Joshua M. Hubbert v. Kenny Brinley

Summary

The Eleventh Circuit reversed the district court’s denial of summary judgment and held that Kenny Brinley is entitled to qualified immunity because the Eighth Amendment right alleged by Joshua Hubbert was not clearly established at the time of the injury. The court assumed, without deciding, that the conduct violated the Constitution but found no clearly established rule to give Brinley notice. The decision includes concurring opinions emphasizing that the Eighth Amendment does not cover ordinary workplace negligence.