PHILADELPHIA – A Phoenixville woman alleges she is disabled and her claim for benefits was wrongfully denied.
Lisa Force filed a complaint on Aug. 25 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania against Life Insurance Co. of North America and Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp. citing the Employee Retirement Income Security Act.
According to the complaint, the plaintiff alleges that she was unable to continue her work with Merck as an administrative assistant due to several physical impairments, including cervical spondylosis. She alleges she filed a claim for short and long-term disability benefits but the long-term benefit claim was denied March 29, 2016.
The plaintiff holds Life Insurance Co. of North America and Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp. responsible because LINA's denial of the long-term benefits is flawed and failed to fully and fairly evaluate if she was capable of all material aspects of her position.
The plaintiff seeks payment of disability benefits to the plaintiff plus interest, court costs and any further relief the court grants. She is represented by Joseph Capitan of Abell & Capitan Law in Philadelphia.
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania case number 2:17-cv-03847-RK