Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada Voulentters

An inmate alleges he was denied ADA accommodations based on having Kimura Disease at Southern Desert Correctional Facility in August 2018. Kimura’s Disease is a rare, non-cancerous, chronic disorder causing swelling of the tissues under the skin of the head or neck. He was declared a Tier 5 medically restricted inmate but allegedly was not offered ADA full protections or accommodations. As a result, he filed a civil rights complaint against the Nevada Department of Corrections (NDOC) and multiple NDOC staff in their individual capacity, claiming ADA violations and 8th Amendment violations. Some of his claims from his Second Amended Complaint were dismissed but the Title II ADA claims against the State and NDOC and his 8th Amendment claims against multiple people in their individual capacities remain pending. He has the Court’s permission to file a third amended complaint after pro bono counsel appears on his behalf. The inmate is seeking assistance through the Federal Pro Bono Program.

Richard, an inmate at Indian Springs, suffered severe and persistent symptoms of dehydration and fainting after a “man down” emergency summons in Clark County Detention Center in April 2017. He was given an IV to fight dehydration and after medical staff failed to flush, clean, and remove the IV in a timely fashion as ordered by the physician, he developed an infection. As a result, his arm swelled and he developed a severe internal staph infection, which resulted in persistent open wounds and significant suffering. He filed a civil rights law suit against Naphcare, Inc. and medical staff and is seeking counsel through the Federal Pro Bono Program.

Since April 10, 2017, Harold has been housed at Southern Desert Correctional Center in cells that do not have fire sprinklers or smoke detectors. He has filed grievances about the issue, but his grievances have been denied. Prison officials are aware the individual cells do not have fire sprinklers or smoke detectors. Prison officials have told him the prison was built prior to building codes requiring sprinklers and that the current building code does not require sprinklers be installed until the next remodeling or addition to the building. He claims that, if a fire breaks out, there would be no way to extinguish the fire and he would burn. Based on these allegations, he claims that the Defendants have violated his Eighth and Fourteenth Amendment rights and is seeking an attorney through the Federal Pro Bono Program to assist him with his civil rights lawsuit.

On Oct. 31, 2018, while incarcerated at Florence McClure Women’s Correctional Center, an inmate was working in a storage area stocking products on the top shelf. The top shelf held the heaviest items and allegedly collapsed due to bowing caused by over-stocking. The seam of the metal shelf split open and she fell into the opening. She alleges approximately 1500lbs of shelving and stored items fell directly onto her head, neck, and upper body. After a 2 hour delay, she was transported to the emergency department at University Medical Center. CAT scan results showed concerning damage and she was referred to a neurosurgeon. Once transported back to NDOC, she was not seen by a neurosurgeon and her pain became increasingly severe. As a result, she filed a federal complaint seeking monetary, declaratory, and injunctive relief under 28 U.S.C §§ 2201, 2202, and 42 U.S.C. § 1983 because of unsafe work conditions, failure to protect, cruel and unusual punishment, and deliberate indifference to pain and suffering. She is seeking legal representation through the Federal Pro Bono Program.

David, an inmate High Desert State Prison, alleges he developed Hepatitis C symptoms that required prompt medical attention and treatment but Nevada Department of Corrections (NDOC) denied such treatment due to NDOC protocol. He alleges that NDOC employees were aware of his symptoms and the need for care because he filed kites and grievances, yet they did not provide care. As a result, he filed a civil rights federal law suit alleging deliberate indifference to serious medical needs in violation of the 8th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. At the time of filing his complaint in March 2021, he still had not received treatment. He is seeking legal representation through the Federal Pro Bono Program.