Tinker
Tinker v. Versata, Inc. Group Disability Income Insurance Plan
Opinion
Opinion
Mendez, J.
ORDER GRANTING PLAINTIFF’S MOTION FOR JUDGMENT
Plaintiff Sandra Tinker (“Tinker”) brought this action against Versata, Inc. Group Disability Income Insurance Plan (“Versata”) and Continental Casualty Company (“Continental”) (collectively “Defendants”) pursuant to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, 29 U.S.C. §§ 1001 , et seq. (“ERISA”) seeking judicial review of Continental’s denial of long-term disability benefits under her employer’s ERISA-based plan. The parties filed cross-motions for judgment pursuant to Rule 52 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. For the reasons set forth below, Tinker’s motion is GRANTED and Defendants’ motion is DENIED.
I. FACTUAL BACKGROUND
On February 6, 1996, Tinker began working for Versata as a lead technical writer. Administrative Record (“AR”) 228. As an employee of Versata, Tinker was a member of a long-term disability (“Plan”) insured by Continental. AR 206, 228. The Plan defines “Disability” as satisfying the “Occupational Qualifier.” Steven M. Chabre (“Chabre”) Deck, Exh. C at 5. The Occupational Qualifier provides in relevant part:
Chabre Deck, Exh. C at 5 (italics in original). The Plan further provides that benefits may be…