REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION

KIMBERLY A. JOLSON, Magistrate Judge.

This is an action for unpaid fringe benefit contributions, liquidated damages, and interest allegedly owed certain employee benefits plans pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement. Plaintiffs, the trustees of four trust funds, assert claims under ERISA, 29 U.S.C. § 1132. Defendants CJ&L Construction, Inc. and James Kossen were served with a summons and a copy of the complaint on January 2, 2017 (Docs. 3-4), but have failed to plead or otherwise defend this action. Plaintiffs applied to the Clerk for entry of default (Doc. 5), and the Clerk entered default pursuant to Federal Rule Civil Procedure 55(a) on January 27, 2017 (Doc. 7). This matter is now before the Court on Plaintiffs' Motion for Default Judgment, seeking default judgment against Defendant CJ&L Construction, Inc. (Doc. 6). Plaintiffs also request that the claims against Defendant James Kossen be dismissed. (Id. at 1).

Plaintiffs have established that Defendant CJ&L Construction, Inc. entered into an agreement with a local union affiliated with the Laborers' District Council of Ohio, AFL-CIO, by which it agreed to pay contributions to the funds, by the 15th of each month, on behalf of its employees working within the work jurisdiction of the union. (See Doc. 6-3, PAGEID #: 28). The affidavit of Plaintiffs' Contractor Relations Manager (Doc. 6-2), establishes that Defendant CJ&L Construction, Inc. owes $12,836.97 in unpaid fringe benefit contributions, liquidated damages, and interest for the period September 2016 through January 14, 2017. (Id. at ¶ 3); 29 U.S.C. § 1132(g)(2).

Plaintiffs seek an award of attorney's fees in the amount of $1,960.00, for 7.00 hours billed at the rate of $280.00 per hour. (Doc. 6-3, PAGEID #: 33). Plaintiffs have provided evidentiary support that the number of hours billed and the hourly rates charged are reasonable. (Id.).

Plaintiffs are therefore entitled to judgment in the amount of $12,836.97 in unpaid fringe benefit contributions, liquidated damages, and prejudgment interest, and an award of attorney's fees in the amount of $1,960.00.

Accordingly, it is RECOMMENDED that Plaintiffs' Motion for Default Judgment (Doc. 6), be GRANTED. It is FURTHER RECOMMENDED that the Clerk enter judgment against Defendant CJ&L Construction, Inc., and that Plaintiffs Boards of Trustees of the Ohio Laborers' Fringe Benefit Programs have and recover from CJ&L Construction, Inc., the sum of Twelve Thousand Eight Hundred Thirty-Six Dollars and Ninety-Seven Cents ($12,836.97), including unpaid fringe benefit contributions through January 2017, prejudgment interest, and liquidated damages, and reasonable attorney's fees in the amount of One Thousand Nine Hundred Sixty Dollars ($1,960.00), plus interest from the date of judgment at the rate of one percent (1%) per month. Finally, it is RECOMMENDED that Defendant James Kossen be dismissed.

If any party seeks review by the District Judge of this Report and Recommendation, that party may, within fourteen (14) days, file and serve on all parties objections to the Report and Recommendation, specifically designating this Report and Recommendation, and the part thereof in question, as well as the basis for objection thereto. 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1); Fed. R. Civ. P. 72(b). Response to objections must be filed within fourteen (14) days after being served with a copy thereof. Fed. R. Civ. P. 72(b).

The parties are specifically advised that failure to object to the Report and Recommendation will result in a waiver of the right to de novo review by the District Judge and of the right to appeal the decision of the District Court adopting the Report and Recommendation. See Thomas v. Arn, 474 U.S. 140 (1985); Smith v. Detroit Fed'n of Teachers, Local 231 etc., 829 F.2d 1370 (6th Cir. 1987); United States v. Walters, 638 F.2d 947 (6th Cir. 1981).

IT IS SO ORDERED.