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ERISA / Employee Benefits

Every decision we've filed under ERISA / Employee Benefits.

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May 1 2026
8th Cir. 25-2665 Panel Decision

John Carl Michel, Jr. v. Honeywell International Cigna Life Insurance Company of North America 1-10 Does

The Eighth Circuit affirmed the dismissal of wrongful termination and defamation claims against Honeywell and summary judgment for the insurers regarding disability benefits. The court held that the plaintiff failed to prove an employment contract exception, missed the statutory deadline for discrimination claims, and could not overcome statutory privilege for defamation.

Civil ERISA / Employee Benefits Securities Summary Judgment
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Apr 17 2026
4th Cir. 25-1385 Panel Decision

Kelly Milligan v. Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith, Incorporated; Bank of America Corporation

The Fourth Circuit affirmed a district court ruling that a financial firm's long-term contingent incentive awards do not qualify as an employee pension benefit plan under ERISA. The court held that the WealthChoice Award program constitutes an exempt bonus plan because it is designed to incentivize retention and productivity rather than systematically defer income for retirement.

Civil Environmental (Civil) ERISA / Employee Benefits Summary Judgment
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Apr 16 2026
11th Cir. 1:21-cv-24224-PCH Unpublished

BRYCE DUNHAM-ZEMBERI v. LINCOLN LIFE ASSURANCE COMPANY OF BOSTON

The Eleventh Circuit affirmed the termination of long-term disability benefits, holding that the plan administrator did not abuse its discretion. The court ruled that the plaintiff failed to provide the specific objective medical evidence required by the plan to prove he remained unable to perform his job's material duties.

Civil ERISA / Employee Benefits Social Security Summary Judgment
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Apr 13 2026
9th Cir. 2:23-cv-08823-RGK-E Unpublished

LEAH CAMPBELL and EMSURGCARE, EMERGENCY SURGICAL ASSISTANT v. UNITEDHEALTHCARE INSURANCE COMPANY; INSPERITY, INC and DOES, 1-10

The Ninth Circuit reversed a district court ruling that upheld an insurance company's denial of ERISA benefits, finding the administrator abused its discretion by failing to engage in a meaningful dialogue with the claimant. The court also vacated the lower court's denial of attorneys' fees and statutory penalties, ordering the insurer to produce the full administrative record and pay the claimant's legal costs.

Civil ERISA / Employee Benefits
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Apr 13 2026
9th Cir. 2:23-cv-08823-RGK-E Unpublished

LEAH CAMPBELL and EMSURGCARE, EMERGENCY SURGICAL ASSISTANT v. UNITEDHEALTHCARE INSURANCE COMPANY; INSPERITY, INC and DOES, 1-10

The Ninth Circuit reversed a district court ruling that had upheld UnitedHealthcare's denial of benefits, holding that the insurer abused its discretion by failing to engage in a meaningful dialogue with the beneficiary. The court remanded the case for further proceedings, instructing the lower court to award attorneys' fees and impose statutory penalties for the insurer's failure to produce the administrative record.

Civil ERISA / Employee Benefits
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Apr 3 2026
6th Cir. 25-1823 Published

Rieth-Riley Construction Co., Inc. v. Trustees of the Operating Engineers' Local 324 Fringe Benefit Funds

The Sixth Circuit affirmed the dismissal of ERISA claims alleging that union benefit funds violated fiduciary duties by refusing contributions. The court held that the Garmon doctrine preempted the claims because resolving them required determining whether the funds violated the National Labor Relations Act.

Civil ERISA / Employee Benefits Labor
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Apr 2 2026
7th Cir. 25-1553 Panel Decision

THOMAS T.D. POLK v. PROGRESSIVE NORTHERN INSURANCE COMPANY and SECURA SU- PREME INSURANCE COMPANY

The Seventh Circuit affirmed summary judgment for Progressive and Secura, holding that Illinois law permits anti-stacking provisions to cap total recovery at the highest single-policy limit. The court ruled that the plaintiff's existing $900,000 recovery from other sources satisfied the cap, leaving the insurers liable only for the remaining $100,000.

Civil ERISA / Employee Benefits Insurance Summary Judgment
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Apr 1 2026
11th Cir. 3:19-cv-04424-MCR-HTC Per Curiam

DAVID BEAR v. ESCAMBIA COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS DOUGLAS B. UNDERHILL

The Eleventh Circuit affirmed a district court ruling holding that a county commissioner qualifies as a government agency under Florida's Public Records Act when using personal social media for official business. The court further held that the commissioner's deletion of those records constituted an unlawful refusal to disclose, warranting an award of attorney's fees.

Civil ERISA / Employee Benefits
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