FILED

U.S. COURT OF APPEALS

ELEVENTH CIRCUIT

DECEMBER 2, 2009

THOMAS K. KAHN

CLERK

[PUBLISH]

IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS

FOR THE ELEVENTH CIRCUIT

________________________

No. 08-16951

________________________

D. C. Docket No. 05-00273-CV-HLM-5

RUBY MANN,

as Administrator of the Estate of

Melinda Neal Fairbanks and Guardian of

Haley Nicole Fairbanks, Minors,

Plaintiff-Appellant,

JOHN WILLIAM FAIRBANKS, JR.,

Individually and as Spouse of Melinda Neal

Fairbanks, Deceased,

Plaintiff

Counter Defendant

Appellant,

BRENDA PATTERSON,

Guardian of Jonathan Cody Fairbanks,

Plaintiff,

versus

TASER INTERNATIONAL, INC.,

Defendant

Counter Claimant

Appellee,
HAMILTON HEALTH CARE SYSTEMS, INC.,

d.b.a. Whitfield County Emergency Medical

Services,

JOE BURGE,

SHAWN GILES,

CLAUDE CRAIG,

Individually and in Their Official Capacity as

Deputy Sheriff of Whitfield County,

et al.,

Defendants-Appellees.

________________________

Appeal from the United States District Court

for the Northern District of Georgia

_________________________

(December 2, 2009)

Before CARNES, FAY and ALARCÓN, Circuit Judges.

*

FAY, Circuit Judge:

This action arises out of the death of Melinda Neal Fairbanks following her

arrest by deputies of the Whitfield County Sheriff’s Office. The administrators of

Fairbanks’ estate brought a 42 U.S.C. §1983 claim along with various state law

claims against the deputies in their official and individual capacities. The

administrators also asserted a state law wrongful death claim against Taser

International, Inc. and DGG Taser and Tactical Supply Company, the manufacturer

 Honorable Arthur L. Alarcón, United States Circuit Judge for the Ninth Circuit, sitting *

by designation.

2
and distributor, respectively, of the Taser used by the deputies during Fairbanks’

arrest. The district court granted summary judgment in favor of the deputies and

1

the Taser defendants on all claims. We affirm.

I. Facts

At approximately 8:00 a.m., Melinda Neal Fairbanks (Melinda) smoked

methamphetamine with her husband, John Fairbanks. Around 10:00 a.m., the

2

couple drove to Melinda’s sister’s house to borrow a trailer in order to collect scrap

metal and attempt to sell it. After attaching the trailer, Melinda’s sister, Sonya

Pamela Neal, accompanied the couple to rental property owned by John’s mother,

Plaintiff Ruby Mann, where all three began to load scrap metal.

Around 2:00 p.m., Melinda became agitated and delusional. She began

arguing with her husband, whose attempts to placate her were unsuccessful. After

the argument, Melinda entered a neighboring house belonging to Mr. and Mrs.

Philips. Asserting that the home belonged to her, Melinda refused to leave. At

2:43 p.m., Melinda called 911 from the home, claiming that Mr. and Mrs. Philips

were in her home and had stolen her things.

 Taser: A trademark used for a high-voltage stun gun. The American Heritage 1

Dictionary of the English Language (4 ed. 2000). th

 Methamphetamine: An amine derivative of amphetamine, C10H15N, used in the form 2

of its crystalline hydrochloride as a central nervous system stimulant, both medically and

illicitly. The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language (4 ed. 2000). th

3
Melinda then began ransacking the house, throwing household items onto

the front lawn and doing extensive damage to several rooms. At this point, Mrs.

Philips also called the police. When informed that the police had been called,

3

John fled the scene for fear of being arrested for smoking methamphetamine that

morning. Sonya Pamela Neal remained on the scene and tried to convince Melinda

to come out of the house.

Responding to the call, Deputies Parker, Giles and Griffin from the

Whitfield County Sheriff’s Office arrived at 2:56 p.m. The deputies arrived to find

Melinda wandering in the backyard and screaming that someone had stolen her

things. Specifically, Melinda spoke of the demons and devils who had stolen her

treasure. Plaintiffs describe Melinda’s agitated state as a case of “excited

delirium.” Deputy Griffin recognized Melinda from a previous arrest for drugs

4

 Operators dispatched deputies to the home after both calls were made. 3

Although not a validated diagnostic entity in either the International Classification of 4

Diseases or the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, “excited delirium” is a

widely accepted entity in forensic pathology and is cited by medical examiners to explain the

sudden in-custody deaths of individuals who are combative and in a highly agitated state. 

“Excited delirium” is broadly defined as a state of agitation, excitability, paranoia, aggression,

and apparent immunity to pain, often associated with stimulant use and certain psychiatric

disorders. The signs and symptoms typically ascribed to “excited delirium” include bizarre or

violent behavior, hyperactivity, hyperthermia, confusion, great strength, sweating and removal of

clothing, and imperviousness to pain. Speculation about triggering factors include sudden and

intense activation of the sympathetic nervous system, with hyperthermia, and/or acidosis, which

could trigger life-threatening arrhythmia in susceptible individuals. Carolyn B. Robinowitz,

MD, REPORT OF THE COUNSEL ON SCIENCE AND PUBLIC HEALTH 453 (AMERICAN MEDICAL

ASSOCIATION, ANNUAL MEETING 2009).

4
and knew that she was a methamphetamine user.

Initially, Melinda cooperated with the deputies. She complied when the

deputies told her she was under arrest and asked her to put her arms behind her

back. However, when the deputies attempted to handcuff Melinda, she became

combative. Melinda began screaming and attempted to kick and “shin scrape” the

deputies. She also attempted to head butt the deputies, all the while screaming that

someone was trying to “steal her dope.”

After the deputies handcuffed Melinda, she continued to resist the deputies

as they escorted her to the patrol car. At this point, Sonya Pamela Neal told

Deputy Parker that Melinda had mental problems and had stopped taking her

medication and needed help. Soon after, Plaintiff Ruby Mann told Deputy Parker

that Melinda was sick and needed to go the hospital instead of jail. Both Neal and

Mann were told to go back inside the house.

Due to her combative nature, the deputies placed Melinda into the squad car

without searching her person. As Melinda was a large woman, the deputies

decided to link two sets of handcuffs together to double the length in an effort to

make her more comfortable. The set of interlinked handcuffs provided a greater

range of motion, which allowed Melinda to reach her pockets. While in the back

of the patrol car, Melinda began to dig into her pockets. This movement prompted

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the deputies to remove her from the patrol car in order to search for weapons or

contraband.

Deputies took Melinda out of the back seat and walked her around to the

rear of the car. Melinda shouted that they were attempting to plant evidence on her

and resisted their efforts. She began slamming her head against the trunk of the car

and flailing her body in an attempt to hit, kick, head butt and spit on the deputies.

After the preliminary search, the deputies attempted to place Melinda back

into the patrol car. She refused to comply, using her legs to brace herself outside

the car. The deputies eventually placed Melinda in the back of the patrol car,

where she began to kick uncontrollably. She kicked so forcefully that when the

deputies opened the other rear door in an effort to pull her in, she propelled herself

out of the open door of the squad car, landing on her head and neck. Since

Melinda had landed on her head, Deputy Griffin called Emergency Medical

Services (EMS) staffed by Hamilton Healthcare Services as a precautionary

measure at 3:19 p.m., stating that Melinda was acting “crazy,” and requesting a

medical consult.

Melinda continued to kick and fight with the deputies, such that they could

only pin her down and wait for backup to arrive. Lieutenant Grant, an officer with

5

 The record is unclear as to when back up was requested. During the course of the 5

arrest, Deputy Burge, Sergeant Craig and Lieutenant Story from the Whitfield County Sheriffs

6
the Varnell Police Department, arrived with leg shackles and placed them on

Melinda in an attempt to minimize her kicking. After the shackles were put on,

Deputies Giles, Griffin and Parker assisted Lt. Grant in placing Melinda back into

the patrol car.

Despite the leg shackles, Melinda continued to kick uncontrollably. Melinda

eventually kicked the rear driver’s side window out of the patrol car, shattering the

glass and bending the steel door frame. Deputy Burge instructed her to stop

kicking the badly damaged door, but Melinda refused and continued kicking and

slamming her head up against the opposite door.

After issuing this warning to no avail, Deputy Burge discharged his Taser on

Melinda three times at approximately 3:35 p.m. The Taser did not have the

intended effect and Melinda continued her aggressive resistance. The first

discharge momentarily curbed Melinda’s behavior. She tightened up and ceased

kicking briefly. However, she soon resumed her combative behavior. The second

and third discharge had no effect, leading the deputies to question whether the

device was working properly. The deputies contend one of the Taser leads came

loose while Melinda struggled, likely preventing the Taser from working. Melinda

suffered second degree burns to her left breast and injuries to the back of her

Office arrived on the scene, along with Lieutenant Grant, an officer with the Varnell Police

Department. 

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earlobes consistent with the use of a Taser.

At approximately 3:44 p.m., EMS personnel arrived on the scene, but

because of her combative nature, they were unable to examine Melinda. They

concluded that she was not in any immediate medical distress since she was

talking, breathing and responding. Other than having some scrapes on her arm and

being dirty and sweaty, Melinda did not appear injured to the deputies or the EMS

personnel. The deputies maintain that they believed that the EMS personnel had

medically cleared Melinda and she was approved to go to jail. The EMS personnel

maintain that they believed Melinda would be transported to the hospital for

further evaluation. No explicit orders were given by either the deputies or the

EMS personnel.

At approximately 4:00 p.m., the EMS personnel left and Deputy Giles

transported Melinda to jail. Melinda continued kicking and screaming during

transport. However, approximately thirty seconds prior to their arrival at jail, she

stopped kicking and screaming. Deputy Giles reached the jail at approximately

4:10 p.m., and unloaded Melinda, who was unresponsive with labored breathing.

Melinda was attended to by jailers who noted she was ashen and had cuts

and bruises on her body. The jailers diagnosed possible heat stroke and took action

to cool her down by applying cold compresses. Although the jailers did not

8
believe that Melinda was in danger of dying, her unresponsive state prompted them

to call EMS. This was at 4:29 p.m.

EMS personnel arrived at the jail at 4:35 p.m., and transported Melinda to

the emergency room, arriving at 5:01 p.m. While at the hospital, Melinda suffered

a cardiac arrest at 5:06 p.m., never recovering. Dr. William Oliver of the Georgia

State Crime Laboratory conducted an autopsy of Melinda on behalf of the Georgia

Bureau of Investigation. Dr. Oliver concluded that the cause of Melinda’s death

was malignant hyperthermia–specifically, a body temperature in excess of 107

degrees Fahrenheit.

6

II. Proceedings Below

The plaintiffs are the administrators of Melinda’s estate, the guardians of

Melinda’s two minor children and Melinda’s surviving spouse, John Fairbanks

(Plaintiffs). Plaintiffs brought 42 U.S.C. § 1983 claims alleging excessive force,

inadequate medical treatment, false arrest and failure to train along with various

 Malignant hyperthermia is a biochemical chain reaction response commonly triggered

6

by general anesthetics and occasionally triggered by physical stresses such as vigorous exercise

and heat. The general signs of the malignant hyperthermia include tachycardia (a rise in heart

rate), muscle rigidity and body temperature elevation. Severe complications include cardiac

arrest and widespread organ failure. Henry Rosenberg et al., Malignant Hyperthermia,

ORPHANET JOURNAL OF RARE DISEASES (2007). 

9
state law claims against Whitfield County Sheriff Scott Chitwood and Deputies

Burge, Craig, Giles, Herren, Parker and Storey (Whitfield Defendants), in their

individual and official capacities. Plaintiffs alleged similar inadequate medical

treatment claims against the Hamilton Emergency Medical Services (EMS).

Plaintiffs also brought a wrongful death claim against Taser International, Inc. and

DGG Taser and Tactical Supply Company (Taser Defendants), the manufacturer

and distributer, respectively, of the Taser used during Melinda’s arrest. Plaintiffs

alleged both design defect and failure to warn claims along with a punitive

damages claim.

On July 21, 2008, the district court dismissed the Hamilton Emergency

Medical Services, with prejudice, based upon a settlement. On November 24,

2008, the district court ruled that Plaintiffs had failed to produce any evidence that

the Taser was a “but for” cause of Melinda’s death–a necessity under Georgia

law–and granted summary judgment for the Taser Defendants. The following day,

the district court ruled that Plaintiffs had also failed to establish that the deputies

violated Melinda’s Fourth or Eighth Amendment rights or that Melinda’s death

resulted from a policy, practice or custom designed to violate those rights. The

court also ruled that the Plaintiffs failed to establish that any spoilation of the

evidence resulted from the Whitfield Defendants’ bad faith, making an adverse

10
inference against the defendants inappropriate. The district court then granted

summary judgment on all remaining claims against the Whitfield Defendants.

Plaintiffs appeal the district court’s entry of a final judgment in favor of

defendants. Specifically, the Plaintiffs urge: (1) the district court abused its

discretion in deeming the defendants’ statement of material facts undisputed

pursuant to Northern District of Georgia Local Rule 56.1(B)(2)(a)(2); (2) the

district court erred in granting summary judgment to the Taser Defendants on

plaintiffs’ state law negligent failure to warn claim; (3) the district court erred in

denying summary judgment on their state law punitive damages claim against the

Taser Defendants; (4) the district court erred in granting summary judgment to the

Whitfield Defendants on their individual capacity §1983 claims; (5) the district

court erred in granting summary judgment to the Whitfield Defendants on the state

law claims; (6) the district court abused its discretion in denying their motion for

sanctions based upon the spoliation of evidence; (7) the district court abused its

discretion in granting the Taser defendants’ motion to exclude portions of

Plaintiffs’ expert witness’ second affidavit and in denying the motion to reconsider

that ruling; (8) the district court erred in denying their motion to dismiss the Taser

Defendants’ counterclaim against Plaintiff John Fairbanks for indemnity and

contribution; (9) the district court erred in dismissing the guardians’ wrongful

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death claims, asserted on behalf of Melinda’s minor children; and (10) the district

court erred in denying John Fairbanks’ motion to amend the complaint to assert

wrongful death claims on behalf of his minor children.

III. Local Rule 56.1

Plaintiffs challenge the district court’s order holding the Whitfield

Defendants’ Statement of Material Facts undisputed pursuant to Northern District

of Georgia Local Rule 56.1(B)(2)(a)(2). Local Rule 56.1 demands that the nonmovant’s response contain individually numbered, concise, non-argumentative

responses corresponding to each of the movant's enumerated material facts. N.D.

Ga. R. 56.1(B)(2)(b). Where the party responding to a summary judgment motion

does not directly refute a material fact set forth in the movant's Statement of

Material Facts with specific citations to evidence, or otherwise fails to state a valid

objection to the material fact pursuant to Local Rule 56.1B(2), such fact is deemed

admitted by the respondent. See Id.

We give “great deference to a district court's interpretation of its local rules”

and review a district court's application of local rules for an abuse of discretion.

Clark v. Housing Auth. of Alma, 971 F.2d 723, 727 (11th Cir. 1992). In order to

meet the abuse of discretion standard, Plaintiffs bear the burden of showing that

the district court made a clear error of judgment. Balogh's of Coral Gables, Inc. v.

12
Getz, 798 F.2d 1356, 1358 (11th Cir.1986) (en banc).

Plaintiffs contend their Statement of Material Facts was excluded because of

form and not substance. Plaintiffs rely on Foman as support that rules of civil

procedure should not be construed to avoid decisions on the merits based upon

mere technicalities. Foman v. Davis, 371 U.S. 178, 182, 83 S. Ct. 227, 230 (1962).

(“It is too late in the day and entirely contrary to the spirit of the Federal Rules of

Civil Procedure for decisions on the merits to be avoided on the basis of such mere

technicalities.”) However, the following paragraph of Foman qualifies this

sentence as applicable to the denial of a motion to amend without a stated reason.

See id. Foman goes on to state valid reasons for a denial, which include undue

delay and “repeated failure to cure deficiencies by amendments previously

allowed.” Id.

Despite their assertions, Plaintiffs failure to comply with local rule 56.1 is

not a mere technicality. The rule is designed to help the court identify and

organize the issues in the case. See Reese v. Herbert, 527 F.3d 1253, 1268 (11th

Cir. 2008). Plaintiffs’ answers were convoluted, argumentative and nonresponsive. Defendants’ Statement of Material Facts consisted of 65 paragraphs.

Plaintiffs’ response consisted of 146 paragraphs, many with multiple subparts.

Plaintiffs were on notice of the deficiency and took no steps to make corrections.

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The district court gave valid, specified reasons for the exclusion of Plaintiffs’

answers. As such, Plaintiffs’ reliance on Foman is misplaced. Plaintiffs have

simply failed to show that the district court made a clear error of judgment.

Consequently, “because the non-moving party has failed to comply with

Local Rule 56.1–the only permissible way for it to establish a genuine issue of

material fact at that stage–the court has before it the functional analog of an

unopposed motion for summary judgment.” Reese, 527 F.3d at 1268. Although

the statements contained in Whitfield Defendants’ Statement of Material Facts are

deemed admitted, this court must still review the movant’s citations to the record to

determine if there is, indeed, no genuine issue of material fact. Id. at 1269. Even

in an unopposed motion, the moving party still bears the burden of identifying “the

pleadings, depositions, answers to interrogatories, and admissions on file, together

with the affidavits, if any,” which it believes demonstrates the absence of a genuine

issue of material fact. Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 323, 106 S. Ct.

2548, 2553 (1986). “That is, the movant is not absolve[d] . . . of the burden of

showing that it is entitled to judgment as a matter of law, and a Local Rule 56.1

statement is not itself a vehicle for making factual assertions that are otherwise

unsupported in the record.” Reese, 527 F.3d at 1268-69 (quoting Holtz v.

Rockefeller & Co., 258 F.3d 62, 74 (2d Cir. 2001). In accordance with Reese, we

14
will confine our review of the record to the materials submitted by the Whitfield

Defendants in support of their summary judgment motion. Reese, 527 F.3d at

1269 n.26.

IV. Summary Judgment for Defendants

We review a district court's grant of summary judgment de novo considering

all the facts and reasonable inferences in the light most favorable to the nonmoving party. See Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Ass’n, Inc. v. Landstar

System Inc., 541 F.3d 1278, 1287 (11th Cir. 2008). A court should grant summary

judgment when, “after an adequate time for discovery, a party fails to make a

showing sufficient to establish the existence of an essential element of that party's

case.” Nolen v. Boca Raton Community Hosp., Inc. 373 F.3d 1151, 1154 (11th Cir.

2004). Finally, genuine disputes of facts are “those in which the evidence is such

that a reasonable jury could return a verdict for the non-movant. For factual issues

to be considered genuine, they must have a real basis in the record.” Hairston v.

Gainesville Sun Pub. Co., 9 F.3d 913, 919 (11th Cir. 1993).

A. Taser Defendants

Plaintiffs appeal the district court grant of summary judgment on their

failure to warn claim. A failure to warn claim derives from tort law. See Board of

Regents v. Canas, 672 S.E.2d 471, 474 (Ga. Ct. App. 2009). Under Georgia law,

15
“[t]o recover damages in a tort action, a plaintiff must prove that the defendant’s

negligence was both the ‘cause in fact’ and ‘proximate cause’ of the injury.”

Atlanta Obstetrics & Gynecology Group, P.A. v. Coleman, 398 S.E.2d 16, 17 (Ga.

1990). “Issues of causation are for the jury to resolve and should not be

determined by a trial court as a matter of law except in plain and undisputed

cases.” Ogletree v. Navistar Int’l Trans. Corp., 535 S.E.2d 545, 548 (Ga. Ct. App.

2000). The instant case meets such restrictive criteria.

Georgia law is well-settled that “[t]he defendant's conduct is not a cause of

the event, if the event would have occurred without it.” General Motors Corp. v.

Davis, 233 S.E.2d 825 (Ga. Ct. App. 1977) (quoting W. Prosser, [LAW OF TORTS]

(4th ed.1971)). The Georgia Supreme Court has held that in medical cases,

“reasonable medical probability or reasonable medical certainty” is required to

prove causation. Zwiren v. Thompson, 578 S.E.2d 862, 867 (Ga. 2003) (rendering

a “medical possibility” insufficient for liability under Georgia law).

Perhaps in the world of medicine nothing is absolutely

certain. Nevertheless, . . . it is the intent of our law that if

the plaintiff medical expert cannot form an opinion with

sufficient certainty so as to make a medical judgment,

there is nothing on the record with which a jury can make

a decision with sufficient certainty so as to make a legal

judgment.

Id. at 865 (quoting McMahon v. Young, 442 Pa. 484, 276 A.2d 534,

16
535 (1971)). Plaintiffs’ own medical expert testified that while it

would be naive of him to say that use of the Taser, “didn’t contribute

in some degree” to Melinda’s death, he could not, to a reasonable

degree of medical certainty, declare that Melinda would have survived

that day but for use to the Taser.

Dr. Gowitt opined in his February 2007 report that Melinda’s death was

caused by “excited delirium.” Although he suggests a long list of aggravating

factors, nowhere does he state that the use of the Taser was a cause or a

contributing cause of death based upon reasonable medical certainty. This was

repeated in Dr. Gowitt’s deposition of June 27, 2007, wherein he confirmed that in

his opinion Melinda’s death was caused by “excited delirium.” He also discussed

the dangers involved with repeated use of methamphetamine and how that can lead

to “excited delirium.” Dr. Gowitt did opine that the use of the Taser probably

made the situation worse, but that simply falls short of the requirements of law.

Georgia law is clear that medical causation must come from expert

testimony and must provide a causal connection that is “more than a mere chance

or speculation” Anthony v. Chambless, 500 S.E.2d 402, 404 (Ga. Ct. App. 1998).

Plaintiffs’ evidence fails to meet the causation standard required by Georgia law.

Although Plaintiffs correctly contend that there may be more than one cause of an

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injury, Plaintiffs have provided no admissible evidence to support their claim that

use of the Taser caused Melinda’s death. Since Plaintiff has failed to make a

sufficient showing on an essential element with respect to which they have the

burden of proof, summary judgment is appropriate. See Celotex, 477 U.S. at 322-

23, 106 S. Ct at 2552.

Punitive Damages Claim

A punitive damages claim is derivative of a plaintiff’s tort claim, and where

a court has dismissed a plaintiff’s underlying tort claim, dismissal of a plaintiff’s

punitive damages claim is also required. See Boeing Co. v. Blane Int’l Group, 624

S.E.2d 227, 231 (Ga. Ct. App. 2005); D.G. Jenkins Homes, Inc. v. Wood, 582

S.E.2d 478, 482 (Ga. Ct. App. 2003). Because the court has concluded that Taser

Defendants are entitled to summary judgment with respect to all the Plaintiffs’

substantive claims, the claim for punitive damages cannot survive.

B. Whitfield Defendants

§ 1983 Claims

Plaintiffs make two distinct claims under § 1983 against Deputies Burge,

Craig, Giles, Herren, Parker and Storey in their individual capacity; (1) use of

7

excessive force and (2) deliberate indifference to a serious medical need. 42

 Plaintiffs do not distinguish between the deputies in their claims. 7

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U.S.C. § 1983 provides that:

Every person who, under the color of any statute,

ordinance, regulation, custom or usage, of any State or

Territory or the District of Columbia, subjects, or causes

to be subjected any citizen of the United States or other

person within the jurisdiction thereof to the deprivation

of any rights, privileges, or immunities secured by the

Constitution and laws shall be liable to the party injured

in an action at law, suit in equity, or other proper

proceeding for redress.

Qualified immunity offers complete protection for government officials sued

in their individual capacities when acting within their discretionary authority if

their conduct “does not violate clearly established statutory or constitutional rights

of which a reasonable person would have known.” Harlow v. Fitzgerald, 457 U.S.

800, 818, 102 S. Ct. 2727, 2738 (1982). In order to prevail on a 42 U.S.C. § 1983

claim against a government official acting within his/her discretionary authority,

Plaintiffs must show (1) the defendant’s conduct violated a constitutional or

statutory right and (2) that the right violated was clearly established. See Al-Amin

v. Smith, 511 F.3d 1317, 1324 (11th Cir. 2008), cert. denied, 129 S. Ct. 104 (2008).

The first inquiry in reviewing Plaintiffs’ § 1983 claim, therefore, is to

determine whether Plaintiffs have sufficiently alleged a constitutional or statutory

violation. Only if Plaintiffs have adequately alleged such a violation, must the

court examine the alleged basis for liability on the part of the deputies. “Without a .

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. . violation, there can be no violation of a clearly established right.” Smith v.

Siegelman, 322 F.3d 1290, 1295 (11th Cir. 2003).

Excessive force

Plaintiffs contend that the deputies used excessive force against Melinda in

violation of the Fourth Amendment. “The Fourth Amendment's freedom from

8

unreasonable searches and seizures encompasses the plain right to be free from the

use of excessive force in the course of an arrest.” Lee v. Ferraro, 284 F.3d 1188,

1197 (11th Cir. 2002). When determining whether the force used to effect a

seizure is reasonable for purposes of the Fourth Amendment, a court must carefully

balance “the nature and quality of the intrusion on the individual’s Fourth

Amendment interests against the countervailing governmental interests.” Graham

v. Conner, 490 U.S. 386, 396, 109 S. Ct. 1865, 1871 (1989). To balance the

necessity of the use of force used against the arrestee's constitutional rights, a court

must evaluate several factors, including “the severity of the crime at issue, whether

the suspect poses an immediate threat to the safety of the officers or others, and

whether he is actively resisting arrest or attempting to evade arrest by flight.” Id.

490 U.S. at 396, 109 S. Ct. at 1872. Whether the use of force was reasonable must

 “The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, 8

against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue,

but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place

to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.” U.S. Const. amend. IV. 

20
be determined “from the perspective of a reasonable officer on the scene, rather

than with the 20/20 vision of hindsight.” Id.

Plaintiffs cite Vinyard as support for the contention that the deputies were on

notice of the unconstitutional nature of their conduct. Vinyard v. Wilson, 311 F.3d

1340 (11th Cir. 2002). Vinyard dealt with pepper spraying a detainee whose only

offense was the use of foul language directed at the officer. Id. at 1347. Vinyard

held that “using pepper spray is excessive force in cases where the crime is a minor

infraction, the arrestee surrenders, is secured, and is not acting violently, and there

is no threat to the officers or anyone else.” Id. at 1348. But, Vinyard continued

that “using pepper spray is reasonable, however, where the plaintiff was either

resisting arrest or refusing police requests, such as requests to enter a patrol car or

go to the hospital.” Id. Furthermore, Vinyard stated that alternative uses of force,

such as pepper spray, are a reasonable alternative to escalating a physical struggle

with an arrestee. Id.

The evidence, when viewed in the light most favorable to Plaintiffs,

indicates that the deputies used reasonable force against Melinda. Melinda’s

actions extended beyond the foul language articulated in Vinyard. She actively

resisted the deputies’ efforts at effectuating a lawful arrest and refused to comply

with their requests. Melinda’s behavior was violent, aggressive and prolonged and

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the evidence demonstrates that she was clearly a danger to herself and others.

The nature and quality of the intrusion here, namely use of a Taser, was

appropriate given the countervailing government interest of safety and compliance.

Deputy Burge warned Melinda to stop her behavior and discharged his Taser only

after she refused to comply with the his orders. Her conduct was violent and

extended. Given those circumstances, the deputies were justified in the force used

against Melinda. No genuine issue therefore remains with respect to Plaintiffs’

§1983 excessive force claim.

Serious Medical Need

Plaintiffs contend that the deputies were deliberately indifferent to Melinda’s

serious medical needs by failing to assist the EMS personnel in transporting

Melinda to a hospital, by failing to transport Melinda directly to the hospital

instead of jail, and by failing to provide Melinda with emergency medical care

immediately upon her arrival at jail. As a pre-trial detainee, Melinda’s rights exist

under the due process clause of the Fourteenth Amendment rather than the Eighth

Amendment. See City of Revere v. Massachusetts Gen. Hosp., 463 U.S. 239, 244,

103 S. Ct. 2979, 2983 (1983). Nonetheless, Plaintiffs’ claims are subject to the

same scrutiny as if they had been brought as deliberate indifference claims under

22
the Eighth Amendment. See Hamm v. DeKalb County, 774 F.2d 1567, 1574 (11th

9

Cir. 1985) (holding that “in regard to providing pretrial detainees with such basic

necessities as . . . medical care[,] the minimum standard allowed by the due process

clause is the same as that allowed by the eighth amendment for convicted

persons.”) To prevail on a deliberate indifference to serious medical need claim,

Plaintiffs must show: (1) a serious medical need; (2) the defendants' deliberate

indifference to that need; and (3) causation between that indifference and the

plaintiff's injury. Goebert v. Lee County, 510 F.3d 1312, 1326 (11th Cir. 2007).

A serious medical need is “one that has been diagnosed by a physician as

mandating treatment or one that is so obvious that even a lay person would easily

recognize the necessity for a doctor's attention.” Hill v. Dekalb Reg'l Youth Det.

Ctr., 40 F.3d 1176, 1187 (11th Cir. 1994), overruled in part on other grounds by

Hope v. Pelzer, 536 U.S. 730, 739, 122 S. Ct. 2508, 2515 (2002). In the

alternative, a serious medical need is determined by whether a delay in treating the

need worsens the condition. Hill, 40 F.3d at 1188-89. In either case, “the medical

need must be one that, if left unattended, poses a substantial risk of serious harm.”

Farrow v. West, 320 F.3d 1235, 1243 (11th Cir. 2003).

 “Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and 9

unusual punishments inflicted.” U.S. Const. amend. VIII. 

23
Plaintiffs’ contend that Melinda’s “excited delirium” presented a serious

medical need. We agree. The alternative test set forth in Hill states a medical need

is sufficiently serious if a delay in treatment worsens the condition, an argument

we find applicable here. Hill, 40 F.3d at 1188-89. Since the evidence reflects the

existence of a serious medical need, the issue then becomes deliberate indifference

to that serious medical need.

The Supreme Court has cautioned that not every allegation of inadequate

medical treatment states a constitutional violation. Estelle v. Gamble, 429 U.S. 97,

105, 106, 97 S. Ct. 285, 291 (1976). “In the medical context, an inadvertent failure

to provide adequate medical care cannot be said to constitute ‘an unnecessary and

wanton infliction of pain’ or to be ‘repugnant to the conscience of mankind.’” Id.

at 106-107, 97 S. Ct at 292. “In order to state a cognizable claim, a prisoner must

allege acts or omissions sufficiently harmful to evidence deliberate indifference to

serious medical needs. It is only such indifference that can offend ‘evolving

standards of decency’ in violation of the Eighth Amendment.” Id. Our circuit has

held that, in order to prove that a deputy acted with deliberate indifference,

Plaintiffs’ must show: “(1) subjective knowledge of a risk of serious harm; (2)

disregard of that risk; and (3) conduct that is more than mere negligence.” Brown v.

Johnson, 387 F.3d 1344, 1351 (11th Cir. 2004).

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Plaintiffs assert that the deputies were on notice of Melinda’s “excited

delirium” and their failure to take her for immediate medical treatment constitutes

deliberate indifference. The record, when viewed in the light most favorable to the

Plaintiffs indicates that when Deputies Giles, Griffin and Parker arrived, Melinda

was agitated and delusional. Plaintiff Ruby Mann and Sonya Pamela Neal both

told Deputy Parker that Melinda was sick and needed to go to the hospital. Deputy

Griffin had knowledge of Melinda’s past methamphetamine use and when Deputy

Griffin called EMS, he reported that Melinda was acting “crazy.”

While the subjective knowledge of one officer cannot be imputed to other

officers, Burnette v. Taylor, 533 F.3d 1325, 1331 (11th Cir. 2008), the record

indicates that at a minimum, Deputies Griffin and Parker had knowledge of

Melinda’s disconnect from reality. However, the record clearly indicates that prior

to this event, the deputies had no knowledge of the medical condition called

“excited delirium” or its accompanying risk of death. Plaintiffs have presented no

evidence that indicates that the deputies were aware of the serious risk of harm that

a delay in treatment could caused Melinda–an essential element of a deliberate

indifference claim.

Prior to her death, Melinda’s behavior did not indicate that she had a serious

medical need. Her physical resistence and verbal communication suggested to the

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deputies that although agitated, Melinda was not in immediate medical danger.

This was an opinion shared by the EMS personnel. “The Constitution does not

require an arresting police officer or jail official to seek medical attention for every

arrestee or inmate who appears to be affected by drugs or alcohol.” Burnette, 533

F.3d at 1333; Estate of Hocker v. Walsh, 22 F.3d 995, 1000 (10th Cir. 1994)

(affirming summary judgment for defendant officers and jailers where they did not

seek medical treatment for plaintiff who was “obviously . . . intoxicated or under

the influence of drugs”). There is no evidence that indicates Melinda’s behavior

evidenced a serious disease rather than a temporary reaction to the known use of

methamphetamine. Most importantly, nothing in the record suggests that the

deputies were aware Melinda’s condition could lead to death if not promptly

treated.

Far from being deliberately indifferent to a serious medical need, the

deputies took the precautionary measure of calling EMS after Melinda had fallen

out of the patrol car. EMS personnel, medically trained to recognize and diagnose

serious medical problems, testified that Melinda did not appear in any immediate

medical distress because she was verbally responsive and breathing normally. As

such, Plaintiffs’ argument that the deputies were deliberately indifferent to

Melinda’s medical needs is without merit.

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While the deputies may have made an error in judgment, mere negligence or

a mistake in judgment does not rise to the level of deliberate indifference.

Plaintiffs’ showing that harm resulted, without more, cannot carry the burden

required for deliberate indifference. Therefore, under these circumstances, the

deputies were not deliberately indifferent to Melinda’s serious medical condition

when they opted to take her to jail instead of to the hospital. As soon as they

realized she needed medical help, they took appropriate action.

Supervisory Liability

Plaintiffs also make claims of supervisory liability against Sheriff Chitwood,

Deputy Craig and Lieutenants Herren and Story. Taking the Plaintiffs’ allegations

as true, Lt. Herren was the certified Taser training officer for the Whitfield County

Sheriff’s Office. Deputy Craig and Lt. Story were the supervising officers on the

scene and Sheriff Chitwood was kept apprised of the arrest from his office and

refused to intervene.

“The standard by which a supervisor is held liable in her individual capacity

for the actions of a subordinate is extremely rigorous.” Braddy v. Florida Dept. of

Labor and Employment Sec., 133 F.3d 797, 802 (11th Cir. 1998). Supervisors can

be held personally liable when either (1) the supervisor personally participates in

the alleged constitutional violation, or (2) there is a causal connection between the

actions of the supervisor and the alleged constitutional violation. See Lewis v.

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Smith, 855 F.2d 736, 738 (11th Cir. 1988) (per curiam).

The central tenet in both offenses is a constitutional or statutory violation,

which we have not found. As such, Plaintiffs’ claims under a theory of

supervisory liability fail because the underlying §1983 claims fail. See Hicks v.

Moore, 422 F.3d 1246, 1253 (11th Cir. 2005) (“Because we conclude that

Plaintiff’s constitutional rights were not violated . . . , Plaintiff cannot maintain a

1983 action for supervisory liability . . . for failure to train”).

Official Capacity

Plaintiffs make similar allegations against the Whitfield Defendants in their

official capacities. A claim asserted against an individual in his or her official

capacity is, in reality, a suit against the entity that employs the individual. Brown

v. Neumann, 188 F.3d 1289, 1290 (11th Cir. 1999) (per curiam). In response, the

Whitfield Defendants assert Eleventh Amendment immunity.

We find it unnecessary to deal with this issue. As set forth earlier, we have

found no support for any of the federal claims being made against the Whitfield

Defendants in their individual capacities. Consequently, there is no basis and no

support for the similar claims made against them in their official capacities.

State Law Claims

Plaintiffs appeal the grant of summary judgment to Sheriff Chitwood and

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his deputies in their individual capacity on all state law claims. The Georgia

Constitution provides, in relevant part:

[The local government officer] may be subject to suit and

may be liable for injuries and damages caused by the

negligent performance of, or negligent failure to perform,

their ministerial functions and may be liable for injuries

and damages if they act with actual malice or with actual

intent to cause injury in the performance of their official

functions. Ga. Const. art. 1 § II, ¶ IX(d).

As interpreted, “[t]he 1991 amendment provides no immunity for ministerial acts

negligently performed or for ministerial or discretionary acts performed with

malice or an intent to injure. Gilbert v. Richardson, 452 S.E.2d 476, 483 (Ga.

1994). The question then becomes whether the deputies’ actions should be

classified as ministerial acts and held to a negligence standard, or as discretionary

acts and held to an actual malice standard.

“Whether a duty is ministerial or discretionary turns on the character of the

specified act itself.” Reed v. DeKalb County, 589 S.E.2d 584, 587 (Ga. Ct. App.

2003). A discretionary act “calls for the exercise of personal deliberation and

judgment, which in turn entails examining the facts, reaching reasoned

conclusions, and acting on them in a way not specifically directed.” Teston v.

Collins, 459 S.E.2d 452 (Ga. Ct. App. 1995). In contrast, “[a] ministerial act is

commonly one that is simple, absolute, and definite, arising under conditions

29
admitted or proved to exist, and requiring merely the execution of a specific duty.”

Standard v. Hobbs, 589 S.E.2d 634, 636 (Ga. Ct. App. 2003).

Plaintiffs concede that the investigation, arrest and transportation of Melinda

were discretionary acts and fall under the actual malice standard. Plaintiffs’ main

argument is that Sheriff Chitwood and his supervising deputies, Lt. Herren and Lt.

Storey, failed to comply with the office’s written policies concerning Taser use.

Plaintiffs’ allege that the mandate to train and supervise Taser use, once adopted by

the sheriff’s office, became a ministerial function subject to the negligence

standard. However, as a threshold to the argument, Plaintiffs fail to address the

causation requirement that the alleged failure to train and supervise the use of the

Taser caused Melinda’s death. As discussed above, Plaintiffs failed to provide

evidence that the Taser was the cause of Melinda’s death. Therefore, the

corresponding claim of failure to train and supervise use of the Taser is without

merit.

Plaintiffs’ remaining claims deal with the actual arrest and transport of

Melinda, which mandate an actual malice standard. “[I]n the context of official

immunity, actual malice means a deliberate intention to do a wrongful act.” Adams

v. Hazelwood, 520 S.E.2d 896, 898 (Ga. 1999). No evidence indicates that the

deputies acted with actual malice towards Melinda. Consequently, official

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immunity protects Sheriff Chitwood and his deputies with respect to Plaintiffs’

state law claims.

V. Orders

Spoliation

We review the district court’s decision regarding spoliation sanctions for

abuse of discretion. See Chambers v. NASCO, Inc., 501 U.S. 32, 55, 111 S. Ct.

2123, 2138 (1991); Flury v. Daimler Chrysler Corp., 427 F.3d 939, 946 (11th Cir.

2005). In the Eleventh Circuit, “an adverse inference is drawn from a party’s

failure to preserve evidence only when the absence of that evidence is predicated

on bad faith.” Bashir v. Amtrak, 119 F. 3d 929, 931 (11th Cir. 1997) (per curiam).

While this circuit does not require a showing of malice in order to find bad

faith, mere negligence in losing or destroying records is not sufficient to draw an

adverse inference. See Id. Plaintiffs present five instances of alleged spoliation

and ask for corresponding sanctions. However, Plaintiffs present no evidence that

any party acted in bad faith regarding any of the instances. As such, the district

court did not err in declining to draw an adverse inference against the defendants.

Medical Expert Testimony

Plaintiffs appeal the district court’s ruling that their expert’s second affidavit

was untimely and did not meet any of the required criteria to excuse the delay. We

review for abuse of discretion the district court's decisions regarding the

31
admissibility of expert testimony and the reliability of an expert opinion. See Gen.

Elec. Co. v. Joiner, 522 U.S. 136, 141, 118 S. Ct. 512, 517 (1997). Indeed, the

“deference that is the hallmark of abuse-of-discretion review,” Id. at 143, 118 S.

Ct. at 517, requires that we not reverse an evidentiary decision of a district court

“unless the ruling is manifestly erroneous.” Id. at 142, 118 S. Ct. at 517 (quoting

Spring Co. v. Edgar, 99 U.S. 645, 658 (1879)).

The district court set a March 12, 2007, deadline for the disclosure of expert

witnesses and the completion of Rule 26 reports. A Rule 26 report must contain “a

complete statement of all opinions the witness will express and the basis and

reasons for them.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 26(a)(2)(B). Federal Rule 26 correlates with

local rule 26.2, which mandates that expert opinions must be disclosed sufficiently

early in the discovery period to allow the opposing party to react before the close

of discovery, under penalty of exclusion. N.D. Ga. R. 26.2C.

In observing the deadline, Plaintiffs filed a Rule 26 report for Dr. Gowitt on

February 23, 2007, setting forth the cause of death as “excited delirium.” He

explained the relationship between increased catecholamines and an excited

delirium state. On June 11, 2008, Plaintiffs filed Dr. Gowitt’s second affidavit,

asserting two new theories of causation: electrocution and acidosis. The district

court excluded their theories relating to acidosis and electrocution, holding that the

32
new theories were untimely and that Plaintiffs did not show the required

justification for their failure to disclose this in a timely fashion.

On appeal, Plaintiffs assert that the opinions were disclosed timely. We

disagree. Although there were six revised scheduling orders, the opinions and

Rule 26 reports of Plaintiffs primary expert were due on March 12, 2007. The six

revised scheduling orders dealt with rebuttal experts and specifically excluded

previously disclosed experts, including Dr. Gowitt.

In the alternative, Plaintiffs contend that the opinions contained in the

second affidavit clarified previous opinions that were submitted timely. Again, we

disagree. Dr. Gowitt raises his opinions regarding acidosis and electrocution for

the first time in earnest in his affidavit of June 11, 2008. Although Plaintiffs

correctly point out that Dr. Gowitt’s initial affidavit contained the word acidosis, a

plain reading of his affidavit does not put the defense on notice that Plaintiffs

would present acidosis as a theory of causation. Dr. Gowitt’s sole reference to

acidosis was a dismissive sentence, claiming that Melinda’s acidosis levels were

lower than expected.

Finally, Plaintiffs submit that the electrocution theory was not available until

May 2008. In support, Plaintiffs cite a study published in May 2008 which

summarizes an emergency room event in which a patient’s irregular heartbeat

33
became regulated after an officer deployed a Taser on the patient. Even given a

broad reading, that article does not address electrocution as a potential cause of

death. Consequently, Plaintiffs have failed to show that their failure to disclose Dr.

Gowitt’s opinion in a timely fashion was justified.

Wrongful Death Claims

Plaintiffs appeal the dismissal of the guardians’ claim on behalf of Melinda’s

children. Plaintiff Ruby Mann, guardian of Melinda’s daughter, Haley Nicole

Fairbanks, and Plaintiff Brenda Patterson, guardian of Melinda’s son Jonathan

Cody Fairbanks, brought claims on behalf of the minor children. Hamilton

Emergency Services, which was a defendant at that point in these proceedings,

filed a motion to dismiss the claims of the children’s guardians, which the district

court converted into a motion for summary judgment. We review the issue de

novo, considering all the facts and reasonable inferences in the light most favorable

to the non-moving party. See Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Ass’n, Inc. v.

Landstar System Inc., 541 F.3d 1278, 1287 (11th Cir. 2008).

The district court held that the guardians’ did not have standing to bring an

action for wrongful death under Georgia’s Survival Action statute, Ga. Code Ann.,

§51-4-2. Under Ga. Code Ann., §51-4-2(a), “wrongful death claims may be

brought by only two categories of Plaintiffs–the decedent’s surviving spouse and,

34
if there is no surviving spouse, the decedent’s children.” Tolbert v. Maner, 518

S.E.2d 423, 425 (Ga. 1999). Despite the plain language of the statute, there are

narrow exceptions where the courts may exercise equitable powers to allow

children with no remedy at law to pursue a wrongful death claim. See Brown v.

Liberty Oil and Ref. Corp., 403 S.E.2d 806, 808 (Ga. 1991). However, that power

has traditionally been applied where the surviving spouse is absent, disabled, has

declined to pursue the claim, or has no relation by blood or law to the surviving

children. See Id.; Emory University v. Dorsey, 429 S.E.2d 307, 309 (Ga. Ct. App.

1993); Belluso v. Tant, 574 S.E.2d 595, 598 (Ga. Ct. App. 2002); Blackmon v.

Tenet Healthcare Spalding, Inc., 667 S.E.2d 348, 349 (Ga. 2008); King v.

Goodwin, 626 S.E.2d 165, 166 (Ga. Ct. App. 2006).

Allowing children to proceed is considered a rare exception to the general

rule that only a surviving spouse can pursue a wrongful death claim. See King, 626

S.E.2d at 166. The district court did not find that this case presented a rare

exception to the general rule, but rather that John Fairbanks was ready and able to

bring all appropriate claims. We agree. John Fairbanks has a blood relationship

with the children, he is present and able to manage the estate of his deceased

spouse. As such, the district court did not abuse its discretion in dismissing the

guardians’ claims.

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Plaintiffs also appeal the district court’s denial of their motion to amend the

wrongful death claim in order to substitute Melinda’s children in place of her

surviving spouse, John Fairbanks. John Fairbanks attempted to substitute the

children for himself when it became apparent that his claim could be reduced by an

contribution and indemnity counterclaim due to the fact that he was convicted of

criminal solicitation for encouraging Melinda to buying the methamphetamine that

they consumed prior to the events proceeding her death. We review a district

court's denial of a motion to amend for an abuse of discretion. See Foman v.

Davis, 371 U.S. 178, 182, 83 S. Ct. 227, 230 (1962); Jameson, v. Arrow Co., 75

F.3d 1528, 1535 (11th Cir. 1996).

As an initial matter, Plaintiffs’ motion to amend was untimely. The motion

comes long after the deadlines for filing motions to amend established in the

scheduling orders entered in this case. Therefore, Plaintiffs were required to show

good cause under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 16(b). Under Rule 16(b), “[a]

schedule may be modified only for good cause and with the judge’s consent.” Fed.

R. Civ. P. 16(b)(4). See also Sosa v. Airprint Sys., Inc., 133 F.3d 1417, 1419 (11th

Cir. 1998). The district court found that Plaintiffs did not meet this standard and

Plaintiffs have presented no evidence that the district court abused its discretion.

Plaintiffs’ only argument regarding the denial of the motion to amend is that the

36
district court’s decision denied the children’s right to a fair trial. This assertion,

without any support or discussion, cannot carry the burden required for abuse of

discretion.

Finally, Plaintiffs appeal the district court’s denial of their motion to dismiss

the counterclaim against John Fairbanks for indemnity and contribution. Plaintiffs

contend the Georgia Joint Tort-Feasor statute, Ga. Code Ann., §51-12-33,

subsumed the indemnity and contribution statute. However, Plaintiffs do not

address the threshold issue of timeliness. The district court ruled that Plaintiffs’

motion was untimely, and the Plaintiffs have presented no evidence that the district

court abused its discretion in making this ruling.

VI. Conclusion

Although Melinda’s death was unfortunate, Plaintiffs have no remedy here.

The district court did not abuse its discretion in enforcing its local rules regarding

pleadings and motions. Plaintiffs provided no evidence that the deputies used

excessive force or were deliberately indifferent to a serious medical need. They

were faced with an extremely difficult interaction and handled it appropriately.

Therefore, the district court's grant of summary judgment to the Whitfield

Defendants was proper. We also hold that Plaintiffs failed to meet the requirements

of the law to hold the Taser Defendants liable. Therefore, summary judgment in

37
favor of Taser Defendants was proper.

For the foregoing reasons, the judgment of the district court is, in all

respects,

AFFIRMED.

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