Caterpillar Financial Services Corp. v. Lindsey

218 F.R.D. 145, 2003 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 21166, 2003 WL 22259483
CourtDistrict Court, S.D. Texas
DecidedMarch 4, 2003
DocketCiv.A. No. H-02-2919
StatusPublished

This text of 218 F.R.D. 145 (Caterpillar Financial Services Corp. v. Lindsey) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, S.D. Texas primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Caterpillar Financial Services Corp. v. Lindsey, 218 F.R.D. 145, 2003 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 21166, 2003 WL 22259483 (S.D. Tex. 2003).

Opinion

MEMORANDUM AND ORDER

HOYT, District Judge.

Having conducted a review of the materials on file in this matter, and noting that no objections to the Memorandum and Recommendations [Doc. # 20] have been filed, this Court finds that the Memorandum and Recommendations are well founded. It is, therefore,

ORDERED that the Memorandum and Recommendations [Doc. # 20] are adopted as this Court’s Memorandum and Order. Further, it is

ORDERED that each of the Defendants is found to have failed to answer the claims of Plaintiff and, accordingly, are in default. Additionally, it is

ORDERED that the Clerk of Court shall enter a Judgment of Default against the Defendants and in favor of the Plaintiff in this matter.

Finally, it is

ORDERED that this matter is DISMISSED with prejudice from the Court’s docket.

DEFAULT JUDGMENT

On this date the Court considered Plaintiff Caterpillar Financial Services Corporation’s Motion for Default Judgment against Defendant Corrie Dominy and Regina Dominy. Having considered the motion, submissions and the applicable law, the Court determines that the motion should be granted.

Plaintiff filed its Verified Complaint on July 31, 2002. On July 31, 2002, summonses were issued for Corrie Dominy and Regina Dominy. Corrie Dominy and Regina Dominy were properly served with the summonses and a copy of Plaintiffs complaint. On August 6, 2002, Corrie Dominy and Regina Dominy were personally served at N. 12th Street, Palacios, Texas 77465. Services were received by Corrie Dominy and Regina Dominy, and the Returns of Service, signed by the server, were received by the United States District Clerk for the Southern District of Texas, all in accordance with the Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 4(h)(1), (e)(2). The summonses and proofs of service are on file with the Clerk. Neither Corrie Dominy nor Regina Dominy have not filed an answer or any pleading constituting an answer and have not entered an appearance. In addition, although served with a copy of the Motion for Judgment by Default, neither responded. Therefore, based on the foregoing, the Court hereby

ORDERS that the Motion for Judgment by Default against Defendant Corrie Dominy is GRANTED;

ORDERS that the Motion for Judgment by Default against Defendant Regina Dominy is GRANTED;

ORDERS that Plaintiff Caterpillar Financial Services Corporation recover of and from Defendants Corrie Dominy and Regina Dominy, jointly and severally, the following:

A. liquidated damages in the amount of $515,592.00, plus additional accrued interest;
B. attorneys’ fees in the amount of $10,113.64, together with the award of such additional attorneys’ fees as may be proven at the time of trial in the event of a motion for new trial, an appeal to the Court of Appeals and in the event of a subsequent petition for review to the Supreme Court;
C. all costs of court expended by Caterpillar;
D. pre-judgment and post-judgment interest on the total amount of the judgment at the highest rate allowed at law or in equity from the date of [147]*147judgment until paid, save and except that portion of the judgment awarded in respect of attorneys’ fees in the event of a motion for new trial, an appeal and/or a petition for review; and,
E. such other and further relief, special or general, legal or equitable, as Caterpillar may be shown justly entitled to receive.

MEMORANDUM AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Plaintiff Caterpillar Financial Services Corporation (“Caterpillar”) moves, pursuant to Rule 55(a), Fed.R.Civ.P., for Entry of a finding of Default and Default Judgment (Entry # 17) against the Defendants, a vessel, Miss Lindsey, in rem; the vessel’s owner, Corrie Dominy, in personam; and, a guarantor of a Mortgage and Note securing payment of the vessel, Regina Dominy, in personam (collectively referred to as “the Dominys”). See Plaintiff’s Request for Entry of Default and Default Judgment (Entry # 17). Caterpillar maintains that despite service upon the Dominys, they have failed to file an Answer to its Complaint or otherwise respond to the allegations contained therein. See id. Caterpillar, therefore, requests a finding of default and entry of a Default Judgment in its favor. Id.

FACTS

Factual and Procedural Background

Caterpillar, a corporation providing financial services and located in Nashville, Tennessee, filed its Complaint on July 31, 2002, seeking enforcement of a maritime lien against the Dominys. See Complaint (Entry # 1). Caterpillar maintains that it owns and holds a Preferred Ship Mortgage and Note executed by Corrie Dominy on January 7, 2001, securing payment in the amount of five hundred twenty-five thousand dollars ($525,-000.00), for the sale of the vessel, Miss Lindsey, her engines, tackle, apparel, etc., in rem. See Exhibit C attached to Plaintiffs Request for Entry of Default and Default Judgment (Entry # 17). Further, Caterpillar contends that Regina Dominy, on that same day, January 7, 2001, executed in its favor, an agreement to guarantee payment of the amount due and owing Caterpillar as a consequence of the default of Corrie. See Exhibit D, id. Nonetheless, since April of 2002, the Dominys have failed to pay the amount due and owing on the mortgage of the vessel and currently owe the principal amount of five hundred fifteen thousand five hundred ninety-two dollars ($515, 592.00). See Complaint (Entry # 1).

Caterpillar filed its lawsuit on July 31, 2002, invoking the Court’s diversity and admiralty jurisdiction, to seek enforcement of its alleged maritime lien against the Dominys. Id. Caterpillar now contends that it caused the valid service and return of process upon the Dominys, both residents of Palacios, Texas, and provides proof that Corrie was personally served on August 6, 2002, and Regina was personally served on July 31, 2002. See Exhibits A and B, Plaintiffs Request for Entry of Default and Default Judgment (Entry # 17). Defendants have, thus far, failed to file an answer to Caterpillar’s claims. Caterpillar, therefore, maintains that the Dominys have defaulted and seeks a finding of default against the Dominys and enforcement of its alleged maritime lien through entry of a Default Judgment in the amount of five hundred fifteen thousand five hundred ninety-two dollars ($515,592.00), together with interest, costs and attorneys fees. See id.

ANALYSIS

Standard of Review — The Motion for Default Judgment

The purpose of a default judgment, is merely to allow the courts to manage their dockets efficiently and effectively. See Merrill Lynch Mortgage Corp. v. Narayan, 908 F.2d 246, 253 (7th Cir.1990). A party is subject to a Rule 55 motion for default judgment when it fails to plead or otherwise respond to a Complaint within the required time period. New York Life Ins. Co. v. Brown, 84 F.3d 137, 141 (5th Cir.1996).

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Bluebook (online)
218 F.R.D. 145, 2003 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 21166, 2003 WL 22259483, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/caterpillar-financial-services-corp-v-lindsey-txsd-2003.