State on the hook for $10.5 million
Tony Potts
07-05-2008
The federal appeals court in Atlanta last week ruled
that Georgia must pay $10.5 million to attorneys who filed suit
to reform foster care in Fulton and DeKalb counties. The case,
which was settled in 2005, prompted the state to reduce case
loads of overwhelmed workers, improve investigations into abuse
and prevent overcrowding in foster homes.
In last Thursday`s ruling, by a three-judge panel of the 11th
U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta, two judges questioned
whether Senior U.S. District Court Judge Marvin Shoob should
have awarded the lawyers a $4.5 million enhancement on top of $6
million in fees and expenses.
The ruling said prior court precedent `constrained` the judges
to let the enhancement stand.
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