Source: http://ky.findacase.com/research/wfrmDocViewer.aspx/xq/fac.20180306_0000187.WKY.htm/qx
Timestamp: 2019-04-22 14:17:47+00:00

Document:
This matter is before the Court upon a motion for summary judgment by defendant Samuel Wright. (DN 62.) This matter is ripe for decision.
According to the complaint, Brock was an inmate at Green River Correctional Complex. In May 2014, he was involved in an altercation with an inmate named Timothy Delahanty, who Brock alleges has ties to a white supremacist group. Following the altercation, Brock was placed on “rec alone, ” meaning he could not be placed in a recreation cage with other inmates. However, on June 4, 2014, Brock was placed in a recreation cage with defendant David Hicks, who Brock alleges was another white supremacist in the prison. Hicks and another unknown individual assaulted Brock in the recreation cage. Brock alleges that prison staff conspired with Hicks to have Brock assaulted in retaliation for his prior altercation with Delahanty and a previous lawsuit Brock filed while being housed at the Crittenden County Jail.
Before the Court may grant a motion for summary judgment, it must find that there is no genuine dispute as to any material fact and that the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. Fed.R.Civ.P. 56(a). The moving party bears the initial burden of specifying the basis for its motion and identifying the portion of the record that demonstrates the absence of a genuine issue of fact. Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 322 (1986). If the moving party satisfies this burden, the non-moving party must produce specific facts demonstrating a genuine issue of fact for trial. Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 252 (1986).
Although the Court must review the evidence in the light most favorable to the non-moving party, the non-moving party must do more than merely show that there is some “metaphysical doubt as to the material facts.” Matsushita Elec. Indus. Co., Ltd. v. Zenith Radio Corp., 475 U.S. 574, 586 (1986). Instead, the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure require the non-moving party to show that a genuine factual issue exists by “citing to particular parts of materials in the record” or by “showing that the materials cited do not establish the absence . . . of a genuine dispute[.]” Fed.R.Civ.P. 56(c)(1). “The mere existence of a scintilla of evidence in support of the [non-moving party's] position will be insufficient; there must be evidence on which the jury could reasonably find for the [non-moving party].” Anderson, 477 U.S. at 252.
Wright argues that he is entitled to summary judgment on both claims that remain against him, as Brock has failed to establish that he has a cognizable physical injury for which he could recover damages. The Prison Litigation Reform Act states that “[n]o Federal civil action may be brought by a prisoner confined in a jail, prison, or other correctional facility, for mental or emotional injury suffered while in custody without a prior showing of physical injury.” 42 U.S.C. § 1997e(e). Brock has asserted § 1983 claims against Wright for violations of his Eighth Amendment rights. (Pl.'s Compl. [DN 1] at 4; Mem. Op. and Order [DN 11] at 13 (construing allegations as Eighth Amendment claims for failure to protect and deliberate indifference).) Thus, the statute applies to Brock's claims. See Jarriett v. Wilson, 162 Fed.Appx. 394, 400 (6th Cir. 2005) (42 U.S.C. § 1997e(e) applies to § 1983 claims for violations of Eighth Amendment rights).
The Court finds that Brock suffered nothing more than a de minimis injury during the altercation that gave rise to his claims against Wright. Even taking into account the two burn marks of questionable origin, Brock's scratch on the neck and burn marks are not the type of serious injury that would allow him to recover for an Eighth Amendment violation. See Corsetti v. Tessmer, 41 Fed.Appx. 753, 755 (6th Cir. 2002) (two small bruises and minor cuts that did not require medical attention were de minimis injuries); Ratliff v. De Baun, 2017 WL 4365802, at *8 (W.D. Ky. Sep. 29, 2017) (two burn marks on arm were de minimis injury). Brock has not presented proof that he required medical attention for his injuries or that the prison's records understate the extent of his injuries. As such, his injuries are de minimis, and they do not give rise to an actionable claim under § 1997e(e). Therefore, the motion for summary judgment by Wright is GRANTED as to all remaining claims against him, and he is DISMISSED from the action as a party.

References: v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 § 1997
 § 1983
 v. 
 § 1997
 § 1983
 v. 
 v. 
 § 1997