Garrison v. Social Security Administration

Filing 18

ORDER granting 16 Motion for Attorney Fees. Plaintiff is awarded $3,623.02 in attorney's fees and expenses under the EAJA. Consistent with the Commissioner's usual procedure in light of Astrue v. Ratliff, 560 U.S. 586 (2010), the check awarding EAJA attorney's fees should be made payable to Plaintiff, but mailed to the care of Plaintiff's attorney, Eric L. Worsham, at the attorney's office. Signed by Judge Susan Webber Wright on 2/4/2015. (ks)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
EASTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS
PINE BLUFF DIVISION
BARBRA MICHELLE GARRISON,
Plaintiff,
v.
CAROLYN W. COLVIN, Acting
Commissioner, Social Security
Administration,
Defendant.

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No. 5:14CV00025-SWW

ORDER

Before the Court is Plaintiff’s motion for attorney’s fees under the Equal Access to
Justice Act (“EAJA”) (ECF No. 16) and the Commissioner’s response stating no
opposition (ECF No. 17). After careful consideration, the motion is granted.
On October 16, 2014, the Court reversed and remanded the Commissioner’s
decision denying Plaintiffs’ application for disability insurance benefits. Now before the
Court is Plaintiff's motion seeking $3,623.02 in attorney’s fees, based on 18.7 hours of
attorney work at the hourly rate of $184.52, and 2.3 hours of paralegal work at the hourly
rate of $75. Without no objections, the Court finds that the requested fee award should be
granted.
Pursuant to Astrue v. Ratliff, 560 U.S. 586, 130 S.Ct. 2521 (2010), an award of
EAJA fees belongs to the prevailing party, not that party’s lawyer. Consistent with the
Commissioner’s usual procedure, the check awarding EAJA fees should be made payable
to Plaintiff, but mailed to the care of Plaintiff’s attorney at the attorney’s office.

IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED that Plaintiff’s Motion for Attorney’s Fees (ECF
No. 16) is GRANTED.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Plaintiff is awarded $3,623.02 in attorney's
fees and expenses under the EAJA. Consistent with the Commissioner’s usual procedure
in light of Astrue v. Ratliff, 560 U.S. 586 (2010), the check awarding EAJA attorney’s
fees should be made payable to Plaintiff, but mailed to the care of Plaintiff’s attorney,
Eric L. Worsham, at the attorney’s office.
IT IS SO ORDERED THIS 4TH DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2015.

/s/Susan Webber Wright
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

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