Inmate claims painkiller from prison docs was not enough. $120,000.

Summary

Inmate with scoliosis suffers chronic back pain and prison doctors don't manage his pain well.

Case Name: Samuel Anderson v. Kelso, et al
Court and Case Number: United States District Court, Eastern District / CV12-0261-MCE-KJN
Date of Verdict or Judgment: Monday, March 21, 2016
Date Action was Filed: Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Type of Case: Civil Rights, Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress
Judge or Arbitrator(s): Hon. Morrison C. England, Jr.
Plaintiffs:
Samuel Anderson
Defendants:
Dorothy Swingle, prison physician.
Bonnie Lee, prison physician.
Jerry Stovall, licensed clinical social worker.
Type of Result: Jury Verdict

Gross Verdict or Award: $120,000
Award as to each Defendant:
Swingle: $60,000
Lee: $60,000
Defendant Stovall received a defense verdict.
Non-Economic Damages:
$120,000
Trial or Arbitration Time: 3 days.
Jury Deliberation Time: 3 days.
Post Trial Motions & Post-Verdict Settlements: Defendants Lee and Swingle have filed motions for JNOV and for a new trial which are pending.

Attorney for the Plaintiff:
Law Offices of Akudinobi & Ikonte by Chijioke O. Ikonte, Emmanuel C. and Akudinobi, Los Angeles.

Law Office of Emenike A Iroegbu by Emenike Iroegbu, Sacramento. (Not counsel of record.)
Attorney for the Defendant:
Office of the Attorney General by Lawrence Bragg, Sacramento.

Facts and Background:
Plaintiff was an inmate at the High Desert State Prison, Susanville, California. He suffered from chronic back pain as a result of severe scoliosis. In addition, plaintiff had neuropathic nerve pain as a result of diabetes. The neuropathic pain was managed. The chronic low back pain was intitially managed with low dosage opioid medication - morphine sulfate.

The prison physicians switched plaintiff's medication from low dosage morphine to tramadol. Plaintiff complained that the low dosage opioid was ineffective in managing his pain. Instead of titrating the medication upwards, the opioid was discontinued and plaintiff was given Tylenol for pain management.

After plaintiff filed his lawsuit and sought to enjoin the prison authorities to re-introduce opioid for pain management, the physicians re-introduced tramadol. After Anderson was transferred to another facility, the treating physician placed him on methadone.
Plaintiff's Contentions:
That the prison physicians either ignored his pains or minimized his pain. That treating physicians were deliberately indifferent to his pain, causing emotional distress.
Defendant's Contentions:
That the manner in which Anderson's pain was managed did not exhibit deliberate indifference to his medical needs. Rather, what occurred was a difference of opinion between physicians on the best way to manage the pain.

Physical Injuries claimed by Plaintiff:
Emotional distress, pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life.