Mitchell v. Aetna Life Insurance

MEMORANDUM OPINION

Plaintiff Julie Mitchell brought this suit against Aetna Life Insurance and her employer’s long term disability (LTD) plan for a denial of long term disability benefits under ERISA. The plaintiff was represented by Glenn R. Kantor and Corinne Chandler, of Kantor & Kantor, LLP. Defendants Aétna Life Insurance Co. and Viacom Incorporated Long Term Disability Plan were represented by Ronald K. Alberts and Tanja L. Darrow, of Berger Kahn. Plaintiff Mitchell claims that Aetna improperly terminated her long term disability benefits, and she seeks the payment of disability benefits with pre- and post-judgment interest as well as a declaration that she is disabled under the terms of the LTD plan. She also seeks attorneys fees and costs incurred in pursuing this action.

The parties agreed for the Court to decide the case on the administrative record following oral argument. After reviewing the administrative record and the parties’ papers and considering the oral argument by the parties on December 14, 2004, the Court now renders its decision.

I. Findings of Fact

Plaintiff Julie Mitchell was employed as a Display Advertising Specialist by Paramount Studios, a…