Doe
Doe v. Prudential Insurance Co. of America
Opinion
Lead Opinion
Birotte, J.
ORDER (1) DENYING DEFENDANTS’ MOTION FOR PARTIAL SUMMARY JUDGMENT AND (2) GRANTING IN PART AND DENYING IN PART PLAINTIFF’S MOTION FOR PARTIAL SUMMARY JUDGMENT
Before the Court are cross-motions seeking to adjudicate the standard of review that will apply to this ERISA case. (Dkt. Nos. 48, 49.) The Court heard oral argument on October 8, 2016 and took the matter under submission. The Court rules as follows.
I. BACKGROUND
The relevant facts are undisputed. Plaintiff, a resident of California, was an employee of William Morris Endeavor Entertainment, LLC (“WME”). WME provided Plaintiff employment benefits under the WME Plan (“Plan”). The parties agree that the Plan is an employee welfare benefit governed by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”), 29 U.S.C. §§ 1001 , et seq.
The Plan offers a number of benefits, including long term disability (“LTD”) benefits, and is governed by a Master Wrap Plan Document (‘Wrap Document”). See Mefford Decl. ¶ 5, Exh. 8. Defendant Prudential insures the LTD benefits provided under the Plan, and was also the claim administrator during the relevant time. Plaintiff applied for and was granted LTD benefits under the Plan, but…