Rhode Island District Court
Judge:Mary S Mcelroy
Referred: Lincoln D Almond
Case #: 1:24-cv-00346
Nature of Suit367 Torts - Personal Injury - Health Care/Pharmaceutical Personal Injury/Product Liability
Cause42:1983 Prisoner Civil Rights
Case Filed:Aug 29, 2024
Re-opened:Nov 06, 2024
Terminated:Sep 25, 2024
Last checked: Tuesday Feb 25, 2025 3:28 AM EST
Defendant
Angieszka Janicka
Represented By
Morgan P. Moniz
Hanson Curran LLP
contact info
Joshua E. Carlin
Hanson Curran LLP
contact info
Defendant
Uncheckukwu Ugorji
Plaintiff
Jack Doherty
160199 Maximum Security PO Box 8273
Cranston, RI 02920
TERMINATED PARTIES
Defendant
Rhode Island Department of Corrections
Terminated: 12/09/2024


Docket last updated: 04/25/2025 11:59 PM EDT
Thursday, April 24, 2025
41 41 motion Appoint Counsel Thu 04/24 2:57 PM
Second MOTION to Appoint Counsel filed by Jack Doherty. Responses due by 5/8/2025.(Hill, Cherelle)
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Att: 1 Declaration in Support of Plaintiff's Motion for the Appointment of Counsel,
Att: 2 Envelope
40 40 misc Declaration Thu 04/24 2:55 PM
DECLARATION OF SERVICE BY MAIL by Jack Doherty.(Hill, Cherelle)
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Att: 1 Envelope
Tuesday, April 15, 2025
39 39 respm Reply to Response Tue 04/15 11:29 AM
REPLY to Response re37 Response to Motion filed by Jack Doherty.(Hill, Cherelle)
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Att: 1 Envelope
Wednesday, April 09, 2025
38 38 respm Reply to Response Wed 04/09 12:18 PM
REPLY to Response re:36 Response to Motion,37 Response to Motion filed by Jack Doherty. (Gonzalez Gomez, Viviana)
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Att: 1 Envelope
Monday, March 31, 2025
37 37 respm Response to Motion Mon 03/31 9:11 AM
RESPONSE In Opposition to35 MOTION to Appoint Counsel filed by Uncheckukwu Ugorji. Replies due by 4/7/2025. (Kelly, Matthew)
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Friday, March 28, 2025
36 36 respm Response to Motion Fri 03/28 4:23 PM
RESPONSE In Opposition to35 MOTION to Appoint Counsel filed by Angieszka Janicka. Replies due by 4/4/2025. (Carlin, Joshua)
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35 35 motion Appoint Counsel Fri 03/28 11:45 AM
MOTION to Appoint Counsel filed by Jack Doherty. Responses due by 4/11/2025.(Hill, Cherelle)
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Att: 1 Envelope
Thursday, March 27, 2025
34 34 respm Response to Motion Thu 03/27 11:09 AM
RESPONSE In Opposition to28 MOTION TO DISMISS FOR FAILURE TO STATE A CLAIM filed by Jack Doherty. Replies due by 4/3/2025.(Hill, Cherelle)
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Att: 1 Order,
Att: 2 Envelope
33 33 respm Response to Motion Thu 03/27 11:07 AM
RESPONSE In Opposition to30 MOTION to Dismiss filed by Jack Doherty. Replies due by 4/3/2025.(Hill, Cherelle)
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Att: 1 Envelope
Tuesday, March 25, 2025
32 32 respm Reply to Response Tue 03/25 10:05 AM
REPLY to Response re31 Response to Motion, Motion to Dismiss filed by Uncheckukwu Ugorji. (Kelly, Matthew)
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Tuesday, March 18, 2025
31 31 respm Response to Motion Tue 03/18 12:50 PM
RESPONSE In Opposition to28 MOTION TO DISMISS FOR FAILURE TO STATE A CLAIM filed by Jack Doherty. Replies due by 3/25/2025.(Hill, Cherelle)
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Att: 1 Exhibit A,
Att: 2 Exhibit B,
Att: 3 Exhibit C,
Att: 4 Exhibit D,
Att: 5 Envelope
Monday, March 17, 2025
30 30 motion Dismiss Mon 03/17 12:14 PM
Renewed MOTION to Dismiss filed by Angieszka Janicka. Responses due by 3/31/2025. (Carlin, Joshua) Docket text modified on 3/17/2025. (Gonzalez Gomez, Viviana)
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Att: 1 Exhibit,
Att: 2 Exhibit,
Att: 3 Exhibit,
Att: 4 Supporting Memorandum
Thursday, March 06, 2025
29 29 7 pgs misc Memorandum in Support Thu 03/06 11:22 AM
MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT by Uncheckukwu Ugorji in support of28 MOTION TO DISMISS FOR FAILURE TO STATE A CLAIM . (Kelly, Matthew)
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28 28 motion Dismiss for failure to State a Claim Thu 03/06 11:16 AM
MOTION TO DISMISS FOR FAILURE TO STATE A CLAIM filed by Uncheckukwu Ugorji. Responses due by 3/20/2025. (Kelly, Matthew)
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27 27 notice Notice of Appearance Thu 03/06 11:05 AM
NOTICE of Appearance by Matthew D. Kelly on behalf of Uncheckukwu Ugorji (Kelly, Matthew)
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Tuesday, March 04, 2025
26 26 service Summons Returned Executed Tue 03/04 9:45 AM
SUMMONS Returned Executed by Jack Doherty. Angieszka Janicka served on 3/3/2025, answer due 3/24/2025; Uncheckukwu Ugorji served on 3/3/2025, answer due 3/24/2025.(Hill, Cherelle)
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Att: 1 Uncheckukwu Ugorji Summons Returned Executed
Friday, February 21, 2025
25 25 respm Response to Motion Fri 02/21 4:04 PM
RESPONSE In Opposition to21 MOTION TO DISMISS FOR FAILURE TO STATE A CLAIM filed by Jack Doherty. Replies due by 2/28/2025. (Gonzalez Gomez, Viviana)
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Att: 1 Exhibit - ECF 12 Order,
Att: 2 Envelope
order Order on Motion for Reconsideration Fri 02/21 10:11 AM
TEXT ORDER denying24 Motion for Reconsideration. So Ordered by District Judge Mary S. McElroy on 2/21/2025. (Potter, Carrie)
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Friday, February 07, 2025
24 24 motion Reconsideration Fri 02/07 5:21 PM
MOTION for Reconsideration re Order on Motion for Summary Judgment filed by Jack Doherty. Responses due by 2/21/2025.(Gonzalez Gomez, Viviana)
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Att: 1 Unmarked Exhibit - Duplicate of ECF 10 pages 12-18,
Att: 2 Unmarked Exhibit - Docket Sheet,
Att: 3 Exhibit List,
Att: 4 Exhibit A,
Att: 5 Exhibit B,
Att: 6 Exhibit C,
Att: 7 Exhibit D,
Att: 8 Exhibit E,
Att: 9 Exhibit F,
Att: 10 Exhibit G,
Att: 11 Exhibit H,
Att: 12 Exhibit I,
Att: 13 Exhibit J,
Att: 14 Exhibit K,
Att: 15 Exhibit L,
Att: 16 Exhibit M,
Att: 17 Exhibit N,
Att: 18 Exhibit O,
Att: 19 Unmarked Exhibit - Address Page,
Att: 20 Exhibit P,
Att: 21 Exhibit Q,
Att: 22 Envelope
23 23 notice Notice of Appearance Fri 02/07 10:06 AM
NOTICE of Appearance by Morgan P. Moniz on behalf of Angieszka Janicka (Moniz, Morgan)
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Wednesday, February 05, 2025
22 22 7 pgs respm Response to Motion Wed 02/05 4:25 PM
RESPONSE In Support to21 MOTION TO DISMISS FOR FAILURE TO STATE A CLAIM filed by Angieszka Janicka. Replies due by 2/12/2025.(Carlin, Joshua)
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Att: 1 Exhibit,
Att: 2 Exhibit
21 21 motion Dismiss for failure to State a Claim Wed 02/05 4:22 PM
MOTION TO DISMISS FOR FAILURE TO STATE A CLAIM filed by Angieszka Janicka. Responses due by 2/19/2025. (Carlin, Joshua)
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20 20 notice Notice of Appearance Wed 02/05 4:18 PM
NOTICE of Appearance by Joshua E. Carlin on behalf of Angieszka Janicka (Carlin, Joshua)
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19 19 notice Notice of Appearance Wed 02/05 4:15 PM
NOTICE of Appearance by Joshua E. Carlin on behalf of Angieszka Janicka (Carlin, Joshua)
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Monday, January 27, 2025
order Order on Motion for Summary Judgment Mon 01/27 8:44 AM
TEXT ORDER denying without prejudice to refiling18 Motion for Summary Judgment. So Ordered by District Judge Mary S. McElroy on 1/27/2025. (Potter, Carrie)
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misc Public Docket Note Mon 01/27 8:50 AM
DOCKET NOTE: Summons and USM 285 Forms sent to USMS for service. (Potter, Carrie)
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misc Public Docket Note Mon 01/27 10:21 AM
DOCKET NOTE: ORDER dated 11/07/2024, Summonses, USM-285 Forms, and10 Supplemental Complaint with Attachments 1 through 12 were forwarded to the United States Marshals for service. (Gonzalez Gomez, Viviana)
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Wednesday, January 15, 2025
18 18 motion Summary Judgment Wed 01/15 11:08 AM
MOTION for Summary Judgment filed by Jack Doherty. Responses due by 1/29/2025.(Hill, Cherelle)
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Att: 1 Envelope
Thursday, January 02, 2025
misc PLRA Filing Fee Received Thu 01/02 12:34 PM
PLRA Filing fee: $ 36.60 received - receipt number 100002138. Total Amount Paid to date: $72.90. (Hill, Cherelle)
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Monday, December 09, 2024
17 17 notice Notice of Declination of Service Mon 12/09 2:51 PM
Notice of Declination of Service filed by Angieszka Janicka, Uncheckukwu Ugorji. (Shaw, Matthew)
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order Order on Motion for Reconsideration Mon 12/09 10:12 AM
TEXT ORDER. The instant Complaint is the third attempt by plaintiff Jack Doherty to maintain a civil action against certain medical staff at the Rhode Island Department of Corrections. He maintains in this action that Agnieska Janicka and Uncheckukwu Ugorji prescribed anti-psychotic medications to him without warning him of the potential side effects. He further alleges that he in fact suffered those side effects and that both posed a serious threat to his health. While Mr. Doherty's Complaint was brought under the Federal Tort Claims Act, no defendant is a federal official. The Court therefore construes the action as one filed pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. The threshold for an Eighth Amendment violation is high and requires deliberate indifference to a serious medical need. Estelle v. Gamble, 429 U.S. 97, 104 (1976). This complaint differs from the previous one in that it explicitly pleads that the prescribing medical staff were aware of the risk of specific serious side effects. A failure to warn of a significant risk of a serious side effect can be actionable under the Eighth Amendment because it may deprive the patient of the right to make an informed choice about whether to accept treatment. White v. Napoleon, 897 F.2d 103, 113 (3d Cir. 1990); Pabon v. Wright, 459 F.3d 241, 249-50 (2d Cir. 2006). Mr. Doherty has not specifically alleged that he would not have agreed to take the medication had he known of the potential risks, but at this stage the Complaint need only pass a screening test and this Complaint does so. 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B)(ii). While the Second Amended Complaint continues to name the Rhode Island Department of Corrections (DOC) as a Defendant, the Court dismisses any and all claims against the Department. The Court previously substituted two medical staffers who were clearly intended to be defendants -- Agnieska Janicka and Uncheckukwu Ugorji and they were added as defendants. The DOC is a surrogate for the State of Rhode Island. The United States Supreme Court has made it clear that the State is not a person within the meaning of 42 U.S.C. § 1983, and the State may not therefore be sued for monetary damages pursuant to that statute. Will v. Michigan, 496 U.S. 58, 71 (1989). The Motion for Reconsideration (ECF No.14 ) of this issue is DENIED. The Court previously GRANTED Mr. Dohertys Motion to Proceed In Forma Pauperis (ECF No.2 ) and DENIED subsequent motions as moot. (ECF Nos.8 &11 ).. So Ordered by District Judge Mary S. McElroy on 12/9/2024. (Potter, Carrie)
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Tuesday, December 03, 2024
16 16 service Summons Issued Tue 12/03 3:55 PM
Summons Issued as to Angieszka Janicka, Uncheckukwu Ugorji.(Potter, Carrie)
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Att: 1 Summons
Tuesday, November 19, 2024
15 15 service Summons Request Tue 11/19 4:44 PM
Summons Request filed by Jack Doherty. (Gonzalez Gomez, Viviana)
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Att: 1 USM-285 as to Janicka,
Att: 2 Summons Request as to Ugorji,
Att: 3 USM-285 as to Ugorji,
Att: 4 Envelope
misc PLRA Filing Fee Received Tue 11/19 2:48 PM
PLRA Filing fee: $ 36.30 received - receipt number 100001984. Total Amount Paid to date: $36.30. (Gonzalez Gomez, Viviana)
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Monday, November 18, 2024
14 14 motion Reconsideration Mon 11/18 3:11 PM
MOTION for Reconsideration re12 Order on Motion for Leave to Proceed in forma pauperis,,,,, filed by Jack Doherty. Responses due by 12/2/2024.(Hill, Cherelle)
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Att: 1 Summons,
Att: 2 Envelope
Thursday, November 07, 2024
13 13 notice Notice of Service - Prisoner Pro-Se Thu 11/07 8:18 AM
NOTICE OF SERVICE: The Court has granted IFP status and ordered the complaint to be served. Pursuant to the Agreement on Service between the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island and the Rhode Island Attorney General, this Notice constitutes service as directed by the Court. Within 30 days, the RI Attorney General shall file a Notice of Acceptance of Service or a Notice of Declination of Service or both if necessary on behalf of the defendant(s) named in the complaint.[LINK:Please click here to access the Acceptance of Service form] or[LINK:Please click here to access the Declination of Service form] .Notice of Acceptance or Declination of Service due by 12/9/2024. (Potter, Carrie)
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12 12 4 pgs order Order on Motion for Leave to Proceed In Forma Pauperis Thu 11/07 8:16 AM
ORDER : Mr. Doherty's second and third Motions to Proceed In Forma Pauperis (ECF Nos. 8 & 11) are DENIED AS MOOT. Mr. Doherty is required to fill out summons forms for defendants Agnieska Janicka and Uncheckukwu Ugorji. He is also directed to stop filing Supplements to this Complaint or new Complaints raising the same subject-matter except in accordance with Fed. R. Civ. P. 15. The United States Marshals Service is hereby ordered to serve the plaintiffs summons and complaint on the defendants. So Ordered by District Judge Mary S. McElroy on 11/7/2024. (Potter, Carrie)
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misc Public Docket Note Thu 11/07 8:21 AM
DOCKET NOTE: Blank Summons forms and USM 285 forms sent to plaintiff on 11/7/2024 (Potter, Carrie)
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Thursday, October 31, 2024
11 11 motion Proceed In Forma Pauperis Thu 10/31 8:18 AM
Third MOTION for Leave to Proceed in forma pauperis filed by Jack Doherty.(Simoncelli, Michael)
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Att: 1 Account Statement
10 10 misc Supplemental Memorandum in Support Thu 10/31 8:17 AM
SUPPLEMENTAL COMPLAINT by Jack Doherty in support of7 Amended Complaint,.(Simoncelli, Michael)
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Att: 1 Civil Cover Sheet,
Att: 2 Exhibit A,
Att: 3 Exhibit B,
Att: 4 Exhibit C,
Att: 5 Exhibit D,
Att: 6 Exhibit E,
Att: 7 Exhibit F,
Att: 8 Exhibit G,
Att: 9 Exhibit H,
Att: 10 Exhibit I,
Att: 11 Exhibit J,
Att: 12 Exhibit List
Friday, October 11, 2024
9 9 misc Prisoner Trust Fund Account Statement Fri 10/11 4:53 PM
Prisoner Trust Fund Account Statement by Jack Doherty. (Gonzalez Gomez, Viviana)
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Att: 1 Envelope
8 8 motion Proceed In Forma Pauperis Fri 10/11 4:52 PM
Second MOTION for Leave to Proceed in forma pauperis filed by Jack Doherty.(Gonzalez Gomez, Viviana)
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Att: 1 Envelope
7 7 4 pgs cmp Amended Complaint Fri 10/11 4:50 PM
Second AMENDED COMPLAINT against Rhode Island Department of Corrections, filed by Jack Doherty. (Gonzalez Gomez, Viviana)
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Att: 1 Exhibit List,
Att: 2 Exhibit A,
Att: 3 Exhibit B,
Att: 4 Exhibit C,
Att: 5 Exhibit D,
Att: 6 Exhibit E,
Att: 7 Exhibit F,
Att: 8 Exhibit G,
Att: 9 Exhibit H,
Att: 10 Exhibit I,
Att: 11 Exhibit J,
Att: 12 Civil Cover Sheet,
Att: 13 Summons Request,
Att: 14 Envelope
Wednesday, September 25, 2024
6 6 order Judgment Wed 09/25 4:04 PM
JUDGMENT entered in accordance with the Text Order of 6/25/24. So Ordered by District Judge Mary S. McElroy on 9/25/2024. (Potter, Carrie)
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order Order on Motion for Leave to Proceed In Forma Pauperis Wed 09/25 3:59 PM
TEXT ORDER. The plaintiff, Jack Doherty, an inmate held in Maximum Security, alleges in his Amended Complaint (ECF No.4 ) inadequate medical care provided by the Rhode Island Department of Corrections. Mr. Doherty contends that he has been prescribed three different anti-psychotic medications but was never warned of any side effects and did, in fact, experience a serious side effect. The Court, after the mandatory screening required by 28 U.S.C. § 1915, determined that his Complaint was insufficient but gave him the opportunity to file an Amended Complaint, which he has done. The Amended Complaint cured the first defect, and adequately identifies the personnel allegedly liable. However, the standard for an Eighth Amendment inadequate medical care claim is very demanding and sets a very high threshold. A prisoner must plead sufficient facts to demonstrate that prison officials have responded with deliberate indifference to a serious medical need or risk. That standard is not met by claims of simple medical malpractice, which are properly brought in a state court. Estelle v. Gamble, 429 U.S. 97, 104 (1976). Disagreements regarding effective treatments are insufficient to satisfy that standard. Ruiz-Rosa v. Rullan, 485 F.3d 150, 156 (1st Cir. 2007). "Deliberate indifference" is a standard akin to wantonness and criminal recklessness. Sosa v. Mass. Dept. of Corr., ___ F. Supp.3d ___, 2024 WL 1375969, at *3 (D. Mass. Mar. 30, 2024). Even taking Mr. Doherty's allegations as true, and assuming a serious medical need, what he recounts does not meet the Estelle standard. The case is DISMISSED and the Motion to Proceed In Forma Pauperis is therefore DENIED as moot.. So Ordered by District Judge Mary S. McElroy on 9/25/2024. (Potter, Carrie)
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Thursday, September 12, 2024
5 5 misc Public Docket Note Thu 09/12 12:33 PM
DOCKET NOTE: Received a duplicate IFP application and a duplicate inmate account statement Regarding:2 MOTION for Leave to Proceed in forma pauperis ,3 Prisoner Trust Fund Account Statement. (Hill, Cherelle)
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Att: 1 Inmate Accounts
4 4 2 pgs cmp Amended Complaint Thu 09/12 12:27 PM
AMENDED COMPLAINT against Angieszka Janicka, Rhode Island Department of Corrections, Uncheckukwu Ugorji, filed by Jack Doherty.(Hill, Cherelle)
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Att: 1 Exhibit List,
Att: 2 Exhibit A,
Att: 3 Exhibit B,
Att: 4 Exhibit C,
Att: 5 Exhibit D,
Att: 6 Exhibit E,
Att: 7 Exhibit F,
Att: 8 Exhibit G,
Att: 9 Exhibit H,
Att: 10 Exhibit I,
Att: 11 Exhibit J,
Att: 12 Exhibit K,
Att: 13 Exhibit L,
Att: 14 Exhibit M,
Att: 15 Exhibit N,
Att: 16 Exhibit O,
Att: 17 Summons,
Att: 18 Civil Cover Sheet,
Att: 19 Envelope
Tuesday, September 03, 2024
order Order Tue 09/03 1:04 PM
TEXT ORDER. This complaint alleges inadequate medical care provided by the Department of Corrections to Mr. Doherty, an inmate held in Maximum Security. Mr. Doherty contends that he has been prescribed three different anti-psychoticmedications but was never warned of any side effects and did, in fact, experience a serious side effect. Because Mr. Doherty has applied to proceed In Forma Pauperis (IFP) (ECF No. 2), the Court is required by 28 U.S.C. § 1915 to screen his Complaint to determine whether it states a plausible federal claim for relief. The primary defect in the Complaint is that it fails to identify any particular person(s) who either prescribed the medication or administered it without warning of its side effects. The plaintiff is pro se and for that reason the Court deems his complaint brought pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983, but the Department of Corrections, the named defendant, is a stand-in for the State of Rhode Island and cannot be sued for damages through § 1983. Will v. Michigan, 491 U.S. 58, 71 (1989). Only named individuals may be sued; if their identifies are not known at the time of the filing of the Complaint, they may be described and designated as John or Jane Does. The second defect in the Complaint is that there are no facts stated from which the Court can infer that the state officials acted with deliberate indifference to a serious medical need. It is that element that distinguishes a violation of the Eighth Amendment which is a viable action in federal court from simple medical malpractice which is properly brought in a state court. Estelle v. Gamble, 429 U.S. 97, 104 (1976). Both these defects are serious and preclude the Court from granting the IFP Application. The Court extends Mr. Doherty thirty (30) days in which to file an Amended Complaint curing these defects. If an Amended Complaint does not cure the defects or is not filed, the case will be dismissed. Decision on the IFP Application is deferred. So Ordered by District Judge Mary S. McElroy on 9/3/2024. (Potter, Carrie)
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Thursday, August 29, 2024
3 3 misc Prisoner Trust Fund Account Statement Thu 08/29 12:25 PM
Prisoner Trust Fund Account Statement by Jack Doherty.(Hill, Cherelle)
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Att: 1 Envelope
2 2 motion Proceed In Forma Pauperis Thu 08/29 12:23 PM
MOTION for Leave to Proceed in forma pauperis filed by Jack Doherty.(Hill, Cherelle)
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Att: 1 Envelope
1 1 4 pgs cmp Complaint Thu 08/29 12:22 PM
COMPLAINT, filed by Jack Doherty.(Hill, Cherelle) (Hill, Cherelle)
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Att: 1 Civil Cover Sheet,
Att: 2 Envelope
Att: 3 (8/29/2024) Summons
utility Case Assigned/Reassigned Thu 08/29 12:27 PM
Case assigned to District Judge Mary S. McElroy and Magistrate Judge Lincoln D. Almond. (Hill, Cherelle)
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