Criss v. Union Security Insurance

Criss v. Union Security Insurance: Disability Benefits Ruling

What Happened

An employee received disability benefits from Union Security Insurance Company but the company later stopped paying these benefits. The employee challenged this decision in court, arguing the company acted unfairly and without a proper basis for canceling the payments.

What the Court Decided

The court sided with the employee and reversed Union Security's decision to deny benefits. The judge found that the company acted arbitrarily and without reasonable justification—essentially deciding benefits unfairly without proper consideration. The court ordered the company to reinstate the disability payments.

Why This Matters for Workers

This case reinforces that employers cannot simply cut off disability benefits without good reason. Insurance companies must make careful, documented decisions when denying or stopping benefits. If a worker believes their benefits were wrongfully stopped, they can challenge the decision in court. The ruling shows courts will overturn arbitrary decisions and require companies to restore benefits when their actions are unjustified. This provides an important protection for employees who depend on disability income.