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JOHNSON v. MACHUCA, C 13-00596 EJD (PR). (2014)

Court: District Court, N.D. California Number: infdco20140811796 Visitors: 7
Filed: Aug. 08, 2014
Latest Update: Aug. 08, 2014
Summary: ORDER OF DISMISSAL EDWARD J. DAVILA, District Judge. Plaintiff filed a pro se complaint under 42 U.S.C 1983, claiming use of excessive force by prison officials at Salinas Valley State Prison ("SVSP"). For the reasons set forth below, this action is DISMISSED. DISCUSSION On April 24, 2014, Defendants filed a "Statement of Death," stating that Plaintiff died on or about February 24, 2014. (Docket No. 58.) In general, the law of the forum state determines whether a section 1983 action sur
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ORDER OF DISMISSAL

EDWARD J. DAVILA, District Judge.

Plaintiff filed a pro se complaint under 42 U.S.C § 1983, claiming use of excessive force by prison officials at Salinas Valley State Prison ("SVSP"). For the reasons set forth below, this action is DISMISSED.

DISCUSSION

On April 24, 2014, Defendants filed a "Statement of Death," stating that Plaintiff died on or about February 24, 2014. (Docket No. 58.)

In general, the law of the forum state determines whether a section 1983 action survives or is extinguished upon the death of a party. See 42 U.S.C. § 1988(a); Robertson v. Wegmann, 436 U.S. 584, 592-595 (1978). Under California law, Plaintiff's section 1983 damages claims survive his death. See Cal. Civ. Proc. § 377.20 ("Except as otherwise provided by statute, a cause of action for or against a person is not lost by reason of the person's death, but survives subject to the applicable limitations period."); Cal. Civ. Proc. § 377.21 ("A pending action ... does not abate by the death of a party if the cause of action survives."); cf. In re Estate of Ferdinand Marcos, Human Rights Litig., 25 F.3d 1467, 1476 (9th Cir.1994) (noting that Eighth Amendment claims and 1983 actions survive the death of a party). A pending action asserting surviving claims can be continued by the plaintiff's personal representative or successor in interest, as defined by the California Probate Code. See Cal. Civ. Proc. § 377.40 ("Subject to [the section of the Probate Code governing creditor claims,] a cause of action against a decedent that survives may be asserted against the decedent's personal representative or, to the extent provided by statute, against the decedent's successor in interest."); Smith v. Fontana, 818 F.2d 1411, 1416-1417 (9th Cir.1987) (applying California survivorship law to hold that a section 1983 claim could be asserted by the decedent's estate), overruled on other grounds by Hodgers-Durgin v. de la Vina, 199 F.3d 1037 (9th Cir.1999) (en banc). When a party dies and the claim is not extinguished, the court may order substitution of the deceased party with the proper legal representative. Fed. R. Civ. Proc. 25(a); Hilao v. Estate of Marcos, 103 F.3d 762, 766 (9th Cir. 1996).

On the same day as filing the notice with the Court, Defendants served the "Statement of Death" in the manner provided in Fed. R. Civ. Proc. 4 for service of a summons, as required by Fed. R. Civ. Proc. 25(a)(3) on the two known survivors of Plaintiff, (see Docket No. 53). Id.; see also Fed. R. Civ. Proc. 25(a)(3) ("A statement noting death must be served [on non-parties as provided in Rule 4]."); Barlow v. Ground, 39 F.3d 231, 233 (9th Cir. 1994). Service on Ms. Tammye Burnham and Lorette Hornton complied with the requirements set forth in Fed. R. Civ. Proc. 25 and commenced the running of the 90 day period for substitution motions set forth in Rule 25(a)(1). See Fed. R. Civ. Proc. 25(a)(1); see also Barlow, 39 F.3d at 233. More than ninety days have passed since Ms. Burnham and Ms. Hornton were personally served the Statement of Death. No motion for substitution has been filed by a successor or representative of Plaintiff. Accordingly, the Court must dismiss this action. See Fed. R. Civ. Proc. 25(a)(1) ("If the [substitution] motion is not made within 90 days after service of a statement noting the death, the action by or against the decedent must be dismissed.") (emphasis added).

For the reasons stated above, this action is DISMISSED in accordance with Fed. R. Civ. Proc. 25. The Clerk is directed to terminate any pending motions as moot and close the file.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Source:  Leagle

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