Standard Motor Products Employee file an ERISA Lawsuit against Prudential Insurance for denied disability benefits
Claiming ERISA (Employee Retirement Insurance Security Act) violations, Jacqueline Musgrove and her Kansas disability attorney filed a lawsuit against Prudential Insurance Company of America on July 1, 2011 for her long term disability benefits. As an assembler of electronic automotive parts, Musgrove worked for Standard Motor Products from September 28, 1988 until March 22, 2010. In March 2010, Musgrove was no longer able to perform her job duties due to “chronic lower back and left lower extremity pain.”
Events Leading Up to the Filing of Suit Against Prudential
With medical records in hand verifying her condition, Musgrove applied for her employee disability benefits per her company’s Prudential insurance plan and was approved for short term disability benefits through April 18, 2010. Musgrove sought to continue her benefits as she was still unable to work, but Prudential denied her continuing short term benefits and long term benefits as well. On appeal by Musgrove, Prudential upheld the original decision and Musgrove moved forward with a lawsuit that she and her Kansas disability attorney filed in July 2011. In their ERISA lawsuit, Musgrove and her disability attorney allege that Prudential “wrongfully refused payment [of] long-term disability benefits to which [Musgrove] was, and continues to be entitled,” and claim that the insurer’s denial of Musgrove’s disability benefits is “unreasonable, arbitrary and capricious, and contrary to the terms of the plan.”
Musgrove and Her Disability Attorney Head to Court to Plead the Case
Musgrove complied with all the requirements to receive her benefits, made proper demand, exhausted all administrative appeal options Prudential offered, and has been forced to file a lawsuit to get the disability benefit payments she is rightfully entitled to. Consequently, in their suit, Musgrove and her disability attorney ask the Court to order Prudential to:
- Declare Musgrove disabled as defined by the Prudential plan;
- Order Prudential to provide Musgrove with her long-term disability benefits from the date of her entitlement to benefits from the time of her denial of benefits until the date of the judgment;
- Order Prudential to grant Musgrove her long-term disability benefits “in the future to the extent as allowed by the Policy;
- Award Musgrove prejudgment interest;
- Award Musgrove attorney’s fees and court costs; and
- Award Musgrove other relief the Court “deems just and proper.”
Prudential Lawsuits Are Challenging For Disability Claimants
Resources to Help You Win Disability Benefits
Submit a Strong Appeal Package
We work with you, your doctors, and other experts to submit a very strong appeal.
Sue Your Disability Insurance Company
We have filed thousands of disability denial lawsuits in federal Courts nationwide.
Get Your Disability Application Approved
Prevent a Disability Benefit Denial
Negotiate a Lump-Sum Settlement
Our goal is to negotiate the highest possible buyout of your long-term disability policy.