Pettit v. United States of America

Filing 66

OPINION AND ORDER taking under advisement 61 Motion to Require United States of America to Pay Entire Mediation Fee. Court refers this matter to Magistrate Judge Christopher A. Nuechterlein, in South Bend, Indiana, for a mediation/settlement conference. Signed by Judge William C Lee on 3/2/15. (mc)

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
NORTHERN DISTRICT OF INDIANA
HAROLD PETTIT,
Plaintiff,
v.
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,
Defendant.

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CIVIL NO. 2:13cv253

OPINION AND ORDER
This matter is before the court on a “Motion to Require United States of America to Pay
Entire Mediation Fee”, filed by the plaintiff, Harold Pettit (“Pettit”), on January 19, 2015. The
United States responded to the motion on February 5, 2015, to which Pettit replied on February 8,
2015.
The basis for Pettit’s motion is that, as a nursing home resident, he cannot afford to pay the
mediation fee. Pettit also believes the United States did not mediate in good faith. The court will
hold the motion UNDER ADVISEMENT, with the understanding that if Pettit prevails in his
lawsuit, he will then have the funds to pay the mediation fee.
The court also orders the parties to engage in a further mediation/settlement conference
before a judicial officer. To this end, the court refers this matter to Magistrate Judge Christopher
A. Nuechterlein, in South Bend, Indiana, for a mediation/settlement conference.
SO ORDERED.

Entered:

March 2, 2015.
s/ William C. Lee
William C. Lee, Judge
United States District Court