Wetzel man seeks disability benefits

WHEELING - A Wetzel County man is seeking disability benefits allegedly due under his employment benefits.

James C. Moore flied a lawsuit Sept. 10 in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia at Wheeling against Bayer Corporate and Business Services LLC Long-Term Disability Plan, The Hartford Life & Accident Insurance Co. and Does 1 through 10, citing violations of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 Section 502(a)(1)(B).

Moore says he was an employee of Bayer and qualified for disability benefits in the event he became totally disabled.

Moore alleges that in February 2011, due to a herniated disc in his lumbar spine, he became totally disabled and unable to work.

He initially received long-term disability benefits from The Hartford Life & Accident Insurance Co., but the benefits were denied after Aug. 7, 2012, according to the complaint. He claims he filed a timely appeal, which was denied.

The complaint alleges that Moore remains completely disabled and due benefits, which the defendants refuse to pay.

Moore is asking the court to order the defendants to pay all benefits due under the disability plan and interest plus legal costs. Moore is being represented in the case by J. Patrick L. Stephens of Underwood Law Offices.

United States District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia at Wheeling Case No. 3:13-CV-127.