LOS ANGELES – A linguist who worked as contractor at the Bagram Air Force Base alleges his long-term disability benefits were wrongfully terminated.
Wali Shams filed a complaint on March 28 in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California against Life Insurance Co. of North America, Exelis Systems Corp. Long-Term Disability Plan and Does 1 to 10 citing the Employee Retirement Income Security Act.
According to the complaint, the plaintiff alleges that in 2013, he became disabled after injuring his neck while serving as a contractor in Afghanistan and was initially approved to receive disability benefits until his claim was terminated on 2014. The plaintiff holds Life Insurance Co. of North America, Exelis Systems Corp. Long-Term Disability Plan and Does 1 to 10 responsible because the defendants allegedly upheld their decision to terminate plaintiff's disability benefits on the belief the plaintiff is capable of working as a research assistant despite the plaintiff's medical evidence.
The plaintiff seeks long term disability benefits payable at the rate of $4,738 per month, interest, all legal fees, reinstatement, and any other relief as the court deems just. He is represented by Kevin M. Zietz of Law Offices of Kevin Zietz in Encino.
U.S. District Court for the Central District of California Case number 2:17-cv-02387-DSF-E