Toyota Quality Assurance Monitor Sues Life Insurance Company Of North America For Denial Of Long-Term Disability Benefits
A disability attorney in the state of Indiana recently filed a federal lawsuit in Indiana against Life Insurance Company of North America (LINA) and Toyota Motor Long-Term Disability Plan (Toyota). The Plaintiff, Julie S., was employed by Toyota as a Quality Assurance Monitor, which made her eligible for Toyota’s long-term disability plan, which was funded by LINA.
In Julie S. v. Life Insurance Company of North America and Toyota Motor Long-Term Disability Plan, the Plaintiff filed a disability lawsuit to gain the long-term disability benefits she deserved under the terms of the Plan.
Facts of the Case Against LINA and Toyota
Plaintiff was employed by Toyota from November 1, 2004 until she became disabled on November 3, 2006 and unable to work. This was due to an injury that caused her to undergo two subsequent surgeries. The Plaintiff has and continues to suffer from complex thoracic outlet compression, myofascitis, and cubital tunnel syndrome. Plaintiff’s treating physicians provided objective medical proof that the Plaintiff was unable to continue working due to these ailments.
Plaintiff filed an application for and received short-term disability benefits. After the time period for STD benefits ran out, Plaintiff filed for and received long-term disability benefits beginning on May 4, 2007.
LINA Terminates Long-Term Disability Benefits
On September 2, 2010, LINA terminated the long-term disability benefits. Plaintiff filed an administrative appeal challenging this denial. With this appeal, Plaintiff including significant medical evidence to prove her condition and disability. However, LINA denied this appeal on November 17, 2011 on the basis that the Plaintiff was “capable of performing her occupation on a full-time basis with no restriction.” After exhausting her administrative remedies, Plaintiff was forced to file this ERISA lawsuit to seek her due benefits.
Lawsuit Filed Against LINA and Toyota
The terms of the lawsuit state that LINA committed the following wrongful actions against the Plaintiff:
- Failed to provide the long-term disability benefits that the Plaintiff was entitled to under the terms of the Plan
- Caused serious financial and emotional distress to the Plaintiff due to the termination of long-term disability benefits
- Not provided reasonable justification for denying Plaintiff’s long-term disability benefits
- Wrongfully terminated Plaintiff’s long-term disability benefits
- Wrongfully denied Plaintiff’s appeal for long-term disability benefits
Plaintiff Seeks Following Relief From This Lawsuit
The wrongful actions of LINA and Toyota have caused the Plaintiff to seek the following relief from this Court:
- A judgment that requires them to pay all long-term disability benefits that are due, along with all accrued interest
- A judgment that the Plaintiff’s eligibility for future long-term disability payments be reinstated
- A judgment that the Plaintiff will continue to receive future long-term disability payments for as long as Plaintiff remains eligible under the terms of the Plan
- A judgment that LINA and Toyota will pay for all reasonable attorney fees
- A judgment that LINA and Toyota will pay for all associated court costs
- A judgment that LINA and Toyota will pay all other relief that the Court decides to be proper and just
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