United States Fourth Circuit

In a dispute concerning a disability income policy, the district court's decision to grant plaintiff-insurance company declaratory relief, finding the policy null and void, is unduly punitive and therefore not authorized by ERISA.

Appellate Information

• Argued 03/18/2005
• Decided 08/29/2005
• Published 08/29/2005

Judges

• Before WILKINS, Chief Judge, and WIDENER and TRAXLER, Circuit Judges.

Court

• United States Fourth Circuit

Counsel

• For Appellees:
  
• ARGUED:  William Parry Dale, McChesney & Dale, P.C., Bowie, Maryland, for Appellant/Cross-Appellee, Melvyn Cohen.  Michael Robert McCann, Funk & Bolton, P.A., Baltimore, Maryland, for Appellee/Cross-Appellant, Provident Life & Accident Insurance Company.   ON BRIEF:  Derek B. Yarmis, Funk & Bolton, P.A., Baltimore, Maryland, for Appellee/Cross-Appellant, Provident Life & Accident Insurance Company.