SACRAMENTO – A former employee of Sutter Solano Medical Center alleges that he was denied long-term disability benefits because of a pre-existing condition clause, which he was unaware of because he wasn't provided a summary plan description in a timely manner.
Bobby Jones filed a complaint on April 25 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California against Sutter Solano Medical Center, Metropolitan Life Insurance Co. and Does 1-10, citing breach of fiduciary duty and failure to provide information.
According to the complaint, the plaintiff alleges that in June 1, 2013, when the plan was issue, he did not receive a summary plan description of his plan and therefore was not able to make a decision about claiming his disability benefits under the plan, which led to his exclusion from the benefits. The plaintiff holds Sutter Solano Medical Center, Metropolitan Life Insurance Co. and Does 1-10 responsible because the defendants allegedly sent plaintiff's summary plan 755 days after it was due.
The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seeks an order to determine that he is entitled for plan benefits for the next five years, an award of $110 per day for 755 days or a total of $83,050 for not providing summary plan description, and any other relief as this court deems just. He is represented by Jesse L.B. Hill of Law Offices of Jesse L.B. Hill in San Luis Obispo.
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California Case number 2:16-cv-00858-WBS-EFB