Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_10-cv-01876/USCOURTS-caed-1_10-cv-01876-8/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 550
Nature of Suit: Prisoner - Civil Rights (U.S. defendant)
Cause of Action: 42:1983 Prisoner Civil Rights

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

ARTHUR F. VASQUEZ, 

Plaintiff,

v.

TATE, et al.,

Defendants.

Case No. 1:10-cv-01876-JLT (PC)

ORDER GRANTING REQUEST FOR ENTRY

OF DEFAULT 

(Doc. 45)

Plaintiff, Arthur F. Vasquez, is a state prisoner proceeding pro se and in forma pauperis in 

this civil rights action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. On July 14, 2014, Plaintiff filed a motion 

requesting an entry of a "judgment by default" against Defendant Dr. Scott. (Doc. 45.) The Court 

received an executed proof of service from the United States Marshal's Office indicating that 

Defendant Dr. Scott had been personally served on May 7, 2014. (Doc. 44.) Since then,

Defendant Dr. Scott has not filed a responsive pleading. 

Pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 55(a), default may be entered against a party 

that fails to plead or otherwise defend within the time set forth in the Federal Rules. Accordingly, 

Plaintiff’s request for entry of default will be granted. However, this entry of default may be set 

aside for good cause pursuant to Rule 55(c).

Plaintiff also requests the entry of default judgment against Defendant Dr. Scott. An entry 

of default and an entry of default judgment are two separate issues. An entry of default judgment 

is made under Rule 55(b). Rule 55(b)(1) states:

Case 1:10-cv-01876-JLT Document 47 Filed 08/26/14 Page 1 of 3
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If the plaintiff’s claim is for a sum certain or a sum that can be made

certain by computation, the clerk--on plaintiff’s request, with an

affidavit showing the amount due--must enter judgment for that

amount and costs against a defendant who has been defaulted for not

appearing and who is neither a minor nor an incompetent person.

Plaintiff’s claim is not for a “sum certain.” Plaintiff's request for default judgment does not 

specify the sum that he desires to have awarded pursuant to Rule 55(b)(1) and it is unclear what 

sum Plaintiff seeks for damages in this action.1 Thus, Rule 55(b)(1) is not the proper vehicle for 

an entry of default judgment in Plaintiff’s case. 

Plaintiff’s damages are not damages that can be made certain by simple computation. 

Plaintiff must present evidence that demonstrates an appropriate amount of damages. If Plaintiff 

wishes to make a future request for entry of default judgment, Rule 55(b)(2) is more properly 

applied and provides:

In all other cases, the party must apply to the court for a default

judgment. A default judgment may be entered against a minor or

incompetent person only if represented by a general guardian,

conservator, or other like fiduciary who has appeared. If the party

against whom a default judgment is sought has appeared personally or 

by a representative, that party or its representative must be served

with written notice of the application at least 7 days before the

hearing. The court may conduct hearings or make referrals --

preserving any federal statutory right to a jury trial--when, to enter or

effectuate judgment, it needs to:

(A) conduct an accounting;

(B) determine the amount of damages;

(C) establish the truth of any allegation by evidence; or

(D) investigate any other matter.

Plaintiff’s request for entry of default judgment is properly denied. Plaintiff may make a 

request for entry of default judgment pursuant to Rule 55(b)(2) in a separate motion. Any request 

for damages must include some sort of accounting or evidence that demonstrates that Plaintiff 

made a good faith effort to compute his damages. Plaintiff’s bare request for entry of "a 

judgment by default" is insufficient.

Accordingly, it is HEREBY ORDERED that:

1. Plaintiff’s request for entry of default against Defendant Dr. Scott is GRANTED;

 

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Plaintiff's prayer for relief requests "compensatory damages in the amount of $50,000.00 or more against each 

Defendant, jointly and severally [and] punitive damages in the amount (to be determined) against each Defendant." 

(Doc. 11, p. 26.) 

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2. The Clerk of the Court shall enter default against Defendant Dr. Scott; and

3. Plaintiff’s request for entry of default judgment is DENIED.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: August 25, 2014 /s/ Jennifer L. Thurston 

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 1:10-cv-01876-JLT Document 47 Filed 08/26/14 Page 3 of 3