Brown
Brown v. BAKER HUGHES INC.
Opinion
Opinion
Wanger, J.
ORDER GRANTING DEFENDANT’S MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT (DOC. 15)
I. INTRODUCTION
This is an insurance coverage dispute governed by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA). The underlying dispute concerns coverage under a voluntary accidental death and dismemberment insurance policy (the “Policy”) purchased by Milton Hunt through his employer, Defendant Baker Hughes Incorporated (“Baker Hughes”). The Policy contains an exclusion for accidental death resulting from intoxication.
Mr. Hunt died on July 29, 2003 in a single-vehicle car accident. A toxicology report indicated that Hunt’s blood alcohol level was significantly above the legal lim it. Plaintiff Carol Brown, who was involved in a long-term, committed relationship with Mr. Hunt, sought benefits under the Policy. Coverage was denied on the ground that (1) benefits were not due because of the Policy’s intoxication and narcotic exclusion; and (2) Plaintiff was not properly designated as Hunt’s Beneficiary.
On April 8, 2005, Plaintiff filed this lawsuit seeking review of this benefit determination. (Doc. 1.) Defendant now moves for summary judgment on the ground that the initial coverage determination was…