Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-3_03-cv-03898/USCOURTS-cand-3_03-cv-03898-1/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

For the Northern District of California

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United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

LARRY FENBERG,

Plaintiff,

 v.

COWDEN AUTOMTIVE LONG TERM

DISABILITY PLAN,

Defendant.

 /

No. C 03-03898 SI

ORDER GRANTING BENEFITS AND

REMANDING CASE

OnMay 24, 2005, the Court filed an Order granting summary judgment in favorofplaintiff. Thereafter,

the Court directed the parties to provide further briefing regarding the appropriate payment of back benefits

and clarification of future benefits. Having heard from both parties, who are substantially in agreement, the

Court finds as follows.

The parties agree upon the appropriate calculation of past benefits. Plaintiff was entitled to receive a

Gross Monthly Benefit under the plan in the amount of$3,745.35 per month, beginning on June 1, 2002. This

amount must be reduced by any SocialSecurity orstate disability benefits plaintiff has received during that time

period. Plaintiff received Social Security disability benefits in the amount of $1,314.00 per month beginning

on August 1, 2002, and California disability benefits of $2,133.33 per month beginning on March 1, 2002 and

lasting until March 1, 2003.

Thus, for June and July, 2002, plaintiffis entitled to $1,612.02 per month. For August 2002 through

February 2003, plaintiffis entitled to $298.02 per month. And from March 2003 through May 2004, plaintiff

is entitled to $2,431.35 per month. This comes to a total of $41,780.43.

The parties dispute whether plaintiff is entitled to disability payments after May 2004. Both parties

Case 3:03-cv-03898-SI Document 82 Filed 10/17/05 Page 1 of 2
United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

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agree that, to the extent plaintiff’s disability was based upon depression, the plan provides for only 24 months

of coverage. Plaintiff maintains that he has been and is physically disabled due to his HIV/AIDS infection.

Defendant contests this assertion. Both parties agree that the administrative record has not been developed

on this point, and request that the Court remand to the claim review fiduciary for the plan, Reliance Standard

Life Insurance Company. 

Accordingly, the Court ORDERS that defendant pay plaintiff past benefits for the first 24 months of

his disability in the amount of $41,780.43, plus pre-judgment interest at the rate applicable to post-judgment

interest provided by 28 U.S.C. § 1961. The Court further REMANDS this matter to Reliance Standard Life

Insurance Company for further consideration of coverage after May 2004. Finally, plaintiff may file a motion

for attorneys’ fees within fourteen days of the date this Order is filed.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: 10/14/05

 

SUSAN ILLSTON

United States District Judge

Case 3:03-cv-03898-SI Document 82 Filed 10/17/05 Page 2 of 2