Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-ared-4_15-cv-00553/USCOURTS-ared-4_15-cv-00553-0/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

EASTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS

WESTERN DIVISION

CHARLES EDWARD BLACK,

ADC #88859 PLAINTIFF

V. 4:15CV00553 JM/JTR 

 

JAMES LINKER, Lieutenant,

Pope County Detention Center, et al. DEFENDANTS

RECOMMENDED DISPOSITION

The following Recommended Disposition (“Recommendation”) has been sent

to United States District Judge James M. Moody Jr. Any party may file written

objections to this Recommendation. Objections must be specific and include the

factual or legal basis for disagreeing with the Recommendation. An objection to a

factual finding mustspecifically identify the finding of fact believed to be wrong and

describe the evidence that supports that belief. 

An original and one copy of the objections must be received in the office of the

United States District Clerk within fourteen (14) days of this Recommendation. If no

objections are filed, Judge Moody can adopt this Recommendation without

independently reviewing all of the evidence in the record. By not objecting, you may

also waive any right to appeal questions of fact.

Case 4:15-cv-00553-JM Document 75 Filed 08/22/16 Page 1 of 14
I. Introduction

Plaintiff, Charles Edward Black ("Black"), is a prisoner in the Arkansas

Department of Correction. He has filed this pro se § 1983 action alleging that, while

he was in the Pope County Detention Center ("PCDC"), Defendants Dr. Nathan

Neilson ("Dr. Neilson"), Lieutenant James Linker ("Lieutenant Linker"), Sergeant

Crystal Hull ("Sergeant Hull"), and Officer Andy Ballinger ("Officer Ballinger")

failed to provide him with constitutional adequate medical care for heart disease.1

Docs. 1, 2, & 23.

Dr. Neilson hasfiled a Motion for Summary Judgment, a Brief in Support, two

Statements of Undisputed Facts, and several Replies.

2 Docs. 42, 43, 46, 53, 56, 57,

59, & 71. Black has filed two Responses. Docs. 45 & 54.

Lieutenant Linker, Sergeant Hull, and Officer Ballinger have also filed a

Motion for Summary Judgment, a Brief in Support, a Statement of Undisputed Facts,

and two Replies. Doc. 61, 62, 63, 72, & 73. Black has filed a Response and two

1 The Court has previously dismissed, without prejudice, all other claims raised by Black.

Doc. 8. 

2 One of Dr. Neilson's arguments is that, pursuant to Local Rule 5.5(c)(2), Black's allegations

against him should be dismissed, without prejudice, because Black filed his Response to the Motion

for Summary Judgment on May 16, 2016, which was approximately one month after the April 13,

2016 deadline. Docs. 47, 51, 53, 54 & 56. Black asserts his Response was late because he was in the

hospital. Doc. 52. Neither side has offered evidence to support or refute Black's contention.

As will be explained in this Recommendation, there is no need for the Court to resolve this

matter because it is clear Dr. Neilson is entitled to summary judgment, on the merits, with regard to

all claims Black has asserted against him. 

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Statements of Disputed Facts. Docs. 68, 69, & 70.

Before addressing the merits of Defendants' Motionsfor Summary Judgment,

3

the Court willset forth the relevant facts, viewed in the light most favorable to Black,

which support his claims against the Defendants:

1. In May of 2015, Black was a forty-nine-year old convicted prisoner,

who previously had at least one heart attack and six stents placed in his coronary

arteries.

4

 Doc. 59.

2. On May 29, 2015, at around 6:00 p.m., Black told Sergeant Hull that he

was having chest pains. Sergeant Hull called Dr. Neilson, a private physician who

isthe contract medical provider for PCDC prisoners. Dr. Neilson instructed Sergeant

Hull to monitor Black's blood pressure and give him two aspirin. When Black's chest

pains continued, Dr. Neilson instructed Lieutenant Linker to have Black meet him at

a local emergency room. When Black arrived at the emergency room, around 9:00

3Summary judgment is appropriate when the record, viewed in the light most favorable to

the nonmoving party, demonstrates that there is no genuine dispute as to any material fact, and the

moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(a); Celotex Corp. v.

Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 322-23 (1986); Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 249-50 (1986).

The moving party bears the initial burden of demonstrating the absence of a genuine dispute of

material fact. Celotex, 477 U.S. at 323. Once that has been done, the nonmoving party must present

specific facts demonstrating that there is a material dispute for trial. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(c);

Torgerson v. City of Rochester, 643 F.3d 1031, 1042 (8th Cir. 2011). 

4 Black smoked cigarettes for thirty-years; used methamphetamine for an unspecified period

of time; and, several years before his incarceration in the PCDC, suffered a collapsed lung when he

was stabbed nine times in the chest and back. Doc. 59. 

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p.m., Dr. Neilson: (a) determined that Black was not in acute distress; (b) gave Black

nitroglycerin, which relieved his chest pain; and (c) ordered a chest x-ray, EKG, and

blood work. All of the results from those testes were normal. Later that evening, Dr.

Neilson discharged Black fromthe emergency room to the PCDC, with a prescription

for nitroglycerin and aspirin. Doc. 59 at 1-10; Doc. 62 at A. 

3. On June 4, 2015, at around 7:00 p.m., Black had chest pains and

shortness of breath. Dr. Neilson instructed a non-party jailer to give Black

nitroglycerin and monitor his condition. When Black's symptoms did not improve, 

Dr. Neilson and Lieutenant Linker instructed the jailer to call for emergency medical

services. Emergency responders evaluated Black at the PCDC and recommended that

he go to the emergency room. Lieutenant Linker instructed a jailer, rather than the

emergency responders, to transport Black to the emergency room. Around 8:00 p.m.,

Black arrived at the emergency room and was examined by a non-party physician.

Black was not in acute distress. Additionally, his chest x-ray and blood work were

normal. However, due to his cardiac history and unresolved pain, the non-party

physician admitted Black for observation and a cardiac consultation. Doc. 59 at 11-

23; Doc. 62, Ex. B.

4. On June 5, 2015, a cardiologist performed an angiogramwhich revealed

restenosis of one of Black's previously placed coronary stents. The cardiologist

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performed a balloon angioplasty. Black stayed in the hospital overnight. Doc. 59 at

11-23.

5. On June 6, 2015, Black continued to complain of chest pain and

requested IV pain medications. A cardiologist ordered blood work and a CT scan,

both of which were normal. Around 4:30 p.m., the cardiologist discharged Black

from the hospital to the PCDC with instructions to take daily beta-blockers, blood

thinners, and cholesterol medications. He also gave Black nitroglycerin tabletsto use

as needed, and instructed Black to follow-up with Dr. Neilson in two weeks. Doc.

59 at 11-23. Around 8:00 p.m. that evening, Black told a non-party jailer that he was

having chest pains, shortness of breath, and dizziness. Black then fell to the floor

holding his chest. Doc. 62, Ex. C. The jailer immediately called for emergency

services, and Black was taken to the emergency room by ambulance. Black was not

in acute distress and had a normal EKG. As a precaution, he was admitted to the

hospital for observation and a cardiac consultation. Doc. 59 at 24-31.

6. On June 7, 2016, Black was examined by a cardiologist who noted that

Black continued to seek IV pain medications even though his EKG and cardiac

markers were normal. The cardiologist concluded that Black's "chest pain is not from

cardiac etiology and there may be secondary gain for the patient's symptoms." Doc.

59 at 33. Black demanded a second opinion. Another cardiologist examined Black

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and agreed that: "From a cardiology standpoint, I do not think [Black's] chest pain is

cardiac." Doc. 59 at 35. However, because Black had a history of coronary artery

disease and reflux, the second cardiologist: (a) increased Black's reflux medication;

(b) prescribed ranolazine and hydrocodone to treat Blacks' pain; (c) instructed Black

to wear a heart monitor for thirty days; and (d) recommended that Black be taken to

the cardiologist who treated him prior his incarceration (hereinafter referred to as the

"freeworld cardiologist") if he had any future chest pains. Black wasthen discharged

to the PCDC. Doc. 59 at 33-38. 

7. On June 9, 12, and 15, 2015, Black filed three PCDC grievances

complaining that: (a) he had not been promptly taken to the hospital when he

previously had chest pains; (b) he had not been placed on a heart monitor or received

ranolazine and hydrocodone as ordered by the hospital cardiologists; and (c) he had

not been seen by either Dr. Neilson or a cardiologist for follow-up care. Doc. 1 at 5-

8; Doc. 59 at 41-44. 

8. On June 16, 2015, Dr. Neilson examined Black, who reported that he

was not currently experiencing chest pains, dizziness, or shortness of breath. Dr.

Neilson told Black that he had spoken, by telephone, with Black's cardiologists and

reviewed Black's hospital records. Dr. Neilson explained that Black had not received

ranolazine because he was waiting for Medicaid's approval and that, in the meantime,

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he was trying to obtain free samples of that medication for Black. Dr. Neilson then

offered to put Black on a heart monitor, but Black demanded that a cardiologist

perform that task. Doc. 42, Ex. A; Doc. 59 at 45.

9. On June 17, 2015, Black was taken to see his freeworld cardiologist. 

However, the heart monitor was sent to the local hospital, not to his freeworld

cardiologist's office. Because Black was scheduled to be transported to the ADC the

following day, hisfreeworld cardiologist decided not to track down the heart monitor

and place Black on it. Doc. 1 at 11-12.

10. On June 18, 2015, Black was transferred from the PCDC to the ADC. 

Black claims PCDC jailers did not give him his medications the morning of the

transfer or send his medications with him to the ADC. However, Black admits that,

later that day, ADC medical providers gave him heart medications.

5 Doc. 1 at 11-12.

11. On September 3, 2015, Black filed this § 1983 action. Doc. 1. 

12. In October of 2015, Black was transferred from the ADC to the PCDC

to attend trial on a pending criminal charge. Black claims that, during the

approximately two weeks he was in the PCDC, Sergeant Hull and Officer Ballinger

failed to refill his aspirin prescription. Doc. 23. Black waslater returned to the ADC.

5

It is unclear whether Black was placed on a heart monitor after he was incarcerated in the

ADC.

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II. Discussion

A. Black's Inadequate Medical Care Claims Against Dr. Neilson and

Lieutenant Linker

Black allegesthat, in May and June of 2015, Dr. Neilson and Lieutenant Linker

failed to provide him with adequate medical care for cardiac disease.6 To prevail on

this claim, Black must prove that: (1) he had an objectively serious medical need for

cardiac care; and (2) Dr. Neilson and Lieutenant Linker subjectively knew of, but

deliberately disregarded, his serious medical need. See Saylor v. Nebraska, 812 F.3d

637, 644 (8th Cir. 2016); Langford v. Norris, 614 F.3d 445, 460 (8th Cir. 2010). 

The parties agree that Black had an objectively serious medical need for

cardiac care. Thus, the relevant inquiry is whether there are any facts suggesting that

Dr. Neilson and Lieutenant Linker were deliberately indifferent to that serious

medical need. Deliberate indifference goes well beyond negligence or gross

negligence and “requires proof of a reckless disregard of the known risk." Moore v.

Duffy, 255 F.3d 543, 545 (8th Cir. 2001). In other words, “there must be actual

knowledge of the risk of harm, followed by deliberate inaction amounting to

callousness.” Bryan v. Endell, 141 F.3d 1290, 1291 (8th Cir. 1998). 

6 Black only contends that Sergeant Hall and Officer Ballinger were deliberately indifferent

to his medical needs when he returned from the ADC to the PCDC, in October of 2015, to resolve

another still pending criminal charge. Doc. 23. 

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1. Delay in Being Taken to the Hospital

Black asserts that Dr. Neilson and Lieutenant Linker were deliberately

indifferent when they delayed having him taken to the hospital after he reported

having chest pains on May 29, June 4, and June 6, 2015. 

7 However, the undisputed

medical and jailrecords demonstrate that, once Dr. Neilson learnedBlack was having

chest pains, he instructed jailers to: (1) give Black aspirin and nitroglycerin; (2)

monitor Black's blood pressure; and (3) take Black to the hospital when his chest

pains did not subside. It is undisputed that Lieutenant Linker followed all of those

instructions. Docs. 62 & 59. Additionally, Dr. Neilson explains, in his sworn

Affidavit, that his care was medically appropriate and that Black was not harmed, in

any way, by any of the alleged delays in having Black taken to the hospital. Doc. 42,

Ex. A. 

Black has not offered any evidence to refute the medical opinions expressed

by Dr. Neilson in his Affidavit or to support his own personal lay opinions about Dr.

Neilson's medical decisions. See Langford, 614 F.3d at 460 (explaining that a

prisoner's disagreement with treatment decisions made bymedicallytrained personnel

does not rise to the level of a constitutional violation); Nelson v. Shuffman, 603 F.3d

7

 Black is not challenging the constitutionality of the medical care Dr. Neilson provided at

the hospital on May 29, 2015. 

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439, 449 (8th Cir. 2010) (explaining that: "In the face of medical records indicating

that treatment was provided and physician affidavitsindicating that the care provided

was adequate, an inmate cannot create a question of fact bymerely stating thatshe did

not feel she received adequate treatment”).

Accordingly, Dr. Neilson and Lieutenant Linker are entitled to summary

judgment on Black's claim that their delay in having him transported to the hospital

for his chest pains constituted constitutionally inadequate medical care claim under

§ 1983. Thus, that claimshould be dismissed, with prejudice. See Jackson v. Riebold,

815 F.3d 1114, 1119-20 (8th Cir. 2016) (holding that, to avoid summary judgment,

an inmate "must place verifying medical evidence in the record to establish the

detrimental effect of the delay in medical treatment"); Crowley v. Hedgepeth, 109

F.3d 500, 502 (8th Cir. 1997) (same).

2. Delay in Follow-Up Examination

Black asserts that Dr. Neilson and Lieutenant Linker were deliberately

indifferent because either Dr. Neilson or a cardiologist should have conducted a

follow-up examination after Black was discharged from the hospital on June 7, 2015. 

However, is undisputed that Dr. Neilson spoke to the hospital cardiologists, by

telephone, soon after Black was discharged, and Dr. Neilson personally examined

Black on June 16, 2014. Additionally, the parties agree that Black saw his freeworld

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cardiologist on June 17, 2015. Importantly, there is no evidence that Black was in

cardiac distress during his exam with Dr. Neilson or his freeworld cardiologist.

Finally, Black has not offered any evidence demonstrating that he was harmed by the

brief delay in seeing either Dr. Neilson or a cardiologist for a follow-up examination

shortly after he wasreleased fromthe hospital on June 7, 2015. See Jackson, 815 F.3d

at 1119-20; Crowley, 109 F.3d at 502.

Accordingly, Dr. Neilson and Lieutenant Linker are entitled to summary

judgment on this inadequate medical care claim, and it should be dismissed, with

prejudice.

3. Delay in Receiving Medications and Heart Monitor

Black alleges that Dr. Neilson and Lieutenant Linker were deliberately

indifferent when they failed to give him ranolazine and hydrocodone after he was

discharged from the hospital on June 7, 2015. However, it is undisputed that Black

did not report that he was experiencing chest pain when he saw Dr. Neilson on June

16, 2015 or his cardiologist on June 17, 2015. Additionally, Black concedes that he

received his medications when he arrived at the ADC on June 18, 2015. 

Similarly, Black claims that Dr. Neilson and Lieutenant Linker failed to have

him placed on a heart monitor, as ordered by the cardiologist on June 7, 2015. 

However, that argument overlooks the undisputed fact that Dr. Neilson offered to

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place Black on the heart monitor during his June 16, 2015 appointment but Black

refused to allow him to do so and told Dr. Neilson that he wanted a cardiologist to

place him on the heart monitor. Finally, Black has not offered any evidence

demonstrating that he was harmed by the alleged delay in him receiving his

medications or being placed on a heart monitor. See Jackson, 815 F.3d at 1119-20;

Crowley, 109 F.3d at 502.

Accordingly, Dr. Neilson and Lieutenant Linker are entitled to summary

judgment on Black's final inadequate medical care claim, and it should be dismissed,

with prejudice.

B. Black's Inadequate Medical Care Claim Against Sergeant Hull and

Officer Ballinger

Black alleges that, in October of 2015, Sergeant Hull and Officer Ballinger

provided him with constitutionally inadequate medical care when they failed to give

him aspirin for approximately two weeks. Doc. 23. Sergeant Hull and Officer

Ballinger argue that they are entitled to summary judgment because Black failed to

exhaust his administrative remedies as to this claim. Doc. 61. The Court concludes

that this argument has merit.

The Prison Litigation Reform Act requires inmates to fully and properly

exhaust their administrative remedies as to each claim before they file a lawsuit in

federal court. See 28 U.S.C. § 1997e(a); Johnson v. Jones, 340 F.3d 624, 627 (8th

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Cir. 2003); Graves v. Norris, 218 F.3d 884, 885 (8th Cir. 2000). It is undisputed that

Black's October of 2015 inadequate medical care claims against Sergeant Hull and

Officer Ballinger arose after he commenced this action on September 3, 2015,making

it impossible for him to have exhausted those claims before he initiated this action. 

Because Black failed to exhaust his administrative remedies regarding his

October 2015 inadequate medical care claims against Sergeant Hull and Officer

Ballinger before he commenced this action, they are entitled to summary judgment,

and that claim should be dismissed, without prejudice. See Barbee v. CMS, Case No.

10-1891, 2010 WL 3292789 (8th Cir. Aug. 23, 2010) (unpublished opinion)

(explaining that, if a prisoner has not properly exhausted his administrative remedies

prior to filing suit, the trial court must dismiss the claim, without prejudice, and

withoutreaching the merits); Davis v. Harmon,Case No. 10-1863, 2010WL 3259378

(8th Cir. Aug. 19, 2010) (unpublished opinion) (same).

III. Conclusion

IT IS THEREFORE RECOMMENDED THAT:

1. Dr. Neilson's Motion for Summary Judgment (Doc. 42) be GRANTED,

and Black's inadequate medical care claim against him be DISMISSED, WITH

PREJUDICE.

2. Lieutenant Linker's, Sergeant Hull's, and Officer Ballinger's Motion for

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Summary Judgment (Doc. 61) be GRANTED. Black's inadequate medical care

claims against Sergeant Hull and Officer Ballinger should be DISMISSED,

WITHOUT PREJUDICE, and his inadequate medical care claim against Lieutenant

Linker should be DISMISSED, WITH PREJUDICE.

Dated this 22nd day of August, 2016.

 

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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