SAN JOSE – A Monterey County woman is suing an insurance company alleging it wrongfully denied her benefit claims.
Hilarina Galinato filed a complaint on Feb. 26 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, San Jose Division against The Prudential Insurance Co. of America, citing breach of contract and bad faith.
According to the complaint, the plaintiff alleges that on Sept. 17, 2014, she became disabled and made a notice of claim, but was denied in May 2015 and again in December 2015 after an appeal. The plaintiff holds The Prudential Insurance Co. of America responsible because the defendant allegedly failed to properly investigate her claim and relied on biased opinions of medical professionals when deciding to approve or deny her benefit claims.
The plaintiff seeks the following: compensation of more than $300,000 for all damages plus interest, legal fees and any other relief as this court deems just and proper. She is represented by Scott E. Shaffman of Monterey.
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, San Jose Division Case number 5:16-cv-00956-NC