Marvin Orlando Johnson v. Dr. Todd A. Leonard
Opinion
As a pretrial detainee, Marvin Orlando Johnson suffered from multiple cavities and tooth pain. He sued Dr. Todd A. Leonard, Gwen Blossom, Michelle Skroch, and Dr. John M. Collier under
I.
Johnson was a pretrial detainee from November 2014 to June 2016. The jail contracted with MEND Correctional Care for on-site medical care and coordination of dental services. The jail also contracted with Dr. Collier for dental care. If an inmate complained of dental problems, MEND protocol instructed its employees to look for signs of infection or other medical complications, prescribe medications as needed, and refer inmates to Collier if appropriate. Collier could see patients only if MEND placed them on his dental list. The jail required Collier to obtain authorization from the U.S. Marshals Service before providing certain services, including fillings and extractions.
On November 20, 2014, Johnson filed his first sick-call request complaining of tooth pain and difficulty eating and drinking. MEND examined him and gave him Dentek-a pain reliever for teeth-to use for 14 days. Two days later, he filed a sick-call request for pain. MEND told him to continue using Dentek as prescribed for the full 14 days. One week later, he complained again of pain. MEND forwarded his note to Collier. A few days later, Johnson filed a sick-call request for constant and horrible pain. MEND gave him Dentek and Ibuprofen, placing him on Collier's list. On December 6, Collier examined Johnson and put a temporary filling in tooth #13. Johnson complained at the end of December that the filling hurt and asked to see Collier. MEND gave him Dentek and Ibuprofen, but noted no bleeding, swelling, drainage, or other signs of infection. On January 19, 2015, the Marshals Service approved a temporary filling or extraction.
Within two weeks, Collier put a temporary filling in tooth #2. Though the filling in tooth #13 was "still in and okay," Collier said he would submit a prior authorization request to the Marshals Service for a permanent filling. The Marshals Service approved the request on March 24. According to Johnson, Collier also said he would request to permanently fill tooth #2. MEND placed Johnson on the dental list again in late April after he complained of pain in his filling. Collier put a second temporary filling in a different spot in tooth #2 and extracted tooth #18. Johnson claims Collier said he would submit a prior authorization request for a permanent filling in tooth #15.
Johnson submitted three more sick requests in May and early June. He reported "10/10" pain. Finding no signs of infection, MEND gave him Dentek and Ibuprofen, placing him on the dental list. In mid-June, Collier put a temporary filling in tooth #30. Three days later, Johnson complained of moderate pain and difficulty eating and sleeping. MEND gave him Dentek and Ibuprofen. Johnson soon complained of pain again. MEND placed him on the dental list. Collier cleaned out and replaced the temporary filling in tooth #13 in July. According to Johnson, Collier said he had not received approval yet to permanently fill tooth #13. A little over a month later, Collier put a temporary filling in tooth #3. Johnson claims Collier said he would submit a request to permanently fill that tooth.
In early September, Johnson said part of tooth #2 broke in half. Later that month, he complained about pain and "how his dental work is not being approved." MEND prescribed Tylenol and referred him to Collier. Johnson refused treatment to extract tooth #2 in October, but continued to complain of pain the next month. MEND gave him Dentek while he waited to see Collier, but noted they would take no further action because he refused the extraction. Johnson made another sick-call request at the end of December. MEND placed him on Collier's dental list, telling Johnson he could get Ibuprofen or Tylenol from the medication cart.
On January 9, 2016, Collier put a permanent filling in tooth #13. The same day, Johnson filed two sick-calls requesting permanent fillings in teeth #2, 3, 15, and 30. He filed a formal grievance two days later. The next day, MEND contacted Collier. He reported that these teeth did not require further treatment "until [Johnson] reaches his final destination." Johnson complained again about the same teeth. MEND examined him, placed him on the dental list, and gave him Dentek. After Collier saw him on January 23, Johnson filed several sick-call requests for pain. MEND relayed Johnson's concerns to Collier. He informed MEND that tooth #2 was completed, #15 had no cavity, and that he would request authorization to put permanent fillings in teeth #3 and #30. MEND noted on February 1 that it had seen a request for tooth #30 but not a request for tooth #3, despite its inquiries to Collier about his intent to submit requests for both teeth.
On February 6, Collier put a permanent filling in tooth #30. Johnson claims Collier also re-diagnosed him with cavities in several teeth and suggested a permanent filling for tooth #3. When Johnson soon complained about "excruciating" pain and swelling, MEND examined him (noting no swelling), gave him over-the-counter medications, and spoke to Collier about his concerns. Collier reported: teeth #13 and 30 were complete; he recommended extracting tooth #2, but Johnson refused; he indicated he would request approval for permanent fillings for teeth #3, 5, and 14. (Requests for #3, 5, and 14 are not in the record.) From late February to early March, Johnson made six more sick-call requests. MEND told him each time that it forwarded his concerns to Collier. On March 19, Collier put a filling in tooth #3 and replaced the temporary filling in tooth #2. He says tooth #3 was a permanent filling, but his notes from this visit are not in the record. In April, Johnson complained about teeth #5, 9, and 14. MEND examined him and forwarded his concerns to Collier, who treated Johnson on April 30. Collier claims he put permanent fillings in teeth #5 and 14 then, but his notes are not in the record.
In February 2016, Johnson sued Dr. Collier and three MEND providers under
MEND moved for summary judgment. Four months later, Collier moved for summary judgment. Adopting the magistrate judge's recommendations, the district court granted summary judgment to the MEND Defendants in August 2017, and to Collier in March 2018. Johnson appeals.
II.
Johnson argues that the district court erred in setting aside the entry of default against Collier. This court reviews the decision to set aside the entry of default for abuse of discretion.
Stephenson v. El-Batrawi
,
Collier claims he did not respond because he assumed Johnson would correct the misspelling in the complaint and re-serve him. Collier did not have litigation experience. After initiating this suit, Johnson did not mention the litigation when Collier treated him. Collier immediately sought counsel when he learned about the suit from his insurance company.
See
Collier had a meritorious defense. Medical records and affidavits show Collier treated Johnson ten times, supporting his defense that he did not unreasonably delay or deny dental care.
See
Stephenson
,
Johnson was not significantly prejudiced by setting aside default. Prejudice requires a concrete harm, like "loss of evidence, increased difficulties in discovery, or greater opportunities for fraud and collusion."
Johnson
,
The district court did not abuse its discretion in setting aside the entry of default.
See
Grant v. City of Blytheville
,
III.
Johnson contends the district court erred in granting summary judgment to Collier and the MEND Defendants on his deliberate indifference claim. This court reviews de novo the grant of summary judgment, viewing the evidence most favorably to the nonmoving party.
Holden v. Hirner
,
A.
The MEND Defendants claim this court lacks jurisdiction over Johnson's claim against them because the notice of appeal does not list the August 2017 order granting them summary judgment. Johnson's notice appeals:
the judgment of the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota that was entered on March 6, 2018 that: overruled plaintiff's objection(s), adopted the January 22, 2018 report and recommendation of United States Magistrate Judge Franklin L. Noel which recommended granting defendant Doctor John M. Collier, D.D.S.'s motion for summary judgment."
It is a jurisdictional requirement that a notice of appeal "designate the judgment, order, or part thereof being appealed."
Fed. R. App. P. 3(c)(1)(B)
;
Bosley v. Kearney R-1 Sch. Dist.
,
Johnson's intent to appeal the order granting summary judgment to MEND is apparent. He appealed the judgment-not a specific order.
See
Greer
,
B.
"[D]eliberate indifference to serious medical needs of prisoners constitutes the unnecessary and wanton infliction of pain proscribed by the Eighth Amendment."
Estelle v. Gamble
,
According to the medical records, the MEND Defendants responded to Johnson's sick-calls, either replying with information about his treatment or seeing him in person. Following their dental protocol, they examined him, prescribed Dentek and other pain medications, and referred him to Collier when appropriate. Johnson argues, however, that they were deliberately indifferent because they refused to give him prescription pain medications for nine months and did not ensure the Marshals Service approved his dental procedures. Johnson's disagreement with their decision to offer him over-the-counter pain medications, rather than prescription medications, does not constitute deliberate indifference.
See
As to Collier, Johnson claims he was deliberately indifferent by waiting to place permanent fillings, particularly for tooth #13. He also argues summary judgment is not proper because the parties presented inconsistent narratives about the prior authorization requests. Collier diagnosed Johnson with a cavity in tooth #13 on December 6, 2014. He put in a temporary filling that day. After Johnson complained of ongoing pain, Collier cleaned the tooth and replaced the temporary filling. Johnson continued to complain of pain until Collier put a permanent filling in tooth #13 on January 9, 2016. Collier claims he did not do the permanent filling earlier because he did not receive approval from the Marshals Service. The Marshals Service approved a permanent filling for tooth #13 on March 24, 2015. Collier says he never received the approval. The MEND Defendants, however, contend that they immediately placed the approval form in Collier's file.
A delay in treating a serious medical need can constitute deliberate indifference.
See, e.g.
,
Dadd v. Anoka Cty.
,
The parties' inconsistent narratives about the prior authorization requests and reason for the delay in tooth #13 does not preclude summary judgment. A genuine issue of material fact exists only when "there is a dispute about a fact material to the outcome of the case, and the dispute is genuine in that a reasonable jury could return a verdict for either party."
Jones v. Minnesota Dep't of Corrs.
,
In his affidavit, Collier stated that temporary fillings have "a lengthy history of lasting up to 20 years" and are "a perfectly reasonable dental treatment, even for a long period of time." Johnson did not present evidence showing that temporary fillings-rather than permanent fillings-deviate from the professional standards of care or are unreasonable.
See
Dulany v. Carnahan
,
Any delay in permanently filling Johnson's cavities does not show an "unnecessary and wanton infliction of pain" that is "sufficiently harmful to evidence deliberate indifference to serious medical needs."
Es
telle
,
Because Johnson has failed to meet the substantial evidentiary threshold required to show the MEND Defendants and Collier were deliberately indifferent, summary judgment is proper.
* * * * * * *
The judgment is affirmed.
The Honorable Wilhelmina M. Wright, United States District Judge for the District of Minnesota.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Marvin Orlando JOHNSON, Plaintiff - Appellant v. Doctor Todd A. LEONARD, Mend Correctional Care ; Gwen Blossom, Medical Provider of Mend Correctional Care; Michelle Skroch, Nursing Director of Mend Correctional Care ; Doctor John M. Collier, DDS, of Koala Dental, in Their Official and Individual Capacities, Defendants - Appellees
- Cited By
- 101 cases
- Status
- Published