Helfman v. GE Group Life Assurance Co., No. 08-2168

In an ERISA action seeking disability benefits, summary judgment for defendant is affirmed in part where, if an employer contributes to any employee's payment of premiums, ERISA must apply to the entirety of the particular insurance program, regardless of whether one or more employees pays his own premiums in full; but reversed in part, where defendant did not engage in a deliberate and principled reasoning process in denying plaintiff's claim.

Read Helfman v. GE Group Life Assurance Co., No. 08-2168

Appellate Information

Argued: June 18, 2009

Decided and Filed: July 24, 2009

Judges

Opinion by Judge Phillips

Counsel

For Appellant:

J. Laevin Weiner, Frank, Haron, Weiner & Navarro, Troy, MI

For Appellees:

James E. Brenner, Clark Hill PLC, Detroit, MI

Kimberly J. Ruppel, Dickinson Wright, Bloomfield Hills, MI