Magers v. Gensler

Full title: LENA M. MAGERS, Plaintiff, v. DR. GENSLER et al., Defendants

Court: United States District Court, D. Nebraska

Date published: Apr 9, 2007

4:07cv3093 (D. Neb. Apr. 9, 2007)

Opinion

4:07cv3093.

April 9, 2007

MEMORANDUM AND ORDER

RICHARD KOPF, District Judge

In the above-entitled case, the plaintiff, Lena M. Magers, a prisoner or pretrial detainee at the Douglas County Correctional Center, asserts the same medical claims as she alleges in Case No. 4:07cv3058. Some elements differ, but the medical claims, facts, applicable law, prospective witnesses, context and other facets of the cases are in most respects the same. Case No. 4:07cv3058 is pending on the docket of Senior District Judge Warren K. Urbom.

The plaintiff does not require two cases in which to present the same claims against the same defendants, and, in fact, "plaintiffs have no right to maintain two actions on the same subject in the same court, against the same defendant[s] at the same time." Curtis v. Citibank, N.A., 226 F.3d 133, 138-39 (2d Cir. 2000). "District courts are accorded `a great deal of latitude and discretion' in determining whether one action is duplicative of another, but generally, a suit is duplicative if the `claims, parties, and available relief do not significantly differ between the two actions.'" Serlin v. Arthur Andersen Co., 3 F.3d 221, 223 (7^th Cir. 1993) (citation omitted). AccordMissouri ex rel. Nixon v. Prudential Health Care Plan, Inc., 259 F.3d 949, 954 (8^th Cir. 2001) ("Plaintiffs may not pursue multiple federal suits against the same party involving the same controversy at the same time.").

In addition, the plaintiff should not have to spend two filing fees for a total of $700, when any extra claims or parties in this case may simply be added by amendment to Case No. 4:07cv3058. Thus, filing no. 2, the plaintiff's Motion for Leave to Proceed In Forma Pauperis, is denied in the above-entitled case, and a Prisoner Payment Order will not be entered in this action. The plaintiff will be liable for the $350 filing fee in Case No. 4:07cv3058.

In summary, because of the duplication of claims, risk of inconsistent judgments and other problems associated with overlapping cases, the above-entitled case, i.e., the second case to be filed, will be dismissed without prejudice. The plaintiff may amend the complaint in Case No. 4:07cv3058, with leave of court.

THEREFORE, IT IS ORDERED:

1. That the above-entitled case is dismissed without prejudice;

2. That filing no. 2, the plaintiff's Motion for Leave to Proceed In Forma Pauperis in the above-entitled case, is denied as moot; and

3. That judgment will be entered in accordance with this Memorandum and Order.