Burgos v. Commissioner of Social Security
Burgos v. Commissioner of Social Security
Trial Court Opinion
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT MIDDLE DISTRICT OF FLORIDA ORLANDO DIVISION
FELICITA BURGOS,
Plaintiff,
v. Case No. 6:17-cv-623-Orl-37MCR
COMMISSIONER OF SOCIAL SECURITY,
Defendant. _____________________________________
ORDER After filing a Complaint in this Court, the Commissioner of Social Security (“Commissioner”) issued a decision finding Plaintiff disabled since April 3, 2013. (Doc. 29-2.) Pursuant to
42 U.S.C. § 406(b), the Commissioner withheld $29,721.25 from Plaintiff’s past-due benefits for the possible payment of attorney’s fees. (Docs. 29-3; 30.) Plaintiff’s counsel now seeks an award of $19,721.12 pursuant to the contingent fee contract with Plaintiff. (Doc. 29 (“Motion”).) Upon receipt of payment, Plaintiff’s counsel shall refund $3,703.24 to Ms. Burgos that was received pursuant to the Equal Access to Justice Act (“EAJA”),
28 U.S.C. § 2412(d). (Id. at 1–2; see also Docs. 26–28.) The Motion is unopposed. (Doc. 29-8.) On referral, United States Magistrate Judge Monte C. Richardson recommends the Court grant the Motion. (Doc. 30 (“R&R”).) No party objected to the R&R, and the time for doing so has now passed. Absent objections, the Court has examined the R&R only for clear error. See Wiand v. Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., No. 8:12-cv-557-T-27EAJ,
2016 WL 355490, at *1 (M.D. Fla. Jan. 28, 2016); see also Macort v. Prem, Inc.,
208 F. App’x 781, 784(11th Cir. 2006). In doing so, the Court takes issue with only one portion of the R&R—Magistrate Judge Richardson’s recommendation
the Court direct the Clerk to enter judgment accordingly. (Doc. 30, p. 6.) Judgment has already been entered in this case. (See Doc. 25; see also Doc. 29-3, pp. 4–5.) Accordingly, the Court will merely direct the Commissioner to pay to Plaintiff’s counsel the requested attorney’s fees. In the absence of any other clear error, the balance of the R&R is due to be adopted. Accordingly, it is ORDERED AND ADJUDGED as follows:
1. U.S. Magistrate Judge Monte C. Richardson’s Report and Recommendation (Doc. 30) is ADOPTED IN PART and REJECTED IN PART: a. The recommendation that the Clerk of the Court be directed to enter judgment accordingly is REJECTED. b. In all other respects, the R&R is ADOPTED, CONFIRMED, and
made a part of this Order. 2. Plaintiff Felicita Burgos’s Motion for Attorney’s Fees Pursuant to the Social Security Act Section 206(b)(1) and U.S.C. § 406(b)(1) (Doc. 29) is GRANTED. a. The Commissioner is DIRECTED to pay to Plaintiff’s counsel the
sum of $19,721.12 for § 406(b) fees out of Plaintiff’s past-due benefits. b. Plaintiff’s counsel is DIRECTED to refund the EAJA award of $3,703.34 to Plaintiff upon receipt of the § 406(b) fees. DONE AND ORDERED in Chambers in Orlando, Florida, on December 6, 2019. Sr, ROY B. DALTON JR: United States District Judge
Copies to: Counsel of Record
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Reference
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