West American Insurance Company v. Justin Hernandez

MEMORANDUM

The district court did not abuse its discretion in denying West American Insurance Company’s motions under Rules 60(b), 62, and 67 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. West American’s motion to resolve a dispute regarding its entitlement to the $170,000 judgment under the mortgage clause sought relief that was unavailable under Rule 60(b)(6) because it rested on a claim that was not litigated as part of the underlying judgment. See Delay v. Gordon, 475 F.3d 1039 , 1044^6 (9th Cir.2007); see also United States v. $119,980, 680 F.2d 106, 107-08 (11th Cir. 1982). West American did not appeal the district court’s prior denials of its motion to adjudicate that dispute, and Rule 60(b) is not available for adjudication of claims not adjudicated in the underlying order or judgment. See Delay, 475 F.3d at 1046-47. Nor was relief available under Rule 60(b)(5): The judgment had not “been satisfied, released or discharged,” and circumstances had not changed since the judgment was entered such that “applying it prospectively [was] no longer equitable.” Fed.R.Civ.P: 60(b)(5).

West American’s motions under Rules 62 and 67 became moot when the district court decided its Rule…