A federal court in Virginia recently confronted a situation that arises with some degree of regularity: a judgment is entered by a court, the loser files a notice of appeal and then offers to settle the case, but imposes as a condition of the settlement that the judgment be vacated. Earlier this year, a district […]
A federal judge recently looked beyond the claim record and into a reviewer’s wallet in concluding that an insurer improperly terminated disability benefits. Plaintiff Igor Gunn, a financial adviser, sought disability benefits due to symptoms of multiple sclerosis, fainting spells and anxiety. After initially approving the claim, Reliance Standard terminated benefit payments after 24 months, […]
In this short but fascinating ruling, a federal court in Florida analyzed defendant Unum Life Insurance Co.’s motion for a protective order after the plaintiff issued notices to depose Unum claims employees and one of the insurer’s doctors. The claimed basis for the protective order was Unum’s contention that the depositions would not lead to […]
The disability insurance policy at issue in a federal court decision acknowledged that the insurer was a fiduciary and had discretion to determine eligibility for benefits and construe the policy terms. The policy further stated that ERISA fiduciaries ”have an obligation to administer the plan prudently and to act in the interest of you and […]
The current regime of treating claims administered by health and disability insurers in the same manner as pension benefit claims has proven to be a recipe for disaster. First and foremost on the agenda for fixing the current system is the need to improve the communications provided to plan participants and their beneficiaries. Judge Richard […]
Deadlines carry little weight if there are no repercussion for missing them. Take the case of Gatti v. Reliance Standard Life Insurance Co., 2005 U.S.App.LEXIS 9895 (9th Cir., May 31), which involved a claimant who received disability benefits for nearly seven years due to complications of Hepatitis B. The insurer cut off benefits in 2000, […]