LOS ANGELES — A Bakersfield woman is suing an insurance company, alleging breach of duty.
Yolanda Sanchez filed a complaint Jan. 26 in U.S. District Court for the Central District of California against Life Insurance Company of North America, alleging the defendant breached the contract by depriving her right to obtain benefits under terms of the policy.
According to the complaint, in May 24, 2017, Sanchez, who worked for the Kern Community College District, was denied of her claim for disability benefits under her policy despite submitting both her of continued disabling medical condition and her inability to perform her regular occupation. As a result, Sanchez says she has suffered anxiety, worry, mental and emotional distress, and other incidental damages and out-of-pocket expenses.
The plaintiff alleges Life Insurance Company of North America has failed to provide a prompt and reasonable explanation to advise Sanchez why she was not entitled to further benefits, failed to respond to the plaintiff's submission of additional information and failed to properly and objectively investigate her claim.
Sanchez seeks trial by jury, full benefits under the policy in excess of $180,000, plus interest, including prejudgment interest, general damages for mental and emotional distress of $2 million, punitive and exemplary damages in excess of $4 million and all other relief the court deems just and proper. She is represented by attorney Brent Dorian Brehm of Kanto & Kantor LLP in Northridge.
U.S. District Court for the Central District of California case number 2:18-cv-00706