Opinion ID: 1143183
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: facts

Text: In June 1991, Kevin Bellard, an inmate at the Louisiana Correctional & Industrial School (LCIS), claimed he injured his knee falling from his top bunk. On March 20, 1992, while shackled, Bellard said he reinjured the same knee entering a prison van. On April 15, 1992, Bellard filed a petition in the 14th Judicial District Court seeking monetary damages against LCIS, its warden, and the State for negligently failing to protect him from injury. On plaintiff's venue motion, the case was transferred to the 36th Judicial District Court. The defendants responded with exceptions of improper venue, lack of subject matter jurisdiction, no right of action, no cause of action, and abandonment. Because the Corrections Administrative Remedy Procedure, LSA-R.S. 15:1171 et seq., requires an exhaustion of administrative procedures before inmates may file a tort suit, defendants argued that Bellard had no right to sue. Defendants also argued the statutes mandated venue in the 19th Judicial District Court. The trial court held that the sole avenue for redress of prisoner tort grievances was the procedures authorized by LSA-R.S. 15:1171 et seq. By not timely pursuing administrative remedies, Bellard had forfeited his claim. The district court dismissed Bellard's suit with prejudice. The court of appeal affirmed in a 3-2 opinion. 93-545 (La. App. 3 Cir. 12/14/94), 647 So.2d 1237. A writ was granted to consider the issue. 95-0157 (La. 6/2/95), 654 So.2d 1096. In brief, Bellard argues that the administrative procedures unconstitutionally limit and restrict inmate plaintiffs' access to the courts, contrary to La.Const. art. I, § 22. Bellard further claims he was denied notice of a 1989 statutory amendment which required inmates to exhaust administrative remedies prior to filing tort suits against the state and its employees in district court. Defendants' motion to strike the unconstitutionality specification of error was referred to the merits.