Sterner v. Commissioner ( 2022 )

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT EASTERN DISTRICT OF MICHIGAN SOUTHERN DIVISION CAROLINE K. STERNER, Plaintiff, Case No. 20-cv-12099 Hon. Matthew F. Leitman v. COMMISSIONER OF SOCIAL SECURITY, Defendant. __________________________________________________________________/ ORDER (1) DENYING PLAINTIFF’S MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT (ECF No. 17) AND (2) GRANTING DEFENDANT’S MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT (ECF No. 14) In this action, Plaintiff Caroline K. Sterner challenges the denial of her application for Disability Insurance Benefits under the Social Security Act. (See Compl., ECF No. 1.) Sterner and Defendant Commissioner of Social Security have now filed cross-motions for summary judgment. (See Mots., ECF Nos. 14, 17.) On February 16, 2022, the assigned Magistrate Judge issued a Report and Recommendation in which she recommended that the Court deny Sterner’s motion and grant the Commissioner’s motion (the “R&R”). (See R&R, ECF No. 19.) At the conclusion of the R&R, the Magistrate Judge informed the parties that if they wanted to seek review of her recommendation, they needed to file specific objections with the Court within fourteen days. (See id., PageID.2345.) Sterner has not filed any objections to the R&R. The failure to object to an R&R releases the Court from its duty to independently review the matter. See Thomas v. Arn, 474 U.S. 140, 149 (1985). In addition, the failure to file objections to an R&R waives any further right to appeal. See Howard v. Sec’y of Health and Human Servs., 932 F.2d 505 (6th Cir. 1991); Smith v. Detroit Fed’n of Teachers Local 231, 829 F.2d 1370, 1373 (6th Cir. 1987). Accordingly, because Sterner has failed to file any objections to the R&R, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the Magistrate Judge’s recommendation to grant the Commissioner’s Motion for Summary Judgment and deny Sterner’s Motion for Summary Judgment is ADOPTED. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that (1) Sterner’s Motion for Summary Judgment (ECF No. 14) is DENIED and (2) the Commissioner’s Motion for Summary Judgment (ECF No. 17) is GRANTED. s/Matthew F. Leitman MATTHEW F. LEITMAN UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE Dated: March 7, 2022 I hereby certify that a copy of the foregoing document was served upon the parties and/or counsel of record on March 7, 2022, by electronic means and/or ordinary mail. s/Holly A. Ryan Case Manager (313) 234-5126