Steward v. Social Security Administration

Filing 20

REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION: Based on the foregoing, it is respectfully recommended that this action be dismissed for Plaintiff's failure to prosecute this case, pursuant to Rule 41(b) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, and for his fai lure to comply with the order entered June 25, 2015 (Docket Entry No. 17), pursuant to Rules 16(f) and 37(b) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. Signed by Magistrate Judge Barbara D. Holmes on 1/28/2016. (xc:Pro se party by regular and certified mail.)(DOCKET TEXT SUMMARY ONLY-ATTORNEYS MUST OPEN THE PDF AND READ THE ORDER.)(jw)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
MIDDLE DISTRICT OF TENNESSEE
COLUMBIA DIVISION
DAVID STEWARD, on behalf of
minor child, C.S.S.
v.
CAROLYN W. COLVIN,
Acting Commissioner of Social Security

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No. 1:14-0157

To: The Honorable Aleta A. Trauger, District Judge

REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION
Plaintiff, proceeding pro se without an attorney, filed this action pursuant to 42 U.S.C.
§ 405(g) to obtain judicial review of the final decision of the Commissioner of the Social Security
Administration, which denied Plaintiff’s claims for Supplemental Security Income (“SSI”), filed on
behalf of his minor daughter, C.S.S., as provided by the Social Security Act.
Plaintiff filed his complaint with this Court on December 1, 2014 (Docket Entry No. 1).
Defendant filed an answer (Docket Entry No. 11) and the administrative record (Docket Entry
No. 12) on February 9, 2015. By order entered March 10, 2015 (Docket Entry No. 13), Plaintiff was
given 30 days to file a motion for judgment on the record. Plaintiff did not file a motion for
judgment on the record or move to extend the deadline to do so.
By order entered June 25, 2015 (Docket Entry No. 17), Defendant’s motion for an order
directing Plaintiff to show cause (Docket Entry No. 16) was granted. The June 25, 2015 order
provided that Plaintiff had until July 31, 2015 to file a motion for judgment on the administrative
record and an accompanying memorandum in support.

Plaintiff has not filed a motion for extension of time, has not made any attempt to show cause
or otherwise explain why he has not filed a motion for judgment on the record, has not made any
other filings whatsoever, and has not otherwise communicated with the Court in any form or fashion.
Rule 16(f) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure provides that, “[o]n motion or on its own,
the court may issue any just orders, including those authorized by Rule 37(b)(2)(A)(ii)-(vii), if a
party . . . fails to obey a scheduling . . . order.” Pursuant to Rule 37(b)(2)(A)(v), as assimilated into
Rule 16(f), the Court may dismiss an action.
It is well-settled that federal trial courts have the inherent power to manage their own
dockets. Link v. Wabash R.R. Co., 82 S. Ct. 1386, 8 L. Ed.2d 734 (1961). Additionally, Rule 41(b)
of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure allows the Court to dismiss an action for “[failure] to
prosecute or to comply with these rules or a court order.” Pursuant to Rule 41(b), the Court may
dismiss an action upon a showing of a clear record of delay, contumacious conduct, or failure to
prosecute by the plaintiff. See Bishop v. Cross, 790 F.2d 38 (6th Cir. 1986); Patterson v. Township
of Grand Blanc, 760 F.2d 686, 688 (6th Cir. 1985) (per curiam); Carter v. City of Memphis, Tenn.,
636 F.2d 159, 161 (6th Cir. 1980).
Plaintiff has had ample opportunity to prosecute this case. He was well aware of his
obligation to file a motion for judgment on the record and, upon Plaintiff’s failure to file such a
motion, the Court extended the deadline in order to give Plaintiff additional time to file the motion.
However, Plaintiff has still failed to file a motion for judgment on the record. Plaintiff was clearly
put on notice by Defendant’s June 11, 2015, motion for an order to show cause and by the Court’s
June 25, 2015 order that the case could be dismissed for failure to prosecute if he took no further
action. Despite such notice, Plaintiff has made no filings since his original complaint and has failed
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to communicate with the Court in any form or fashion. Plaintiff has clearly lost interest in
prosecuting this case.

RECOMMENDATION
Based on the foregoing, it is respectfully recommended that this action be dismissed for
Plaintiff’s failure to prosecute this case, pursuant to Rule 41(b) of the Federal Rules of Civil
Procedure, and for his failure to comply with the order entered June 25, 2015 (Docket Entry No. 17),
pursuant to Rules 16(f) and 37(b) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.
Any objections to this Report and Recommendation must be filed with the Clerk of Court
within ten (10) days of receipt of this Report and Recommendation, and must state with particularity
the specific portions of this Report and Recommendation to which objection is made. Failure to file
written objections within the specified time can be deemed to be a waiver of the right to appeal the
District Court’s order. See Thomas v. Arn, 474 U.S. 140, 106 S. Ct. 466, 88 L. Ed.2d 435 (1985);
United States v. Walters, 638 F.2d 947 (6th Cir. 1981).

Respectfully Submitted,

BARBARA D. HOLMES
United States Magistrate Judge

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