Opinion ID: 1803833
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 8

Heading: Dr Stucker's Individual Liability

Text: LSUHSC and Dr. Stucker next contend the trial court erred when it found Dr. Stucker individually liable. They argue all of Dr. Stucker's interactions with Dr. Driscoll and the American Board of Otolaryngology were in his official capacity as Chairman of the Department of Otolaryngology and his actions were taken only after consultation with the LSUHSC faculty, his supervisors, and in-house counsel. Personal or individual capacity suits seek to impose personal liability upon a government official for actions he takes under color of state law causing the deprivation of a constitutional right. A state official is individually liable for violating the constitutional rights of his victim. Scheuer v. Rhodes, 416 U.S. 232, 94 S.Ct. 1683, 40 L.Ed.2d 90 (1974); Kentucky v. Graham, 473 U.S. 159, 105 S.Ct. 3099, 87 L.Ed.2d 114 (1985); see also, Hafer v. Melo, 502 U.S. 21, 112 S.Ct. 358, 116 L.Ed.2d 301 (1991). Although the State of Louisiana has extended indemnification to its officials accused of violating a plaintiffs' constitutional rights, this does not alter the individual's primary liability. [11] Anderson v. Phelps, 655 F.Supp. 560 (M.D.La.1985); Muhammed v. Bd. of Sup'rs of Southern University, 715 F.Supp. 732 (M.D.La.1989), affirmed, 9 F.3d 104 (5 Cir.1993). As stated above, Dr. Driscoll had a property, liberty, and contractual interest in receiving board eligibility status that due process principles clearly protected. Notwithstanding, the evidence shows Dr. Stucker's interactions with Dr. Driscoll and with the American Board of Otolaryngology were solely in his capacity as Chairman of LSUHSC's Department of Otolaryngology. As further evidenced by Dr. Stucker's August 10, 2000, memo to the LSUHSC faculty, he obtained faculty approval, as well as that of his superiors, Dr. Clay and Dr. McDonald, before he asked the American Board of Otolaryngology to consider removing Peter Driscoll from the individuals scheduled to sit for the American Board of Otolaryngology. Clearly, Dr. Stucker did not act alone before proceeding to take further action with the American Board of Otolaryngology. Therefore, under these facts, we find the trial court erred in finding Dr. Stucker individually liable.