Mixon
Mixon v. Metropolitan Life Ins.
Opinion
Opinion
Selna, J.
Proceedings: (In Chambers) Order Granting Judgment for Plaintiff for the Policy’s Twenty-four Month “Own Occupation” Period
I. BACKGROUND
The instant action involves a claim for long-term disability (“LTD”) benefits pursuant to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), 29 U.S.C. § 1001 et seq. Plaintiff Michelle Mixon (“Mixon”) contests the denial of her claim for LTD benefits, under a group insurance policy issued by defendant Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (“Met Life”). Mixon worked at Edfund from January 11, 2002 to July 7, 2003, when she was terminated. During her employment, Mixon was a participant in the Edfund LTD Plan (the “Plan”). Mixon worked as a Program Technician at Edfund, a sedentary position that involved the collection of overdue student loans. Mixon was an “at will” employee. Mixon suffers from Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (“SLE” or “lupus”). (Administrative Record [“AR”] at 413.)
For the following reasons, the Court finds that Met Life abused its discretion in denying Mixon her LTD benefits, and that she is entitled to such benefits for a period of twenty-four months.