CHARLESTON — A Reedsville, Ohio, woman claims her insurance carrier wrongfully terminated her benefits.
Connie Rawson was employed by West Virginia University Health System at Camden Clark Medical Center in Parkersburg and was offered an employee welfare benefit plan through her employer, according to a complaint filed in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia.
Rawson claims she had long-term disability benefits through Unum Life Insurance Company of America and her benefits were terminated on July 30, 2022.
Despite Rawson's appeal, the denial of benefits was upheld on May 8, 2023.
Rawson claims Unum's actions were an abuse of discretion, arbitrary, capricious and contrary to the terms of the WVUHS Plan, under which she claims entitlement to long-term disability benefits.
The defendant's actions were "clearly wrong " under her employer's plan's terms, according to the suit.
"Plaintiff is entitled to receive long-term disability benefits under the terms of the WVUHS Plan," the complaint states.
Rawson is seeking recovery of all benefits due and owing to her under the plan with WVUHS along with pre-judgment interest. She is represented by John J. Polak of Atkinson & Frampton in Charleston.
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia case number: 2:23-cv-00633
