Sangha
Sangha v. Cigna Life Ins. Co. of N.Y.
Opinion
Lead Opinion
Gilliam, J.
On September 6, 2017, Plaintiff Sarabjit Sangha brought suit against Defendant Cigna Life Insurance Company of New York ("CIGNA" or "CLICNY") for declaratory, injunctive, and monetary relief under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 ("ERISA"), 29 U.S.C. § 1132 (a)(1)(B). See Dkt. No. 1 ("Compl.") ¶ 1. Specifically, Plaintiff appeals Defendant's denial of her long-term disability ("LTD") benefits relating to "chronic pain secondary to cervical degenerative disc disease and C4 to C7 spinal fusion surgery." Id. Currently pending before the Court are the parties' motions for judgment. See Dkt. Nos. 30 ("Pl. Mot."), 31 ("Def. Mot"), 34 ("Def. Opp."), 33 ("Pl. Opp."). At a bench trial on June 7, 2018, the parties argued the motions.
The Court has carefully considered the arguments and evidence presented by the parties and, for the reasons set forth below, OVERTURNS Defendant's denial of LTD benefits from July 31, 2016. The following constitutes the Court's Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 52(a).
I. FACTUAL BACKGROUND
Beginning in August 2010, Plaintiff worked as a Buyer/Subcontractor Administrator for Loral Space &…