French v. United States
French v. United States
Opinion of the Court
OPINION & ORDER
[Resolving Doc. Nos. 6, 11]
Plaintiff Jack French sues Defendant United States under the Federal Tort Claims Act for torts allegedly caused by staff at the Department of Veterans Affairs at the Louis Stokes Cleveland Veterans Administration Medical Center.
I. Background
Plaintiff French is a Vietnam War Veteran. In July 2013, Plaintiff French resided at the Cleveland Veterans Administration (“VA”) domiciliary “due to his homelessness and the need for a safe, temporary residence.”
On the same day, Plaintiff reported the incident to his psychologist, Dr. Heather Flores; his social worker, Mark Pountney and Patricia James-Steward, the head of the Cleveland VA Medical Center’s domiciliary.
Plaintiff alleges three sources of injury: First, Plaintiff alleges that the VA injured Plaintiff by hiring, retaining, failing to train, and failing to supervise both the chaplain and other VA employees.
Plaintiff says that “the encounters with [the chaplain] and the significant delay of the investigation caused Plaintiff to suffer severe emotional distress, including PTSD. Due to his mental anguish, Plaintiff attempted suicide on three separate occasions from August 2013 to October 2013 and required hospitalization.”
Plaintiff went through an administrative process to redress the chaplain’s actions.
Defendant moves- to dismiss Plaintiffs four negligence-based counts under Rule 12(b)(1) for lack of subject matter jurisdiction. In particular, Defendant argues that all three claims fall under the discretionary function exception to the Federal Tort Claims Act. If the VA employees had discretion in taking the actions that allegedly caused the tort, Defendants say this Court does not have subject matter jurisdiction and the claims.must be dismissed.
Defendant moves to dismiss Plaintiffs fifth claim—intentional infliction of emotional distress—under Rule 12(b)(6) for failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted. In particular, Defendant argues that Plaintiff has failed to allege that an objective, reasonable person would find the Defendant’s conduct sufficiently outrageous.
In the alternative, Defendant moves to dismiss Plaintiffs four negligence-based claims under Rule 12(b)(6) as well.
II. Legal Standard
Under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(b)(6), a court may grant a motion to dismiss when “it appears beyond doubt” that the plaintiff fails to state a claim upon which relief may be granted.
“Subject-matter jurisdiction, by contrast, refers to a tribunal’s power to' hear a case.- It presents an issue quite separate from the question whether the allegations the plaintiff makes entitle him to relief.”
A federal court does not have subject matter jurisdiction over every claim brought against the United States government. If the government has not waived its sovereign immunity with respect to a particular claim, federal courts lack subject matter jurisdiction over that claim.
In this case, the Defendants say the United States has not waived sovereign immunity under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) for Plaintiffs claims. Under the FTCA, the United States has consented to be sued for personal injuries caused by the negligence of government employees acting within the scope of their
This Court must consider two factors when determining whether an action or omission falls within the discretionary function exception. First, the act or omission must be one that “involves an element of judgment.”
Case law from the Sixth Circuit sheds light on this first inquiry. “This Circuit has consistently held that agency supervisory and hiring decisions fall within the discretionary function exception.”
Moreover, the Sixth Circuit has held that polices of a “general nature”—such as those calling for government employees to “provide protection” and “provide safekeeping” to inmates in federal prison— were not specific enough to give rise to non-discretionary obligations.
Under the second step of the discretionary function exemption, the nature and quality of that judgment must be of the type the exception seeks to shield from liability (ie. concerning matters of policy).
The two-step inquiry into the discretionary function exemption is relevant at the motion to dismiss stage. “Because
If a claim does not fall within the discretionary function exception, the United States is liable only under circumstances “where the United States, if a private person, would be liable to the claimant in accordance with the law of the place where the act or omission occurred.”
III. Analysis
A. Negligence-Based Claims
A district court “determined exactly what conduct is at issue,” prior to considering the discretionary function factors.
i. Negligence in hiring, retaining, : entrusting, training and supervising
First, Plaintiff points to the YA’s conduct in hiring, retaining, entrusting, training and supervising the chaplain and other members of the VA team,
ii. Negligence in investigating . the alleged abuse
Second, Plaintiff points to the VA’s delay in investigating the chaplain’s alleged conduct. However, deciding how long to wait to open an investigation is a question that “involves an element of judgment.”
Indeed, Plaintiff has not identified any “federal statute, regulation; or policy” that leaves the VA employees “no rightful option but to adhere to the directive.”
First, Plaintiff says that Ohio’s patient rights law produces a mandatory obligation.
Next, Plaintiff points to an internal VA policy that includes' the right to “receive care in a safe environment.”
Finally, Plaintiff points out that the VA’s internal policy defines “patient abuse” and says that “any abuse will be immediately reported by the employee(s) that witnessed the incident to their immediate supervisor. The employee who first receives an allegation of patient abuse,.. will also immediately report the allegation to their immediate supervisor.”
The first step of the discretionary function test is met. The second step is met as well. The discretion to wait a short period of time to respond to a misconduct allegation is the type of judgment “the exception seeks to shield from liability.”
iii. Negligence in requiring Plaintiff to have contact with the chaplain
Third, Plaintiff points to the VA’s alleged conduct in requiring the Plaintiff to have contact with the chaplain. Again, Plaintiff has not identified any mandatory provision that prohibits the VA’s decision to have the involved parties present during the resolution, Indeed, deciding whether an allegation of misconduct is better mediated "face to face “involves an element of judgment.”
As discussed above, neither Ohio law, nor the VA’s policies create a mandatory obligation to separate a VA domiciliary resident from staff members after a report of misconduct.
The first step of the discretionary function test is met. The second step is met as well. The discretion to mediate a misconduct claim is the type of judgment “the exception seeks to shield from liability.”
B. Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress
The Plaintiffs claim for intentional infliction of emotional distress (IIED) is not exempted under the discretionary function exemption.
To recover on an IIED claim in Ohio, Plaintiff must prove four elements:
(1) that the actor either intended to cause emotional distress or knew or should have known that actions taken would result in serious emotional distress to the plaintiff, (2) that the actor’s conduct was so extreme and outrageous as to go “beyond all possible bounds of decency” and was such that it can be considered as “utterly intolerable in a civilized community,” (3) that the actor’s actions were the proximate cause of plaintiffs psychic injury, and (4) that the mental anguish suffered by plaintiff is serious and of a nature that “no reasonable man could be expected to endure it.”51
The question of “outrageous” conduct is a question of law, and may be addressed in a motion to dismiss.
Mere harassment, humiliation, insults or embarrassment is not sufficient to constitute outrageous behavior.
Here, Plaintiff French alleges that the chaplain offered to give Plaintiff a prostate exam. When Plaintiff was startled by the chaplain’s comments, French says he spit out the milk he had been drinking. Plaintiff French then says the chaplain responded: “You weren’t supposed to spit that out.
Taking Plaintiffs statement as true, the chaplain’s actions are inappropriate, but insufficient to rise to the level of “outrageous” conduct as a matter of law. A single isolated incident of a sexually lewd comment does not go “beyond all possible bounds of decency.” As a matter of law, Plaintiff has failed to allege sufficiently outrageous conduct required for a prima facie intentional infliction of emotional distress claim.
Even if the conduct of the chaplain were “outrageous,” Plaintiffs claim for intentional infliction of emotional distress claim fails for an independent reason. Namely, Plaintiff has not alleged the fourth element of the claim: that the mental anguish suffered by plaintiff is so serious that “no reasonable man could be expected to endure it.” Instead, Plaintiff repeatedly emphasizes that he was affected by the chaplain’s statements because of his “prior history of suicidal ideation and suicide attempts.”
The Court dismisses Plaintiffs intentional infliction of emotional distress claim under Rule 12(b)(6)
IV. Conclusion
For the foregoing reasons, this Court GRANTS the United States’ motion to dismiss, finding that Plaintiffs negligence-based claims are barred by the discretionary function exemption, and the Plaintiffs intentional infliction of emotional distress claim fails to state á claim upon which relief can be granted.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
, Doc. 9,
. Doc. 11.
. Doc. 9 at ¶ 18.
. Id. at ¶ 19. In particular, Plaintiff French alleges that the chaplain offered to give Plaintiff a prostate exam: When Plaintiff was startled by the chaplain's comments, he spat out the milk he had been drinking, to which the chaplain responded: "You weren't supposed to spit that out. You should keep it in your mouth and swallow.” Id. at ¶ 19.
. Id. atHU 18,20.
. Id. at ¶¶ 34-42.
. Id. at ¶¶ 20-22. The exact delay is ambiguous from the pleadings, but it appears that Plaintiff French complains of the delay between July 23 and July 31. Id. at Doc. 9 at ¶¶ 20. Plaintiff claims that James-Steward did not act until August 1, 2013. Doc. 9^2 at 11.
. Id. at ¶¶ 20-22.
. Id. Plaintiff further alleges that November 2014 and January 2015 Plaintiff encountered the chaplain at the Cleyeland VA.on three separate occasions, and these "encounters exacerbated his symptoms.” /d. at ¶ 25.
. Id. at ¶ 22.
. Id. at ¶¶ 22-25.
. Id. at ¶ 5.
. Doc. 13-1 at 6-8. This Court relies on Plaintiff’s characterization of his own complaint in identifying these five separate claims. The complaint at times merges together these distinct torts. See Doc. 9,
. Fed.R.Civ.P. 12(b)(6); Conley v. Gibson, 355 U.S. 41, 45, 78 S.Ct. 99, 2 L.Ed.2d 80 (1957).
. Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662, 663, 129 S.Ct. 1937, 173 L.Ed.2d 868 (2009) (quoting Bell Atlantic Corp. v. Twombly, 550 U.S. 544, 570, 127 S.Ct. 1955, 167 L.Ed.2d 929 (2007)).
. Iqbal, 129 S.Ct. at 1949-51.
. Morrison v. Nat’l Australia Bank Ltd., 561 U.S. 247, 254, 130 S.Ct. 2869, 2877, 177 L.Ed.2d 535 (2010) (quotations, citations omitted).
. Hedgepeth v. Tennessee, 215 F.3d 608, 611 (6th Cir. 2000).
. Montez ex rel. Estate of Hearlson v. United States, 359 F.3d 392 (6th Cir. 2004).
. Id. at 395 (citing Rosebush v. United States, 119 F.3d 438, 440 (6th Cir. 1997)).
. 28 U.S.C. 2680(a), This exception is intended to prevent "judicial ‘second-guessing’ of legislative and administrative decisions grounded in social, economic, and political policy.” United States v. S.A. Empresa de Viacao Aerea Rio Grandense (Varig Airlines), 467 U.S. 797, 814, 104 S.Ct. 2755, 81 L.Ed.2d 660 (1984).
. United States v. Gaubert, 499 U.S. 315, 323, 111 S.Ct. 1267, 113 L.Ed.2d 335 (1991).
. A.O. Smith Corp, v. United States, 774 F.3d 359, 364 (6th Cir. 2014) (quoting Berkovitz v. United States, 486 U.S. 531, 536, 108 S.Ct. 1954, 100 L.Ed.2d 531 (1988))
. Snyder v. United States, 590 Fed.Appx. 505, 510 (6th Cir. 2014) (gathering citations).
. Montez, 359 F.3d at 396-97.
. Myers v. United States, 17 F.3d 890 (6th Cir. 1994).
. Id. at 894.
. Id. at 896.
. Gaubert, 499 U.S. at 323, 111 S.Ct. 1267.
. A.O. Smith Corp., 774 F.3d at 364 (citing Gaubert, 499 U.S. at 324, 111 S.Ct. 1267).
. Montez, 359 F.3d at 395 (citing Rosebush, 119 F.3d at 440).
. 28 U.S.C, § 2672.
. Rosebush, 119 F.3d at 441.
. Doc. 9 at ¶¶ 34-38; Doc. 13-1 at 7.
. Snyder, 590 Fed.Appx. at 510 (gathering citations).
. Gaubert, 499 U.S, at 323, 111 S.Ct. 1267.
. A.O. Smith Corp., 774 F.3d at 364.
. Ohio's laws are relevant to the federal inquiry because the United States is liable “where the United States, if a private person, would be liable to the claimant in accordance with the law of the place where the act or omission occurred.” 28 U.S.C. § 2672. The alleged act or' omission took place in Ohio.
. Doc. 13-1 at 9-10 (citing Ohio Rev. Code § 3721.13).
. Id. (citing Ohio Rev. Code § 5122.29(B) and (G))
. Id. (citing Ohio Rev. Code § 5122-14-11(D)(2)(a) and (5)). Plaintiff cites to other similar laws, as well as the laws of "gross negligence" and "neglect.” Id. The Court has considered each citation. Each suffers from
. Montez, 359 F.3d at 396-97.
. Doc. 13-1 at 10.
. Doc. 13-2 at 1.
. Myers, 17 F.3d at 896.
. Gaubert, 499 U.S. at 323, 111 S.Ct. 1267.
. Id.
. 28 U.S.C. 2680(a).
. Gaubert, 499 U.S. at 323, 111 S.Ct. 1267.
. There is also a list of intentional torts excepted from the FTCA in 28 U.S.C. § 2680(h). Intentional infliction of emotional distress is not included in this list.
. Pyle v. Pyle, 11 Ohio App.3d 31, 463 N.E.2d 98, 103 (1983) (quoting Restatement (Second) Torts § 46 cmts. d. j (1965)); see also Miller v. Currie, 50 F.3d 373, 377 (6th Cir. 1995).
. Miller v. Currie, 50 F.3d 373, 377 (6th Cir. 1995).
. Anderson v. Hewlett Packard Co., No. C86-3955, 1988 WL 249386, at *2 (N.D.Ohio July 9, 1988). See also Restatement (Second) of Torts § 46 (1965).
. Summerville v. Ross/Abbott Laboratories, 187 F.3d 638 (6th Cir. 1999) (unpublished) (dismissing an IIED claim because unwelcome lewd jokes, comments, body movements, baring of body parts, as well as sexual come-ons and unwelcome touching was not outrageous conduct for purposes of an IIED claim); see also Griswold v. Fresenius USA, Inc., 964 F.Supp. 1166, 1174-75 (N.D.Ohio 1997) (rejecting an IIED claim where a male plaintiff alleged that the male defendant made sexual comments to him, touched his chest, sides, and shoulders; put his arm around the plaintiff; and frequently puckered his lips toward the plaintiff, because the conduct did not rise to a level of outrageousness sufficient for an IIED claim);Dodge v. United States, 162 F.Supp.2d 873, 888 (S.D.Ohio 2001) (holding that a defendant had not engaged in outrageous and extreme conduct where he made lewd comments and started a conversation about oral sex).
. Doc. 9 at ¶ 19.
. Id. at ¶¶ 17, 31, 36.
. Doc. 13-1 at 6-7.
.Defendant's earlier-filed motion to dismiss, which was superseded by Plaintiff's amended complaint, is dismissed as moot. Doc. 6.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Jack D. FRENCH v. United States
- Cited By
- 9 cases
- Status
- Published