OAKLAND – The beneficiaries of an accidental death policy allege that the insurance companies have denied them benefits.
Chinnappa Palem; Rupa Gopisetty, individually and as guardian ad litem of Yasash Palem; and Saanvi Palem filed a complaint on May 23 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, Oakland Division against Trinet Group Inc. and Metropolitan Life Insurance Co. alleging violation of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act.
According to the complaint, Gopisetty's husband died from injuries suffered in a motorcycle accident in September 2015. He participated in a plan with accidental death benefits in the amount of $770,000, the suit states, and the plaintiffs were named as beneficiaries. The plaintiffs holds Trinet Group Inc. and Metropolitan Life Insurance Co. responsible because the defendants allegedly denied plaintiffs' benefit claims based on the policy that Gopisetty's husband was allegedly intoxicated while operating his motor vehicle.
The plaintiffs seek unpaid plan benefits, all legal fees and any other relief as the court deems just. They are represented by John P. Stennett and Barbara A. Casino of Stennett & Casino in San Diego.
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, Oakland Division Case number 3:16-cv-02764-EDL