Karen Bell v. Commissioner of Social Security

Summary

The United States District Court for the Eastern District of California granted Karen Bell’s motion for attorney’s fees under 42 U.S.C. § 406(b) following a successful Social Security disability benefits claim and sentence-four remand. The court awarded $26,947.23 and required counsel to refund $6,522.02 previously awarded under the Equal Access to Justice Act.

Holdings

1. The requested $26,947.23 fee was reasonable and appropriate under 42 U.S.C. § 406(b).
2. Counsel must refund $6,522.02 to Bell as an offset for the EAJA fees previously awarded.

Questions Presented

1. Whether counsel's requested $26,947.23 fee under 42 U.S.C. § 406(b) was reasonable and within the statutory 25-percent limit.
2. Whether the § 406(b) award had to be offset by the $6,522.02 previously awarded under the Equal Access to Justice Act.

Disposition

other