Most ERISA disability policies state that the insurer has “discretionary authority” to make all decisions regarding whether to award or deny disability benefits. If the policy contains this “discretionary authority” provision then the disability claimant can usually only overcome a denial if we are able to prove that the denial was: 1) wrong; and 2) the decision was arbitrary and capricious. This is an extremely difficult burden to meet. “Wrong” is not enough. It has to be wrong, and arbitrary and capricious.
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Disability
Third Circuit Rules in Favor of Personal Injury Victim in ERISA Lien Case
In US Airways, Inc. v. McCutchen, 2011 WL 5557411 (3rd Cir. Nov. 16, 2011), an ERISA plan sought reimbursement of 100% of what it had paid for medical bills for a car crash victim even though the victim had not been fully reimbursed because of limited liability coverage. The lawyers for the car crash victim claimed that the ERISA plan should reduce its claim pro rata for attorneys fees and costs. The ERISA plan administrators refused, and demanded reimbursement of 100% of what it had spent.
The ERISA plan eventually filed a lawsuit against the plan beneficiary seeking 100% reimbursement. The language of the plan states that the ERISA plan was entitled to reimbursement “for amounts paid for claims out of any monies recovered from a third party….”Continue Reading Third Circuit Rules in Favor of Personal Injury Victim in ERISA Lien Case
Lawsuit Filed For Short Term Disability Benefits
My client took out a short term disability policy in December of 2010. He then suffered a stroke in May of this year. His short term disability carrier denied the claim, asserting that the stroke was a preexisting condition.
You won’t be surprised to hear that I filed a lawsuit against the STD carrier for…
Lawsuit Filed Against AFLAC for Disability Benefits
My client suffers from a couple of different debilitating medical conditions. He purchased an AFLAC policy at work, which was supposed to pay him when he was off work as a result of illness or injury. The maximum benefit was for 6 months, at which point AFLAC would not pay anymore for that particular medical…
Lawsuit Filed to Reduce Health Insurance Lien
My client was severely injured in a motorcycle accident. In a bad faith lawsuit against the at-fault driver’s insurance company we recovered a confidential amount well in excess of 150 times the policy limits. My client’s health insurer paid around $200,000 for medical care related to the crash.
After resolving the bad faith case, my client’s health insurer asked my client to reimburse it the full $200,000 it spent on medical care. I advised the recovery company for the health insurer that under Florida law, the health insurer was only entitled to a small fraction of what it was seeking. They refused to budge and demanded payment of the full amount.Continue Reading Lawsuit Filed to Reduce Health Insurance Lien
Lawsuit Filed to Eliminate Lien Against Blue Cross and Blue Shield
My client was injured in an automobile accident. My client was an HMO member through his employer. The HMO was issued by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida. After the accident, Blue Cross and Blue Shield provided some medical services to my client that were accident related, and also provided some services that were not related to the accident. Continue Reading Lawsuit Filed to Eliminate Lien Against Blue Cross and Blue Shield
What do I do if Disability Insurance Denies My Claim?
You are much more likely to become disabled during your work life than to die during your work life. Thus, disability insurance is very important to protect you and your family from financial ruin in the event of a disability. But, what happens when you insurance company denies your disability claim?Continue Reading What do I do if Disability Insurance Denies My Claim?
Court Rules on Definition of “Disabled” in an ERISA Disability Policy
Recently, we prevailed in federal court on a contract interpretation issue under an ERISA short term disability insurance policy.
Due to an illness, our client could not perform some of the essential duties of her job. She could perform some of her duties, she just couldn’t perform them all. Our client filed a claim for STD benefits…
ERISA Appeal Filed for Accidental Death Benefits After Motorcycle Crash
My client’s brother was riding his motorcycle when another driver turned left in front of him. The motorcyclist struck the front right corner of the car. The motorcyclist died at the scene.
The driver of the car received a ticket for violation of right of way. The motorcyclist was not speeding, and was not found…
ERISA Appeal Filed for Accidental Death and Dismemberment Benefits
My client’s husband had a seizure and fell in his home. He struck his head on the floor which resulted in a traumatic brain injury. Tragically, he later died of the TBI.
At the time of his death, he was a plan participant in an ERISA benefits plan sponsored by his employer. One of his…