Court Opinion

ID: 9480746
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-05 07:57:15.756009+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:47:52.872029
License: Public Domain

GEORGE C. PRATT, Circuit Judge
(dissenting):
I dissent. We should affirm the district judge’s wise dismissal of this in forma pauperis complaint under 28 U.S.C. § 1915(d), because the claim is based on not one, but two “indisputably meritless legal theories].” Neitzke v. Williams, 490 U.S. 319, 109 S.Ct. 1827, 1835, 104 L.Ed.2d 338 (1989).
First, the majority concludes that Nance’s allegation that he was deliberately denied medical treatment states a cognizable claim of cruel and unusual punishment under the eighth amendment. I cannot join in that conclusion. To sink to the level of a constitutional violation a prison’s medical mistreatment must not only constitute “deliberate indifference”, but that indifference must be to a “serious medical need”. Estelle v. Gamble, 429 U.S. 97, 104, 97 S.Ct. 285, 291, 50 L.Ed.2d 251 (1976). Nance’s complaint of sore feet and a deprivation of orthopedic sneakers by the defendant does not meet this standard.
The “serious medical need” requirement contemplates a condition of urgency, one that may produce death, degeneration, or extreme pain. See Archer v. Dutcher, 733 F.2d 14, 16-17 (2d Cir.1984) (“extreme pain”); Todaro v. Ward, 565 F.2d 48, 52 (2d Cir.1977) (“physical torture and lingering death”). The types of conditions which have been held to meet the constitutional standard of serious medical need include a brain tumor, Neitzke, 109 S.Ct. 1827; broken pins in a hip, Hathaway v. Coughlin, 841 F.2d 48 (2d Cir.1988); premature return to prison after surgery, Kelsey v. Ewing, 652 F.2d 4 (8th Cir.1981); diabetes requiring special diet, Johnson v. Harris, 479 F.Supp. 333 (S.D.N.Y.1979); a bleeding ulcer, Massey v. Hutto, 545 F.2d 45 (8th Cir.1976); and loss of an ear, Williams v. Vincent, 508 F.2d 541 (2d Cir.1974) (claim stated against a doctor who threw away a prisoner’s ear and stitched up the stump).
Far from resembling the foregoing serious medical problems, Nance’s sore feet and alleged need for orthopedic sneakers is more analogous to those conditions that have been held to fall short of the constitutional standard, such as a broken pin setting an injured shoulder, Wood v. House wright, 900 F.2d 1332 (9th Cir.1990); a mild concussion and broken jaw, Jones v. Lewis, 874 F.2d 1125 (6th Cir.1989); a kidney stone, Hutchinson v. United States, 838 F.2d 390 (9th Cir.1988); cold symptoms, Gibson v. McEvers, 631 F.2d 95 (7th Cir. *6081980); headaches, Dickson v. Colman, 569 F.2d 1310 (5th); cert. denied, 439 U.S. 897, 99 S.Ct. 259, 58 L.Ed.2d 244 (1978); a broken finger, Rodriguez v. Joyce, 693 F.Supp. 1250 (D.Me.1988); toothache, Tyler v. Rapone, 603 F.Supp. 268 (E.D.Pa.1984); or “bowel problems”, Glasper v. Wilson, 559 F.Supp. 13 (W.D.N.Y.1982).
Second, even if Nance’s sore feet met the constitutional standard, it is inconceivable that he could sustain this action against the only defendant he has named: Walter C. Kelly, who is superintendent of the prison where Nance is confined. A prerequisite for a § 1983 claim is “personal involvement” by the defendant in the alleged constitutional deprivation. Williams v. Smith, 781 F.2d 319, 323 (2d Cir.1986). Not only does Nance fail to make any allegation that Kelly knew of him, knew of his sore feet, or knew of the denial of orthopedic shoes, he fails to suggest any other basis on which Kelly might be held liable other than the insufficient one that he was in charge of the prison. See Gill v. Mooney, 824 F.2d 192, 196 (2d Cir.1987); Williams v. Vincent, 508 F.2d 541, 546 (2d Cir.1974); see also Neitzke, 109 S.Ct. at 1829 n. 2.
Reversal here simply adds extra, useless burdens to the work of the district court. The inevitable result of this case, after the additional paperwork, lawyer’s time, and court time required in the district court by our reversal, will be dismissal. The district judge recognized this when he dismissed under § 1915(d), and we should affirm his wise, practical decision.