Orzechowski v. Boeing Co. Non-Union Long-Term Disability Plan, Plan Number 625

**Boeing Employee Wins Disability Benefits Case** This case involved a Boeing employee, Orzechowski, who was denied long-term disability benefits under the company's employee benefit plan. When Boeing's insurance plan rejected his claim, Orzechowski sued, arguing the denial was wrong. The key issue was how much power the insurance company had to make decisions about benefit claims. Boeing's plan included language giving the insurer broad "discretionary authority" to decide whether someone qualified for benefits. This typically makes it very hard for employees to challenge denials in court, since judges usually have to defer to the insurance company's decision. However, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in favor of the employee. The court found that California state insurance law essentially cancels out these discretionary authority clauses, meaning judges can review benefit denials from scratch rather than simply rubber-stamping the insurance company's decision. **What this means for workers:** If you're a California employee whose disability benefits were wrongfully denied, courts may give your case a fresh, independent review rather than automatically siding with your employer's insurance company. This makes it easier to challenge unfair benefit denials and potentially win your case.