Miller v. Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation
Filing
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ORDER: The renewed motion for provisional substitution (MDL Doc. 7299; Related Case 27) is GRANTED. The Clerk is instructed to TERMINATE the initial motion (MDL Doc. 7145; Related Case 22) as MOOT. Counsel shall comply with that portion of the Mag istrate Judges December 5, 2013 order quoted in part above at p. 1 not later than March 3, 2014. Signed by Magistrate Judge Joe Brown on 1/30/14. Associated Cases: 3:06-md-01760, 3:08-cv-00801(DOCKET TEXT SUMMARY ONLY-ATTORNEYS MUST OPEN THE PDF AND READ THE ORDER.)(dt)
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
MIDDLE DISTRICT OF TENNESSEE
NASHVILLE DIVISION
In Re:
AREDIA® AND ZOMETA® PRODUCTS
LIABILITY LITIGATION
(MDL No. 1760)
This Document Relates to:
3:08-cv-00801 (Miller)
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No. 3:06-MD-1760
Judge Campbell/Brown
ORDER
Counsel filed a motion for provisional substitution on November 18, 2013. (MDL Doc.
7145; Related Case 22) The Magistrate Judge entered an order on December 5, 2013 instructing
counsel to “provide proof not later than December 23, 2013 that Patricia Miller was, in fact, married
to the late Mr. Miller at the time of his death. . . .” (MDL Doc. 7184; Related Case 24) Counsel was
given the following additional, specific instruction:
If Patricia Miller was married to the late Mr. Miller at the time of his
death, counsel shall provide proof that Patricia Miller has initiated
proceedings in the California courts to be appointed the personal
representative of his estate. . . .
(MDL Doc. 7184; Related Case 24) Counsel filed a motion for an extension of time to comply on
December 23, 2013, which was granted on December 30, 2013. (MDL Docs. 7264, 7275; Related
Case 25, 26)
Counsel has filed a renewed motion for provisional substitution. (MDL Doc. 7299; Related
Case 27) Counsel has provided a copy of a marriage certificate attached as an exhibit that shows Ms.
Miller married the late Mr. Miller on May 7, 2011, the year prior to his death. (MDL Doc. 7299, Ex.
1; Related Case 27) Counsel notes the following in apparent response to the second half of the
Magistrate Judge’s December 5, 2013 order quoted above:
While Mrs. Miller has not yet been able to initiate proceedings in
California to be appointed the personal representative of Mr. Miller’s
estate, the Marriage License attached as Exhibit 1 provides sufficient
evidence to justify her appointment as the provisional personal
representative of Chester R. Miller, deceased, and her substitution as
the party Plaintiff in this action.
(MDL Doc. 7299, ¶ 5; Related Case 27) Counsel does not explain why the required proceedings
have not yet been initiated.
Although counsel failed to comply fully with the Magistrate Judge’s December 5, 2013
order, counsel has provided a copy of a marriage certificate which, as he correctly notes, is sufficient
for the grant of provisional substitution.
Accordingly, the renewed motion for provisional
substitution (MDL Doc. 7299; Related Case 27) is GRANTED. The Clerk is instructed to
TERMINATE the initial motion (MDL Doc. 7145; Related Case 22) as MOOT.
Counsel shall comply with that portion of the Magistrate Judge’s December 5, 2013 order
quoted in part above at p. 1 not later than March 3, 2014. Specifically, counsel shall ensure that the
required steps are taken to open the estate of the late Mr. Miller not later than that date. Counsel is
forewarned that failure to do so may result in sanctions being imposed for failure to comply with the
Case Management Order and the other orders of the court pertaining to this matter. As counsel
already has had more than sufficient time to comply, no extensions of time will be granted absent
good cause shown. Vague statements of inaction such as the one quoted above do not constitute
good cause.
It is so ORDERED.
ENTERED this 30th day of January, 2014.
/s/Joe B. Brown
Joe B. Brown
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United States Magistrate Judge
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