Lequieu v. US Post Office - Bonners Ferry et al

Filing 9

MEMORANDUM DECISION AND ORDER Plaintiff's Motion to Appoint Counsel (Dkt. 8 ) is dismissed as MOOT. This action is DISMISSED WITHOUT PREJUDICE for failure to state a claim. Signed by Judge David C. Nye. (caused to be mailed to non Registered Participants at the addresses listed on the Notice of Electronic Filing (NEF) by (jp)

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF IDAHO
SANDRA DAWN LEQUIEU,
Case No. 2:16-cv-00137-DCN
Plaintiff,
MEMORANDUM DECISION AND
ORDER

v.
UNITED STATES POST OFFICE –
BONNERS FERRY, TERESA SKEEN, and
MIKE FELLER,
Defendants.

INTRODUCTION
The Court has before it Plaintiff Sandra Lequieu’s Motion to Appoint Counsel. Dkt. 8.
For the reasons set forth below the Court will DENY the Motion. Additionally, upon further
review, the Court must dismiss this case in its entirety as Lequieu’s claim is statutorily barred.
DISCUSSION
In reviewing Lequieu’s case as it relates to the above referenced Motion for Appointment
of Counsel, the Court became aware of a deficiency, which is unfortunately fatal to this lawsuit.
The Court has the burden of ensuring that all cases filed by pro se litigants conform with
all appropriate laws and statutes. The Court shall dismiss the case at any time if the Court
becomes aware of any errors. 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(emphasis added). The Court must dismiss a
case if it determines that the action fails to state a claim upon which relief can be granted. See 28
U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B)(ii).
Here, Lequieu’s complaint alleges a tort action against a government entity—the US Post
Office in Bonners Ferry—and two employees in that office. As explained in the Court’s prior
decision and order (Dkt. 7), the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) governs all suits against the
MEMORANDUM DECISION AND ORDER - 1

United States government, its subsidies, and employees. The FTCA outlines that “a tort claim
against the United States shall be forever barred unless it is presented in writing to the
appropriate Federal agency within two years after such claim accrues . . . .” 28 U.S.C.A. §
2401(b) (emphasis added).
Lequieu’s accident occurred on or about January 11, 2013. The FTCA, therefore,
required that she file suit no later than January 1, 2015. Lequieu, however, did not file suit until
15 months later on April 1, 2016. Her claim is therefore time-barred. As the FTCA claim is the
sole count in this case, there is no longer a claim upon which relief can be granted and the case
must be dismissed.
ORDER
IT IS ORDERED:
1.

Plaintiff’s Motion to Appoint Counsel (Dkt. 8) is dismissed as MOOT.

2.

This action is DISMISSED WITHOUT PREJUDICE for failure to state a
claim.
DATED: October 3, 2017
_________________________
Honorable David C. Nye
United States District Court

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