Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_24-cv-00378/USCOURTS-caed-1_24-cv-00378-5/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 861
Nature of Suit: Social Security - HIA (1395 ff)
Cause of Action: 42:416 Denial of Social Security Benefits

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

GRICELDA FLORES,

Plaintiff,

v.

COMMISSIONER OF SOCIAL SECURITY,

Defendant.

Case No. 1:24-cv-00378-KES-CDB (SS)

ORDER ADOPTING FINDINGS AND 

RECOMMENDATIONS AND GRANTING

STIPULATED MOTION FOR AWARD OF 

ATTORNEY FEES PURSUANT TO THE 

EQUAL ACCESS TO JUSTICE ACT, 28 

U.S.C. § 2412(d)

Docs. 20, 22, 24

Plaintiff Gricelda Flores initiated this action against the Commissioner of Social Security 

on March 29, 2024. Doc. 1. On September 13, 2024, pursuant to the parties’ stipulation, the 

Court reversed the final decision of the Commissioner, entered judgment in favor of plaintiff, 

and remanded the matter to the Commissioner for further administrative proceedings. Doc. 18. 

On December 9, 2024, plaintiff filed a motion for attorney’s fees. Doc. 20. Following 

defendant’s failure to oppose or file a statement of non-opposition to the motion, the assigned 

magistrate judge ordered that defendant file an opposition or a statement of non-opposition

within seven days. Doc. 21. Thereafter, on December 27, 2024, plaintiff and defendant filed a 

stipulated motion for award and payment of attorney’s fees pursuant to the Equal Access to 

Justice Act (“EAJA”), 28 U.S.C. § 2412(d), in the amount of $8,500.00, subject to the terms in 

plaintiff’s motion for attorney’s fees. Doc. 22; see also Doc. 20. 

The assigned magistrate judge issued findings and recommendations recommending that

Case 1:24-cv-00378-KES-CDB Document 25 Filed 01/16/25 Page 1 of 2
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the stipulation be granted. Doc. 24. The findings and recommendations were served on the 

parties and notified them that any objections were due within 14 days. Id. at 4. Neither party 

filed objections, and the time to do so has passed.

According to 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1), this Court performed a de novo review of this case. 

Having carefully reviewed the matter, the Court concludes that the findings and 

recommendations are supported by the record and proper analysis. 

Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:

1. The findings and recommendations issued on December 30, 2024, Doc. 24, are 

ADOPTED IN FULL;

2. The parties’ stipulated request for attorney’s fees pursuant to the EAJA, Doc. 22, is 

GRANTED; 

3. The Commissioner is DIRECTED to pay plaintiff, as the prevailing party, attorney’s 

fees in the amount of $8,500.00, pursuant to the terms set forth in the parties’ 

stipulation. Doc. 22. Fees shall be made payable to plaintiff, but if the Department of 

Treasury determines that plaintiff does not owe a federal debt, then the government 

shall cause the payment of fees, expenses, and costs to be made directly to plaintiff’s 

counsel, Josephine M. Gerrard, as set forth in the stipulation (see Docs 20, 22); and

4. The Clerk of the Court is DIRECTED to terminate plaintiff’s motion for attorney’s 

fees, Doc. 20, as moot.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: January 16, 2025 

 UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

Case 1:24-cv-00378-KES-CDB Document 25 Filed 01/16/25 Page 2 of 2