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PENNSYLVANIA RECORD

Thursday, March 28, 2024

HealthCare Benefits Trust, LINA alleged to have wrongfully terminated woman's benefits

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ERIE – An Allegheny County woman alleges that her long-term disability benefits were wrongfully terminated.

Julia Kulwik filed a complaint on Aug. 15 in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania against HealthCare Benefits Trust, on behalf of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, and Life Insurance Co. of North America citing the Employee Retirement Income Security Act.

According to the complaint, the plaintiff alleges that she became disabled due to several health problems, including the need for a spinal fusion and lumbar laminectomy. The suit states she was found to be disabled by a physician in August 2014 and received short-term disability benefits from August 2014 to February 2015. She alleges she applied for long-term disability benefits in February 2015 and the benefits were terminated by the defendant in May 2015.

The plaintiff holds Healthcare Benefits Trust, on behalf of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, and Life Insurance Co. of North America responsible because the defendants allegedly failed to provide a full and fair review of the plaintiff's claim.

The plaintiff seeks payment of all benefits due to the plaintiff plus interest, enjoin the defendants, restitution or disgorgement, court costs and any further relief the court grants. She is represented by Tybe A. Brett of Feinstein Doyle & Kravec LLC in Pittsburgh and by Melvin L. Vatz of Pittsburgh.

U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania case number 2:17-cv-01066-RCM

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