Disability Insurance Blog
Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals Applies Montour to the Conflict of Interest Analysis in ERISA Case
In the aftermath of the United States Supreme Court holding in Metropolitan Life Ins. Co. v. Glenn, 554 U.S. 105, 128 S.Ct. 2343, 2348 (2008), the courts have struggled to…
Documents Reviewed by Independent Medical Examiner Sufficient to Satisfy Plan Obligation to Consider All Relevant Documents
The United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, in an unpublished decision, addressed the question of whether documents reviewed by an independent medical examiner, but not by the…
U.S. Supreme Court Hands ERISA Plan Participants Major Victory in Allowing Recovery of Attorneys’ Fees
As predicted in my April blog post, the U.S. Supreme Court today handed ERISA plan participants a big victory when they decided the important ERISA disability case of Hardt v….
U.S. Supreme Court Hears Oral Arguments in Hardt v. Reliance Standard Life Insurance: Under What Circumstances Can a Court Award Attorneys’ Fees in ERISA Actions?
The U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments yesterday in the important ERISA disability case of Hardt v. Reliance Standard Life Insurance (09-448). In that case, Bridget Hardt filed suit, arguing…
Court Upholds $500 Million Award Against U.S. Life Insurance Co.
The U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld an arbitration award requiring U.S. Life Insurance Co. to pay reinsurance of more than $500 million to Superior National Insurance Companies,…
Under Abatie, Discovery of Profitability Reports is Not Allowed
One of the most interesting questions in ERISA litigation is: What constitutes the administrative record for purposes of determining whether the administrator abused its discretion in making a claim determination? …
Council for Disability Awareness Follows Approvals of Disability Claims by the SSA and Private Disability Insurers
Allison Bell of the National Underwriter reported on September 11, 2009 that approved disability claims rose more quickly in 2008 at the Social Security Disability Insurance program than at private…
California’s 2009 Insurance Legislation: It Was an Important Year
2009 was an important year for insurance legislation in California. An excellent review of this legislation was posted on December 4, 2009 by the Barger & Wolen LLP legal blog…
Calling In a Disability Expert
Arthur Fries, an independent disability consultant and an expert I have known for many years, has written an article entitled “Calling In a Disability Expert” which appeared on November 16,…
Guardian to Offer Guaranteed-Issue Small Group Disability Income Insurance
According to National Underwriter, Guardian Life Insurance Company of America is making it easier for employers with 2 to 9 employees to offer disability insurance benefits. It says it now…
