Opinion
22-CV-4222 (ALC)
06-06-2022
ANDREA J. HOWARD, Plaintiff, v. AMAZON FULFILLMENT, Defendant.
ORDER OF SERVICE
ANALISA TORRES, UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE:
Plaintiff brings this pro se action under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, 42 U.S.C. §§ 12112-12117, and the New York City Human Rights Law, N.Y.C. Admin. Code §§ 8101 to 131, alleging that her employer, Amazon Fulfillment discriminated against her based on her disability. The Court construes the complaint as also asserting a claim under the Fair Labor Standards Act, 29 U.S.C. §§ 201-219.
By order dated May 24, 2022, the Court granted Plaintiff's request to proceed in forma pauperis (“IFP”), that is, without prepayment of fees.
DISCUSSION
Because Plaintiff has been granted permission to proceed IFP, she is entitled to rely on the Court and the U.S. Marshals Service to effect service. Walker v. Schult, 717 F.3d. 119, 123 n.6 (2d Cir. 2013); see also 28 U.S.C. § 1915(d) (“The officers of the court shall issue and serve all process . . . in [IFP] cases.”); Fed.R.Civ.P. 4(c)(3) (the court must order the Marshals Service to serve if the plaintiff is authorized to proceed IFP)).
Although Rule 4(m) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure generally requires that the summons and complaint be served within 90 days of the date the complaint is filed, Plaintiff is proceeding IFP and could not have served the summons and complaint until the Court reviewed the complaint and ordered that a summons be issued. The Court therefore extends the time to serve until 90 days after the date the summons is issued.
To allow Plaintiff to effect service on Defendant Amazon Fulfillment through the U.S. Marshals Service, the Clerk of Court is instructed to fill out a U.S. Marshals Service Process Receipt and Return form (“USM-285 form”) for Defendant. The Clerk of Court is further instructed to issue a summons and deliver to the Marshals Service all the paperwork necessary for the Marshals Service to effect service upon Defendant.
If the complaint is not served within 90 days after the date the summonses are issued, Plaintiff should request an extension of time for service. See Meilleur v. Strong, 682 F.3d 56, 63 (2d Cir. 2012) (holding that it is the plaintiff's responsibility to request an extension of time for service).
Plaintiff must notify the Court in writing if her address changes, and the Court may dismiss the action if Plaintiff fails to do so.
CONCLUSION
The Clerk of Court is directed to mail an information package to Plaintiff.
The Clerk of Court is further instructed to issue a summons for Amazon Fulfillment, complete the USM-285 form with the address for this defendant, and deliver all documents necessary to effect service to the U.S. Marshals Service.
SO ORDERED.