Dist. Ct. erred in denying defendants-correctional officers’ motions for summary judgment in plaintiff-deceased inmate’s section 1983 action, alleging that defendants were deliberately indifferent to his diabetic ketoacidosis condition that eventually resulted in inmate’s death. Record showed that: (1) in hours prior to inmate’s death inmate exhibited symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis; (2) jail nurse denied inmate timely medical care because nurse believed that inmate was faking his condition; (3) nurse assured instant defendants, who were tasked with relocating inmate away from medical unit, that inmate’s vitals were in normal range; and (4) relying on nurse’s judgment, defendants declined to intervene and proceeded to relocate inmate, believing that inmate’s refusal to follow orders was not based on any medically induced incapacity. Defendants were entitled to qualified immunity, because they were entitled to refer to judgment of nurse as medical professional.
Federal 7th Circuit Court
Civil Court
Qualified Immunity