Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-azd-4_09-cv-00213/USCOURTS-azd-4_09-cv-00213-1/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 863
Nature of Suit: Social Security - DIWC/DIWW (405(g))
Cause of Action: 42:205 Denial Social Security Benefits

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE DISTRICT OF ARIZONA

Donnashay Williams; Valerie Miles, 

Plaintiffs, 

vs.

Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner of the

Social Security Administration, 

Defendant. 

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No. CV-09-213-TUC-JMR

ORDER

In this Social Security case, Plaintiffs were ordered to effect service on the Defendant

within 30 days of the Court’s order of April 28, 2010 (see Doc. 10). According to the docket,

that service has not taken place. In light of Plaintiffs’ failure to serve, the Magistrate Judge

offered a Report and Recommendation (R&R) stating that the case should be dismissed under

Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 4(m), allowing the Court to dismiss a claim without

prejudice if the plaintiff fails to serve the defendant.

Plaintiffs filed an affidavit with the Court on September 8, 2010 that the Court

construes as an objection to the Magistrate’s R&R. In that objection, the Plaintiffs state that

they “followed the orders of the Magistrate Judge and served the complaint to the defendant.”

However, the Social Security Administration has not acknowledged service, made an

appearance, filed an answer, or given any indication that it was served. Further, proving that

Case 4:09-cv-00213-JMR Document 13 Filed 10/21/10 Page 1 of 2
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a party mailed a complaint to a defendant is insufficient on its own to prove that service took

place. The Plaintiffs have not submitted the certified mail receipt stating that the delivery was

received by the Social Security Administration. Nor have the Plaintiffs hired a process server

who could attest to personal service.

In light of these defects, the Magistrate’s R&R is adopted. This case is dismissed

without prejudice.

Accordingly, IT IS ORDERED:

Plaintiffs’ Complaint (Doc. 1) is dismissed without prejudice. The Clerk is directed

to close the case.

DATED this 20th day of October, 2010.

Case 4:09-cv-00213-JMR Document 13 Filed 10/21/10 Page 2 of 2