Hirschkron
Hirschkron v. Principal Life Insurance
Opinion
Lead Opinion
Donato, J.
ORDER ON CROSS-MOTIONS FOR PARTIAL JUDGMENT ON THE PLEADINGS
This is an ERISA action. Plaintiff Amy Hirschkron, a former employee of FTI Consulting, Inc., sought but was ultimately denied long term disability benefits under the FTI Consulting Employee Benefit Plan (“the Plan”). Dkt. No. 1. Plaintiff claims that the denial violated Sections 502(a)(1)(B) and (a)(3) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”), 29 U.S.C. §§ 1132 (a)(1)(B) and (a)(3). Id. ‘
It is undisputed that the Plan is an employee welfare benefit plan that is governed by ERISA, and defendant acknowledges that long term disability benefits under the Plan are “funded by group insurance policy No. H52745 (‘Group Policy’)” which was issued by Principal Life to FTI Consulting. Dkt. No. 31 at 1. Defendant acknowledges that it “acts as the claim review fiduciary” under the Plan. Id.
What is disputed.at this stage of the case is the standard the Court should apply to review the decision to deny.plaintiffs long-term disability claim. At the request of the parties, the Court set this issue for early decision. Dkt. No. 26. The parties have filed cross-motions for partial judgment on the pleadings-…