In late April, Mehr Fairbanks Trial Lawyers defeated Allstate Insurance Company’s motion for protective order of insurance claim files relating to a bad faith claim. In their opinion entered on April 28th, the Circuit Court held that the probative value of the documents to the Plaintiff’s case outweighed any prejudice…
Kentucky ERISA Disability & Life Insurance Claim Lawyers
Fourth Circuit Limits ERISA Plan Administrators’ Ability to Use Discretion as Grounds for Denials of Coverage
The Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit recently held that under ERISA, the “deferential review” standard is not a one size fits all seal of approval for plan administrators’ reasoning in denying claims. The case giving rise to this decision is Garner v. Central States and Southwest Areas Health…
Court of Appeals Holds that Individual Arbitration Agreements do not Apply to ERISA Plans as a Whole
The Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit recently held that when a claim is brought under ERISA § 502(a)(2), individual arbitration agreements signed by employees do not apply. The rationale behind this decision is that claims brought under § 502(a)(2) are brought by the Plan, not by the individual…
Hospital Argues that ERISA Fees were Reasonable, But Will the Court Agree?
Recently, the Boston Children’s Hospital asked a judge in federal court to dismiss a case brought by former employees that alleged the charging of “exorbitant” fees relating to the management of ERISA retirement plans. The Hospital argues that fees associated with the plans were not exorbitant and no damage was…
11th Circuit Holds that Settlement Amounts may Count as Basis for Bad-Faith Claims
Recently, an 11th Circuit Court in Florida held that when a private settlement constitutes an “excess judgment” under an insurance policy, the insured(s) can use the amount in the settlement to bring a bad-faith claim against their insurer. This decision overturns a previous 2019 decision (which was unpublished) stating…
Austin Mehr Appointed to a Term on the Carnegie Center for Literacy
On March 25, 2022, Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government Mayor Linda Gorton’s recommendation to appoint Austin Mehr to a term on the Carnegie Center for Literacy was approved by The Urban County Council. Austin’s term will extend to September 1, 2025.
North Carolina Court Grants Class Certification and Approves Settlement Amount in ERISA Case
Recently, a Federal Court in North Carolina approved a settlement for over $3 million between a Coca-Cola (Defendant) bottling plant and a class of former employees. The named Plaintiffs brought the action against the Defendant alleging that the company had violated their fiduciary duties by presenting “risky” investment options to…
Interruptions to Travel in 2020 Spur Travel Insurance Policy Holders to Bring Suit Against Insurers, Arguing for Reimbursement of Premiums
In 2020 more than ever, the risk of interrupted travel plans loomed for those seeking to spend time and money planning trips in an uncertain world. With the Covid-19 pandemic an ongoing source of disruption for travelers across the globe, the decision to seek insurance coverage for trips was, and…
Are Insurers Required to “Make Good” on their Promises of Coverage? A California District Court is Poised to Interpret the Novel Issue of a “Making Good Provision”
When a policy contains a “cost of making good provision,” is an insurer able to wholly deny coverage falling under its purview, even if it just applies to a small part of the claim? This question was recently brought to the Central District Court of California in The Haven at…
COVID-19 AND INSURANCE CLAIMS
Though the COVID-19 pandemic may now be the new normal to many of us, courts are continuing to address new questions stemming from ongoing issues related to the pandemic. As businesses struggled to remain unharmed by the pandemic and protect their employees from illness, some insurers have made the task…