United States Sixth Circuit

In an ERISA action stemming from a plan administrator's denial of a claim for long-term disability benefits, a judgment in favor of the administrator is vacated where its denial of benefits was arbitrary and capricious for want of a deliberate, principled reasoning process. The matter is remanded to the administrator for a full and fair inquiry since it was not possible to determine whether plaintiff was clearly entitled to long-term disability benefits.

Appellate Information

• Argued 10/25/2006
• Decided 01/11/2007
• Published 01/11/2007

Judges

• BOGGS, Chief Judge., Before BOGGS, Chief Judge;  DAUGHTREY, Circuit Judge;  and MILLS, District Judge.

Court

• United States Sixth Circuit

Counsel

• For Appellees:
  
• ARGUED:  Stephen C. Emery, Stewart, Roelandt, Stoess, Craigmyle & Emery, Crestwood, Kentucky, for Appellant.  Angela Logan Edwards, Woodward, Hobson & Fulton, Louisville, Kentucky, for Appellee.   ON BRIEF:  Stephen C. Emery, John Frith Stewart, Stewart, Roelandt, Stoess, Craigmyle & Emery, Crestwood, Kentucky, Michael D. Grabhorn, Grabhorn Law Office, Louisville, KY, for Appellant.  Angela Logan Edwards, Lisa H. Thomas, Woodward, Hobson & Fulton, Louisville, Kentucky, for Appellee.