Case Explained: DUNLAP V. THOMAS, ET AL.

Court: United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit Filed: 2026-08-03 Docket: 2:23-cv-00666-DJH The ninth-circuit affirmed the district court’s grant of summary judgment in favor of defendants in a prisoner’s civil rights action alleging inadequate medical care under the Eighth Amendment. The court applied de novo review, holding that Dunlap failed to raise a genuine dispute of material fact regarding deliberate indifference by nurse practitioners, as his mere disagreement with his medical plan did not demonstrate that the treatment was medically unacceptable or chosen in conscious disregard of excessive risk. Additionally, the court found no evidence of a NaphCare policy requiring monitoring of chronic conditions rather than recommending treatment, and deemed claims regarding withheld medical records unpreserved for appeal. The practical consequence is that the district court’s judgment stands and Dunlap’s appeal is denied. Do It For The Case Law is a news reporting service. Nothing in this episode constitutes legal advice.