Opinion ID: 801040
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Physician’s Assistant Max Carter

Text: Snow alleged that he received his pain medications inconsistently and in doses that were not sufficient. In July 2007, Snow sent a medical kite that asked: “If I can only have and take Indocin for 10 days a month, are you prescribing something in its place to ease my pain the other 20 days?” In response, Carter wrote: “[N]ope — gonna let you suffer until you tell me its [sic] working or not — not much need in taking something that doesn’t work.” Dr. Bishop reviewed Carter’s response a week later and overruled it. Dr. Bishop wrote: “Mr. Snow, I reviewed this kite response and totally disagree. Pain meds are appropriate and I am ordering them today for your needed well being.” Carter testified at deposition that his “gonna let you suffer” comment to Snow was a “tongue-andcheek” attempt at humor. [13] Carter’s “gonna let you suffer” statement is a textbook example of the state of mind required to violate the Eighth Amendment. Whether or not he made the statement in an attempt at humor is an issue for the jury. We reverse the grant of summary judgment to Carter.