Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-casd-3_10-cv-01726/USCOURTS-casd-3_10-cv-01726-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 360
Nature of Suit: Other Personal Injury
Cause of Action: 28:1346 Tort Claim

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

DEBBIE MOORE,

Plaintiff,

CASE NO. 10-CV-1726 JLS (WVG)

ORDER: DENYING PLAINTIFF’S

AMENDED REQUEST FOR

ENTRY OF DEFAULT AND

CLERK’S JUDGMENT

(Doc. No. 12)

vs.

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA; GAS

PLUS, INC. d/b/a CHAPPO SERVICE

STATION; et al.,

Defendants.

On August 18, 2010, Plaintiff filed this Federal Tort Claims Act action against Defendants

United States of America and Gas Plus, Inc. d/b/a Chappo Service station. (Doc. No. 1.) On August

24, 2010, the Court granted Plaintiff’s motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis and directed the

U.S. Marshal to serve Defendants “as directed by Plaintiff on U.S. Marshal Form 285.” (Doc. No. 3,

at 1.) On September 1, 2010, Plaintiff filed a first amended complaint. (Doc. No. 6.) On the same

day, the Clerk of the Court issued summonses on Plaintiff’s first amended complaint as to Defendants.

(Doc. Nos. 8, 9.) On October 19, 2010, the U.S. Marshal sent a copy of the summons and complaint

to the following address as directed by Plaintiff on U.S. Marshal Form 285: “General Counsel of the

Navy, Navy Litigation Office, 720 Kennon Street SE, Bldg 36 Room 233, Washington Navy Yard,

DC 20374-5013.” (Doc. No. 10.) On November 24, Plaintiff requested entry of default and clerk’s

judgment against both Defendants. (Doc. No. 12.)

Case 3:10-cv-01726-JLS-WVG Document 13 Filed 12/15/10 Page 1 of 3
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“When a party against whom a judgment for affirmative relief is sought has failed to plead or

otherwise defend, and that failure is shown by affidavit or otherwise, the clerk must enter the party’s

default.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 54(a). A defendant must serve an answer “within 21 days after being served

with the summons and complaint” or “if it has timely waived service under rule 4(d), within 60 days

after the request for waiver was sent.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(a)(1)(b); see also Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(a)(2)

(governing United States and its agencies’ obligation to plead or defend). Under Federal Rule of Civil

Procedure 4(d), a defendant may waive service of a summons by signing and returning a waiver of

service. Fed. R. Civ. P. 4(d).

Here, entry of default against Defendant Gas Plus, Inc. would be improper because it has not

been served with the summons and complaint or waived service. Defendant Gas Plus, Inc. has not

“failed to plead or otherwise defend” simply by virtue of its failure to appear in this action—an action

of which it is likely unaware. Fed. R. Civ. P. 54(a). Accordingly, Plaintiff’s request for entry of

default against Defendant Gas Plus, Inc. is DENIED.

Entry of default against Defendant United States would similarly be improper because it has

not been properly served with the summons and complaint. Under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure

4(i), to serve the United States, a plaintiff must send a copy of the summons and complaint to (1) the

United States Attorney for the district in which the action is pending and (2) the Attorney General of

the United States. Fed. R. Civ. P. 4(i)(1). To serve a United States agency sued in its official

capacity, the plaintiff must also send a copy of the summons and complaint to the agency itself. Fed.

R. Civ. P. 4(i)(2). Here, Plaintiff has only sent a copy of the summons and complaint the General

Counsel of the Navy; she has not sent a copy of the summons and complaint to the United States

Attorney for the Southern District of California or to the Attorney General of the United States. Thus,

the United States has not “failed to plead or otherwise defend” itself in this action because it was never

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Case 3:10-cv-01726-JLS-WVG Document 13 Filed 12/15/10 Page 2 of 3
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obligated to do so. Plaintiff’s request for entry of default against Defendant United States is therefore

DENIED.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

DATED: December 15, 2010

Honorable Janis L. Sammartino

United States District Judge

Case 3:10-cv-01726-JLS-WVG Document 13 Filed 12/15/10 Page 3 of 3