Opinion
No. 2:17-cv-01588 TLN AC
06-04-2018
MARIE RUTLEDGE, Plaintiff, v. HEALTH NET SHORT TERM DISABILITY PLAN, et al., Defendants.
ORDER
Plaintiff, proceeding through counsel, has requested authority pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915 to proceed in forma pauperis ("IFP"). This matter was referred to the undersigned by the District Judge for resolution pursuant to Local Rule 302. ECF No. 5.
Plaintiff has submitted the affidavit required by Section 1915(a) showing that plaintiff is unable to prepay fees and costs or give security for them. ECF No. 4. Accordingly, the request to proceed in forma pauperis will be granted. 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a).
I. SCREENING
Granting IFP status does not end the court's inquiry, however. The federal IFP statute requires federal courts to dismiss a case if the action is legally "frivolous or malicious," fails to state a claim upon which relief may be granted, or seeks monetary relief from a defendant who is //// immune from such relief. 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2). The court finds that, for screening purposes only, plaintiff's claims are sufficiently cognizable.
II. CONCLUSION
For the reasons stated above, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:
1. Plaintiff's request for leave to proceed in forma pauperis (ECF No. 4), is GRANTED.
2. Service is appropriate for the following defendants:
? Health Net Short Term Disability Plan
? Sedgwick CMS
? Health Net Long Term Disability Plan
? CIGNA
? Health Net, Inc.
3. The Clerk of the Court is directed to issue forthwith, and the U.S. Marshal is directed to serve within ninety days of the date of this order, all process pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 4, without prepayment of costs.
4. The Clerk of the Court shall send plaintiff's counsel the above: one USM-285, one summons, a copy of the complaint, and an appropriate form for consent to trial by a magistrate judge.
5. Plaintiff's counsel is directed to supply the U.S. Marshal, within 15 days from the date this order is filed, all information needed by the Marshal to effect service of process, and shall promptly file a statement with the court that said documents have been submitted to the United States Marshal. The court anticipates that, to effect service, the U.S. Marshal will require, for each defendant in ¶ 3, above, at least:
a. One completed summons;
b. One completed USM-285 form;
c. One copy of the endorsed filed complaint, with an extra copy for the U.S. Marshal;
d. One copy of the instant order; and
e. An appropriate form for consent to trial by a magistrate judge.
6. In the event the U.S. Marshal is unable, for any reason whatsoever, to effect service on any defendant within 90 days from the date of this order, the Marshal is directed to report that fact, and the reasons for it, to the undersigned.
7. The Clerk of the Court is directed to serve a copy of this order on the U.S. Marshal, 501 "I" Street, Sacramento, Ca., 95814, Tel. No. (916) 930-2030.
8. Failure to comply with this order may result in a recommendation that this action be dismissed.
IT IS SO ORDERED. DATED: June 4, 2018
/s/_________
ALLISON CLAIRE
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE
NOTICE OF SUBMISSION
Plaintiff's counsel has submitted the following documents to the U.S. Marshal, in compliance with the court's order filed __________:
___ completed summons form
___ completed USM-285 form
___ copy of the complaint
___ completed form to consent or decline to consent to magistrate judge jurisdiction __________
Date
/s/_________
Attorney for Plaintiff's Signature