SEARCH

Medina v. Metropolitan Life Insurance Co.

Thank you for sharing!

Your article was successfully shared with the contacts you provided.

Before Torruella, Lipez and Howard, Circuit Judges.

Plaintiff Luis Medina appeals from the district court’s entry of summary judgment in favor of defendant Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (“MetLife”). Medina contends that MetLife violated the Employment Retirement Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”), 29 U.S.C. §*1001 et seq., by using an arbitrary and capricious procedure in terminating his short-term disability benefits and refusing to grant him long-term disability benefits. He also seeks monetary sanctions against MetLife for an alleged breach of its disclosure obligations under 29 U.S.C. § 1132. The district court found no violation in either of the benefits determinations. We affirm.

Medina worked as a maintenance technician for Abbott Laboratories, Inc. in Puerto Rico. As an Abbott employee, he participated in a disability insurance plan administered by Metlife that provided both short-term and long-term disability benefits (“the Plan”). In June 2006, Medina ceased work due to obstructive sleep apnea and high blood pressure. Shortly thereafter, he submitted a claim for short-term disability benefits under the Plan. His treating physician, Dr. Hector Stella, provided MetLife a diagnostic report. On August 1, 2006, MetLife informed Medina that it would grant him short-term disability benefits for a limited period, but would require additional documentation before any further benefits would be awarded. Dr. Stella submitted a second evaluation on August 21, 2006 containing further diagnoses but little in the way of specific test results.

More From ALM

Premium Subscription

With this subscription you will receive unlimited access to high quality, online, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry. This is perfect for attorneys licensed in multiple jurisdictions or for attorneys that have fulfilled their CLE requirement but need to access resourceful information for their practice areas.
View Now

Our Team Account subscription service is for legal teams of four or more attorneys. Each attorney is granted unlimited access to high quality, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry along with administrative access to easily manage CLE for the entire team.
View Now

Bundle Subscriptions

Gain access to some of the most knowledgeable and experienced attorneys with our 2 bundle options! Our Compliance bundles are curated by CLE Counselors and include current legal topics and challenges within the industry. Our second option allows you to build your bundle and strategically select the content that pertains to your needs. Both options are priced the same.
View Now

From Data to Decisions

Dynamically explore and compare data on law firms, companies, individual lawyers, and industry trends.

Exclusive Depth and Reach.

Law.com Compass includes access to our exclusive industry reports, combining the unmatched expertise of our analyst team with ALM’s deep bench of proprietary information to provide insights that can’t be found anywhere else.

Big Pictures and Fine Details

Law.com Compass delivers you the full scope of information, from the rankings of the Am Law 200 and NLJ 500 to intricate details and comparisons of firms’ financials, staffing, clients, news and events.

British Legal Awards 2024

November 27, 2024
London

Celebrating achievement, excellence, and innovation in the legal profession in the UK.

Learn More

GlobeSt. Healthcare Real Estate 2024

December 02, 2024 - December 03, 2024
Scottsdale, AZ

Join the industry's top owners, investors, developers, brokers and financiers for the real estate healthcare event of the year!

Learn More

ThinkAdvisor LUMINARIES Awards 2024

December 11, 2024
Las Vegas, NV

This event shines a spotlight on how individuals and firms are changing the investment advisory industry where it matters most.

Learn More

Associate General Counsel, Global Employment

Role TitleAssociate General Counsel, Global EmploymentGrade F13Reporting ToSenior Legal Counsel, Global EmploymentProgram/Tool/ Department/U...

Apply Now ›

Associate Attorney

Ryan & Conlon, LLP, is a boutique firm specializing in insurance defense. We are a small eclectic practice with a busy and fast paced en...

Apply Now ›

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY PROSECUTION PARALEGAL

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY PROSECUTION PARALEGAL - NEW JERSEY OR NEW YORK OFFICESProminent mid-Atlantic law firm with multiple regional office lo...

Apply Now ›