A Puerto Rico court has dismissed an appeal from inmate Fernando García Márquez regarding his medical care, stating that the issue is now moot. The ruling came from the Court of Appeals of Puerto Rico on May 13, 2026, and it impacts inmates who may be seeking timely medical attention while incarcerated.
García Márquez had raised concerns about receiving adequate medical care for his kidney and bladder stones. He filed a request with the Department of Corrección y Rehabilitación (DCR) after experiencing significant pain. His appeal was based on a response from the DCR indicating that he would receive a urology appointment in April 2026. The court's decision means that his concerns were addressed before the ruling, making the appeal unnecessary.
Background
The case, Fernando García Márquez v. Departamento De Corrección Y Rehabilitación, was filed under docket number TA2026RA00228. García Márquez, representing himself and in forma pauperis (meaning without the means to pay legal fees), sought judicial review of the DCR's response to his medical care request. He argued that he had not received timely medical attention after being referred to a urologist.
On March 9, 2026, García Márquez submitted a request for administrative remedy to the DCR, stating that he had not received further medical attention since his initial visit with Dr. López, who had referred him to a urologist. He expressed that his condition was causing him severe pain and requested immediate medical care. The DCR responded on March 26, 2026, informing him that he had been scheduled for a urology appointment in April.
The Ruling
The Court of Appeals, led by Judge Rivera Torres, along with Judges Hernández Sánchez and Marrero Guerrero, ruled on the matter after reviewing the case and the DCR's compliance with the court's order. The court found that García Márquez had received the medical attention he requested, as he was seen by a urologist on April 6, 2026. The court noted, “we do not find ourselves in the presence of a justiciable controversy that requires our intervention.”
Ultimately, the court dismissed the appeal on the grounds of academicity, meaning that the issue was no longer relevant as the requested medical services had already been provided. The court emphasized that it is essential to maintain jurisdiction and only intervene in cases where there is a real controversy.
Impact
This ruling has implications for inmates in Puerto Rico and potentially beyond, as it underscores the importance of timely medical care in correctional facilities. The court's decision reinforces the idea that once a medical issue is resolved, the legal grounds for an appeal may no longer exist. This could affect future cases where inmates seek judicial intervention for medical issues that may be resolved before a ruling is made.
By dismissing the case as moot, the court also sets a precedent regarding the handling of similar appeals in the future. Inmates may need to consider the timing of their appeals and the potential for resolution outside of court before pursuing legal action.
What's Next
Details were not available in the court filing regarding any potential for appeal or related cases. However, the court's ruling does not appear to leave room for further legal action on this specific matter, as the medical care issue has been addressed.