Spies
Spies v. Life Ins. Co. of N. Am.
Opinion
Lead Opinion
Hamilton, J.
Defendant Life Insurance Company of North America's ("LINA") motion for summary judgment came on for hearing before this court on April 25, 2018. Plaintiff Brenda Spies appeared through her counsel, P. Randall Noah. Defendant appeared through its counsel, Anna Martin. Having read the papers filed by the parties and carefully considered their arguments and the relevant legal authority, and good cause appearing, the court hereby GRANTS defendant's motion, for the following reasons.
BACKGROUND
A. The Genesis of This Action
LINA contracted with Staples Inc. to provide short term and long term disability insurance ("STD" and "LTD," respectively). Staples employed Spies between September 3, 2013, and February 4, 2014. Dkt. 33-3, Maria Medina Decl. ¶¶ 11, 19. On February 5, 2014, Spies was hospitalized and diagnosed with ischemic colitis and lupus. Shortly thereafter, Spies submitted a claim for STD benefits. Medina Decl. ¶ 19.
On June 26, 2014, LINA approved plaintiff's STD claim through July 18, 2014. LINA later extended Spies' STD benefits through August 10, 2014, the 6-month maximum duration afforded by the STD plan. On August 21, 2014, LINA advised plaintiff that she was…