LOS ANGELES – An Arizona resident alleges her disability benefits were wrongfully terminated.
Terri Byrum filed a complaint on May 21 in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California against Life Insurance Co. of North America (LINA) and Apollo Education Group Inc. Long Term Disability Plan citing the Employee Retirement Income Security Act.
According to the complaint, the plaintiff was employed by Apollo and stopped working in December 2012 because of her disabilities. She alleges she applied for benefits, which were approved by LINA and then later denied in January 2014.
The plaintiff holds Life Insurance Co. of North America and Apollo Education Group Inc. Long Term Disability Plan responsible because the defendants allegedly failed to provide a prompt and reasonable explanation of the basis relied on for the effective denial of plaintiff’s claims, and failed to adequately describe to plaintiff any additional material or information necessary to perfect her claims.
The plaintiff seeks judgment against defendants for declaratory relief, award disability benefits, costs and attorneys’ fees, interest, and further relief as the court deems just. She is represented by Corinne Chandler, Mitchell O. Hefter and Glenn R. Kantor of Kantor & Kantor LLP in Northridge.
U.S. District Court for the Central District of California case number 2:18-cv-04255