(Signature of attorney, if any)

(Attorney’s address & telephone number)

ADDITIONAL PAGES

All questions must be answered concisely in the proper space on the form. If you need more space, you may

attach no more than fifteen additional pages. But the form must be completely filled in to the extent

applicable. If you attach additional pages, be sure to identify which section of the complaint is being continued

and number all pages.

Case 2:13-cv-01012-RCB--JFM Document 6 Filed 07/30/13 Page 23 of 23