Case Name: Leon-Michael THOLSON, Plaintiff-Appellant, v. Kevin L. DILLON; et al., Defendants-Appellees
Court: United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
Jurisdiction: United States
Decision Date: 2017-08-16
Citations: 695 F. App'x 321
Docket Number: No. 16-36036
Parties: Leon-Michael THOLSON, Plaintiff-Appellant, v. Kevin L. DILLON; et al., Defendants-Appellees.
Judges: Before: SCHROEDER, TASHIMA, and M. SMITH, Circuit Judges.
Reporter: West's Federal Appendix
Volume: 695
Pages: 321–322

Head Matter:
Leon-Michael THOLSON, Plaintiff-Appellant, v. Kevin L. DILLON; et al., Defendants-Appellees.
No. 16-36036
United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit.
Submitted August 9, 2017
Filed August 16, 2017
Leon-Michael Tholson, Pro Se
Before: SCHROEDER, TASHIMA, and M. SMITH, Circuit Judges.
The panel unanimously concludes this case is suitable for decision without oral argument. See Fed. R. App. P. 34(a)(2).

Opinion:
MEMORANDUM
Alaska state prisoner Leon-Michael Tholson appeals pro se from the district court's judgment dismissing his 42 U.S.C. § 1983 action alleging retaliation and deliberate indifference- to his safety. We have jurisdiction under. 28 U.S.C. § 1291. We review de novo. Resnick v. Hayes, 213 F.3d 443, 447 (9th Cir. 2000) (dismissal under 28 U.S.C. § 1915A); Barren v. Harrington, 152 F.3d 1193, 1194 (9th Cir. 1998) (order) (dismissal under 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)). We vacate and remand.
Although the district court properly concluded that Tholson failed to state deliberate indifference and retaliation claims, the district court abused its discretion in dismissing Tholson's action without leave to amend because it is not absolutely clear that the deficiencies could not be cured by amendment. See Lucas v. Dep't of Corr., 66 F.3d 245, 248 (9th Cir. 1995) ("Unless it is absolutely clear that no amendment can cure the defect, . a pro se litigant is entitled to notice of the complaint's deficiencies and an opportunity to amend prior to dismissal of the action."); Lopez v. Smith, 203 F.3d 1122, 1130 (9th Cir. 2000) (setting forth standard of review). We vacate the judgment and remand for the district court to provide Tholson with an opportunity to amend.
In light of our disposition, we do not consider the district court's order denying Tholson's motion for preliminary injunctive relief.
VACATED and REMANDED.
This disposition is not appropriate for publication and is not precedent except as provided by Ninth Circuit Rule 36-3.