U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, 2005

Randall v. Behrns

Randall v. Behrns
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit · Decided July 27, 2005 · Smith, Garza, Prado
141 F. App'x 307

Randall v. Behrns

Opinion

*309 PER CURIAM: *

Jeffery S. Randall, Texas prisoner #798548, appeals the district court’s dismissal of his 42 U.S.C. § 1988 complaint as frivolous and for failure to state a claim. See 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B). Randall does not contest the district court’s findings that the defendants evaluated his infection with the hepatitis B virus and his medical records, that his liver was biopsied to determine the severity of damage caused by the virus, and that he was seen by specialists. He has therefore failed to show that the defendants knew of and disregarded an excessive risk to his health or safety. See Farmer v. Brennan, 511 U.S. 825, 887, 114 S.Ct. 1970, 128 L.Ed.2d 811 (1994). Randall’s allegations that he should have been examined sooner and that he should be receiving treatment allege mere negligence and disagreement with the decision not to treat his disease at this time. Such allegations are insufficient to establish an unconstitutional denial of medical care. See Varnado v. Lynaugh, 920 F.2d 320, 321 (5th Cir. 1991). Furthermore, as Randall has not shown that the alleged delay resulted in substantial harm, he has not shown an Eighth Amendment violation. See Mendoza v. Lynaugh, 989 F.2d 191, 195 (5th Cir. 1993).

Randall has failed to demonstrate deliberate indifference to his serious medical needs constituting an “unnecessary and wanton infliction of pain.” See Wilson v. Seiter, 501 U.S. 294, 297, 111 S.Ct. 2321, 115 L.Ed.2d 271 (1991) (internal quotation and citation omitted). His complaint therefore lacks an arguable basis in law. See Siglar v. Hightower, 112 F.3d 191, 193 (5th Cir. 1997). The district court did not abuse its discretion in dismissing his complaint as frivolous. See Norton v. Dimazana, 122 F.3d 286, 291 (5th Cir. 1997); 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B)(i).

AFFIRMED.

*

Pursuant to 5th Cir. R. 47.5, the court has determined that this opinion should not be published and is not precedent except under the limited circumstances set forth in 5th Cir. R. 47.5.4.

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