Jackson, Sr. v. The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America
Opinion
Trial Court Opinion
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 5 CHARLES JACKSON, SR., Case No. 22-cv-03142-JSC
Plaintiff,
ORDER RE: MOTION FOR
v. SUMMARY JUDGMENT
THE GUARDIAN LIFE INSURANCE Re: Dkt. No. 27 COMPANY OF AMERICA, et al., 10 Defendants.
11 Charles Jackson, Sr. brings this lawsuit against The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America and his employer, Pacific States Petroleum under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (“ERISA”). 29 U.S.C. §§ 1132(a)(1)(B), (a)(3)(B). Defendants move for summary judgment based on Plaintiff’s failure—in their view—to exhaust administrative remedies under Pacific States’ employee benefit plan prior to filing suit. (Dkt. No. 27.)1 After carefully reviewing the parties’ briefs and conducting oral arguments on April 13, 2023, Defendants’ motion is DENIED. If a plan “clearly and unambiguously” requires pre-suit exhaustion, a plaintiff must satisfy the plan’s requirements prior to filing suit without exception. Wit v. United Behavioral Health, 58…