Creek v. Commissioner, Social Security
Filing
19
MEMORANDUM OPINION. Signed by Magistrate Judge Stephanie A Gallagher on 2/2/2017. (c/m 2/2/17 jnls, Deputy Clerk)
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF MARYLAND
JAMES W. CREEK, JR.,
Plaintiff,
v.
COMMISSIONER OF
SOCIAL SECURITY
Defendant.
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
Case No.: SAG-16-3574
*
*
*
*
*
*
MEMORANDUM OPINION
On October 28, 2016, Plaintiff James W. Creek, Jr. (“Mr. Creek”) petitioned this Court to
review the Social Security Administration’s final decision to deny his claims for disability
benefits. [ECF No. 1]. Currently pending is the Commissioner’s Motion to Dismiss Mr. Creek’s
Complaint. [ECF No. 17]. Mr. Creek has not filed a reply.1 I find that no hearing is necessary.
See Local Rule 105.6 (D. Md. 2016).
For the reasons explained below, I will grant the
Commissioner’s Motion to Dismiss.
On July 8, 2016, the Appeals Council mailed Mr. Creek notice of its decision denying his
request for review of an adverse decision issued by an Administrative Law Judge, regarding his
claim for DIB. [ECF No. 17-2, Chung Decl., Ex. 2]. That notice also advised Mr. Creek of his
statutory right to commence a civil action within sixty days from receipt of the notice. Id.; 42
U.S.C. §§ 405(g) and (h). The Commissioner’s implementing regulations have interpreted the
statute to permit sixty-five days from the date of the notice, to allow sufficient time for mailing
1
On January 12, 2017, the Clerk’s Office mailed a Rule 12/56 letter to Mr. Creek to advise him
of the potential consequences of failure to oppose the motion to dismiss. [ECF No. 18].
the notice. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.901, 422.210(c). Mr. Creek has not alleged that he received the
notice outside of the statutory time period. He therefore had to file his civil action on or before
September 12, 2016. Instead, Mr. Creek filed his complaint about six weeks late, on October 28,
2016. [ECF No. 1].
Congress has authorized lawsuits seeking judicial review of decisions by the
Commissioner only under certain limited conditions, including specified filing deadlines. City of
Tacoma v. Taxpayers of Tacoma, 357 U.S. 320, 336 (1958). The limitations period must
therefore be strictly enforced, absent (1) an agreement by the Commissioner to toll the deadlines,
or (2) a valid basis for equitable tolling of the deadlines. “[B]ecause of the importance of
respecting limitations periods, equitable tolling is appropriate only ‘where the defendant has
wrongfully deceived or misled the plaintiff in order to conceal the existence of a cause of
action.’” Kokotis v. U.S. Postal Service, 223 F.3d 275, 280 (4th Cir. 2000). Mr. Creek has not
alleged, and the record does not reflect, any misconduct on the part of the Commissioner in this
case. As a result, equitable tolling is not warranted. Mr. Creek filed his case after the statutory
limitations period had run. Accordingly, the Commissioner’s Motion to Dismiss is granted.
CONCLUSION
For the reasons set forth above, the Commissioner’s Motion to Dismiss, [ECF No. 17], is
GRANTED, and the Clerk is directed to CLOSE this case.
A separate order follows.
Dated: February 2, 2017
/s/
Stephanie A. Gallagher
United States Magistrate Judge
Disclaimer: Justia Dockets & Filings provides public litigation records from the federal appellate and district courts. These filings and docket sheets should not be considered findings of fact or liability, nor do they necessarily reflect the view of Justia.
Why Is My Information Online?