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Abstract: 

Illinois inmate Christopher Pyles injured his back when he slipped and fell on wet stairs at the dangerously ancient Menard prison. Pyles had used these stairs after showering and a month before his slip and fall he alerted the warden that the stairs were very slippery because of water tracked in from the nearby showers. Two months after Pyles’ injury, a Dr. Fahim joined the Wexford team at Menard and he detected no abnormalities. Dr. Fahim prescribed painkillers and exercise. Exams and mild medications continued but not an MRI or referral to a specialist. In Pyles v. Fahim , 771 F.3d 403 (7th Cir. 2014), the court found no negligence or liability on the part of Menard or its medical staff. The court’s reasoning is examined here.

Keywords: Deliberate indifference standard; specialist referrals; physician discretion

Affiliations:  1: Executive Editor.