James
James v. AT & T West Disability Benefits Program
Opinion
Lead Opinion
Orrick, J.
Re: Dkt. Nos. 35, 42,
ORDER ON CROSS MOTIONS FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT
INTRODUCTION
Plaintiff Diana James and defendant AT & T Umbrella Benefit Plan No. 1 (“the plan”) have made cross motions for summary judgment about whether the plan’s denial of long-term disability (“LTD”) benefits for James was wrongful. The question I must answer is whether the plan abused its discretion in denying James LTD benefits despite the fact that she suffered from chronic pain and depression. Because I conclude that the plan wrongly disregarded evidence in James’s favor and did not meaningfully identify what evidence she could provide to support her claims, James’s motion for summary judgment is GRANTED and the plan’s motion for summary judgment is DENIED-
FACTUAL BACKGROUND
James was a Service Representative with Pacific Bell Telephone Company from 1997 until she stopped working as a result of the health issues discussed in this Order in 2010. Her job was to assist customers with orders, billing, and collection-related' issues. Administrative Record (“AR”) 410. She was covered under the AT & T West Disability Benefits Program 1 (the “disability plan”). Def. Opp’n Adkins Decl. (Dkt. *855 No. 44-2)…