Stewart v. Wexford Health Sources, Inc.

Dist. Ct. did not err in granting defendants-prison officials’ motion for summary judgment in plaintiff-prisoner’s section 1983 action, alleging that defendants- prison officials were deliberately indifferent to his serious medical needs by refusing his request for exemption from use of black box that defendants used to cover link between inmate’s handcuffs and lock to prevent inmate from picking lock, under circumstances where plaintiff alleged that use of black box caused him great pain. Record showed that: (1) exemptions were based on individual requestor’s medical needs and conditions; and (2) certain medical providers granted plaintiff's exemption while others did not. While plaintiff focused on one medical provider, who had denied all of his exemption requests, said provider nevertheless responded by examining plaintiff, giving him pain medication and referring plaintiff to physical therapy and other examinations. Plaintiff also failed to show that no minimally competent doctor could have made same assessment or that medical provider’s response was so outside of accepted professional standards. Fact that other medical providers granted defendant’s requested exemption did not require different result, and record did not show that any denials of exemption requests were motivated by desire to inflict significant discomfort or pain. Also, plaintiff, in his count against medial entity, could not show existence of per se policy against black box exemption requests, where record showed that plaintiff did receive exemption on certain occasions.