MIAMI – A disabled employee is seeking reinstatement to a long-term disability plan.
Shane Houpt filed a complaint on May 11 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida against Hartford Life and Accident Insurance Co. alleging violation the Employee Retirement Income Security Act.
According to the complaint, the plaintiff alleges that his benefits were initially approved on Dec. 11, 2014, and continued until March 31, 2015, when the defendant determined that he was no longer disabled. The plaintiff holds Hartford Life and Accident Insurance Co. responsible because the defendant allegedly wrongfully denied his benefits under the plan, failed to adequately describe any additional information necessary to perfect his claim, failed to adequately investigate the merits of his disability claim and failed to provide a full and fair review of his claim.
The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seeks an order for his reinstatement to the plan, compensation for disability benefits due, attorney's fees and costs and such other relief as the court deems just and proper. He is represented by Stephen F. Jessup of Attorneys Dell & Schaefer Chartered in Hollywood.
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida Case number 0:16-cv-61013