You already know that many ERISA plans contain discretionary language, which calls for a court to review the ERISA claim denial under an abuse of discretion standard.
But many times a structural “conflict of interest” can occur where the plan administrator has the “dual role” of administering and funding the plan benefit. Courts typically look…
You know that in ERISA cases most courts typically will limit review to the administrative record, absent special circumstances. Courts may also allow limited discovery when assessing whether a “conflict of interest” affected the claim determination. A conflict of interest can arise, for example, when the insurer of the ERISA governed benefit is both…
You already know that evidence of a “conflict of interest” can change the standard of review the court applies in ERISA claims.
But proper structuring of multi-employer benefit plans can avoid an inherent conflict of interest.
Here’s the case of Foltz v. Barnhart Crane and Rigging, Inc., __ Fed. Appx. __ (6th Cir.
