Plaintiff, Scotty Santos Diaz, brings this action against Defendants, Mark Inch, Secretary, Florida Department of Corrections; J. Colon, Warden, Dade Correctional Institution; Inez Martin, Sgt., Security; and Frank Papillion, Dade Correctional Institution Chief Health Officer, each individually and in his or her official capacity, asserting four section 1983 claims (one against each defendant), for use of excessive force, deliberate indifference to the same, submitting false statements to justify the excessive use of force, and/or failure to provide Plaintiff with proper medical treatment. Plaintiffs claims center on allegations Sgt. Martin sprayed Plaintiff in the eyes with a chemical agent despite knowing Plaintiff suffered from a vision disability, and that Defendants failed to ensure Plaintiff received adequate treatment for his injuries. If interested, please email FLSD_ProBono@flsd.uscourts.gov
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Plaintiff is a pro se prisoner and combat veteran suing the United States of America under the Federal Tort Claims Act for negligence, medical malpractice, and abuse as a result of inadequate medical treatment when he visited six Veteran Affairs hospitals over the course of ten years. The complaint has not yet been served. If interested, please email FLSD_ProBono@flsd.uscourts.gov
Plaintiff is a pro se prisoner currently incarcerated at the Martin Correctional Institution. Plaintiff brings this § 1983 action against Christopher Burgess, a correctional officer assigned to South Bay Correctional Institution. Plaintiff alleges that on [or about] April 13, 2019 Burgess actions against him amounted to excessive force, assault and battery, and sexual battery.
The complaint has been screened and the 8th Amendment claims against Burgess for excessive use of force is proceedings. The state tort claimed for battery and sexual battery are also proceeding.
These are the facts alleged in the complaint:
The day of the incident, Burgess, and other officers entered Plaintiffs cell without placing handcuffs on him and without any authorization from the shift supervisor. According to Plaintiff, Defendant Burgess slapped him repeatedly in his face and [ran] his face against the wall causing his face to swell and destroying his glasses. Plaintiff claims he tried to cover himself but Burgess smashed his face and head against the wall causing [him] to cry in pain. As the officers left his cell, Plaintiff attempted to close the cell door, but Burgess pushed Plaintiff back, re-entered the cell, and began attacking him again by slapping him in the face. Burgess then started ripping Plaintiff[s] . . . clothes off and stuck his hands into Plaintiff[s] rectum calling [him] foul names. Burgess, eventually, exited the cell with Plaintiffs ripped clothes in his hands. Plaintiff filed a grievance and an investigation commenced. Plaintiff claims that Burgess was no longer permitted to work around him. Plaintiff claims he suffered head trauma, contusions and bruising of his face and ribs, a swollen face and head, psychological trauma and mental anguish including depression, panic attacks, and nightmares of the assault, humiliation, and emotional trauma.
If interested, please email FLSD_ProBono@flsd.uscourts.gov (link sends e-mail)
This is a civil rights action brought under 42 U.S.C. 1983 for excessive force and failure to intervene. Plaintiff Kenneth A. Bott alleges that he was assaulted by four deputies while being detained at Palm Beach County Jail. The Court has denied Defendants motion for summary judgment and has not yet set the case for trial. Plaintiff would benefit from the assistance of counsel.
If interested, please email FLSD_ProBono@flsd.uscourts.gov
Plaintiff Walter Rojas sued Defendants the United States Department of the Army and Ryan S. McCarthy for employment discrimination and hostile work environment. Mr. Rojas previously filed an EEOC case, and the EEOC provided him with a right to sue letter. He filed a complaint alleging that his employer discriminated against him. The complaint has not yet been served.
If interested, please email FLSD_ProBono@flsd.uscourts.gov
Pro se Plaintiff, an incarcerated felon, filed a civil rights complaint asserting a claim for deliberate indifference to his serious medical needs. Plaintiff alleges that his treating physicians failed to properly care for an infected toe, which was later amputated. He also alleges that his physicians subsequently failed to properly treat his toes following an accident in which he broke three toes. Both remaining defendants have answered the complaint. Volunteer representation would entail representing Plaintiff during all pretrial proceedings, including discovery, mediation, and at trial, if necessary.
If interested, please email FLSD_ProBono@flsd.uscourts.gov
Pro se Plaintiff filed a civil rights action against his employer for alleged discrimination and retaliation against him due to his race, disability, and his prior protected EEO activities. Plaintiff alleges that he was denied a reasonable workplace accommodation, he was not selected to a GS-12 position, he was verbally counseled and given a letter of reprimand, his request for FMLA leave was improperly delayed, and his request to attend a training program was denied. The case is in its infancy, and the defendant has not yet been served or entered an appearance. Volunteer representation would entail representing Plaintiff during all pretrial proceedings, including discovery, mediation, and at trial, if necessary.
If interested, please email FLSD_ProBono@flsd.uscourts.gov
On June 15, 2020, the Plaintiff, Bruce E. Wiggins, filed this action seeking review of an unfavorable decision on his disability insurance benefits claim by the Commissioner of the Social Security Administration. The Commissioners answer is forthcoming. If interested, please email FLSD_ProBono@flsd.uscourts.gov
Plaintiff Lee Shapiro was a branch manager at one of Defendants banks. Plaintiff brings various discrimination claims under various statutes against Defendant for what he claims was a forced retirement. The case is still in its infancy. If interested, please email FLSD_ProBono@flsd.uscourts.gov
Plaintiff, Eliseo Gonzalez Saldana, is a prisoner proceeding in this matter in forma pauperis and is currently incarcerated at Columbia Correctional Institution, in Lake City, Florida. Plaintiff’s Complaint has been authorized to proceed in part after the Court’s screening of the Complaint pursuant to 28 U.S.C. 1915.
In Plaintiff’s Complaint, his sole surviving claim alleges that his constitutional rights were violated while he was incarcerated at Dade Correctional Institution. The one remaining defendant is a prison official named J. Mendez, who is sued in his individual capacity, and who Plaintiff claims was deliberately indifferent to a serious risk of harm to Plaintiff.
In short, Plaintiff alleges that after being attacked by other inmates multiple at other prisons, he was transferred to Dade C.I. There, Plaintiff allegedly informed Defendant Mendez of the ongoing threats against him. Plaintiff alleges that Defendant Mendez ignored Plaintiff’s concerns and placed Plaintiff in open general population, resulting in Plaintiff being stabbed by another inmate.
Defendant Mendez has not yet been served and this case is at a very early stage. Volunteer representation would entail representing Plaintiff during all pretrial proceedings, including discovery, mediation, and at trial, if necessary. If interested, please email FLSD_ProBono@flsd.uscourts.gov