TORRES v. RELIANCE STANDARD LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

ANNA BROWN, District Judge

This matter comes before the Court on Plaintiff's Motion for Notice of Appeal Fee (#61). For the reasons that follow, the Court GRANTS Plaintiff's Motion and awards costs to Plaintiff in the amount of $455.00.

BACKGROUND

On February 12, 2007, Plaintiff Donna Osbourne Torres filed a Complaint in this Court in which she alleged Defendants violated the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), 29 U.S.C. § 1132(a)(1)(B), and defamed Plaintiff.

On May 22, 2007, Plaintiff filed a First Amended Complaint in which she alleged Defendants violated ERISA when they denied her claim for Long Term Disability (LTD) benefits.

On September 26, 2007, Defendants moved for summary judgment on the ground that Defendants did not abuse their discretion when they denied Plaintiff's claim for benefits under the Plan. On October 22, 2007, Plaintiff filed a Cross-Motion for Summary Judgment.

On March 14, 2008, the Court issued an Opinion and Order in which it granted Defendants' Motion for Summary Judgment and denied Plaintiff's Cross-Motion for Summary Judgment. On that same date, the Court entered a Judgment dismissing this matter with prejudice. On April 7, 2008, Plaintiff filed an appeal.

On April 9, 2009, the Ninth Circuit reversed and remanded the matter to this Court for further proceedings.

On March 22, 2009, Plaintiff filed a Motion for Notice of Appeal Fee.

DISCUSSION

Plaintiff seeks costs of $455.00 incurred for filing her Notice of Appeal. Defendants do not oppose Plaintiff's request.

Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 39(a)(3) and (e)(4) provides in pertinent part:

[I]f a judgment is reversed, costs are taxed against the appellee.

* * *

The following costs on appeal are taxable in the district court for the benefit of the party entitled to costs under this rule:

(4) the fee for filing the notice of appeal.

The Court finds Plaintiff's costs are allowed under Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 39 and are both reasonable and supported by the evidence in this matter. Accordingly, the Court awards Plaintiff $455.00 in costs.

CONCLUSION

For these reasons, the Court GRANTS Plaintiff's Motion for Notice of Appeal Fee (#61) and AWARDS costs to Plaintiff in the amount of $455.00.

IT IS SO ORDERED.