Echols v. Craig

HAMILTON, Circuit Judge.

Derrick Echols, an Illinois inmate, claims in this suit under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 that prison dentist Dr. Frederick Craig (an employee of Wexford Health Sources) violated the Eighth Amendment by providing dental care with deliberate indifference to Echols’ serious health needs. While Dr. Craig was extracting a wisdom tooth, a drill bit broke. Dr. Craig sutured Echols’ gum with gauze and at least one half-inch long piece of the broken bit still inside, where it caused pain for about two weeks before it was finally removed.

Knowledge is the key issue in this lawsuit. Echols…