Summers, Lianne v. Astrue, Michael
Filing
39
Transmission of Notice of Appeal, Docket Sheet and Judgment to Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals re 36 Notice of Appeal. (Attachments: # 1 Order, # 2 Judgment, # 3 Order, # 4 Docket sheet) (jef),(ps)
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE WESTERN DISTRICT OF WISCONSIN
LIANNE RACHEL SUMMERS,
ORDER
Plaintiff,
12-cv-22-wmc
v.
CAROLYN W. COLVIN, Acting Commissioner,
Social Security Administration,
Defendants.
Plaintiff Lianne Rachel Summers sought judicial review of an adverse decision by the
Commissioner of the Social Security Administration, finding her ineligible for Disability
Insurance Benefits under Title II of the Social Security Act, codified at 42 U.S.C. §§ 416(i)
and 423(d), and Supplemental Security Income benefits under Title XVI of the Act, codified
at 42 U.S.C. §§ 138!(a) and 1382(a).
On December 13, 2013, the court affirmed the
Commissioner's decision and dismissed this case. In doing so, the court found that there was
substantial evidence in the record to support the decision and no reversible error.
Summers has now filed a motion for reconsideration, which is construed as one
seeking to alter or amend the judgment under Fed. R. Civ. P. 59(e). To prevail on a motion
under Rule 59( e), the moving party must identify an error of law that merits reconsideration
of the judgment. See Obriecht v. Raemisch, 517 F.3d 489, 494 (7th Cir. 2008); Sigsworth v. Ci07
of Aurora, Ill., 487 F.3d 506, 511-12 (7th Cir. 2007). Summers does not allege an error of
law or assert a mistake of material fact. Instead, she rehashes arguments that were raised and
considered previously in this case. It is well-settled that a motion to reconsider is not a
proper vehicle to advance arguments or legal theories that could and should have been
made before the district court entered judgment or to present evidence that was available
earlier. See Sigsworth v. City of Aurora, 487 F.3d 506, 5I2 (7th Cir. 2007) (citing LB Credit
Corp. v. Resolution Trust Corp., 49 F.3d I263, I267 (7th Cir. I 995)); Anderson v. Flexel,
Inc., 47 F.3d 243, 247-248 (7th Cir. I 995); King v. Cooke, 26 F.3d 720, 726 (7th Cir.
I 994). In other words, Rule 59(e) "may not be used to relitigate old matters, or to raise
arguments or present evidence that could have been rai_sed prior to the entry of
judgment." Exxon Shipping Co. v. Baker, 554 U.S. 47I, 486 n.5 (2008) (quoting I I C.
Wright &A. Miller, Federal Practice and Procedure§ 28IO. I, at I27-28 (2d ed. I 995)).
Summers does not show that the dismissal order was entered in error or that she is
entitled to relief from the judgment. Accordingly, her motion for reconsideration will be
denied.
ORDER
IT IS ORDERED that plaintiff Lianne Rachel Summers's motion for reconsideration
(Dkt. # 30) is DENIED.
Entered this 2nd day of March, 2015.
BY THE COURT:
/s/
WILLIAM M. CONLEY
District Judge
2
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