PENSACOLA – An Escambia County man alleges his claim for disability benefits was wrongfully denied.
James Robert Smith filed a complaint on March 10 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida against Unum Life Insurance Co. of America alleging violation of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act.
According to the complaint, the plaintiff alleges that in October 2015, he became disabled and applied for disability benefits in January 2016. The suit states his claim was denied in June 2016. The plaintiff alleges he is still disabled according to the terms of the plan.
The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seeks judgment against the defendant for all plan benefits owed, pre-judgment interest, attorney’s fees, costs of action, and all other relief deemed just. He is represented by Nick A. Ortiz of Ortiz Law Firm in Pensacola.
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida, Pensacola Division Case number 3:17-cv-00162