Recently, two separate lawsuits were filed against the Cigna Group Insurance (CIGNA) by claimants of employee benefits plans issued and administered by CIGNA for denial of long term disability benefits and violations under the provision of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA).

Robert William Rupp vs. Life Insurance Company Of North America And Cigna Group Insurance Co

The case of Robert William Rupp vs. Life Insurance Company Of North America And Cigna Group Insurance Co was filed at the District Court for the Middle District of Georgia by a Georgia disability attorney for a former employee of Interstate Brands Corporation, Columbus, Georgia. While employed at the Interstate Brands Corporation, the plaintiff was a participant in an employee benefit plan that was contracted by the Interstate Brands Corporation with Life Insurance Company of North America (now part of the CIGNA Group). CIGNA Group Insurance acted as the Claims Administrator for the plan and was the party that made the decision to deny the plaintiff’s claim for disability benefits.

According to the lawsuit, the plaintiff is permanently and totally disabled due to multiple sclerosis and significant bilateral and left side extremity weakness. As such, the plaintiff claimed that he is entitled to disability benefits under the terms of the plan insuring him. The plaintiff stated in the lawsuit that he was paid disability benefits until January 14th 2009, at which time CIGNA decided to terminate the plaintiff’s benefits. Despite appealing CIGNA’s decision to terminate his disability benefits and exhausting all his administrative remedies, CIGNA upheld its prior decision.

Georgia Disability Lawyer sues Cigna

The plaintiff alleged that CIGNA’s decision to terminate his disability benefits were arbitrary, illegal, capricious, unreasonable and not made in good faith. As a direct and proximate result of the action of CIGNA, the plaintiff claimed that he had sustained damages consisting of the amount of benefits that was due to the plaintiff for each month since the disability benefits were terminated on January 14th 2009. Hence, the plaintiff is requesting from the Court the following relief:

  • An order for CIGNA to pay to the plaintiff all benefits due to him under the policy retroactive to January 14, 2009.
  • An award of attorneys’ fees, court costs and all other reasonable costs incurred.
  • An award of post judgement interest as allowed by the law.
  • An award for other and further relief that the Court may deem just and proper.

David Claar (United Technologies Corporation Employee) Vs Cigna Group Insurance

The case of David Claar Vs Cigna Group Insurance was filed at the District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania by a Pennsylvania disability attorney on behalf of a former employee of United Technologies Corporation.

The Facts Of The Case Against Cigna also Known as Life Insurance Company of North America

The plaintiff David Claar was a participant of a long term disability insurance policy that was administered by CIGNA. According to the lawsuit, due to significant medical ailments, the plaintiff became fully disabled under the terms of the policy. After having filed a claim for disability benefits, CIGNA denied the plaintiff’s claim for long term disability benefits on July 14th 2010.

The plaintiff and his Pennsylvania Disability Lawyer alleged in the lawsuit that the denial of the long term disability benefits was illegal and unreasonable as significant medical evidence was submitted to CIGNA detailing the nature and extent of the plaintiff’s disability. The plaintiff stated in the lawsuit that despite the medical evidence that was presented, CIGNA continued to illegally deny the plaintiff’s long term disability benefits until finally exhausting all the plaintiff’s administrative appeals on November 4th 2010.

Relief Sought By The Plaintiff

As a result of CIGNA’s continued denial of his claim for long term disability benefits, the plaintiff is now seeking the following relief from the Court:

  • A judgment against CIGNA for the amount of all disability benefits due and owing under the plan with interest as may be permitted by the Court.
  • An award by the Court for reasonable attorney’s fees and costs as provided under the ERISA.
  • An award for any other legal or equitable relief as the Court deems appropriate.