C. BRATTON v. Metropolitan Life Ins. Co.

Proceedings: Defendants’ Motion for Summary Judgment.

Cause called and counsel make their appearances. The Court’s tentative ruling is issued. Counsel for the parties inform the Court that they submit on the Court’s tentative ruling. The Court GRANTS the defendants’ motion for summary judgment and rules in accordance with the tentative ruling as follows:

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 James C. Bratton (“Bratton”) contests the denial of his claim for LTD benefits under the American Airlines Welfare Plan (“the Plan”), which is administered by Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (“MetLife”). Defendants MetLife and American Airlines, Inc. (“American Airlines”) move this Court for an order granting summary judgment in their favor.

1. BACKGROUND

Bratton worked at American Airlines from May 1995 until he left in October 2002, due to neck and back pain. Bratton worked as an Account Executive in Cargo Sales, which involved use of the telephone and computer, and occasional travel. In May 2002, Bratton stopped working due…