No. 25-1091

Davie County, North Carolina, et al. v. Juiliana Swink, Administratrix of the Estate of David Ray Gunter, et al.

Lower Court: Fourth Circuit
Docketed: 2026-03-17
Status: Pending
Type: Paid
Response Waived
Tags: constitutional-torts governmental-entity healthcare-provider monell-liability respondeat-superior section-1983
Latest Conference: N/A
Question Presented (from Petition)

1) Given the Supreme Court's decision in Monell ,
can a governmental entity be held liable, either
under the doctrine of respondeat superior
or the "non-delegable duty" doctrine, for the
constitutional torts of a healthcare provider
hired by the governmental entity?

2) Given the policymaker framework of the
Supreme Court as articulated in cases such
as Pembaur , Praprotnik , and Jett, does the
hiring by a governmental entity of a healthcare
provider to provide healthcare services at a jail
automatically convert the healthcare provider
into a governmental policymaker for purposes
of Section 1983 liability?

Question Presented (AI Summary)

Whether a governmental entity can be held liable under respondeat superior or the non-delegable duty doctrine for constitutional torts of a hired healthcare provider, and whether hiring a healthcare provider to deliver services at a jail automatically converts that provider into a governmental policymaker for Section 1983 liability purposes

Docket Entries

2026-04-13
Waiver of right of respondents Southern Health Partners, Inc.; Manuel Maldando; Jason Junkins (Medical Director); Sandra Hunt; and Fran Jackson; to respond filed.
2026-04-06
Waiver of right of respondent Juliana Swink, Administrator of the Estate of David Ray Gunter to respond filed.
2026-03-13
Petition for a writ of certiorari filed. (Response due April 16, 2026)

Attorneys

Davie County and Stokes County
James Redfern Morgan Jr.Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP, Petitioner
Juliana Swink, Administrator of the Estate of David Ray Gunter
David William McDonaldMcDonald Wright LLP, Respondent
Southern Health Partners, Inc.; Manuel Maldando; Jason Junkins (Medical Director); Sandra Hunt; and Fran Jackson;
James G. Long IIIMaynard Nexsen PC, Respondent