MCDUFFIE
v.
COMMISSIONER OF SOCIAL SECURITY
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In this Social Security Administration appeal, the district court granted plaintiff's uncontested motion for attorney's fees under the Equal Access to Justice Act (EAJA) after the court had previously reversed and remanded the case to the Commissioner for further administrative proceedings.
Plaintiff McDuffie, as the prevailing party on the remand, is entitled to attorney's fees under the EAJA. The court awarded fees in the amount of $5,875.57, to be paid directly to Plaintiff's counsel unless Plaintiff has an outstanding federal debt.
[1] A party who obtains a sentence-four remand order under 42 U.S.C. …
[2] Attorney's fees may be awarded under the Equal Access to Justice Act to a prevailing party in an action against the Commissioner of Social Security.
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Join FLexlaw to unlock all legal intelligence“concluding that a party who wins a sentence-four remand order under 42 U.S.C. § 405(g) is a prevailing party”
Establishes the legal basis for awarding EAJA fees to a plaintiff who obtains a remand from the Social Security Administration
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Join FLexlaw to unlock all legal intelligencePlaintiff McDuffie appealed a Social Security Administration decision. On December 5, 2023, the court granted the Commissioner's Motion to Remand, rev…
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This cause comes before the Court on Plaintiff's Uncontested Motion for Attorney's Fees. (Doc. 23). By the motion, Plaintiff seeks attorney's fees in the amount of $5,875.57 pursuant to the Equal Access to Justice Act (“EAJA”), 28 U.S.C. § 2412(d). On December 5, 2023, this Court entered an Order granting the Commissioner's Motion to Remand and reversing and remanding the case to the Commissioner for further administrative proceedings. (Doc. 21). Thereafter, the Clerk entered judgment in favor of Plaintiff. (Doc. 22).
As the prevailing party, Plaintiff now requests an award of attorney's fees. See 28 U.S.C. § 2412(d)(1)(A); cf. Shalala v. Schaefer, 509 U.S. 292, 300-02 (1993) (concluding that a party who wins a sentence-four remand order under 42 U.S.C. § 405(g) is a prevailing party), superseded by rule on other grounds, Fed. R. Civ. P. 58(c)(2)(B). After issuance of an order awarding EAJA fees, the United States Department of the Treasury will determine whether Plaintiff owes a debt to the government. If Plaintiff has no discernable federal debt, the government will accept Plaintiff's assignment of EAJA fees and pay the fees directly to Plaintiff's counsel.
The Commissioner does not oppose the requested relief. (Doc. 23, ¶ 7). Additionally, Plaintiff's attorney filed an affidavit in support of the motion. (Doc. 24). Therefore, for the reasons set out in Plaintiff's motion and supported by the affidavit it is hereby
ORDERED:
1. Plaintiff's Uncontested Motion for Attorney's Fees (Doc. 23) is
GRANTED.
2. Plaintiff is awarded fees in the amount of $5,875.57. Unless the Department of Treasury determines that Plaintiff owes a federal debt, the government must pay the fees to Plaintiff's counsel in accordance with Plaintiff's assignment of fees (Doc. 24).
DONE AND ORDERED in Tampa, Florida, on this 3rd day of April 2024.
why Poh-
ANTHONY E. PORCELLI
United States Magistrate Judge cc: Counsel of Record