Woman challenges disability claim denial

A San Antonio woman has sued a Louisiana insurance carrier after her disability claim was denied twice.

Claudia A. Huesby filed a lawsuit April 27 in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana against Aetna Life Insurance Co.

Huseby is filing a claim for her ERISA insurance plan, through her employer, The Boeing Company. According to the complaint, she filed for the disability benefits "because her medical condition precludes her from continuing to perform the duties of her job on a full-time basis."

The suit says Huesby qualifies for the claim due to the definition of disability under the policy but Aetna denied her benefits. She also appealed the decision, but Aetna maintained its denial "Aetna's denials are based on insubstantial evidence and are arbitrary and an abuse of discretion," the suit states.

The plaintiff cites failure of discretion on the part of Aetna.

Huesby seeks all past and future benefits due the plaintiff, pre- and post-judgment interest, attorney fees and court costs.

She is represented by attorney Reagan L. Toledano of Willeford and Toledano in New Orleans.

U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana case number: 2:15-cv-01364-KDE-MBN.