Mayberry v. Commissioner of Social Security

Filing 21

ORDER signed by Magistrate Judge Gregory G. Hollows on 12/23/09 ORDERING that plf's 19 Motion for Attorney Fees is GRANTED; Plaintiff is awarded $5,055.86 in attorney's fees and $350 in costs. Said fees shall be made payable to plaintiff's attorney. (Benson, A.)

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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 MICHAEL J. ASTRUE, Commissioner of Social Security, Defendant. __________________________________/ Pending before the court is plaintiff's application for an award of attorney's fees under the Equal Access to Justice Act (EAJA), 28 U.S.C. § 2412(d)(1). Plaintiff seeks attorney's fees for 29.25 hours at $172.85/hour for work done in 2008, and costs in the amount of $350, for a total amount of $5,405.86. Plaintiff seeks a cost of living adjustment ("COLA") to the statutory cap on attorney's fees of $125/hour. The Commissioner has not filed a response. The EAJA provides that the prevailing party in a civil action against the United States may apply for an order for attorneys' fees and expenses within thirty days of final judgment in the action. An applicant for Social Security benefits receiving a remand under sentence four of 42 U.S.C. § 405(g) is a prevailing party, regardless of whether the applicant later 1 ORDER vs. IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA LEROY DENNIS MAYBERRY, Plaintiff, No. CIV S-08-1601 GGH 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 succeeds in obtaining the requested benefits. Shalala v. Schaefer, 509 U.S. 292 (1993). In this case, the matter was remanded under sentence four pursuant to the order of the court for further reassessment and findings. See Order filed July 24, 2009. Plaintiff thus is entitled to an award of fees under the EAJA. The court must allow the fee award unless it finds that the position of the United States was substantially justified. Flores v. Shalala, 49 F.3d 562, 568-69 (9th Cir. 1995). Having no opposition from the Commissioner, the court finds that the requested fees are reasonable and that plaintiff is entitled to the amount requested. Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that plaintiff's August 19, 2009, request for EAJA fees is granted. Plaintiff is awarded $5055.86 in attorney's fees and $350 in costs. Said fees shall be made payable to plaintiff's attorney. DATED: 12/23/09 /s/ Gregory G. Hollows _______________________________________ GREGORY G. HOLLOWS UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE G G H :0 7 6 Mayberry1601.eaja.wpd 2

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