Opinion ID: 2995171
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: introduction

Text: Neuma contends that the district court erred in its disposition of Counts I, II and IV. As to Count I, it submits that the district court’s interpretation of the word Plan in the Disability Clause was incorrect. In Neuma’s view, the language of the Summary Plan Description is at least ambiguous in this regard, and, indeed, suggests strongly the opposite conclusion: that the word Plan means the comprehensive AMP Benefit Plan covering medical, dental and life insurance. Neuma contends that it has provided, but the district court disregarded, extrinsic evidence that supports such an interpretation. Second, Neuma claims that the district court erred in its ruling on Count IV. It contends that it is certainly a beneficiary under the meaning of ERISA and therefore is entitled to invoke the provisions of Section 502(c) because it has at least a colorable claim for benefits under ERISA. Neuma points out that, even if it did not ultimately succeed, its claim was at least colorable because it had an arguable chance of success and was not frivolous. Lastly, Neuma maintains that the district court erred in dismissing Count II’s negligent misrepresentation claim because the district court had diversity jurisdiction, not supplemental jurisdiction, over that claim.
The district court disposed of Counts I and IV by granting summary judgment to AMP. We apply a de novo standard of review to the district court’s decision. See Thomas v. Pearle Vision, Inc., 251 F.3d 1132, 1136 (7th Cir. 2001). Summary judgment should be granted if the pleadings, depositions, answers to interrogatories, and admissions on file, together with the affidavits, if any, show that there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and that the moving party is entitled to a judgment as a matter of law. Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(c); see also Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 322-23 (1986). In determining whether a genuine issue of material fact exists, we consider the evidence in the light most favorable to the non-moving party. See Adickes v. S.H. Kress & Co., 398 U.S. 144, 157 (1970); Grun v. Pneumo Abex Corp., 163 F.3d 411, 419 (7th Cir. 1998), cert. denied, 526 U.S. 1087 (1999). This court has noted that cases involving the interpretation of contractual documents are particularly well-suited to disposition on summary judgment. See Grun, 163 F.3d at 419; Ryan v. Chromalloy Am. Corp., 877 F.2d 598, 602 (7th Cir. 1989). With respect to Count II, we review a district court’s dismissal for lack of subject matter jurisdiction de novo. See LaBonte v. United States, 233 F.3d 1049, 1052 (7th Cir. 2000); Haven v. Polska, 215 F.3d 727, 731 (7th Cir.), cert. denied, Haven v. Republic of Poland, 121 S. Ct. 573 (2000).