Opinion ID: 2314327
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Factual Background of the Claim

Text: According to the evidence, Watkins injured his back in 1976 while operating a bulldozer. He ruptured four discs in his back as a result of which he had chronic low back pain, which was treated with anti-inflammatories and Motrin. In 1978, Watkins underwent surgery, a laminectomy. [1] According to Watkins, the surgeons removed a piece of his hip bone to fuse his spine, and the operation left his leg paralyzed. Since 1985, Watkins has used a back brace and a cane to walk, and a tens unit (electrical stimulator) to reduce the pain. In the spring of 1988, Watkins was convicted of carrying a pistol without a license and sentenced to ninety (90) days in jail. Initially, he was detained at the D.C. Jail where he was given a physical examination and one Motrin pill three times a day. For security reasons, personnel at the jail took his cane. On February 23, 1988, Watkins was transferred to a minimum security facility at Occoquan where he was given a prescription to take three Motrin tablets a day for five days. By March 10, 1988, with only two pills left, he requested a refill at the facility's medical unit, and he was instructed to return later. When he returned on March 14, 1988, he received a prescription to take Motrin three times a day for fourteen days, which lasted until March 27, 1988. On March 28, 1988, Watkins returned to the infirmary complaining of back pain, tingling in his legs, and pain in his ankles and knees, and requested Motrin. A physician's assistant, Mr. Stroman, examined Watkins and refused his request. Stroman scheduled an MRI for Watkins and referred him to an orthopedic specialist, Dr. Smith. Later that evening Watkins was given the MRI and again requested Motrin. The staff informed him that they were authorized only to perform the x-ray examination. Two days later, on March 30, 1988, Watkins, who was in pain and unable to walk, was carried to the infirmary where Dr. Smith examined him and prescribed Motrin for pain. Watkins testified that Dr. Smith instructed him to tell his correctional officer to call Dr. Stroman and have him get some Motrin over to me. Watkins said he relayed Dr. Smith's instruction to a correctional officer, James. Officer James telephoned Stroman and requested the Motrin. However, the Motrin was not given to Watkins. Later that day, around 6 or 6:30 p.m., Watkins told Sergeant Dalton that he was hurting all over. Sergeant Dalton and Officer James decided to take Watkins to the infirmary. On the way there, Watkins' legs buckled under him, and he fell backwards down a flight of concrete, steel-edged stairs. Watkins was taken to the emergency room at D.C. General Hospital. Watkins testified that he sustained scrapes around his waist, shoulder, hips and back and that he had swelling after the fall. Watkins said that after speaking with a physician briefly about how he came to be injured, he was pushed... to the side ... where [he] laid all night long without receiving any treatment or medication. The next morning Watkins was given paraflex and ten extra-strength Tylenol pills. He was given Motrin after he returned to Occoquan later that evening. Watkins testified that since his release on April 19, 1988, he has experienced more spasms and impotency and that he remains on medication. Additional facts pertaining to the parties' respective arguments are set forth in the sections addressing their claims.