Trina M. v. Frank Bisignano, Commissioner of Social Security

Summary

The United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia adopted the magistrate judge’s proposed findings and recommendation in a Social Security appeal. The court denied the plaintiff’s request for judgment on the pleadings, granted the Commissioner’s request to affirm the administrative decision, affirmed the Commissioner’s final decision, and dismissed the action.

Holdings

1. When no timely objections are filed to a magistrate judge's proposed findings and recommendation, the district court is not required to review the magistrate judge's factual or legal conclusions de novo or under any other standard.
2. The plaintiff's request for judgment on the pleadings was denied, the Commissioner's request to affirm was granted, the Commissioner's final decision was affirmed, and the action was dismissed.

Questions Presented

1. Whether the district court was required to conduct de novo or other review of the magistrate judge's proposed findings and recommendation when neither party timely filed objections.
2. Whether the magistrate judge's recommendation should be adopted, the plaintiff's request for judgment on the pleadings denied, the Commissioner's decision affirmed, and the action dismissed.

Disposition

dismissed