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MEADOWS v. COLVIN, 3:11-cv-00290-JMC. (2014)

Court: District Court, D. South Carolina Number: infdco20140804511 Visitors: 4
Filed: Jul. 25, 2014
Latest Update: Jul. 25, 2014
Summary: ORDER AND OPINION J. MICHALLE CHILDS, District Judge. This matter is before the court upon motion of Plaintiff, through her attorney, Paul T. McChesney, for an award of attorney's fees under 42 U.S.C. 406(b) (ECF No. 43). Plaintiff's motion seeks reimbursement for Counsel's representation in the captioned matter in the amount of $17,765.50, not to exceed 25% of the total of the past-due benefits awarded to Plaintiff. Defendant's response to Plaintiff's motion (ECF No. 44) notifies the court
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ORDER AND OPINION

J. MICHALLE CHILDS, District Judge.

This matter is before the court upon motion of Plaintiff, through her attorney, Paul T. McChesney, for an award of attorney's fees under 42 U.S.C. § 406(b) (ECF No. 43). Plaintiff's motion seeks reimbursement for Counsel's representation in the captioned matter in the amount of $17,765.50, not to exceed 25% of the total of the past-due benefits awarded to Plaintiff. Defendant's response to Plaintiff's motion (ECF No. 44) notifies the court that the Acting Commissioner does not oppose Plaintiff's request for fees in the amount stated herein.

The court has reviewed Counsel's fee petition that was submitted and finds Counsel's request for fees reasonable. Therefore, Plaintiff is entitled to an award of attorney's fees under 42 U.S.C. § 406(b) in the stipulated amount of $17,760.50 from the claimant's 25% of the total of the past-due benefits.

Fees under 42 U.S.C. § 406(b) are paid from the claimant's benefits, rather than from agency funds, based on a contract between the claimant and the claimant's attorney. Plaintiff was also awarded attorney fees under the Equal Access to Justice Act in the amount of $7,000.00 (ECF No. 43-10.) Since Plaintiff has received the total amount of EAJA benefits, no offset is necessary. However, fees in this case will be awarded with the condition that any overlapping fees be awarded to Plaintiff. Thus, Plaintiff's attorney must refund the lesser of the two fees to Plaintiff. See Gisbrecht v. Barnhart, 535 U.S. 789, 796 (2002).

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Source:  Leagle

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