Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-3_08-cv-01231/USCOURTS-cand-3_08-cv-01231-0/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

APRIL FONTANA,

Plaintiff,

 v.

THE GUARDIAN LIFE INSURANCE

COMPANY OF AMERICA, et al.,

Defendants. /

No. C 08-01231 CRB

ORDER GRANTING MOTION TO

STRIKE

Now pending before the Court is defendants’ motion to strike. After carefully

considering the parties’ papers, the Court concludes that oral argument is unnecessary, see

Local Rule 7-1(b), and GRANTS defendants’ motion.

Plaintiff’s complaint makes two claims under ERISA: (1) recovery of employee

benefits under 29 U.S.C. section 1132(a)(1)(B), and (2) equitable relief under 29 U.S.C.

section 1132(a)(3). In addition to recovery of past benefits and other equitable relief,

plaintiff seeks general damages. She also makes a demand for a jury trial. 

The claim for general damages must be stricken. Bast v. Prudential Ins. Co. of

America,150 F.3d 1003 (9th Cir. 1998) (“Extracontractual, compensatory and punitive

damages are not available under ERISA.”). Great-West Life & Annuity Ins. Co., 534 U.S.

204, 210, 217 (2002), did not in any way overrule the Ninth Circuit’s decision in Bast, a

decision which this district court must follow. See Day v. Apoliona, 496 F.3d 1027, 1031

(9th Cir. 2007).

Case 3:08-cv-01231-CRB Document 15 Filed 03/31/08 Page 1 of 2
United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

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G:\CRBALL\2008\1231\ordergrantingmtntostrike.wpd 2

Plaintiff’s demand for a jury trial must be stricken for the same reason. The Ninth

Circuit has held that there is no right to a jury trial in ERISA cases. Thomas v. Oregon Fruit

Products Co., 228 F.3d 991, 996 (9th Cir. 2000). As Great-West did not overrule Thomas,

this district court is bound by the law of the Ninth Circuit. See Day, 496 F.3d at 1031.

Accordingly, defendants’ motion to strike is GRANTED. Plaintiff’s request for leave

to amend is DENIED. Plaintiff does not explain how amendment can cure the legal problem

that ERISA simply does not allow claims for extracontractual damages or a jury trial.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: March 31, 2008 

CHARLES R. BREYER

UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

Case 3:08-cv-01231-CRB Document 15 Filed 03/31/08 Page 2 of 2