Hancock v. Metro. Life Ins. Co., No. 08-4161

In an action for disability benefits under ERISA, summary judgment for defendant-insurer is affirmed where: 1) the application of Utah Admin. Code section 590-218 to the benefits plan was expressly preempted by ERISA; 2) defendant's benefit-denial letter could not have violated 29 C.F.R. section 2560.503-1(g) because that provision applied only to denials of benefits, not denials of appeals; and 3) defendant did not deny plaintiff a full and fair review.

Read Hancock v. Metro. Life Ins. Co., No. 08-4161

Appellate Information

Filed December 29, 2009

Judges

Opinion by Judge Hartz

Counsel

For Appellant:

Brian S. King and Marcie E. Schaap, Salt Lake City, UT

For Appellee:

Jack M. Englert, Jr. and James L. Barnett, Holland & Hart LLP, Salt Lake City, UT