Eric P. v. Directors Guild of America

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 6 ERIC P., Case No. 19-cv-00361-WHO

Plaintiff,

ORDER REGARDING CROSS-

v. MOTIONS FOR SUMMARY

JUDGMENT

DIRECTORS GUILD OF AMERICA, et al.,

Defendants.

Before me are the parties’ cross-motions for summary judgment regarding the denial of plaintiff Eric P.’s claim for medical treatment under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”) by defendants Directors Guild of America, Directors Guild of America- Producer Health Plan, and Blue Cross of California (the “Plan”). Eric argues that the Plan abused its discretion in denying his claim for benefits on behalf of his daughter. I am sympathetic to his decision to have his daughter treated in what he thought was the most effective way, and if my review was de novo and not abuse of discretion, I might well have concluded that the Plan should have made a different decision. However, his legal arguments rely largely upon an interpretation of the facts that is not…