Firestone

Firestone v. Acuson Corp. Long Term Disability Plan

Good Law

326 F. Supp. 2d 1040·2004 WL 1498165·33 Employee Benefits Cas. (BNA) 1683·2004 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 12247

United States District Court, Northern District of CaliforniaJuly 2, 2004C 03-3894 MHPCalifornia5,464 words

Opinion

Patel, J.

MEMORANDUM & ORDER

Re: Defendant’s Motion for Partial Summary Judgment

This action arises from defendant Acu-són Corporation Long Term Disability Plan’s (“Acusón”) decision to terminate its payment of disability benefits to plaintiff Daniel Firestone (“Firestone”) after the 24-month period set forth for mental illness-related disabilities. Plaintiff has brought suit in this court seeking to overturn defendant’s decision according to the standards set forth in the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (“ERISA”). Now before the court is defendant’s motion for partial summary judgment on the issue of what standard of review this court should apply when evaluating defendant’s decision to terminate benefits. Having considered the arguments presented and for the reasons stated below, the court enters the following memorandum and order.

BACKGROUND

I. Firestone’s Disability Plan

On April 20, 2000, plaintiff Daniel Firestone ceased working as a purchasing manager for Acusón Corporation due to his disability or disabilities at issue in this case. As an employee of Acusón, Firestone was covered under the company’s Long Term Disability Plan, issued by Liberty Life Assurance Corporation…

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