“No one loves the messenger who brings bad news.” Antigone (lines 276-77). What happens when an ERISA claimant brings state law claims against independent medical consultants retained by the Plan to provide medical reviews eventually relied upon in claim denials? Are these claims preempted by ERISA? Good news: Sometimes yes. Here’s the case of Cacoperdo… Continue Reading
Monthly Archives: November 2011
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Lane Powell offers a sophisticated practice in ERISA-related matters, from the formation and administration of ERISA plans, to the litigation of ERISA-related claims. Lane Powell has represented both employees and employers in various ERISA litigation situations.
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- 6th Circuit: Plan Administrators are NOT Necessarily Required to Obtain Vocational Evidence or an IME Before Making their LTD Determinations
- Government Plans are Exempt from ERISA… But What is the Definition of “Government”?
- Converted Individual Disability Policies Governed by ERISA?
- U.S. Supreme Court: Equity Cannot Trump ERISA Plan Terms in ERISA Reimbursement Case
- Americans Score More Easily Seeking Social Security Disability— Reasons Why Social Security Findings Could Be Rejected by ERISA Claims Administrator
- “Full and Fair Review” — Okay to Disclose Medical Opinions on Appeal After Appeal Denial
- “Appropriate Care Clause” Imposes Duty on Claimant to Seek and Accept Medical Care/Treatment Aimed at Returning Claimant to Work
- Number of Employees on Disability Has Doubled in 20 Years
- Claims Administrator Does Not Have to Pay Statutory Penalties for Failing to Provide Requested Documents
- Subrogation Claims are “Equitable Relief” Governed by ERISA
- ERISA can apply to Individual Policies: Offering a group discount constitutes a “contribution” sufficient to create an ERISA plan
- ERISA: Releases Should Explicitly Release ERISA Claims and ERISA Plan
- 8th Circuit – Expressing Intent to Appeal in the Future Does Not Constitute an “Appeal.”
- ERISA: 8th Circuit–Claimant’s Contradictory Statements to SSA Can Be Used To Deny ERISA Disability Claim Involving Commissions/Bonus
- ERISA: Plan Language Controls Even When an Adhesion Contract and Plan Language is “Not What a Reasonable Employee Would Expect.”
- Tomorrow U.S. Supreme Court Hears Whether Equitable Defenses Can Preclude ERISA Plan Subrogation Rights
- Plan Administrator “Consultation” with Plan Does Not Create Structural Conflict of Interest
- Do You Have To Consider A Social Security Administration Disability Decision AFTER Appeal Denial?
- 9th Circuit – In-House Counsel Internal Communications Before Final Appeal Not Privileged
- Failure to Exhaust Defense Trumps Missing Administrative Record
- Effective Delegation of ERISA Plan Administrator Duties and Standard of Review
- Long Term Disability — Claims Manuals Entitled to Protective Order
- When Are Short Term Disability Claims NOT Governed by ERISA — This Case Explains When State Law Claims Are Not Preempted
- 8th Circuit — Defining the “Regular Occupation,” and the Language Needed to Confer Discretion
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