Opinion
1:22-cv-723
01-09-2023
RICHARD BELL, JR., PLAINTIFF, v. COMMISSIONER OF SOCIAL SECURITY, DEFENDANT.
ORDER
HONORABLE SARA LIOI UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
Before the Court is the report and recommendation of the magistrate judge in the above-entitled action. Under the relevant statute:
Within fourteen days after being served with a copy, any party may serve and file written objections to such proposed findings and recommendations as provided by rules of court. A judge of the court shall make a de novo determination of those portions of the report or specified proposed findings or recommendations to which objection is made. [. . .]28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1)(C). The R&R was filed on November 29, 2022 (see Doc. No. 12) and objections would have been due no later than December 16, 2022, taking under consideration the three (3) additional days added for service under Fed.R.Civ.P. 6(a) & (d). No objections were filed on or before that deadline, and no extension of time has been sought or given.
In the Sixth Circuit, failure to object constitutes a forfeiture. Berkshire v. Beauvais, 928 F.3d 520, 530 (6th Cir. 2019) (“We clarify that forfeiture, rather than waiver, is the relevant term here.”). See also Thomas v. Arn, 474 U.S. 140, 152 (1985) (holding that the Sixth Circuit's waiver/forfeiture rule is within its supervisory powers and “[t]here is no indication that Congress, in enacting § 636(b)(1)(C), intended to require a district judge to review a magistrate's report to which no objections are filed”). Here, the R&R placed the parties on notice as to the potential for forfeiture in the event of failure to object. (See R&R at 31.)
This is so because “[w]aiver is different than forfeiture.” United States v. Olano, 507 U.S. 725, 733, 113 S.Ct. 1770, 123 L.Ed.2d 508 (1993); Freytag v. Commissioner, 501 U.S. 868, 894 n.2, 111 S.Ct. 2631, 115 L.Ed.2d 764 (1991) (Scalia, J., concurring). “This difference matters because forfeited issues may, in certain circumstances, nevertheless be considered on appeal.” Berkshire, 928 F.3d at 530 (citing Harris v. Klare, 902 F.3d 630, 635-36 (6th Cir. 2018)).
Page references are to the consecutive page number assigned by the court's electronic filing system.
The R&R recommends reversing the Commissioner's decision that denied plaintiff's application for Disability Insurance Benefits and Supplemental Security Income and remanding for additional proceedings. The Court has reviewed the R&R, finds it to be thoroughly written and well-reasoned and, therefore, accepts the same.
Accordingly, the Court adopts the R&R's recommendation. The Commissioner's decision is reversed, and this matter is remanded for further proceedings.
IT IS SO ORDERED.