Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_13-cv-01302/USCOURTS-caed-2_13-cv-01302-5/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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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 

ROBERT ELLIS, 

Plaintiff, 

v. 

FEINBERG, 

Defendant. 

No. 2:13-cv-1302-EFB P 

ORDER 

Plaintiff is a state prisoner proceeding without counsel in an action brought under 42 

U.S.C. § 1983.1

 He alleges that defendant Feinberg violated his Eighth Amendment rights by 

ignoring his complaints of pain caused by a toenail fungus. ECF No. 1. Defendant Feinberg 

seeks summary judgment. ECF No. 24. Plaintiff opposes the motion and defendant has filed a 

reply. ECF Nos. 27, 30. For the reasons that follow, defendant’s motion for summary judgment 

is granted. 

I. Summary Judgment Standards 

Summary judgment is appropriate when there is “no genuine dispute as to any material 

fact and the movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(a). Summary 

 1

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

§ 636(b)(1) and is before the undersigned pursuant to the parties’ consent. E.D. Cal. Local Rules, 

Appx. A, at (k). 

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judgment avoids unnecessary trials in cases in which the parties do not dispute the facts relevant 

to the determination of the issues in the case, or in which there is insufficient evidence for a jury 

to determine those facts in favor of the nonmovant. Crawford-El v. Britton, 523 U.S. 574, 600 

(1998); Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 247-50 (1986); Nw. Motorcycle Ass’n v. 

U.S. Dep’t of Agric., 18 F.3d 1468, 1471-72 (9th Cir. 1994). At bottom, a summary judgment 

motion asks whether the evidence presents a sufficient disagreement to require submission to a 

jury. 

The principal purpose of Rule 56 is to isolate and dispose of factually unsupported claims 

or defenses. Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 323-24 (1986). Thus, the rule functions to 

“‘pierce the pleadings and to assess the proof in order to see whether there is a genuine need for 

trial.’” Matsushita Elec. Indus. v. Zenith Radio Corp., 475 U.S. 574, 587 (1986) (quoting Fed. R. 

Civ. P. 56(e) advisory committee’s note on 1963 amendments). Procedurally, under summary 

judgment practice, the moving party bears the initial responsibility of presenting the basis for its 

motion and identifying those portions of the record, together with affidavits, if any, that it 

believes demonstrate the absence of a genuine issue of material fact. Celotex, 477 U.S. at 323; 

Devereaux v. Abbey, 263 F.3d 1070, 1076 (9th Cir. 2001) (en banc). If the moving party meets 

its burden with a properly supported motion, the burden then shifts to the opposing party to 

present specific facts that show there is a genuine issue for trial. Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(e); Anderson,

477 U.S. at 248; Auvil v. CBS “60 Minutes”, 67 F.3d 816, 819 (9th Cir. 1995). 

A clear focus on where the burden of proof lies as to the factual issue in question is crucial 

to summary judgment procedures. Depending on which party bears that burden, the party seeking 

summary judgment does not necessarily need to submit any evidence of its own. When the 

opposing party would have the burden of proof on a dispositive issue at trial, the moving party 

need not produce evidence which negates the opponent’s claim. See, e.g., Lujan v. National 

Wildlife Fed’n, 497 U.S. 871, 885 (1990). Rather, the moving party need only point to matters 

which demonstrate the absence of a genuine material factual issue. See Celotex, 477 U.S. at 323-

24 (“[W]here the nonmoving party will bear the burden of proof at trial on a dispositive issue, a 

summary judgment motion may properly be made in reliance solely on the ‘pleadings, 

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depositions, answers to interrogatories, and admissions on file.’”). Indeed, summary judgment 

should be entered, after adequate time for discovery and upon motion, against a party who fails to 

make a showing sufficient to establish the existence of an element essential to that party’s case, 

and on which that party will bear the burden of proof at trial. See id. at 322. In such a 

circumstance, summary judgment must be granted, “so long as whatever is before the district 

court demonstrates that the standard for entry of summary judgment, as set forth in Rule 56(c), is 

satisfied.” Id. at 323. 

To defeat summary judgment the opposing party must establish a genuine dispute as to a 

material issue of fact. This entails two requirements. First, the dispute must be over a fact(s) that 

is material, i.e., one that makes a difference in the outcome of the case. Anderson, 477 U.S. at 

248 (“Only disputes over facts that might affect the outcome of the suit under the governing law 

will properly preclude the entry of summary judgment.”). Whether a factual dispute is material is 

determined by the substantive law applicable for the claim in question. Id. If the opposing party 

is unable to produce evidence sufficient to establish a required element of its claim that party fails 

in opposing summary judgment. “[A] complete failure of proof concerning an essential element 

of the nonmoving party’s case necessarily renders all other facts immaterial.” Celotex, 477 U.S. 

at 322. 

Second, the dispute must be genuine. In determining whether a factual dispute is genuine 

the court must again focus on which party bears the burden of proof on the factual issue in 

question. Where the party opposing summary judgment would bear the burden of proof at trial on 

the factual issue in dispute, that party must produce evidence sufficient to support its factual 

claim. Conclusory allegations, unsupported by evidence are insufficient to defeat the motion. 

Taylor v. List, 880 F.2d 1040, 1045 (9th Cir. 1989). Rather, the opposing party must, by affidavit 

or as otherwise provided by Rule 56, designate specific facts that show there is a genuine issue 

for trial. Anderson, 477 U.S. at 249; Devereaux, 263 F.3d at 1076. More significantly, to 

demonstrate a genuine factual dispute the evidence relied on by the opposing party must be such 

that a fair-minded jury “could return a verdict for [him] on the evidence presented.” Anderson, 

477 U.S. at 248, 252. Absent any such evidence there simply is no reason for trial. 

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The court does not determine witness credibility. It believes the opposing party’s 

evidence, and draws inferences most favorably for the opposing party. See id. at 249, 255; 

Matsushita, 475 U.S. at 587. Inferences, however, are not drawn out of “thin air,” and the 

proponent must adduce evidence of a factual predicate from which to draw inferences. American 

Int’l Group, Inc. v. American Int’l Bank, 926 F.2d 829, 836 (9th Cir. 1991) (Kozinski, J., 

dissenting) (citing Celotex, 477 U.S. at 322). If reasonable minds could differ on material facts at 

issue, summary judgment is inappropriate. See Warren v. City of Carlsbad, 58 F.3d 439, 441 (9th 

Cir. 1995). On the other hand, the opposing party “must do more than simply show that there is 

some metaphysical doubt as to the material facts . . . . Where the record taken as a whole could 

not lead a rational trier of fact to find for the nonmoving party, there is no ‘genuine issue for 

trial.’” Matsushita, 475 U.S. at 587 (citation omitted). In that case, the court must grant 

summary judgment. 

 Concurrent with his motion for summary judgment, defendant advised plaintiff of the 

requirements for opposing a motion pursuant to Rule 56 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. 

ECF No. 24-1; see Woods v. Carey, 684 F.3d 934 (9th Cir. 2012); Rand v. Rowland, 154 F.3d 

952, 957 (9th Cir. 1998) (en banc), cert. denied, 527 U.S. 1035 (1999); Klingele v. Eikenberry, 

849 F.2d 409 (9th Cir. 1988). 

II. Eighth Amendment Standards 

 To succeed on an Eighth Amendment claim predicated on the denial of medical care, a 

plaintiff must establish that he had a serious medical need and that the defendant’s response to 

that need was deliberately indifferent. Jett v. Penner, 439 F.3d 1091, 1096 (9th Cir. 2006); see 

also Estelle v. Gamble, 429 U.S. 97, 106 (1976). A serious medical need exists if the failure to 

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

infliction of pain. Jett, 439 F.3d at 1096. Deliberate indifference may be shown by the denial, 

delay, or intentional interference with medical treatment, or by the way in which medical care is 

provided. Hutchinson v. United States, 838 F.2d 390, 394 (9th Cir. 1988). 

To act with deliberate indifference, a prison official must both be aware of facts from 

which the inference could be drawn that a substantial risk of serious harm exists, and he must also 

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draw the inference. Farmer v. Brennan, 511 U.S. 825, 837 (1994). Thus, a defendant is liable if 

he knows that plaintiff faces “a substantial risk of serious harm and disregards that risk by failing 

to take reasonable measures to abate it.” Id. at 847. A physician need not fail to treat an inmate 

altogether in order to violate that inmate’s Eighth Amendment rights. Ortiz v. City of Imperial, 

884 F.2d 1312, 1314 (9th Cir. 1989). A failure to competently treat a serious medical condition, 

even if some treatment is prescribed, may constitute deliberate indifference in a particular case. 

Id. 

It is important to differentiate common law negligence claims of malpractice from claims 

predicated on violations of the Eighth Amendment’s prohibition of cruel and unusual punishment. 

In asserting the latter, “[m]ere ‘indifference,’ ‘negligence,’ or ‘medical malpractice’ will not 

support this cause of action.” Broughton v. Cutter Laboratories, 622 F.2d 458, 460 (9th Cir. 

1980) (citing Estelle, 429 U.S. at 105-06); see also Toguchi, 391 F.3d at 1057. 

III. Analysis 

Since as early as 2001, plaintiff has experienced recurrences of onychomycosis, a 

cosmetic condition where fungus grows on his toenails, making them “black and thick.” ECF No. 

24-4 (“Feinberg Decl.”) ¶ 2, Ex. A at 1; ECF No. 24-6 (“Yount Decl.”), Exs. A & B. Patients 

who present with toenail fungus generally describe that it is not painful, although it may cause an 

inconvenience with grooming, as thickened toenails can be harder to trim. Feinberg Decl. ¶ 2. It 

generally does not impact or decrease one’s daily life activities. Id. 

In response to plaintiff’s requests for medical care, some doctors have given him 

antifungal cream, id., Ex. A at 3, 22-29, some have prescribed oral anti-fungal medications, id., 

Ex. A at 6, 9-10, 14, 16, 18, 20, and others have found that no treatment was necessary, ECF No. 

24-5 (“Silkwood Decl.”), Ex. A at 6-7, 11. Continued use of anti-fungal medications, such as 

Griseofulvin and Lamisil, risks liver damage. Feinberg Decl. ¶ 6. For this reason, some doctors 

have declined to prescribe these drugs to plaintiff. Id., Ex. A at 11, 32; Silkwood Decl., Ex. A at 

9, Ex. B at 14. 

On July 4, 2012, plaintiff submitted a medical slip requesting treatment for his toenail 

fungus. Feinberg Decl., Ex. A at 30. This request made no mention of pain. Id. On July 17, 

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2012, plaintiff was seen by defendant, his primary care doctor. Id. ¶ 5, Ex. A at 31. This was the 

first time defendant became aware of plaintiff’s toenail fungus problem. Id. ¶ 4. Plaintiff 

explained that his toenails were hard to trim and that in the past he had taken “pills that he had to 

take blood tests for.” Id. ¶ 5, Ex. A at 31. After examining plaintiff’s toenails, defendant 

determined that plaintiff had a cosmetic problem that was not harmful or dangerous and needed 

no treatment. Id. ¶¶ 2, 5, Ex. A at 31. Defendant, who has been an internal medicine doctor for 

several decades, had seen similar conditions in hundreds of patients before. Id. ¶¶ 2, 5. 

Defendant showed plaintiff how to properly care for his nails by clipping them and keeping them 

clean, and avoiding tight fitting shoes. Id. ¶ 5, Ex. A at 31. 

A few days after this visit, plaintiff complained in an administrative appeal that defendant 

had not prescribed him Griseofulvin. Yount Decl., Ex. A. Plaintiff wrote, “I was given 

Griseofulvin 250 mg which was effective on my toe nail fungus by Dr. Dazo Alfredo. I’ve seen 

the doctor July 17, 2012. I’d like to continue taking the nail fungus treatment so I’m asking to 

have that medication Griseofulvin refilled.” Id. Again, plaintiff did not state that the toenail 

fungus was causing him any pain. Id. 

On August 13, 2012, defendant met with plaintiff for the second time, to respond to 

plaintiff’s administrative appeal. Feinberg Decl. ¶ 6, Ex. A at 32; Yount Decl., Ex. A. At this 

meeting, plaintiff told defendant that he had taken Griseofulvin in the past for his toenail fungus 

and that it was very effective and that he wanted to retake it. Id. He also stated that he knew he 

had to take blood tests prior to taking Griseofulvin “because it’s dangerous.” Id. Plaintiff also 

indicated that the overgrown toenails did not cause him pain. Id. Defendant again advised 

plaintiff that his fungal infection did not require treatment with medication and declined to 

prescribe Griseofulvin, given the dangerous side effects of the drug. Id. Defendant denied 

plaintiff’s administrative appeal. Feinberg Decl., ¶ 7. This was the last time that defendant 

discussed plaintiff’s toe nail fungus problem. Id. 

In his unsworn opposition brief, plaintiff states that he complained to defendant that the 

toenail fungus caused him pain. ECF No. 27 at 1 (claiming he told defendant that “my toes 

always feel like a can has been dropped on them”). According to plaintiff, defendant responded 

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by trying to convince plaintiff that he was not in pain and stated that there was “nothing” he could 

do for plaintiff. Id. The medical evidence fails to support these contentions. According to the 

record, plaintiff complained to prison officials once in 2006, and again in September 2012 

through June 2013, that the toenail fungus caused him pain. ECF No. 62 at 15; Yount Decl., Ex. 

A at 7; Silkwood Decl., Ex. A at 4. Critically, there is no admissible evidence showing that 

defendant, who examined plaintiff in July and August of 2012, ever knew that the toenail fungus 

caused plaintiff any pain. For this reason, defendant could not have been deliberately indifferent 

to plaintiff’s pain. See Farmer, 511 U.S. at 847 (to establish a claim for deliberate indifference 

“the official must both be aware of the facts from which the inference could be drawn that a 

substantial risk of serious harm exists, and he must also draw the inference.”) 

Moreover, plaintiff saw defendant only twice for his toenail fungus. On both occasions, 

defendant did not ignore plaintiff’s concerns but instead examined his toes and counseled him. 

He explained to plaintiff that his condition was untreatable and was a recurring cosmetic issue, 

and showed him how to properly care for the nails for the long term, by clipping and keeping 

them clean, and avoiding tight fitting shoes. Defendant’s assessment and medical opinion that it 

was a cosmetic issue and that treatment was not indicated is not a basis for a deliberate 

indifference claim. Mere differences of opinions between an inmate and a doctor over proper 

medical treatment (or need for medical treatment at all) does not give rise to an Eighth 

Amendment violation. See Estelle, 429 U.S. at 105-07. 

According to plaintiff, defendant should have at least prescribed one of several 

medications “to rid [him of] this painful problem.” ECF No. 27 at 2. This, however, is precisely 

the type of difference in opinion that is not subject to an Eighth Amendment constitutional 

challenge. See Clinton v. Meyers, No. CV 08-4177-DOC OP, 2009 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 122875, at 

*22- 23 (C.D. Cal. Dec. 3, 2009), adopted by 2010 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 2177 (C.D. Cal. Jan. 8, 

2010) (inmate’s disagreement with medical staff’s opinion that “treatment of nail fungus was 

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 Although plaintiff’s complaint at ECF No. 6 was stricken from the docket as duplicative 

of the original complaint, see ECF No. 7, in an abundance of caution, the court has considered the 

exhibits thereto in resolving defendant’s motion. 

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considered to be cosmetic in nature and not medically necessary” is insufficient to support a 

deliberate indifference claim); Santos v. Santa Clara Co. Main Jail, No. C13-4885 PJH (PR), 

2014 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 105360, at *8 (N.D. Cal. July 30, 2014) (denial of Lamisil prescription for 

toenail fungus is a difference of opinion and insufficient to establish deliberate indifference). 

Plaintiff’s disagreement with defendant’s assessment that the toenail fungus was untreatable is 

not a valid basis for asserting a § 1983 claim. Nor can plaintiff, who has no medical training, 

dictate any specific treatment for his toenail fungus condition. 

The undisputed facts show that defendant attempted to address all of plaintiff’s concerns 

that were brought to his attention, and that he was not deliberately indifferent to plaintiff’s 

medical needs for which he was aware or should have been aware. Plaintiff simply cannot 

establish a viable Eighth Amendment claim against defendant based on the undisputed facts. 

Accordingly, summary judgment must be granted in favor of defendant. 

IV. Order 

Accordingly, it is hereby ORDERED that defendant’s motion for summary judgment 

(ECF No. 24) is granted and that the Clerk is directed to enter judgment accordingly and close 

this case. 

DATED: December 9, 2015. 

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