Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-1_15-cv-02420/USCOURTS-cand-1_15-cv-02420-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 864
Nature of Suit: Social Security - SSID Title XVI
Cause of Action: 42:405 Review of HHS Decision (SSID)

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United States District Court

Northern District of California

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

EUREKA DIVISION

COLE G. KUHNE,

Plaintiff,

v.

CAROLYN W. COLVIN,

Defendant.

Case No. 15-cv-02420-NJV

ORDER DISMISSING CASE FOR 

FAILURE TO PROSECUTE

This pro se social security appeal was filed on June 1, 2015. (Doc. 1.) The court granted 

Plaintiff's motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis and ordered the United States Marshal to 

serve Defendant with the complaint and summons. (Doc. 5.) Defendant filed her answer on 

September 30, 2015, and served a copy on Plaintiff. (Docs. 10, 12.) Pursuant to the Social 

Security Procedural Order, Plaintiff's motion for summary judgment was due thirty days later. 

Plaintiff, however, has not filed his motion.

It is within the inherent power of the court to sua sponte dismiss a case for lack of 

prosecution. Link v. Wabash R.R., 370 U.S. 626, 630, 82 S.Ct. 1386, 1388, (1962). When 

considering whether to dismiss a case for lack of prosecution, the district court must weigh the 

court's need to manage its docket, the public interest in expeditious resolution of litigation, and the 

risk of prejudice to the defendants against the policy favoring disposition of cases on their merits, 

and the availability of less drastic sanctions. Ace Novelty Co. v. Gooding Amusement Co., 664 

F.2d 761, 763 (9th Cir.1981).

In this case, Plaintiff's delay of almost nine months in filing his motion for summary 

judgment is entirely unreasonable, and creates a presumption of injury to Defendant. This factor 

Case 1:15-cv-02420-NJV Document 13 Filed 07/25/16 Page 1 of 2
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United States District Court

Northern District of California

weighs in favor of dismissal. See Alexander v. Pacific Maritime Association, 434 F.2d 281, 283 

(9th Cir.1970) (unreasonable delay creates presumption of injury to defendant's defenses). The 

court's need to manage its docket and the public interest in the expeditious resolution of cases also 

weigh in favor of dismissal. While the policy favoring disposition of cases on their merits weighs 

against dismissal, no less drastic sanctions are available here where Plaintiff has simply failed to 

participate in litigating the case.

Accordingly, this case is HEREBY DISMISSED without prejudice for failure to prosecute.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: July 25, 2016

______________________________________

NANDOR J. VADAS

United States Magistrate Judge

Case 1:15-cv-02420-NJV Document 13 Filed 07/25/16 Page 2 of 2