Thomas v. Commissioner of Social Security

Filing 11

ORDER granting 9 Motion to extend time: Plaintiff's deadline to effectuate service is extended until December 23, 2017. Signed by Magistrate Judge Philip R. Lammens on 11/21/2017. (AR)

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
MIDDLE DISTRICT OF FLORIDA
OCALA DIVISION
KATHY A. THOMAS,
Plaintiff,
v.

Case No: 5:17-cv-391-Oc-18PRL

COMMISSIONER OF SOCIAL
SECURITY
Defendant.

ORDER
This matter is before the Court on Plaintiff’s motion for an extension of time to effectuate
service. (Doc. 9).
Although Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 4(m) directs that service of the summons and
complaint be made within 90 days after filing the complaint, the Court has discretion to extend the
time for service. See Rule 4(m), Fed.R.Civ.P.; see also Horenkamp v. Van Winkle and Co., Inc.,
402 F.3d 1129, 1132-33 (11th Cir. 2005)(holding that court may extend the time for service of
process under Rule 4(m) even in the absence of a showing of good cause). Plaintiff filed the
complaint on August 25, 2017, and thus, service was due by November 23, 2017. According to
counsel, a recent review of her cases revealed that the service forms had not been forwarded in a
timely manner to the Clerk for delivery to the U.S. Marshal due to damage to her computer and
calendaring system following Hurricane Irma. Plaintiff has now forwarded the forms to the Clerk
and requests an additional thirty days so that the U.S. Marshal can effectuate service.
Upon due consideration, Plaintiff’s motion (Doc. 9) is GRANTED. Plaintiff shall
effectuate service on or before December 23, 2017.

DONE and ORDERED in Ocala, Florida on November 21, 2017.

Copies furnished to:
Counsel of Record
Unrepresented Parties

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