Opinion ID: 2994465
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Claims Against Hanks and Cohn

Text: Zimmerman also alleges claims against Hanks and Cohn. These claims are predicted upon the doctrine of respondeat superior. However, sec.1983 does not allow actions against individuals merely for their supervisory role of others. An individual cannot be held liable in a sec.1983 action unless he caused or participated in [the] alleged constitutional deprivation. Starzenski v. City of Elkhart, 87 F.3d 872, 879 (7th Cir. 1996), quoting Wolf-Lillie v. Sonquist, 699 F.2d 864, 869 (7th Cir. 1983). Although Zimmerman alleges that Hanks and Cohn oversaw others or established wrongful policies, there are no allegations that either of them was personally involved in the constitutional wrongdoing. Therefore, the claims against them were properly dismissed. Rowe, 196 F.3d at n2.