Gonzaga v. Commissioner of Social Security

Filing 4

INFORMATIONAL ORDER FOR PRO SE LITIGANTS, signed by Magistrate Judge Dennis L. Beck on 10/7/09. (Hellings, J)

1 2 3 4 5 6 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 7 EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 8 9 AMADOR S. GONZAGA, 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Plaintiff is proceeding pro se in an action seeking judicial review of an administrative decision of the Commissioner of Social Security that denied, in whole or in part, plaintiff's claim for benefits under the Social Security Act. This order provides the following helpful information, and basically serves as a step-by-step guide, for pro se litigants. It is strongly suggested that plaintiff read and reread this order and keep it readily available for future reference. I. Service of the Complaint As is outlined in the Scheduling Order issued in this case, except when other provisions are made pursuant to an application to proceed in forma pauperis, plaintiff shall serve a copy of the (1) summons, (2) complaint, (3) notice of availability of a Magistrate Judge and the form of consent/ decline to jurisdiction of United States Magistrate Judge (See Local Rule 73305(a)), and (4) the Scheduling Order, within twenty (20) days of plaintiff filing the complaint. If plaintiff is proceeding in forma pauperis, the United States Marshal usually 1 ) ) Plaintiff, ) v. ) ) MICHAEL J. ASTRUE, ) Commissioner of Social ) Security, ) ) Defendant. ) ____________________________________) 1:09-cv-01606-BAK DLB

I N F O R M A T I O N A L ORDER F O R PRO SE LITIGANTS

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serves the complaint. However, if plaintiff is not proceeding in forma pauperis, then plaintiff or legal counsel is responsible for service and then filing a proof of service without delay. See Local Rule 4-210. Lawsuits for review of administrative decisions made by the Commissioner of Social Security are prosecuted against the Commissioner of Social Security. Fed.R.Civ.P. 4(i)(2) and (3) provides, in substance, that to serve the Commissioner in his official capacity, the party must serve (1) the United States, and (2) the Commissioner. To serve the United States, a party must: (1) deliver a copy of the summons and complaint to the United States

Attorney for the district where the action is brought, or to an Assistant United States Attorney or clerical employee whom the United States Attorney designates in a writing filed with the Court; or, send a copy of the summons and complaint, by certified mail only, to the Civil Process Clerk at the United States Attorney's Office; and, (2) send a copy of the summons and complaint, by certified mail only, to the

Attorney General of the United States in Washington, D.C.; and, (3) send a copy of the summons and complaint, by certified mail only, to the

Commissioner (the officer of the United States whose order is challenged by the lawsuit) in San Francisco, CA. Fed.R.Civ.P. 4(i)(1)-(3). Initial service of process is thus sufficient if plaintiff serves, by certified mail only, copies of the summons and complaint on: Office of the United States Attorney Civil Process Clerk 2500 Tulare Street, Suite 4401 Fresno, CA 93721 Office of the Attorney General of the United States 950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, D.C. 20530-0001 Office of the General Counsel Social Security Administration 333 Market Street, Suite 1500 San Francisco, CA 94105 after which a proof of service must be filed with the Court without delay pursuant to Local Rule 2

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4-210. If plaintiff is proceeding in forma pauperis, the United States Marshal generally completes the proof of service and files it with the Court; however, if plaintiff is not proceeding in forma pauperis, it is plaintiff's duty to promptly file a proof of service with the Court. II. Attempt at Informal Resolution of the Case Pursuant to the Scheduling Order, within one hundred twenty (120) days after service of the complaint, defendant is required to serve a copy of the administrative record on plaintiff and also file the administrative record with the Court, which serves as the answer to the complaint in this proceeding. Once the administrative record has been filed, the parties must try to resolve the case informally. In this process, the parties must exchange informal briefs in the form of letters about the case to see if they can agree that the case should be sent back, or "remanded," to the Social Security Administration for a further hearing by an administrative law judge. In the letter brief, plaintiff must briefly set forth (1) the issues in the case, (2) the reasons why plaintiff thinks that plaintiff is entitled to Social Security benefits, and (3) why the decision to deny benefits should be remanded. The letter brief must be marked "Confidential Letter Brief", should not be filed with the Court, and must be served on defendant within thirty (30) days from the date defendant served plaintiff with the administrative record, by mailing copies to all the attorneys listed on the court docket as representing defendant, Commissioner of Social Security, at the addresses noted on the court docket. The name of the attorney or attorneys representing defendant are added to the court docket at the time the Court receives defendant's response to the complaint which, again, usually consists of the administrative record. Sometimes the court docket lists not only an attorney at the office of the General Counsel of the Social Security Administration in San Francisco, CA, but also an attorney at the United States Attorney's Office in Fresno, CA; in these particular cases, it will then be necessary for plaintiff to mail copies of the confidential letter brief to more than one attorney for defendant. Defendant's confidential letter brief must be served on plaintiff no later than 3

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thirty-five (35) days after defendant is served with plaintiff's confidential letter brief. If the parties agree to a remand, then the case will go back to the Social Security Administration before any formal briefs are filed with the Court, and without the Court ever considering the merits of the case. The parties' agreement to remand the case must be set forth in writing in a document titled "Stipulation and Order," which must be signed and filed with the Court no later than fifteen (15) days after defendant served its confidential letter brief on plaintiff. See Local Rule 83-143(a)(1) & (b). The informal letter briefs exchanged by the parties are confidential in the sense that they are not filed with the Court. If the parties are unable to agree to a remand, the letters are not part of the case file and, thus, are not before the Court if and when the Court finally considers the case on the merits. III. Briefs If, after exchanging confidential letter briefs, the parties are unable to agree to a remand of the case, then the parties must file formal briefs with the Court as directed in the Scheduling Order. It is only after the formal briefs are filed with the Court that the Court will consider the merits of the case and make a decision. A. Plaintiff's Opening Brief Plaintiff's opening brief must be filed and served no later than thirty (30) days from the date defendant's informal letter brief was served on plaintiff. Plaintiff must serve a copy of the opening brief on all the attorneys listed for defendant on the court docket of the case at the addresses noted on the court docket. Plaintiff must also file the original opening brief, together with a copy, with the Court, by either personal delivery or via U.S. mail to: Office of the Clerk United States District Court Eastern District of California 2500 Tulare Street, Suite 1501 Fresno, CA 93721 Plaintiff's opening brief must contain the following: 4

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(1)

a plain description of plaintiff's alleged physical or emotional

impairments, when plaintiff contends they became disabling, and how they disabled plaintiff from work; (2) Security Administration; (3) (4) a summary of the relevant testimony at the administrative hearing; a summary of all relevant medical evidence, including an a summary of the administrative proceedings before the Social

explanation of the significance of clinical and laboratory findings, and the purpose and effect of prescribed medication and therapy; (5) a recitation of the Social Security Administration's findings and

conclusions relevant to plaintiff's claims; (6) a short, separate statement of each of plaintiff's legal claims stated

in terms of the insufficiency of the evidence to support a particular finding of fact or reliance on an erroneous legal standard; and, (7) argument separately addressing each claimed error.

All references to the administrative record and all assertions of fact must be accompanied by citations to the administrative record. Argument in support of each claim of error must be supported by citation to legal authority and explanation of the application of such authority to the facts of the particular case. Briefs that do not substantially comply with these requirements will be stricken. A document that is stricken becomes null and void and is not considered by the Court for any purpose. Plaintiff is further advised that failure to timely file an opening brief will result in dismissal of the action. B. Defendant's Brief Pursuant to the Scheduling Order, defendant's responsive brief is due filed and served on plaintiff within thirty (30) days from the date of service of plaintiff's opening brief on defendant. C. Plaintiff's Reply Brief 5

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 responsive brief. IV.

Plaintiff may file a reply brief, but is not required to do so, within fifteen (15) days from the date defendant served its responsive brief on plaintiff. Plaintiff must serve a copy of the reply brief on defendant by serving the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of California at the address in Fresno, CA, noted above. Plaintiff must also file the original reply brief, together with a copy, with the Court at the Court's address in Fresno, CA, noted above. Plaintiff's reply brief should respond to the arguments made in defendant's

Motion to Dismiss In some cases, instead of serving and filing an administrative record, defendant

may file a motion to dismiss the case pursuant to Fed.R.Civ.P. 12., within one hundred twenty (120) days from the date defendant is served with plaintiff's complaint. Plaintiff may oppose a motion to dismiss by filing and serving opposition to the motion within fourteen (14) days from the date the motion to dismiss was served on plaintiff, and should be titled "Opposition to Defendant's Motion to Dismiss." See Local Rule 78-230(c). The Court will consider a motion to dismiss only after receiving opposition from plaintiff, or after the time for filing opposition has passed. In ruling on a motion to dismiss the case, the Court may either (1) deny the motion and proceed with the case, ordering the parties to proceed to file the administrative record, attempt informal resolution, and file briefs; or, (2) grant the motion to dismiss, and dismiss all or part of the case. V. The Court's Decision on the Merits The Court will consider the merits of the case only after all briefs have been filed, and may enter a judgment affirming, modifying, or reversing the determination of the Social Security Administration. The Court may or may not remand the case to the Social Security Administration for a further hearing. /// /// /// /// 6

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VI.
See Section I. above See Section II. above

Summary of Deadline Calculations
Service Administrative Record Plaintiff's Opening Brief Defendant's Brief Plaintiff's Reply Brief optional due 20 days after filing complaint due 120 days after service due 95 days after administrative record lodged with court due 30 days after plaintiff's opening brief filed due 15 days after defendant's brief filed

See Section III. A. above See Section III. B. above See Section III. C. above

VII.

Rules for Litigating the Action Plaintiff is informed of the following: A. In litigating this action, the parties must comply with the Federal Rules of

Civil Procedure (Fed.R.Civ.P.), and the Local Rules of the United States District Court, Eastern District of California ("Local Rules"). A copy of the Local Rules may be obtained in the Clerk's Office at no charge. Local Rule 8-206 is a special rule for social security actions. Specifically (a)(2) and (3) generally states that complaints shall contain the last four digits of plaintiff's social security number only, i.e., XXX-XX-1234, and that plaintiff shall privately disclose to defendant, within five (5) days after a request is made to plaintiff, the full social security number of plaintiff. Therefore, plaintiff shall refrain from disclosing the entire social security number on any filings. FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE LOCAL RULES, FEDERAL RULES, OR A COURT ORDER, INCLUDING THIS ORDER, WILL BE GROUNDS FOR DISMISSAL OR OTHER APPROPRIATE SANCTIONS. See Local Rule 11-110; Fed.R.Civ.P. 41(b). B. Documents intended to be filed with the Court must be mailed to the Clerk

of the Court in Fresno, CA, at the address noted above. See Local Rule 5-134(a). All documents 7

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inappropriately mailed directly to a judge's chambers will be stricken from the record. A document requesting a court order must be styled as a motion, not a letter. See Fed.R.Civ.P. 7. C. Each document submitted for filing must include the original signature of

the filing party or parties. Local Rule 7-131; Fed.R.Civ.P. 11(a). All documents submitted without the required signature(s) will be stricken. Each separate document must be separately stapled. See Local Rule 7-130. If a document is stapled behind another document, it will not be filed and will not enter the court docket. D. All documents filed with the Court must be submitted with an additional

legible copy to be conformed for the Court's use. See Local Rule 5-133(d)(2). A document submitted without an extra copy for the Court's use will be stricken. If the filing party wishes the Court to return a file-stamped copy, an additional copy must be provided for that purpose (i.e., an original and two copies, one for the Court's use and one to be returned to the filing party), together with a self-addressed, stamped envelope. The Court cannot provide copy or mailing service for a party, even for an indigent plaintiff proceeding in forma pauperis. Copies of documents from the Court's file may be obtained in the Clerk's Office at the cost of fifty ($.50) cents per page. E. After any defendant has appeared in an action by filing a pleading

responsive to the complaint (i.e., an answer or a motion to dismiss), all documents filed with the Court must include a proof of service stating that a copy of the document was served on the opposing party. See 28 U.S.C. § 1746; F.R.Civ.P. 5; Local Rule 5-135. A document submitted without the required proof of service will be stricken. Where a party is represented by counsel, service on the party's attorney of record constitutes effective service. F. A pro se party has an affirmative duty to keep the Court and opposing

parties apprised of a current address. If plaintiff moves and fails to file a notice of change of address, service of court orders at plaintiff's prior address shall constitute effective notice. See Local Rule 83-182(f). If mail directed to plaintiff is returned by the United States Postal Service as undeliverable, the Court will not attempt to re-mail it. If plaintiff's address is not updated, in writing, within sixty (60) days of mail being returned, the action will be dismissed for failure to 8

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prosecute. See Local Rule 83-183(b).

IT IS SO ORDERED. IT IS SO ORDERED. Dated: 3b142a

October 7, 2009

/s/ Dennis L. Beck UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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