Monroe

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 10 RENEE JOHNSON MONROE, No. 2:15-cv-02079-TLN-CKD Plaintiff, v. FINDINGS OF FACT AND

CONCLUSIONS OF LAW

METROPOLITAN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY, a New York corporation; and DOES 1 to 10, inclusive, Defendant. 17 Plaintiff Renee Monroe (“Plaintiff”) is a Human Resources Compliance Specialist for Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc. (“Kaiser”). Plaintiff experienced significant low back pain in February 2013 and was subsequently placed off work by her doctors. In March 2013, Plaintiff had an MRI which showed a diffuse disk bulge at the L5-S1 vertebral disc. Plaintiff applied for long term disability benefits available through her employer’s insurer, Defendant Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (“MetLife”). MetLife denied her claim finding she was not disabled from working in her regular occupation as defined in its policy and upheld its decision in subsequent appeals. Plaintiff brought this action against Defendant pursuant to the…