Luzerne County resident accuses plan administrators of denial of benefits
HARRISBURG — A disabled employee is suing Geisinger System Services Long Term Disability Plan and Prudential Insurance Company of America, plan administrators, citing alleged violation of workers compensation acts.
Kelly Douglas-Lowe filed a complaint on May 16, in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania against the defendants alleging that they violated the Employee retirement Income Security Act.
According to the complaint, the plaintiff alleges that short term her disability benefits was approved and paid for 26 weeks, from October 2, 2013 through March 30, 2014. But his long term disability benefits that would start on March 31, 2014 was denied. The plaintiff holds Geisinger System Services Long Term Disability Plan and Prudential Insurance Company of America responsible because the defendants allegedly failed to exercise the statutory required duty of care and prudence, failed to administer the plan solely for the interest of the participants and beneficiaries and failed to provide full and fair review on her claim.
The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seeks judgement against defendants to pay disability benefits, attorneys' fees, costs of this suit and all other relief which she may be entitled. She is represented by Joseph P. McDonald of McDonald & McDonald LLC in Pittsburg and Tybe A. Brett of Feinstein Doyle Payne & Kravec LLC in Pittsburg.
U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania Case number 3:16-cv-00893