SACRAMENTO – A former car dealership manager alleges his claim for disability benefits was wrongfully denied.
Christopher Johnson filed a complaint on June 9 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California against The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Co. and Long Term Disability Insurance Plan of Lithia Motors Inc. alleging violation of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act.
According to the complaint, the plaintiff alleges that he became disabled in 2014 because of post-traumatic stress disorder and other medical issues and that Northwestern denied his claim for disability benefits.
The plaintiff holds The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Co. and Long Term Disability Insurance Plan of Lithia Motors Inc. responsible because the defendants allegedly ignored the opinions of the plaintiff's physicians.
The plaintiff seeks benefits plus interest, all legal fees, and any other relief as the court deems just. He is represented by Frank N. Darras, Susan B. Grabarsky and Phillip S. Bather of Darras Law in Ontario.
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California case number 2:17-at-00608