Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-casd-3_10-cv-00467/USCOURTS-casd-3_10-cv-00467-1/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 791
Nature of Suit: Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA)
Cause of Action: 29:1132 E.R.I.S.A.-Employee Benefits

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

ROBERT FRANCIS,

Plaintiff,

CASE NO.10cv467 BEN (BGS)

ORDER:

CERTIFYING SUMMARY

JUDGMENT ORDER FOR

INTERLOCUTORY APPEAL

UNDER 28 U.S.C. § 1292(b)

vs.

ANACOMP, INC. ACCIDENTAL DEATH

AND DISMEMBERMENT PLAN and LIFE

INSURANCE COMPANY OF NORTH

AMERICA,

Defendants.

Plaintiff Robert Francis moves for certification for interlocutory appeal this Court’s

Summary Judgment Order. In the Order, the Court found that California state law regarding the

interpretation of accidental death provisions in the insurance policy is not saved from ERISA

preemption. That decision is based on the holding of McClure v. Life Ins. Co. of North America,

84 F.3d 1129 (9th Cir. 1996).1

 The more recent case of Kentucky Ass’n of Health Plans, Inc. v.

Miller, 538 U.S. 329 (2003), could change the law to be applied if the court of appeals re-visits the

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The Defendant appears to be the same entity in both cases.

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issue. 

 Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1292(b), three factors control whether an interlocutory order ought

to be certified for immediate appeal:

1. Where the issue involves a controlling issue of law;

2. Where there are substantial grounds for differences of opinion regarding the controlling

issue of law; and 

3. Where an immediate appeal may materially advance the ultimate termination of

litigation.

In this case, each of the factors are present. Therefore, the motion is granted.

This Court’s summary judgment order is, hereby, certified for immediate appeal under 28

U.S.C. § 1292(b).

DATED: December 14, 2011

Hon. Roger T. Benitez

United States District Judge

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