Cassidy v. Astrue

Filing 19

REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS-recommending that the court dismiss this action. Please note that when filing Objections pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 72(b)(2), briefing consists solely of the Objections (no longer than ten (10) pages) and the Response to the Objections (no longer than ten (10) pages). No further briefing shall be permitted with respect to objections without leave of the Court. Objections to R&R due by 1/24/2014. Signed by Judge Sherry R. Fallon on 1/6/2014. (lih)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF DELAWARE

JEFFREY CASSIDY,
Plaintiff,

v.
CAROLYN W. COLVIN, 1
Commissioner of Social Security,
Defendant.

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Civil Action No. 12-1711-LPS-SRF

REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION

At Wilmington this 6th day of January, 2014, I recommend that the court dismiss the
above-captioned action without prejudice for the following reasons:
1.

On December 17, 2012, pro se plaintiff Jeffrey Cassidy ("plaintiff') filed the

present action seeking judicial review of a decision of the Social Security Commissioner
("defendant") denying plaintiff's request for benefits. (D.I. 3) Defendant filed an answer on
April27, 2013. (D.I. 11)
2.

On May 13, 2013, the court set a briefing schedule for dispositive motions, setting

forth a deadline of June 28, 2013 for filing summary judgment motions. (D.I. 14) Plaintiff did
not submit a motion for summary judgment on or before the briefing deadline.
3.

On September 5, 2013, the court entered an order to show cause, on or before

October 7, 2013, why the above-captioned action should not be dismissed for failure to
prosecute, pursuant to D. Del. LR 41.1. 2 (D.I. 15)

1

Carolyn W. Colvin became the Commissioner of Social Security on February 13,2013, after
this proceeding was initially filed. Pursuant to Rule 25(d) of the Federal Rules of Civil
Procedure, Carolyn W. Colvin replaced the previous Commissioner, Michael J. Astrue, as the
defendant in this case.
2

D. Del. LR 41.1 provides that:

4.

On September 26, 2013, p1aintiffresponded to the order to show cause and moved

for an extension of time. Plaintiff indicated that he did not receive the order setting the briefing
schedule because his address was incorrect, and he provided the correct address. He requested
an extension of thirty (30) days to file his brief. (D.I. 16)
5.

On October 4, 2013, the court entered an order granting plaintiffs motion for

extension of time, and setting a new briefing schedule with a deadline ofNovember 12, 2013 for
plaintiffs opening brief. (D.I. 17)
6.

Plaintiff did not file a dispositive motion by the November 12, 2013 deadline. On

November 15, 2013, the court entered a second order to show cause, on or before December 16,
2013, why the above-captioned action should not be dismissed for failure to prosecute, pursuant
to D. Del. LR 41. (D.I. 18)
7.

To date, plaintiff has not filed a dispositive motion, and has not filed any

additional motions for extension of time or made any other filings since September 26, 2013.
Therefore, I recommend that the court dismiss the above-captioned action without prejudice for
failure to prosecute. 3 The Clerk of Court shall cause a copy ofthis Report and Recommendation
to be mailed to plaintiff.
8.

This Report and Recommendation is filed pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(l)(B),

Fed. R. Civ. P. 72(b)(1), and D. Del. LR 72.1. The parties may file and serve specific written

Subject to the provisions of Fed. R. Civ. P. 23 and 23.1, in each case pending
wherein no action has been taken for a period of 3 months, the Court may, on its
motion or upon application of any party, and after reasonable notice and
opportunity to be heard, enter an order dismissing such case unless good reason
for inaction is given.
3

I recommend that the court entertain a motion to reopen the case, should plaintiff file such a
motion accompanied by: (1) a motion for summary judgment; and (2) an opening brief in
support, within 30 days from the date of this Report and Recommendation.
2

objections within fourteen (14) days after being served with a copy of this Report and
Recommendation. Fed. R. Civ. P. 72(b)(2). The written objections and responses are each
limited to five (5) pages.
9.

The parties are directed to the court's Standing Order In ProSe Matters For

Objections Filed Under Fed. R. Civ. P. 72, dated November 16, 2009, a copy of which is
available on the court's website, www.ded.uscourts.gov.

Dated: January 6, 2014
S MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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