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finding error where the ALJ discounted the entirety of the treating opinion after finding one of the limitations was inconsistent with the record
Summary of this case from Wolder v. Comm'r of Soc. Sec.Opinion
Case No.: 3:14-cv-97
12-03-2015
BRAD SAUNDERS, Plaintiff, v. COMMISSIONER OF SOCIAL SECURITY, Defendant.
(Consent Case) ORDER APPROVING THE PARTIES' JOINT STIPULATION FOR EAJA FEES (DOC. 16) UNDER 28 U.S.C. § 2412
The parties unanimously consented to the jurisdiction of the Magistrate Judge. Doc. 7. --------
This Social Security disability benefits appeal is before the Court on the parties' joint stipulation in which they agree that Plaintiff should be awarded attorney's fees under the Equal Access to Justice Act ("EAJA"), 28 U.S.C. § 2412(d), in the amount of $4,076.50. Doc. 16. EAJA provides for an award of attorney's fees to a party who prevails in a civil action against the United States "when the position taken by the Government is not substantially justified and no special circumstances exist warranting a denial of fees." Bryant v. Comm'r of Soc. Sec., 578 F.3d 443, 445 (6th Cir. 2009) (citing 28 U.S.C. § 2412(d)(1)(A)). A party who prevails and obtains a Sentence Four remand is a prevailing party for EAJA purposes. See Shalala v. Schaefer, 509 U.S. 292, 301-02 (1993). EAJA fees are payable to the litigant. Astrue v. Ratliff, 586 U.S. 586, 589 (2010).
The Court found the ALJ's non-disability finding unsupported by substantial evidence and remanded this case to the Commissioner under the Fourth Sentence of 42 U.S.C. § 405(g) for further proceedings. Doc. 14. Accordingly, Plaintiff is the prevailing party in this case for EAJA purposes and, therefore, is entitled to an award of attorney's fees under EAJA. See Shalala, 509 U.S. at 301-02. Having considered the nature of the work counsel performed in this case, the Court finds the stipulated fee reasonable. Accordingly, Plaintiff is entitled to an EAJA fee award in the stipulated amount of $4,076.50.
Accordingly, based on the foregoing, the Court: (1) APPROVES the parties' joint stipulation for an EAJA fee award (doc. 16); and (2) GRANTS Plaintiff EAJA fees in the amount of $4,076.50. As no further matters remain pending for review, this case remains TERMINATED upon the Court's docket.
IT IS SO ORDERED. Date: December 3, 2015
s/ Michael J . Newman
Michael J. Newman
United States Magistrate Judge