Opinion
Case No. 4:11 CV 399 CDP
03-28-2012
RONALD PRATER, Plaintiff, v. MICHAEL J. ASTRUE, Defendant.
MEMORANDUM AND ORDER
This matter is before me on defendant's motion to alter or amend the Memorandum and Order entered on March 22, 2012, awarding plaintiff attorney's fees in the amount of $1,688.51. Because plaintiff actually sought $1,668.51 in attorney's fees, the Court will grant the motion and vacate the March 22, 2012 Order. Defendant does not oppose plaintiff's request for attorney's fees and costs pursuant to the Equal Access to Justice Act, 28 U.S.C. § 2412, in the amount of $1,668.51. On February 13, 2012, I reversed the decision of the Commissioner and remanded the case to the Commissioner under sentence four of 42 U.S.C. § 405(g) for further consideration. Because plaintiff prevailed and is not otherwise precluded from recovering attorney's fees and costs, I find plaintiff is entitled to an award in the amount requested.
The fees are payable to plaintiff, not plaintiff's attorney. See Astrue v. Ratliff, 130 S. Ct. 2521, 2524 (2010).
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that defendant's motion to alter or amend judgment [#26] is granted, and the Memorandum and Order entered on March 22, 2012 [#25] is vacated.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that plaintiff's motion for attorney's fees [#23] is granted, and defendant shall pay plaintiff $1,668.51 in attorney's fees.
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CATHERINE D. PERRY
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE