Source: http://in.findacase.com/research/wfrmDocViewer.aspx/xq/fac.20191219_0001173.SIN.htm/qx
Timestamp: 2020-06-01 20:31:29
Document Index: 638460595

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 1983', '§ 1915', '§ 1915', '§ 1915', '§ 1983', '§ 1983', '§ 1983']

FindACase™ | Blaize v. Talbot
Blaize v. Talbot
AUSTIN BLAIZE, Plaintiff,
Plaintiff Austin Blaize, an inmate at the Pendleton Correctional Facility (Pendleton), brings this action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983, alleging that his Eighth Amendment right to be free from cruel and unusual punishment was violated by the defendants' deliberate indifference to his serious medical needs. Mr. Blaize has paid the initial partial filing fee. Dkt. 8. Because Mr. Blaize is a “prisoner” as defined by 28 U.S.C. § 1915A(c), this Court has an obligation under 28 U.S.C. § 1915A(a) to screen his complaint before service on the defendants.
Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915A(b), the Court must dismiss the complaint, or any portion of the complaint, if it is frivolous or malicious, fails to state a claim for relief, or seeks monetary relief against a defendant who is immune from such relief. In determining whether the complaint states a claim, the Court applies the same standard as when addressing a motion to dismiss under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(b)(6). See Cesal v. Moats, 851 F.3d 714, 720 (7th Cir. 2017).
Mr. Blaize filed a complaint on September 10, 2019, naming the following defendants: (1) Dr. Paul Talbot; and (2) Wexford Health Services, Inc. (Wexford). The complaint names Dr. Talbot in his individual capacity. Mr. Blaize seeks compensatory and punitive damages.
Mr. Blaize alleges that in the fall of 2017, he was sent to the infirmary after being stabbed in the face. The force from the stabbing caused him to lose consciousness and resulted in a concussion and chronic traumatic encephalopathy. Mr. Blaize was in severe pain and required stitches on his forehead and under his left eye.
Dr. Talbot allegedly failed to provide treatment to Mr. Blaize consistent with “free world standards.” He refused to administer pain medication, ointment, or wound care. He also failed to evaluate Mr. Blaize for signs of concussion, monitor him for signs of brain swelling, or order brain imaging scans. Rather than treat Mr. Blaize for his serious medical condition, Dr. Talbot allegedly interrogated him and placed him on “hold pending investigation” in the R-cellhouse.
Wexford employees are allegedly not trained or are unwilling to monitor patients for signs of brain swelling. Consequently, Mr. Blaize was not monitored for this life-threatening condition.
This action is brought pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. To state a claim under § 1983, a plaintiff must allege the violation of a right secured by the Constitution or laws of the United States and must show that the alleged deprivation was committed by a person acting under color of state law. West v. Atkins, 487 U.S. 42, 48 (1988). “[T]he first step in any [§ 1983] claim is to identify the specific constitutional right infringed.” Albright v. Oliver, 510 U.S. 266, 271 (1994). “The Eighth Amendment prohibits the unnecessary and wanton infliction of pain, which includes [d]eliberate indifference to serious medical needs of prisoners.” Knight v. Grossman, 942 F.3d 336, 340 (7th Cir. 2019) (internal quotation omitted).
Based on the screening standard set forth above, Mr. Blaize's Eighth Amendment deliberate indifference claims shall proceed against Dr. Talbot and Wexford.
This summary of claims includes all viable claims identified by the Court. If Mr. Blaize believes that additional claims were alleged in the complaint but not identified by the Court, he shall have ...