James v. University of Texas Medical Branch Medical Center & Pharmacy

Case: 10-40913 Document: 00511484071 Page: 1 Date Filed: 05/20/2011 IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE FIFTH CIRCUIT United States Court of Appeals Fifth Circuit FILED May 20, 2011 No. 10-40913 Summary Calendar Lyle W. Cayce Clerk OTHA JAMES, Plaintiff-Appellant v. UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS MEDICAL BRANCH MEDICAL CENTER AND PHARMACY; CMC PHARMACY; C. KYLE; D. STEBBINS; R. GILMARTIN; S. LIVELY; Q. NIX; J. SECKLET; UNKNOWN ASHFORD, Defendants-Appellees Appeal from the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas USDC No. 6:09-CV-489 Before REAVLEY, DENNIS, and CLEMENT, Circuit Judges. PER CURIAM:* Otha James, Texas prisoner # 1258537, has had a series of operations on his right hand since breaking it in 1998. He has suffered pain as a result and underwent surgery again in 2009. Both before and after this surgery, James’s health care providers prescribed Tylenol #3. According to James, on numerous occasions, various prison personnel delayed providing him Tylenol #3 or refused * Pursuant to 5TH CIR . R. 47.5, the court has determined that this opinion should not be published and is not precedent except under the limited circumstances set forth in 5TH CIR . R. 47.5.4. Case: 10-40913 Document: 00511484071 Page: 2 Date Filed: 05/20/2011 No. 10-40913 to provide it, in violation of the Eighth Amendment. Following a hearing pursuant to Spears v. McCotter, 766 F.2d 179 (5th Cir. 1985), the magistrate judge, proceeding with consent of both parties, determined that James’s complaint was frivolous and failed to state a claim and dismissed the suit pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915A. James now appeals. We review a dismissal pursuant to § 1915A de novo. See Longoria v. Dretke, 507 F.3d 898, 900 (5th Cir. 2007). Our review of the record satisfies us that the magistrate judge correctly dismissed James’s claims that the defendants acted with deliberate indifference to a serious medical need. See Domino v. Texas. Dep’t of Criminal Justice, 239 F.3d 752, 756 (5th Cir. 2001). We thus conclude that James’s appeal is without arguable merit, and we dismiss it as frivolous. See 5 TH C IR. R. 42.2. James is cautioned that the dismissal of his suit by the magistrate judge and the dismissal of his appeal count as strikes pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(g). See Adepegba v. Hammons, 103 F.3d 383, 385-87 (5th Cir. 1996). He is further cautioned that if he accumulates three strikes under § 1915(g), he will not be able to proceed in forma pauperis in any civil action or appeal filed while he is incarcerated or detained in any facility unless he is under imminent danger of serious physical injury. See § 1915(g). James’s motion for appointment of counsel is denied. APPEAL DISMISSED AS FRIVOLOUS; SANCTION WARNING ISSUED; MOTION FOR APPOINTMENT OF COUNSEL DENIED. 2