Manasseh N. Corder v. Dr. Laurel Harry, et al.

Summary

The United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania grants Manasseh N. Corder’s motion to withdraw his civil action and dismisses the complaint without prejudice under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 41(a)(2). The court denies the defendants’ motion to dismiss as moot after finding that voluntary dismissal would not cause significant prejudice.

Holdings

1. A motion expressly seeking to end a civil action may be construed as a request for voluntary dismissal under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 41(a)(2), even when the plaintiff does not identify a specific statutory authority.
2. Voluntary dismissal without prejudice should be granted where the relevant Rule 41(a)(2) factors show that the defendant will not suffer significant prejudice beyond the mere prospect of a second lawsuit.
3. After dismissing the complaint without prejudice, the court denied Defendants' motion to dismiss as moot.

Questions Presented

1. Whether Plaintiff's motion to withdraw the complaint should be construed as a motion for voluntary dismissal under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 41(a)(2).
2. Whether voluntary dismissal without prejudice would cause Defendants sufficient legal prejudice or litigation expense to warrant denial of the motion or imposition of conditions.
3. Whether Defendants' motion to dismiss should be denied as moot after the complaint was voluntarily dismissed.

Disposition

dismissed