Life Insurance Company of North America (“LINA”) was recently ordered to continue paying disability benefits under an ERISA governed Plan. In that case, the our client was employed by UBS as a senior sales brokerage assistant earning over $100,000.00 a year. She left work as a result of a heart condition and fibromyalgia which caused

ERISA – Statute of Limitations

One of the most perplexing issues that arise in ERISA cases is the applicable statute of limitations. The ERISA statute itself does not provide a specific statute of limitations for claims for benefits. Instead, Courts look to the Plan document, the insurance policy, and/or state law in making such a determination. Recently, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals dealt with this complex issue. In that case, Nancy Wise, an employee of GTE, was suffering with multiple sclerosis. Despite her affliction, she was able to successfully perform her job. In fact, she left GTE in 1997 and began working for a competitor, Qwest. Thereafter, in 1999, GTE attempted to persuade Ms. Wise to return to GTE. Ms. Wise hesitated leaving her current employer giving her medical condition and her eligibility for full benefits with Qwest. In order to procure her return, GTE promised to “bridge back” to her original employment date her benefits eligibility. In other words, GTE promised that her medical conditions would not be subject to pre-existing condition limitations. Therefore, Ms. Wise returned to GTE.Continue Reading The Statute of Limitations in ERISA Cases

My client is a veterinarian who became disabled due to cancer and the subsequent grueling treatments.  Her disability insurance carrier is New York Life. 

Although New York Life has not technically denied the claim they might as well have.  Instead of quickly processing the claim, their claims administrator has repeatedly requested the same information time and again.  Once

The Nation Law Firm recently filed an administrative appeal for certain disability benefits under the terms of the Harris Corporation Disability Plan. Plaintiff was successful in this appeal and benefits were reinstated.

The Nation Law Firm recently handled an administrative appeal under an ERISA plan against Principal Life Insurance Company. Plaintiff prevailed in the appeal

The Nation Law Firm recently filed suit against CUNA Mutual Insurance Society for certain credit disability insurance benefits. (Often borrowers will take out credit disability insurance to pay their loan payments in the event of disability). In this case, our client became disabled and applied for disability benefits. The insurer, CUNA, denied the claim, arguing

The Nation Law Firm recently filed a complaint seeking disability benefits on behalf of a pastor who became disabled. Suit was filed against Unum Life Insurance Company of America. Although the matter was not governed by ERISA, the case was removed to federal court allegedly based on diversity. Plaintiff is seeking to remand the case