A Metairie woman deemed totally disabled from any occupation by both physicians and the Social Security Administration claims her medical insurance provider denied her claims and told her to go back to work.
Laura McBride filed suit Sept. 29 in U.S. District Court Eastern District of Louisiana, claiming unlawful termination benefits she is entitled to under terms of the disability policy against the Life Insurance Co. of North America, also known as Cigna.
According to McBride, she challenged Cigna for paying her less than policy terms required. After that, Cigna allegedly terminated her benefits – then denied her appeal.
“On Jan. 7, 2015,” the complaint states, “Cigna gave written notice that based upon an evaluation of eligibility for benefits beyond Sep. 30, 2015 – nine months in the future, that she was able to return to work and no benefits would be paid after September 2015.”
The suit further claims that Cigna routinely uses the appeals process to support initial benefit denials, rather than review impartially whether it should reverse appealed denials from its clients.
McBride seeks all benefits due to her, past and present, plus pre- and post-judgment interest and penalties. She also requests attorney and court fees and any other relief deemed appropriate. McBride is represented by James F. Willeford and Reagan L. Toledano of Willeford & Toledano in New Orleans.
U.S. District Court Eastern District of Louisiana case number 2:15-cv-04857-CJB-JCW