CLARKSBURG – A Wellsburg woman alleges that her claim for disability benefits was wrongfully denied.
Susan Stimpson filed a complaint on Oct. 2 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia against The Hartford and Trustees of Bethany College Employee Benefit Plan alleging violation of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act.
According to the complaint, the plaintiff was previously employed by Bethany College but was unable to continue working in 2009 because of pain and numbness in her legs, back and neck. She alleges that she applied for disability benefits and was initially approved, then the defendant later denied the claim.
The plaintiff alleges she is entitled to disability benefits under the plan because her medical condition prevents her from performing the duties of any occupation.
The plaintiff seeks an order obligating the defendant to pay her past-due disability benefits and all other contributions and benefits under the plan, costs of this action, interest, attorneys’ fees and such other just and proper relief. She is represented by Gregory G. Paul of Morgan & Paul PLLC in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia case number 5:17-cv-00152