ORLANDO, Florida — A man is suing Dearborn National Life Insurance Company, citing alleged violation of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA).
Richard Knight filed a complaint on Nov. 21 in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida against Dearborn National Life Insurance Company, alleging that the defendant violated ERISA through non-payment of plan benefits.
According to the complaint, the plaintiff alleges that he was forced to discontinue working on Jan. 8, 2014 due to his disabling condition, and that the defendant approved his long-term disability claim and issued benefits for the period of July 31, 2014 through Feb. 28, 2015. However, by letter dated June 3, 2015, the defendant terminated plaintiff's claim for benefits, and further denied his appeal on April 25, 2016, despite his having satisfied all disability conditions as defined under ERISA, the plaintiff claims.
The plaintiff holds Dearborn National Life Insurance Company responsible because the defendant allegedly improperly failed to pay disability benefit payments to him, failed to consider his medical records and the clear opinions of his physicians, and failed to discharge its duties in respect to claims processing in the interests of the plaintiff.
The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seeks judgment against defendant, unpaid benefits plus interest, attorney's fees, costs of litigation and other relief as the court deems just. He is represented by Edward P. Dabdoub and Geannina A. Burgos of Wagar Dabdoub PA in Coral Gables.
U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida Case number 16-cv-02027