(PS) Rucker v. Western Sierra Medical Clinic, No. 2:2017cv01359 - Document 9 (E.D. Cal. 2017)
Court Description: ORDER & FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS signed by Magistrate Judge Carolyn K. Delaney on 10/10/17 ORDERING that the hearing date of October 18, 2017 on defendant's motion to dismiss is VACATED; and RECOMMENDING that this action be dismissed with prejudice; and the Clerk be directed to close this case; Referred to Judge Morrison C. England, Jr; Objections due within 14 days after being served with these findings and recommendations. (Becknal, R)
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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 8 FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 9 10 DAVID ALBERT RUCKER, 11 Plaintiff, 12 13 14 No. 2:17-cv-01359 MCE CKD (PS) v. ORDER & WESTERN SIERRA MEDICAL CLINIC, et al., FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS Defendants. 15 16 This case, in which plaintiff is proceeding pro se, is before the undersigned pursuant to 17 18 Eastern District of California Local Rule 302(c)(21). See 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1). On July 10, 19 2017, defendant United States of America filed a motion to dismiss.1 The motion was noticed to 20 be heard on September 13, 2017. On September 5, 2017, because plaintiff had not filed either an opposition or a statement 21 22 of non-opposition to the motion, the undersigned continued the hearing on the motion to October 23 18, 2017 and directed plaintiff to file an opposition to the motion, or a statement of non- 24 opposition thereto, no later than October 4, 2017. Plaintiff was advised that failure to file an 25 1 26 27 28 As to defendant Western Sierra Medical Clinic: Plaintiff seeks damages for the alleged acts and omissions of medical personnel at defendant clinic, a deemed employee of the Public Health Service within the United States Department of Health and Human Services. Because the clinic functions as a federal employee, plaintiff’s action arises under the Federal Tort Claims Act, such that the United States is the proper defendant. (See ECF Nos. 1-2 & 6-1.) 1 1 opposition would be deemed a statement of non-opposition to the pending motion and would 2 result in a recommendation that this action be dismissed. 3 Although the deadlines have now passed, the court docket reflects that plaintiff has not 4 filed an opposition to the motion or a statement of non-opposition to the motion. The Federal 5 Rules of Civil Procedure provide for dismissal of actions based on lack of prosecution. Fed. R. 6 Civ. P. 41(b). Pro se litigants are bound by the rules of procedure, even though pleadings are 7 liberally construed in their favor. King v. Atiyeh, 814 F.2d 565, 567 (9th Cir. 1987). In 8 determining whether to dismiss for lack of prosecution, generally the court considers (1) the 9 public’s interest in expeditious resolution of litigation, (2) the court’s need to manage its docket, 10 (3) the risk of prejudice to the defendants, (4) the public policy favoring disposition of cases on 11 their merits, and (5) the availability of less drastic sanctions. See, e.g., Al-Torki v. Kaempen, 78 12 F.3d 1381, 1384 (9th Cir. 1996). The court may dismiss a case sua sponte for lack of prosecution 13 by the plaintiff. Hamilton Copper & Steel Corp. v. Primary Steel, Inc., 898 F.2d 1428 (9th Cir. 14 1990). Sua sponte dismissal requires a “close focus” on consideration of “less drastic 15 alternatives” and whether or not there has been a “warning of imminent dismissal of the case.” 16 Oliva v. Sullivan, 958 F.2d 272, 274 (9th Cir. 1992). 17 In determining that this action will be dismissed, the court has considered all the factors 18 set forth in Al-Torki. The first two factors on their face favor the imposition of sanctions in this 19 case brought by plaintiff and which has been proceeding forward since plaintiff initiated this 20 action on February 22, 2017. See Wanderer v. Johnston, 910 F.2d 652, 656 (9th Cir. 1990). 21 Regarding the third factor, defendant already has briefed its motion to dismiss, and would be 22 prejudiced by the need for further litigation of this matter despite plaintiff’s non-responsiveness. 23 Moreover, delay itself generally is prejudicial -- witness memories fade and evidence becomes 24 stale or undiscoverable. While the fourth factor favors resolution on the merits, in this case 25 plaintiff has declined to oppose the motion to dismiss and thus has precluded the court’s 26 evaluation of the potential merits of such an opposition. 27 Focusing on the fifth Al-Torki factor and warning regarding imminent dismissal, as 28 required by Oliva, the court in its order of September 5, 2017 has advised plaintiff that this action 2 1 is subject to dismissal, directed plaintiff to file opposition, and granted ample additional time to 2 oppose the pending motion after plaintiff failed to timely oppose defendant’s motion to dismiss, 3 all to no avail. In light of plaintiff’s failures, the court concludes there is no suitable alternative 4 less drastic sanction to dismissal. The undersigned will therefore recommend that this action be 5 dismissed for failure to prosecute the action and for failure to comply with court orders and Local 6 Rules. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 41(b); L.R. 110. 7 8 9 Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the hearing date of October 18, 2017 on defendant’s motion to dismiss is vacated; and IT IS HEREBY RECOMMENDED that: 10 1. This action be dismissed with prejudice; and 11 2. The Clerk of Court be directed to close this case. 12 These findings and recommendations are submitted to the United States District Judge 13 assigned to the case, pursuant to the provisions of 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(l). Within fourteen days 14 after being served with these findings and recommendations, any party may file written 15 objections with the court and serve a copy on all parties. Such a document should be captioned 16 “Objections to Magistrate Judge’s Findings and Recommendations.” Failure to file objections 17 within the specified time may waive the right to appeal the District Court’s order. Martinez v. 18 Ylst, 951 F.2d 1153 (9th Cir. 1991). 19 Dated: October 10, 2017 _____________________________________ CAROLYN K. DELANEY UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 2 rucker1359.nooppo.57 27 28 3
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