Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-ared-2_18-cv-00086/USCOURTS-ared-2_18-cv-00086-0/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

DELTA DIVISION

DONALD KERNS PLAINTIFF

Reg # 27082-45

v. Case No. 2:18-cv-00086-KGB-JTR

BUREAU OF PRISONS, et al. DEFENDANTS

ORDER

The Court has reviewed the Partial Recommended Disposition submitted by United States 

Magistrate Judge J. Thomas Ray (Dkt. No. 11). No objections have been filed, and the time to file 

an objection to the Partial Recommended Disposition has passed. Also pending before the Court 

is a motion for status filed by plaintiff Donald Kerns (Dkt. No. 16). For the following reasons, the 

Court adopts the Partial Recommended Disposition and denies as moot the motion for status (Dkt. 

Nos. 11, 16). 

In the underlying action, Mr. Kerns filed a pro se action, pursuant to the Federal Tort 

Claims Act (“FTCA”), 28 U.S.C. §§ 1346, 2671, et seq., alleging that he received negligent 

medical care while incarcerated in the Federal Correctional Institution located in Forrest City, 

Arkansas (Dkt. No. 11, at 1-2). In his Partial Recommended Disposition, Judge Ray concludes

that, for screening purposes only, Mr. Kerns pled a viable FTCA claim (Id., at 3). Judge Ray notes

that an FTCA claim cannot be brought against an individual employee; further, a federal agency 

cannot be sued under the FTCA. Instead, such claims must be filed against the United States itself. 

On this basis, Judge Ray recommends dismissal of defendants Bureau of Prisons, Warden Gene 

Beasley, Nurse Practitioner Stiles, and Physician’s Assistant Wingo (Id., at 3-4). However, in a 

separately filed order, Judge Ray directed that the United States be added as a defendant, as the 

exclusive legal remedy available to a party who has been injured as a result of a tort committed by 

Case 2:18-cv-00086-KGB Document 17 Filed 02/03/20 Page 1 of 2
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a federal employee is a claim against the United States itself, brought under the FTCA (Id.; Dkt. 

No. 12).

After careful consideration, the Court concludes that Judge Ray’s Partial Recommended 

Disposition should be, and hereby is, approved and adopted in its entirety as this Court’s findings 

in all respects (Dkt. No. 11). The Court permits Mr. Kerns to proceed with his FTCA claim against 

the United States and dismisses without prejudice defendants Bureau of Prisons, Mr. Beasley, Ms. 

Stiles, and Ms. Wingo from this action. The Court certifies, pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a)(3), 

that an in forma pauperis appeal from this Order would not be taken in good faith. The Court 

denies as moot Mr. Kerns’ motion for status (Dkt. No. 16).

It is so ordered this 3rd day of February, 2020.

_____________________________________

Kristine G. Baker

United States District Judge 

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