A disabled Marrero woman is suing her insurance company, alleging it terminated her coverage and suggested she get a new job.
Lawanda Green filed a lawsuit Oct. 2 in U.S. District Court Eastern District of Louisiana, against Life Insurance Company of North America, or LINA, alleging unlawful denial of benefits and violation of the Louisiana Insurance Code.
According to the complaint, Green suffers from several conditions, including chronic low back pain, left shoulder pain, lupus, fatigue, migraines, glaucoma, herniated disks, fibromyalgia, restless leg syndrome, diabetes, hypertension and major depressive disorder. The suit says she has medical records to back up these claims.
According to the suit, LINA terminated Green’s benefits June 13, 2013, stating she no longer met the policy’s definition of disability. LINA identified occupations Green should be qualified for given her education, training and experience, but Green says she is physically unable to perform any of the alternative suggestions from LINA.
Further, the plaintiff alleges the suggested occupations did not provide her with the same earning capacity she had before she was disabled.
Green seeks damages, past and future disability benefits under policy terms plus interest. She also seeks damages for physical and emotional distress, attorney and court fees and any other relief the court allows, plus a jury trial. She is represented by attorneys 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-04940-JTM-KWR.