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Plaintiff Macalou prevailed in her ERISA claim for long-term disability benefits wrongfully denied by First Unum. The court awarded her $928,954.90 in back benefits and granted her motion for attorneys' fees, costs, and prejudgment interest.
Macalou v. First Unum Life Insurance Company
What Happened
An employee named Macalou purchased long-term disability insurance through her employer, McKinsey & Company. When she needed to use the insurance, First Unum Life Insurance Company denied her claim for benefits she believed she was entitled to receive.
The Court's Decision
A federal court in New York ruled in Macalou's favor. The judge found that First Unum wrongfully denied her disability benefits and ordered the company to pay her $928,954.90 in back benefits—the money she should have received all along. The court also required First Unum to pay her legal fees, court costs, and interest, bringing the total to approximately $1.5 million.
Why This Matters
This case shows that employees can successfully challenge insurance companies when they deny legitimate disability claims. It demonstrates that courts will hold insurers accountable for wrongful denials and make them pay full compensation, including attorney fees. Workers with disability insurance should know they have legal recourse if their claims are unjustly rejected.
This summary was generated to explain the ruling in plain English and is not legal advice.
Other orders and opinions in Macalou from the same court.
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