MEDIA – An inmate at the George W. Hill Correctional Facility has launched litigation against Delaware County and a host of corrections officials and health care providers over charges that he wasn’t protected from assault by another inmate despite credible information he was to be the target of a hit, and wasn’t provided medical treatment after surviving such an attack.
Anthony Pierre of Thornton filed suit in the Delaware County Court of Common Pleas on June 20 versus Delaware County (doing business as “George W. Hill Correctional Facility), Warden Laura K. Williams, Deputy Warden of Programs & Support Dele Faly, Deputy Warden of Operations & Administration Lisa Mastroddi, Corrections Officers K. Moore and G. Blee, Classification Officer Mike Moore, Sergeant Hamre, Sergeant Sicolle and Sergeant Richbert, all of Thornton, plus Jessamine Healthcare, Inc., Jessamine Healthcare, Inc. (doing business as “Correct Care Solutions, LLC/Wellpath, LLC”), Correct Care Solutions, LLC/Wellpath, LLC, Dr. Nancy Doe and Nurse Haitan, all of Nashville, Tenn.
“On March 22, 2022, plaintiff was an inmate at George W. Hill Correctional Facility. Plaintiff was in solitary confinement and was informed by defendant Hambre, there was a credible hit on plaintiff, and they wanted to move him to a safer location. On March 24, 2022, defendants Moore and Sicolle were assisting with the transfer of plaintiff. Plaintiff was told by defendant Moore that if he wanted to leave solitary confinement, he had to pick up food trays,” the suit says.
“While plaintiff started to pick up the food trays, defendant Moore improperly opened two inmates’ cells. As plaintiff’s back was turned to pick up the food trays, he was attacked by one of the inmates. The inmate also threw water on plaintiff which caused him to slip and fall during the physical altercation. Plaintiff’s fall caused him to sustain injuries to his right knee and right leg.”
The suit clarifies that it is standard procedure for every inmate to be handcuffed when they exit their cell in solitary confinement, yet neither the plaintiff, nor the other two inmates, were handcuffed at the time of the altercation.
“Upon information and belief, defendants Moore and Sicolle knew or should have known about plaintiff’s credible hit and failed to properly protect plaintiff. Following the incident, plaintiff went to medical for his injuries, but they told him he wasn’t injured and sent him back to his cell. The following day, plaintiff woke up with intense swelling of his right knee and sharp pains to his right leg. Plaintiff also had extreme difficulty with standing and walking,” the suit states.
“Plaintiff asked to be seen by medical, but defendant Richbert refused. On March 31, 2022, plaintiff was eventually able to see defendant, Dr. Nancy Doe, who told plaintiff that he had a swollen tendon. Defendant Haitan provided Motrin and informed plaintiff that he would order X-Rays. To date, no X-Rays have been scheduled. Plaintiff continues to suffer from his injuries that occurred on March 22, 2022. Plaintiff still suffers from tendon pain and is unable to exercise or play basketball. Plaintiff has suffered and continues to suffer severe physical and emotional distress as a result of defendants’ conduct.”
For counts of violating the Eighth Amendment for failing to protect and failing to provide medical care against cruel and unusual punishment, plus negligence, the plaintiff is seeking damages, individually, jointly and/or severally, in an amount in excess of $50,000, including punitive damages, and further relief as this Honorable Court deems necessary and just, including attorney’s fees and costs.
The plaintiff is represented by David A. Berlin and Matthew A. Weisberg of Weisberg Law in Morton, plus Gary A. Schafkopf of Schafkopf Law, in Bala Cynwyd.
The defendant has not yet secured legal counsel.
Delaware County Court of Common Pleas case CV-2022-004140
From the Pennsylvania Record: Reach Courts Reporter Nicholas Malfitano at nick.malfitano@therecordinc.com