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Disability Insurance Blog
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,…
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…
Court of Appeal Complicates the Analysis of Mental and Nervous Disability Claims
Bosetti v. The United States Life Ins. Co., 175 Cal. App. 4th 1208 (2009) is an important California Court of Appeal decision that addressed whether a two-year benefits limitation on…
“Top Hat” ERISA Plans Are Not Entitled To Special Treatment
The Ninth Circuit recently addressed, for the first time, whether the standard of review analysis for “top hat”ERISA plans is the same as for other ERISA plans. InSznewajs v. U.S….
Ninth Circuit Clarifies Application of Abuse of Discretion Review When Insurer Has a Conflict of Interest
After the United States Supreme Court decided MetLife Ins. Co. v. Glenn in which the Court held that a reviewing court must consider the conflict of interest arising from the…
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…
