Opinion ID: 758774
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Refusal to Supply PG & E Plan Documents

Text: 50 In the plaintiffs' final claim, they assert PG & E should be found liable under ERISA § 502(c)(1)(B) for its failure to provide the plaintiffs with copies of its benefits plan documents. The plaintiffs requested copies of plan documents on March 7, 1995, PG & E refused to comply with the request stating that it did not consider the plaintiffs to be entitled to receive the documents. The district court concluded that because the plaintiffs were not participants under PG & E's plans, they were not entitled to receive copies of the plan documents. 51 An administrator of an employee pension benefit plan is required to provide copies of plan documents to any plan participant or beneficiary requesting such documents. 29 U.S.C. § 1024(b)(4) (1996). As the district court noted, a participant is any employee or former employee ... who is or may become eligible to receive a benefit of any type from an employee benefit plan. Weiss v. Sheet Metal Workers Local No. 544 Pension Trust, 719 F.2d 302, 303 (9th Cir.1983). As discussed in the preceding sections herein, the plaintiffs may qualify as participants under the pension and retirement benefit plans and the health benefit plan if they satisfy the common-law employee test set forth in Darden. Therefore, with respect to the pension, retirement and health benefit plan documents the plaintiffs requested, we vacate the district court's finding and remand for reconsideration after the district court determines the plaintiffs' employment status. However, the plaintiffs have no colorable claim to benefits under the severance plan, and therefore cannot maintain an action under Section 501(c)(1)(B) against PG & E with respect to severance plan documents. 52 Affirmed in part and reversed in part.