PITTSBURGH – A West Newton man alleges his long-term disability benefits were wrongfully terminated.
Shawn W. Galiotto filed a complaint on Nov. 13 in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania against Westinghouse Electric Co. Welfare Benefit Plan and Aetna Life Insurance Co. citing the Employee Retirement Income Security Act.
According to the complaint, the plaintiff was employed by the defendant as a machinist from 2001 to 2013 and is a participant in the plan. He alleges because of low back pain, degenerative disc disease and other ailments, he has been unable to continue his job duties.
The suit states he received disability benefits from 2013 to 2015 until the defendants denied them over claims he no longer met the plan's definition of disability.
The plaintiff holds Westinghouse Electric Co. Welfare Benefit Plan and Aetna Life Insurance Co. responsible because the defendants allegedly ignored medical evidence and did not conduct and full and fair review of his claim.
The plaintiff seeks interest, court costs and any further relief the court grants. He is represented by Brian Patrick Bronson of QuatriniRafferty PC in Greensburg.
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania case number 2:17-cv-01473-RCM