Opinion
6:24-cv-253-KCD
09-30-2024
NICOLA FITCHNER, o/b/o Chad Mitchell Lebensburger, Plaintiff, v. COMMISSIONER OF SOCIAL SECURITY, Defendant.
ORDER
KYLE C. DUDEK, UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE.
Plaintiff Nicola Fitchner requests a fee award under the Equal Access to Justice Act, 28 U.S.C. § 2412(d) (“EAJA”). (Doc. 23.) The Commissioner does not object to the relief sought. (Id. at 3.) The Court thus grants the motion.
Nicola Fitchner is the guardian of Chad Lebensburger. (Tr. 509-511.)
Unless otherwise indicated, all internal quotation marks, citations, and alterations have been omitted in this and later citations.
Earlier in this case, the Court entered an order (Doc. 20) reversing and remanding the Commissioner's decision. Thus, under EAJA, Plaintiff moves for an award of $5,222.88 in attorney's fees and $405.00 in costs. (Doc. 23 at 9.)
For Plaintiff to receive a fee and cost award under EAJA, these five conditions must be met: (1) she must file a timely application for attorney's fees; (2) her net worth must have been less than $2 million dollars when the complaint was filed; (3) she must be the prevailing party in a non-tort suit involving the United States; (4) the position of the United States must not have been substantially justified; and (5) there must be no special circumstances that would make the award unjust. 28 U.S.C. § 2412(d); Comm'r, I.N.S. v. Jean, 496 U.S. 154, 158 (1990). Considering the motion, and with no opposition, the Court finds these conditions satisfied.
EAJA fees are determined under the “lodestar” method-the number of hours reasonably expended on the matter multiplied by a reasonable hourly rate. Jean v. Nelson, 863 F.2d 759, 773 (11th Cir. 1988). The resulting fee carries a strong presumption of reasonableness. City of Burlington v. Daque, 505 U.S. 557, 562 (1992). After reviewing the services provided, the Court finds the hours requested by the attorneys who worked on this case reasonable. (Doc. 23 at 11-12.)
EAJA fees are “based upon prevailing market rates for the kind and quality of services furnished,” not to exceed $125 per hour unless the Court determines an increase in the cost of living, or a special factor, justifies a higher fee. 28 U.S.C. § 2412(d)(2)(A). Thus, determining the appropriate hourly rate is a two-step process. The Court first determines the prevailing market rate; then, if it exceeds $125.00, the Court determines whether to adjust it. Meyer v. Sullivan, 958 F.2d 1029, 1033-34 (11th Cir. 1992). The prevailing market rates must be determined according to rates customarily charged for similarly complex litigation and are not limited to rates specifically for social security cases. Watford v. Heckler, 765 F.2d 1562, 1568 (11th Cir. 1985). For her counsel, Plaintiff requests an hourly rate of $251.10 for 2024. (Doc. 23 at 7.) After review, and considering the rates are uncontested, the Court finds this reasonable too.
Plaintiff also filed an attorney's fees contract. (Doc. 23-1.) It provides: “Claimant hereby assigns his right to any attorney fees awarded under the [EAJA] to attorney, Culburtson, Jacobs & Laboda, PLLC.” (Id.) But Plaintiff acknowledges that after awarding EAJA fees, the Commissioner will determine whether she owes a federal debt to the Government. If no debt is owed, the Government will accept Plaintiff's assignment, and the fees will be paid directly to counsel. (Doc. 23 at 3.) Thus, the fees awarded should be paid directly to counsel if the United States Department of Treasury determines that no federal debt is owed by Plaintiff.
Finally, Plaintiff seeks $405.00 for the filing fee. Under 28 U.S.C. § 2412, and as enumerated in 28 U.S.C. § 1920, that cost is taxable, and the Court will award it.
It is thus ORDERED:
Plaintiff's Unopposed Motion for Attorney's Fees and Costs Under the Equal Access to Justice Act (Doc. 23) is GRANTED, and the Court awards her $5,222.88 in attorney's fees and $405.00 in costs. This award will be paid directly to Plaintiff's counsel if the United States determines that no federal debt is owed by Plaintiff.
ORDERED.