Opinion
2:22-cv-04489
09-26-2023
CATHY HAYNES, ET AL v. UNITED PROPERTY & CASUALTY INSURANCE CO
JAMES D. CAIN, JR. JUDGE
REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION
KATHLEEN KAY UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE
Before the court is a Motion to Dismiss Without Prejudice filed by plaintiff Cathy Haynes. Doc. 17. The motion has been referred to the undersigned for review, report, and recommendation in accordance with the provisions of 28 U.S.C. § 636.
For the reasons stated IT IS RECOMMENDED that the motion be GRANTED.
This suit was filed on plaintiff's behalf by the firm McClenny Moseley & Associates, PLLC (“MMA”). Doc. 1. Plaintiff recently became a pro se litigant by operation of an order of this court styled Order Terminating Former MMA Counsel from Proceedings, Designating Plaintiff a Pro Se Litigant, and Other Matters (the “Termination Order”). Doc. 16. Attached to the Termination Order was a fillable form entitled “Motion to Dismiss Without Prejudice.” Doc. 16, att. 1. The Termination Order contained the following instruction and reference to the form motion to dismiss:
ADDITIONAL NOTICE TO PLAINTIFF: If you never intended for this lawsuit to be filed on your behalf or, for whatever reason, no longer wish to pursue your lawsuit, please complete the attached form entitled “Motion to Dismiss Without Prejudice.” Please follow the instructions on the form carefully. Unless and until you receive notice that the motion has been granted or if you receive notice that the motion has been denied, your case remains active, and you remain responsible for
representing yourself as outlined above. If you are concerned about the consequences of signing this document, we suggest you consult with an attorney.Doc. 16, p. 4. Plaintiff Cathy Haynes's properly completed and witnessed form motion to dismiss is now before the court. Plaintiff Donald Haynes is the witness to the motion, not a movant. Doc. 17. He did not fill out his own motion to dismiss. Thus, we only consider dismissal of Cathy Haynes's claims against United Property & Casualty Insurance Co.
Having reviewed plaintiff Cathy Haynes's motion, the undersigned finds it a competent expression of her wish to no longer prosecute this case against the defendant. Accordingly, IT IS RECOMMENDED that the Motion to Dismiss Without Prejudice [doc. 17] be GRANTED, and that plaintiff Cathy Haynes's claims against defendant United Property & Casualty Insurance Co be DISMISSED WITHOUT PREJUDICE. Cathy Haynes is relieved of her responsibility to attend the Magistrate Judge Status Conference set for October 4, 2023, at 9:00 AM, but plaintiff Donald Haynes and defendant are not relieved of their duties to attend.
Under the provisions of 28 U.S.C. § 636 and Rule 72 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, parties have fourteen (14) days from receipt of this Report and Recommendation to file written objections with the Clerk of Court. A party may respond to another party's objections within fourteen (14) days after being served with a copy thereof. Failure to file written objections to the proposed factual findings and/or the proposed legal conclusions reflected in this Report and Recommendation within fourteen (14) days following the date of receipt shall bar an aggrieved party from attacking either the factual findings or the legal conclusions accepted by the District Court, except upon grounds of plain error. See Douglas v. United Services Automobile Ass'n, 79 F.3d 1415, 1429-30 (5th Cir. 1996).
THUS DONE AND SIGNED.