Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-4_18-cv-04484/USCOURTS-cand-4_18-cv-04484-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 440
Nature of Suit: Other Civil Rights
Cause of Action: 42:1983 Civil Rights Act

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United States District Court

Northern District of California

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

THOMAS PARRISH,

Plaintiff,

v.

OFFICER GHANOW, et al.,

Defendants.

Case No. 18-cv-04484-NC 

ORDER SCREENING AMENDED 

COMPLAINT; ORDERING 

SERVICE

Re: ECF 11

Previously, the Court granted Parrish’s motion to proceed in forma pauperis and 

screened Parrish’s complaint under 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B). ECF 10. The Court found

that the complaint failed to state whether Parrish was still incarcerated and subject to 

administrative exhaustion requirements under 42 U.S.C. § 1997e(a). And the Court found 

that the complaint failed to allege facts against defendant California Forensic Medical 

Group (CFMG) under a theory of municipal liability. With leave, Parrish filed an 

amended complaint. ECF 11.

The amended complaint clarifies that Parrish is no longer incarcerated, id. ¶ 15, 

which eliminates the need for exhaustion of administrative remedies for Parrish’s federal 

claims. The Court need not determine whether Parrish sufficiently pleads administrative

exhaustion of his Bane Act claim, because the presence of at least one valid claim warrants 

service on the defendants.

And the amended complaint adds allegations that CFMG and its employees engage 

Case 4:18-cv-04484-HSG Document 12 Filed 08/27/18 Page 1 of 2
Case No. 18-cv-04484-NC 2

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United States District Court

Northern District of California

in “the systematic malpractice” of taking contracts to provide care to prisoners but then 

“purposely and intentionally engage in practices whereby they fail to properly treat 

patients” in order to further their financial bottom line. Id. ¶ 88. These factual allegations 

support a claim under Monell v. Department of Social Services, 436 U.S. 658, 691 (1978).

Thus, the Court FINDS that Parrish’s amended complaint states a plausible claim 

for relief against all defendants such that service is warranted. This finding is without 

prejudice to the defendants filing a motion to dismiss. The Court ORDERS the U.S. 

Marshals Service to serve all defendants with a summons and copy of the amended 

complaint.

All parties are directed to indicate whether they consent or decline the jurisdiction 

of a U.S. Magistrate Judge under 28 U.S.C. § 636(c). Any party is free to withhold

consent without adverse consequences. A consent/declination form is attached to this 

order.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: August 27, 2018 _____________________________________

NATHANAEL M. COUSINS

United States Magistrate Judge

Case 4:18-cv-04484-HSG Document 12 Filed 08/27/18 Page 2 of 2