Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-azd-4_07-cv-00504/USCOURTS-azd-4_07-cv-00504-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 864
Nature of Suit: Social Security - SSID Title XVI
Cause of Action: 42:416 Denial of Social Security Benefits

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE DISTRICT OF ARIZONA

Susan M. Pugner,

Plaintiff, 

vs.

Commissioner of Social Security,

Defendant. 

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No. CIV 07-504-TUC-JMR (JCG)

REPORT & 

RECOMMENDATION

On February 15, 2008, this Court issued an Order to Show Cause why this

matter should not be dismissed without prejudice for failure to timely serve Defendant

with the complaint. On February 20, 2008, Plaintiff’s counsel filed a status report

stating that he has been unable to locate the Plaintiff since September, 2007.

Plaintiff’s counsel filed the complaint in October in order to preserve Plaintiff’s claim.

Since September, Plaintiff’s counsel has attempted to contact Plaintiff via certified

mail to her last known address, has hired an investigative firm to attempt to locate

Plaintiff, has conferred with Plaintiff’s ex-husband regarding Plaintiff’s whereabouts

and has left telephone messages for Plaintiff at her last known telephone number

(which is also the telephone number for Plaintiff’s parents). Despite these efforts,

Plaintiff has not been located. Plaintiff’s counsel requests an additional 45 days to

continue searching for Plaintiff.

Case 4:07-cv-00504-JMR Document 11 Filed 02/26/08 Page 1 of 2
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Rule 4(m), Fed. R. Civ. P., provides that the time period for service may be

extended by the court only upon a showing good cause by the Plaintiff. In the

present case, although Plaintiff’s counsel has made diligent efforts to locate his client,

Plaintiff has not presented good cause for her failure to serve. There is no evidence

to suggest that Plaintiff is aware that a complaint has been filed on her behalf, or that

she intended or intends to pursue this action. See Fimbres v. United States, 833 F.2d

138, 139 (9th Cir. 1987) (stating that Rule 4, Fed. R. Civ. P.’s “good cause”

requirement has been interpreted to exclude mistakes of counsel and the desire to

amend a complaint before service). 

RECOMMENDATION

Accordingly, the Magistrate Judge recommends the District Court, after is

independent review of the record, enter an order DISMISSING WITHOUT

PREJUDICE the complaint filed on October 8, 2008. (Doc. No. 1).

Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(b), any party may serve and file written objections

within 10 days of being served with a copy of this Report and Recommendation. If

objections are not timely filed, they may be deemed waived. If objections are filed,

the parties should use the following case number: 07-504-TUC-JMR.

DATED this 26th day of February, 2008.

Case 4:07-cv-00504-JMR Document 11 Filed 02/26/08 Page 2 of 2