Perkins
Perkins v. Prudential Insurance Co. of America
Opinion
Opinion
Manella, J.
ORDER GRANTING PLAINTIFF’S MOTION FOR ATTORNEYS’ FEES
I. INTRODUCTION
On March 23, 2005, Plaintiff Debbie De-ane Perkins (“Perkins”) filed this action against Defendants The Prudential Insurance Company of America (“Prudential”) and H.F. Ahmanson & Company Long Term Disability Plan (“LTD Plan”), alleging claims for injunctive and declaratory relief under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”), specifically pursuant to 29 U.S.C. §§ 1132 (a), (e), (f), and (g). On October 18, 2005, following a settlement conference before Magistrate Judge Nagle, the parties settled the case. On November 28, 2005, Perkins filed the instant motion for attorneys’ fees pursuant to 29 U.S.C. § 1132 (g)(1). For the reasons stated below, the motion is GRANTED.
II. FACTS
LTD Plan is an employee welfare benefit plan regulated by ERISA and established by H.F. Ahmanson & Company (“Ahmanson”), under which Perkins is and was a participant, and pursuant to which she is entitled to Long Term Disability (“LTD”) benefits. Compl. ¶ 4. Prudential is the insurer of benefits under the LTD Plan. Compl. ¶ 3.
In February 1997, Perkins became disabled, and in July of that year, submitted a claim…