SAN FRANCISCO — A policy holder is suing North America Life, alleging breach of contract and violation of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act.
Rebecca Stone filed a complaint Sept. 22 in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California against Life Insurance Company of North America, alleging the defendant wrongfully denied her claim for disability benefits.
According to the complaint, Stone, 63, who had worked for Development Dimensions International as an executive assistant until becoming disabled in 2011 due to several medical conditions including having fibromyalgia, lupus, diabetes, arthritis and cirrhosis. The suit says she applied for disability benefits and was initially approved until it was terminated.
The plaintiff alleges North America Life wrongfully terminated her long-term disability benefits based on a record review made by one of its employees.
Stone seeks damages for breach of contract for long term disability benefits at the rate of $2,639.70 per month, less offsets, social security of $1,255.90 and a net of $1,383.80, interest, legal fees and any other relief the court deems just. She is represented by attorney Bernard R. Schwam of Law Office of Bernard R. Schwam in Encino.
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California case number 3:17-cv-05500-EDL