1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 9 EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 10 11 JAIME CESAR GONZALEZ, No. 1:23-cv-01505-JLT-SAB (PC) 12 Plaintiff, FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATION RECOMMENDING DISMISSAL OF ACTION 13 v. FOR FAILURE TO PROSECUTE 14 JOON KEE JAMES, et al. (ECF No. 30) 15 Defendants. 16 17 Plaintiff is proceeding pro se and in forma pauperis in this action filed pursuant to 42 18 U.S.C. § 1983. 19 I. 20 RELEVANT BACKGROUND 21 On February 20, 2024, the Court ordered that this action proceed against Defendants Vu 22 Quang Huyah, Joon Kee James, Sabrina Kurczeski (erroneously named as Sabrina Kurezeski), 23 and Gerald Edwards for deliberate indifference to Plaintiff’s serious medical needs. (ECF No. 24 10.) 25 On April 18, 2024, Defendant Vu Quang Huyah filed a motion to dismiss for lack of 26 jurisdiction, which was granted on August 15, 2024, and this Defendants was dismissed from the 27 action. (ECF Nos. 15, 20, 21.) However, Defendants Joon Kee James, Sabrina Kurczeski, and 28 Gerald Edwards, did not file a timely response, despite being served with process. Accordingly, 1 on July 2, 2024, entry of default was issued against Defendants Joon Kee James, Sabrina 2 Kurczeski, and Gerald Edwards. (ECF No. 17.) 3 On August 20, 2024, Defendants Sabrina Kurczeski, and Gerald Edwards moved to set 4 aside the entry of default, which was granted on October 28, 2024. (ECF No. 25.) Defendants 5 Sabrina Kurczeski, and Gerald Edwards subsequently filed a motion to dismiss for lack of subject 6 matter jurisdiction, which was granted on February 25, 2025, and these Defendants were 7 dismissed from the action. (ECF Nos. 27, 28, 29.) 8 However, Defendant Joon Kee James did not respond to the complaint or moved to set 9 aside the entry of default. Therefore, on February 26, 2025, the Court ordered the parties to show 10 cause as to Defendant James. (ECF No. 30.) Neither party has responded to the Court’s order to 11 show cause. 12 II. 13 LEGAL STANDARD 14 Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 55 governs the entry of default by the clerk and the 15 subsequent entry of default judgment by either the clerk or the district court. “When a party 16 against whom a judgment for affirmative relief is sought has failed to plead or otherwise defend, 17 and that failure is shown by affidavit or otherwise, the clerk must enter the party's default.” Fed. 18 R. Civ. P. 55(a). Entry of default judgment, either by the Clerk or the Court, requires that the 19 moving party file an affidavit. Fed. R. Civ. P. 55(b)(1), (2). 20 Obtaining a default judgment is a “two-step process,” consisting of: (1) seeking a clerk’s 21 entry of default, and (2) filing a motion for the entry of default judgment. See Eitel v. McCool, 22 782 F.2d 1470, 1471 (9th Cir. 1986); accord Symantec Corp. v. Global Impact, Inc., 559 F.3d 23 922, 923 (9th Cir. 2009). 24 “A defendant’s default alone does not in itself warrant the court entering a default 25 judgment. There must be a sufficient basis in the pleadings for the judgment entered.” Nishimatsu 26 Constr. Co. v. Houston Nat’l Bank, 515 F.2d 1200, 1206 (5th Cir. 1975). 27 Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 41(b) allows for involuntary dismissal of a case if a 28 plaintiff fails to prosecute his or her claim or to comply with a court order. See Link v. Wabash R. 1 Co., 370 U.S. 626, 630-32 (1962) (noting that a district court may dismiss a complaint for failure 2 to prosecute a case without affording notice or providing an adversary hearing). To determine 3 whether to dismiss an action for failure to prosecute and failure to obey a Court order, the Court 4 must consider several factors, including: “(1) the public’s interest in expeditious resolution of 5 litigation; (2) the court’s need to manage its docket; (3) the risk of prejudice to the defendants; (4) 6 the public policy favoring disposition of cases on their merits; and (5) the availability of less 7 drastic sanctions.” Henderson v. Duncan, 779 F.2d 1421, 1423-24 (9th Cir. 1986); Ferdik v. 8 Bonzelet , 963 F.2d 1258, 1260-61 (9th Cir. 1992). 9 III. 10 DISCUSSION 11 Here, Plaintiff contends that Defendant Joon Kee James was deliberately indifference to 12 his serious medical needs in violation of the Eighth Amendment. (ECF No. 10.) Thus, Plaintiff’s 13 claim is not for a sum certain or a sum that can be made certain by computation as required under 14 Rule 55(b)(1).1 Rather, a motion for default judgment under Rule 55(b)(2) of the Federal Rules 15 of Civil Procedure is necessary. See Eitel v. McCool, 782 F.2d 1470, 1471 (9th Cir. 1986) 16 (identifying factors courts consider in exercising discretion as to the entry of default judgment). 17 Here, entry of default was entered on July 2, 2024, but Plaintiff has not moved for default 18 judgment against Defendant Joon Kee James pursuant to Rule 55(b). (ECF No. 17.) For that 19 reason, the Court issued an order directing the parties to show cause as to the lack of response 20 filed by Defendant Joon Kee James. (ECF No. 30.) Therein, the Court noted that “Federal Rule 21 of Civil Procedure 55(b)(1) provides that, where the plaintiff seeks “a sum certain or a sum that 22 can be made certain by computation” and provides an affidavit showing the amount due, the clerk 23 must enter judgment for that amount and costs against a defendant who has been defaulted. 24 However, “[i]n all other cases, the party must apply to the court for a default judgment.” Fed. R. 25 Civ. P. 55(b)(2).” (Id. at 2 n.1.) Despite being advised of the requisite steps needed to seek a 26 1 “[A] claim is not a sum certain unless no doubt remains as to the amount to which a plaintiff is entitled as a result 27 of the defendant’s default.” Franchise Holding II, LLC v. Huntington Rests. Group, Inc., 375 F.3d 922, 928-29 (9th Cir. 2004). 28 1 default judgment, Plaintiff did not file anything with the court or otherwise respond to the order. 2 Thus, dismissal is warranted. 3 Turning to the dismissal under Rule 41(b), this Court cannot, and will not hold, this case 4 in abeyance based upon the failure to comply with the Court’s order and failure to continue 5 prosecution in a timely manner. See Morris v. Morgan Stanley & Co., 942 F.2d 648, 652 (9th 6 Cir. 1991) (a plaintiff has the burden “to move toward… disposition at a reasonable pace, and to 7 refrain from dilatory and evasive tactics”). Thus, the first two factors weigh in favor of 8 terminating sanctions. Adriana In’t Corp. v. Lewis & Co., 913 F.2d 1406, 1412 (9th Cir. 1990 9 (“Where a court order is violated, the first two factors support sanctions”). A presumption of 10 prejudice arises when a plaintiff unreasonably delays the prosecution of an action. See Anderson 11 v. Air West, 542 F.2d 522, 524 (9th Cir. 1976).
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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 9 EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 10 11 JAIME CESAR GONZALEZ, No. 1:23-cv-01505-JLT-SAB (PC) 12 Plaintiff, FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATION RECOMMENDING DISMISSAL OF ACTION 13 v. FOR FAILURE TO PROSECUTE 14 JOON KEE JAMES, et al. (ECF No. 30) 15 Defendants. 16 17 Plaintiff is proceeding pro se and in forma pauperis in this action filed pursuant to 42 18 U.S.C. § 1983. 19 I. 20 RELEVANT BACKGROUND 21 On February 20, 2024, the Court ordered that this action proceed against Defendants Vu 22 Quang Huyah, Joon Kee James, Sabrina Kurczeski (erroneously named as Sabrina Kurezeski), 23 and Gerald Edwards for deliberate indifference to Plaintiff’s serious medical needs. (ECF No. 24 10.) 25 On April 18, 2024, Defendant Vu Quang Huyah filed a motion to dismiss for lack of 26 jurisdiction, which was granted on August 15, 2024, and this Defendants was dismissed from the 27 action. (ECF Nos. 15, 20, 21.) However, Defendants Joon Kee James, Sabrina Kurczeski, and 28 Gerald Edwards, did not file a timely response, despite being served with process. Accordingly, 1 on July 2, 2024, entry of default was issued against Defendants Joon Kee James, Sabrina 2 Kurczeski, and Gerald Edwards. (ECF No. 17.) 3 On August 20, 2024, Defendants Sabrina Kurczeski, and Gerald Edwards moved to set 4 aside the entry of default, which was granted on October 28, 2024. (ECF No. 25.) Defendants 5 Sabrina Kurczeski, and Gerald Edwards subsequently filed a motion to dismiss for lack of subject 6 matter jurisdiction, which was granted on February 25, 2025, and these Defendants were 7 dismissed from the action. (ECF Nos. 27, 28, 29.) 8 However, Defendant Joon Kee James did not respond to the complaint or moved to set 9 aside the entry of default. Therefore, on February 26, 2025, the Court ordered the parties to show 10 cause as to Defendant James. (ECF No. 30.) Neither party has responded to the Court’s order to 11 show cause. 12 II. 13 LEGAL STANDARD 14 Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 55 governs the entry of default by the clerk and the 15 subsequent entry of default judgment by either the clerk or the district court. “When a party 16 against whom a judgment for affirmative relief is sought has failed to plead or otherwise defend, 17 and that failure is shown by affidavit or otherwise, the clerk must enter the party's default.” Fed. 18 R. Civ. P. 55(a). Entry of default judgment, either by the Clerk or the Court, requires that the 19 moving party file an affidavit. Fed. R. Civ. P. 55(b)(1), (2). 20 Obtaining a default judgment is a “two-step process,” consisting of: (1) seeking a clerk’s 21 entry of default, and (2) filing a motion for the entry of default judgment. See Eitel v. McCool, 22 782 F.2d 1470, 1471 (9th Cir. 1986); accord Symantec Corp. v. Global Impact, Inc., 559 F.3d 23 922, 923 (9th Cir. 2009). 24 “A defendant’s default alone does not in itself warrant the court entering a default 25 judgment. There must be a sufficient basis in the pleadings for the judgment entered.” Nishimatsu 26 Constr. Co. v. Houston Nat’l Bank, 515 F.2d 1200, 1206 (5th Cir. 1975). 27 Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 41(b) allows for involuntary dismissal of a case if a 28 plaintiff fails to prosecute his or her claim or to comply with a court order. See Link v. Wabash R. 1 Co., 370 U.S. 626, 630-32 (1962) (noting that a district court may dismiss a complaint for failure 2 to prosecute a case without affording notice or providing an adversary hearing). To determine 3 whether to dismiss an action for failure to prosecute and failure to obey a Court order, the Court 4 must consider several factors, including: “(1) the public’s interest in expeditious resolution of 5 litigation; (2) the court’s need to manage its docket; (3) the risk of prejudice to the defendants; (4) 6 the public policy favoring disposition of cases on their merits; and (5) the availability of less 7 drastic sanctions.” Henderson v. Duncan, 779 F.2d 1421, 1423-24 (9th Cir. 1986); Ferdik v. 8 Bonzelet , 963 F.2d 1258, 1260-61 (9th Cir. 1992). 9 III. 10 DISCUSSION 11 Here, Plaintiff contends that Defendant Joon Kee James was deliberately indifference to 12 his serious medical needs in violation of the Eighth Amendment. (ECF No. 10.) Thus, Plaintiff’s 13 claim is not for a sum certain or a sum that can be made certain by computation as required under 14 Rule 55(b)(1).1 Rather, a motion for default judgment under Rule 55(b)(2) of the Federal Rules 15 of Civil Procedure is necessary. See Eitel v. McCool, 782 F.2d 1470, 1471 (9th Cir. 1986) 16 (identifying factors courts consider in exercising discretion as to the entry of default judgment). 17 Here, entry of default was entered on July 2, 2024, but Plaintiff has not moved for default 18 judgment against Defendant Joon Kee James pursuant to Rule 55(b). (ECF No. 17.) For that 19 reason, the Court issued an order directing the parties to show cause as to the lack of response 20 filed by Defendant Joon Kee James. (ECF No. 30.) Therein, the Court noted that “Federal Rule 21 of Civil Procedure 55(b)(1) provides that, where the plaintiff seeks “a sum certain or a sum that 22 can be made certain by computation” and provides an affidavit showing the amount due, the clerk 23 must enter judgment for that amount and costs against a defendant who has been defaulted. 24 However, “[i]n all other cases, the party must apply to the court for a default judgment.” Fed. R. 25 Civ. P. 55(b)(2).” (Id. at 2 n.1.) Despite being advised of the requisite steps needed to seek a 26 1 “[A] claim is not a sum certain unless no doubt remains as to the amount to which a plaintiff is entitled as a result 27 of the defendant’s default.” Franchise Holding II, LLC v. Huntington Rests. Group, Inc., 375 F.3d 922, 928-29 (9th Cir. 2004). 28 1 default judgment, Plaintiff did not file anything with the court or otherwise respond to the order. 2 Thus, dismissal is warranted. 3 Turning to the dismissal under Rule 41(b), this Court cannot, and will not hold, this case 4 in abeyance based upon the failure to comply with the Court’s order and failure to continue 5 prosecution in a timely manner. See Morris v. Morgan Stanley & Co., 942 F.2d 648, 652 (9th 6 Cir. 1991) (a plaintiff has the burden “to move toward… disposition at a reasonable pace, and to 7 refrain from dilatory and evasive tactics”). Thus, the first two factors weigh in favor of 8 terminating sanctions. Adriana In’t Corp. v. Lewis & Co., 913 F.2d 1406, 1412 (9th Cir. 1990 9 (“Where a court order is violated, the first two factors support sanctions”). A presumption of 10 prejudice arises when a plaintiff unreasonably delays the prosecution of an action. See Anderson 11 v. Air West, 542 F.2d 522, 524 (9th Cir. 1976). Plaintiff has not taken action to further the 12 prosecution of the action, despite being ordered by the Court. Therefore, this factor weighs in 13 favor of dismissal of the action. In addition, in the Court’s first informational order, informed 14 Plaintiff that failure to comply with an order “will be grounds for imposition of sanctions which 15 may include dismissal of the case.” (ECF No. 3 at 1, citing Local Rule 110, Fed. R. Civ. P. 41(b).) 16 Accordingly, the warnings satisfied the requirement that the Court consider lesser sanctions, and 17 this factor weighs in favor of dismissal of the action. See Ferdik, 963 F.2d at 1262; Henderson, 18 779 F.2d at 1424. Further, given Plaintiff’s failure obey the Court’s order and failure to prosecute 19 the action, the policy favoring disposition of cases on their merits is outweighed by the factors in 20 favor of dismissal. See Malone v. U.S. Postal Service, 833 F.2d 128, 133, n.2 (9th Cir. 1987) 21 (explaining that although “the public policy favoring disposition of cases on their merits… weighs 22 against dismissal, it is not sufficient to outweigh the other four factors”). Accordingly, this action 23 should be dismissed for Plaintiff’s failure to prosecute pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 41(b). 24 IV. 25 RECOMMENDATION 26 Based upon the foregoing, it is HEREBY RECOMMENDED that the instant action be 27 dismissed for failure to prosecute. 28 /// 1 This Findings and Recommendation will be submitted to the United States District Judge 2 | assigned to the case, pursuant to the provisions of 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(). Within fourteen (14) 3 | days after being served with this Findings and Recommendation, the parties may file written 4 | objections with the Court, limited to 15 pages in length, including exhibits. The document should 5 || be captioned “Objections to Magistrate Judge’s Findings and Recommendation.” The parties are 6 | advised that failure to file objections within the specified time may result in the waiver of rights 7 | onappeal. Wilkerson v. Wheeler, 772 F.3d 834, 838-39 (9th Cir. 2014) (citing Baxter v. 8 | Sullivan, 923 F.2d 1391, 1394 (9th Cir. 1991)). 9 10 IT IS SO ORDERED. FA. ee 11 | Dated: _ April 22, 2025 STANLEY A. BOONE 12 United States Magistrate Judge 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28