Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_04-cv-01433/USCOURTS-caed-2_04-cv-01433-3/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 

Jesse Simkins,

Plaintiff, No. Civ. S 04-1433 DFL PAN P

vs. Order

Foothill Orthopedic Medical

Center, et al.,

Defendants.

-oOoDecember 15, 2005, defendants Ingalls (aka Ingles) and Pires

moved to compel answers to interrogatories and requests for

admissions served September 6, 2005, and for sanctions. 

Plaintiff did not respond to the discovery, nor to an October 27,

2005, letter. He has not opposed the motion to compel. The

motion is granted. 

Defendants seek sanctions. This court must apportion

expense-shifting sanctions “in a just manner,” taking into 

Case 2:04-cv-01433-DFL-PAN Document 38 Filed 02/08/06 Page 1 of 2
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account the extent to which the opposing party’s objections to

discovery were substantially justified. Fed. R. Civ. P.

37(a)(4)(c); see also Reygo Pac. Corp. v. Johnson Pump Co., 680

F.2d 647, 649 (9th Cir. 1982) (expenses ordinarily awarded unless

court finds losing party’s position was justified); 7 James Wm.

Moore et al., Moore’s Federal Practice para. 37.23[1] (courts

apply rebuttable presumption in favor of imposing expense

shifting sanctions on party against whom motion to compel is

resolved). Plaintiff offers nothing to rebut the presumption of

sanctions. His position, which was to ignore the discovery,

letter and motion, was not substantially justified; it

inconvenienced defendants and the court and will delay reaching

the merits of this action. 

Counsel seeks compensation for four hours’ work in

connection with the matter. The court finds that a fair sanction

is $450.00, which is two hours’ work at $225 per hour.

Accordingly, defendants’ December 15, 2005, motion to compel

and for sanctions is granted. Within 20 days, plaintiff shall

respond to defendants’ discovery and remit $450.00 to opposing

counsel.

So ordered.

Dated: February 7, 2006. 

 /s/ Peter A. Nowinski 

 PETER A. NOWINSKI

 Magistrate Judge

Case 2:04-cv-01433-DFL-PAN Document 38 Filed 02/08/06 Page 2 of 2