The court of appeals reversed a judgment of the district court and remanded. The court held that claims for disability benefits by a claimant whose request for their review by his long-term disability plan was not timely resolved under applicable regulations had to be deemed administratively exhausted.
David Barboza sued the long-term disability plan of the California Association of Professional Firefighters after the plan refused to pay specified long-term disability benefits. Barboza and the plan agreed that Barboza was entitled to benefits. However, they did not agree on whether the plan could offset those benefits based on designated payments that Barboza either received or could have received under state law.
