United States Eighth Circuit

When an insurer issues a policy with ambiguous claims submission language commonly used in non-ERISA contexts, there is a presumption of no intent to confer discretion on an ERISA plan administrator, and a decision to deny benefits is subject to de novo review.

Appellate Information

• Decided 06/19/2001
• Published 06/19/2001

Judges

• LOKEN, Circuit Judge., BEFORE:  LOKEN, JOHN R. GIBSON, and MORRIS SHEPPARD ARNOLD, Circuit Judges.

Court

• United States Eighth Circuit

Counsel

• For Appellant:
  
• Doreen A. Mohs, argued, Minneapolis, MN (Stephen O. Plunkett, Eric A. Bartsch, Minneapolis, MN, Joshua Bachrach, Philadelphia, PA, on the brief), for appellant.


• For Appellees:
  
• Robin C. Merritt, argued, Duluth, MN, for appellee.