Summary Judgment – Issue of Material Fact

Listen to this article

7^th Circuit Court of Appeals

Case Name: Zachary Pulera v. Victoria Sarzant, et al.,

Case No.: 19-2291

Officials: FLAUM, BARRETT, and ST. EVE, Circuit Judges.

Focus: Summary Judgment – Issue of Material Fact

Police arrested Zachary Pulera on suspicion of bail jumping and brought him to the Kenosha County Pre-Trial Facility. Just under forty-eight hours later, Pulera attempted to hang himself in his cell. Fortunately, correctional officers noticed, swiftly cut him down, and called for an ambulance that saved his life.

Over his two days at the facility, Pulera never told any official that he was contemplating suicide. This appeal asks whether a long list of officials nevertheless unreasonably responded to other possible signs that Pulera was in distress, so that they may face liability for his injuries under 42 U.S.C. § 1983. The district court concluded there was no genuine dispute that all officials responded reasonably to the information each had, so it granted the defendants’ motions for summary judgment. We affirm the judgment.

Affirmed

Full Text

Derek A Hawkins is trademark corporate counsel for Harley-Davidson. Hawkins oversees the prosecution and maintenance of the Harley-Davidson’s international trademark portfolio in emerging markets.