Opinion
Case: 1:16-cv-01705
08-19-2016
BARRY HUTCHINS, Plaintiff, v. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DISABILITY, et al., Defendants.
Assigned To : Unassigned
Assign. Date : 8/22/2016
Description: Pro Se Gen. Civil (F Deck) MEMORANDUM OPINION
This matter comes before the court on review of plaintiff's application to proceed in forma pauperis and pro se civil complaint. The Court will grant the application, and dismiss the complaint.
The Court has reviewed plaintiff's complaint, keeping in mind that complaints filed by pro se litigants are held to less stringent standards than those applied to formal pleadings drafted by lawyers. See Haines v. Kerner, 404 U.S. 519, 520 (1972). Even pro se litigants, however, must comply with the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. Jarrell v. Tisch, 656 F. Supp. 237, 239 (D.D.C. 1987). Rule 8(a) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure requires that a complaint contain a short and plain statement of the grounds upon which the Court's jurisdiction depends, a short and plain statement of the claim showing that the pleader is entitled to relief, and a demand for judgment for the relief the pleader seeks. Fed. R. Civ. P. 8(a). The purpose of the minimum standard of Rule 8 is to give fair notice to the defendants of the claims being asserted, sufficient to prepare a responsive answer, to prepare an adequate defense and to determine whether the doctrine of res judicata applies. Brown v. Califano, 75 F.R.D. 497, 498 (D.D.C. 1977).
The plaintiff demands an award of $100,000, or an acceptable settlement for Social Security benefits he allegedly has been denied. Given the vague and confusing nature of the complaint, however, none of the defendants can be expected to prepare a proper response to the plaintiff's pleading. As drafted, the complaint fails to meet the standard set forth in Rule 8(a) and, therefore, the complaint will be dismissed. An Order consistent with this Memorandum Opinion is issued separately. DATE: 8/19/16
/s/_________
United States District Judge