Sarp v. Social Security, Commissioner of

Filing 27

ORDER Granting 26 Motion to Substitute Party, directing clerk to amend case caption, Adopting 23 Report and Recommendation for 15 Motion for Summary Judgment, filed by Jeffrey Lee Sarp, 17 Motion for Summary Judgment filed by Social Security, Commissioner of and remanding for further proceedings. Signed by District Judge Thomas L. Ludington. (DWor)

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
EASTERN DISTRICT OF MICHIGAN
NORTHERN DIVISION
JEFFREY LEE SARP,
Plaintiff,

Case No. 16-cv-10099

v

Honorable Thomas L. Ludington

COMMISSIONER OF SOCIAL SECURITY,

Magistrate Judge Stephanie Dawkins
Davis

Defendant.
__________________________________________/
ORDER GRANTING MOTION TO SUBSTITUTE PARTY, DIRECTING CLERK TO
AMEND CAPTION, ADOPTING REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION, GRANTING
PLAINTIFF’S MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT, DENYING
COMMISSIONER’S MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT, AND REMANDING
FOR FURTHER PROCEEDINGS
On January 13, 2017, Plaintiff Jeffrey Lee Sarp filed a complaint seeking judicial review
of the Social Security Commissioner’s denial of disability benefits. ECF No. 1. Sarp represented
himself pro se during the proceedings before the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). After the
hearing, the ALJ concluded that Sarp was not disabled. The Appeals Council denied review,
making the ALJ’s denial of benefits the Commissioner’s final decision. The case was referred to
Magistrate Judge Stephanie Dawkins Davis. After the parties filed cross-motions for summary
judgment, Judge Davis issued a report recommending that Sarp’s motion for summary judgment
be granted, the Commissioner’s motion denied, the Commissioner’s finding be reversed, and the
matter be remanded for further proceedings under Sentence Four. ECF Nos. 15, 17, 19. The
Commissioner timely filed objections. ECF No. 20.
On April 14, 2017, the Court issued an order sustaining the Commissioner’s objections
and rejecting the report and recommendation. ECF No. 22. Because Judge Davis considered only
two of Sarp’s original claims of error, the cross motions for summary judgment were referred to

Judge Davis for further consideration. On August 18, 2017, Judge Davis issued a report
recommending that Sarp’s motion for summary judgment be granted and the matter be remanded
for further proceedings under Sentence Four. Although Judge Davis’s report and
recommendation specified that the parties had fourteen days after issuance of the report and
recommendation to object, neither party has objected.
On August 29, 2017, Sarp’s attorney filed a notice on the docket indicating that Sarp has
died. ECF No. 24. On September 11, 2017, the Court directed Sarp’s attorney to explain whether
a motion for party substitution would be forthcoming. On September 13, 2017, Sarp’s attorney
filed a motion seeking substitution of Sarp’s son, Jarrett Sarp. ECF No. 26. In an exhibit to the
motion, Sarp’s attorney provides proof that Jarrett Sarp has been appointed as the personal
representative of his father’s estate.
Social security claims can survive the death of the claimant. Cunningham v. Astrue, 360
F. App’x 606, 611 (6th Cir. 2010); 42 U.S.C. § 404(d)(7). When a social security claimant dies
during the pendency of the appeal, payment of any amount due should be made to the legal
representative of the deceased individual. Id. Pursuant to Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure
25(a):
If a party dies and the claim is not extinguished, the court may order substitution
of the proper party. A motion for substitution may be made by any party or by the
decedent’s successor or representative. If the motion is not made within 90 days
after service of a statement noting the death, the action by or against the decedent
must be dismissed.
Id.
Jarrett Sarp is Jeffrey Sarp’s successor and representative. As such, he is the appropriate legal
representative and will be substituted.

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Although the Magistrate Judge’s report explicitly stated that the parties to this action may
object to and seek review of the recommendation within fourteen days of service of the report,
neither Plaintiff nor Defendant filed any objections. The election not to file objections to the
Magistrate Judge’s report releases the Court from its duty to independently review the record.
Thomas v. Arn, 474 U.S. 140, 149 (1985). The failure to file objections to the report and
recommendation waives any further right to appeal. Because Jarrett Sarp will be substituted as
the proper party and because no objections were filed, this case is ripe for remand.
Accordingly, it is ORDERED that Jarrett Sarp’s motion to substitute as the proper party,
ECF No. 26, is GRANTED.
It is further ORDERED that the Jarrett Sarp, Personal Representative of the Estate of
Jeffrey Sarp is SUBSTITUTED as the Plaintiff.
It is further ORDERED that the Clerk of Court is DIRECTED to amend the caption to
reflect the substitution.
It is further ORDERED that the magistrate judge’s report and recommendation, ECF No.
23, is ADOPTED.
It is further ORDERED that Defendant Commissioner’s motion for summary judgment,
ECF No. 17, is DENIED.
It is further ORDERED that Plaintiff Sarp’s motion for summary judgment, ECF No. 15,
is GRANTED.
It is further ORDERED that the Commissioner’s findings are REVERSED.

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It is further ORDERED that this matter is REMANDED for further proceedings under
Sentence Four.

Dated: September 19, 2017

s/Thomas L. Ludington
THOMAS L. LUDINGTON
United States District Judge

PROOF OF SERVICE
The undersigned certifies that a copy of the foregoing order was served
upon each attorney or party of record herein by electronic means or first
class U.S. mail on September 19, 2017.
s/Kelly Winslow
KELLY WINSLOW, Case Manager

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