Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_15-cv-00192/USCOURTS-caed-1_15-cv-00192-2/pdf.json

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

---

1

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

ALBERT CRUZ, 

 Plaintiff,

 vs.

DR. HO, et al.,

 Defendants.

1:15-cv-00192-EPG-PC

NOTICE OF INSUFFICIENT SERVICE

 (ECF No. 16.)

On October 8, 2015, the Court received a “Notice of Death of Plaintiff,” which stated 

that counsel for the defendant, Dr. Ho, had been advised that plaintiff Albert Cruz passed away 

on July 28, 2015. 

According to the proof of service, the notice was only served on the late Mr. Albert

Cruz. Moreover, the proof of service was unsigned. 

According to Barlow v. Ground, 39 F.3d 231, 233 (9th Cir. 1994), the party notifying, 

or “suggesting” a plaintiff’s death must “serve other parties and nonparty successors or 

representatives of the deceased with a suggestion of death in the same manner as required for 

service of the motion to substitute.” Fed. R. Civ. P 25(a)(1). Additionally, a proof of service 

must be signed. Fed. R. Civ. P. 11(a).

Case 1:15-cv-00192-EPG Document 18 Filed 10/15/15 Page 1 of 2
2

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

Because the notification failed to meet these requirements, it has not been properly 

served and does not trigger the running of the 90 day period referred to in Fed. R. Civ. P. 

25(a)(1).

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: October 15, 2015 /s/ Erica P. Grosjean 

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 1:15-cv-00192-EPG Document 18 Filed 10/15/15 Page 2 of 2