United States Sixth Circuit

In an ERISA action seeking disability benefits, summary judgment for defendant is affirmed in part where, if an employer contributes to any employee's payment of premiums, ERISA must apply to the entirety of the particular insurance program, regardless of whether one or more employees pays his own premiums in full; but reversed in part, where defendant did not engage in a deliberate and principled reasoning process in denying plaintiff's claim.

Appellate Information

• Decided 07/24/2009
• Published 07/24/2009

Judges

• Before: MOORE and GILMAN, Circuit Judges;  PHILLIPS, District Judge.

Court

• United States Sixth Circuit

Counsel

• For Appellees:
  
• ARGUED:  J. Laevin Weiner, Frank, Haron, Weiner and Navarro, Troy, Michigan, for Appellant.  James E. Brenner, Clark Hill PLC, Detroit, Michigan, Kimberly J. Ruppel, Dickinson Wright, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, for Appellees.   ON BRIEF:  J. Laevin Weiner, Frank, Haron, Weiner and Navarro, Troy, Michigan, for Appellant.  James E. Brenner, Clark Hill PLC, Detroit, Michigan, Kimberly J. Ruppel, Dickinson Wright, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, for Appellees.