Dominique M. v. Commissioner of Social Security

Summary

The United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan adopted a magistrate judge’s report and recommendation in a Social Security appeal. The court denied the plaintiff’s motion for summary judgment, granted the Commissioner’s motion for summary judgment, affirmed the administrative law judge’s decision, and closed the case.

Holdings

1. A party that fails to file timely objections forfeits the right to appeal the magistrate judge's findings; the district court may review the unobjected-to report for prejudicial clear error.
2. The report and recommendation should be adopted because no party objected and the court found no prejudicial clear error.
3. Plaintiff's motion for summary judgment was denied, Defendant's motion for summary judgment was granted, and the ALJ's decision was affirmed.

Questions Presented

1. Whether the district court should adopt the magistrate judge's report and recommendation when no party filed objections.
2. Whether Plaintiff was entitled to summary judgment overturning the Social Security administrative law judge's decision.
3. Whether the Commissioner's motion for summary judgment should be granted and the ALJ's decision affirmed.

Disposition

affirmed