March 2022

The Ninth Circuit Giveth, the Ninth Circuit Taketh Away in Two Health Cases Against United

Ryan S. v. UnitedHealth Group, Inc., No. 20-56310, __ F. App’x __, 2022 WL 883743 (9th Cir. Mar. 24, 2022) (Before Circuit Judges Collins and Lee, and District Judge Jill A. Otake)

Wit v. United Behavioral Health, No. 20-17363, __ F. App’x __, 2022 WL 850647 (9th Cir. Mar. 22, 2022) (Before Circuit Judges Christen and Forrest, and District Judge Michael M. Anello)

We have two notable decisions this week; both are unpublished memorandum dispositions from the Ninth Circuit involving class actions against UnitedHealthcare and its affiliates.
Continue Reading The Ninth Circuit Giveth, the Ninth Circuit Taketh Away in Two Health Cases Against United

Stratton v. Life Insurance Co. of North Am., No. 20-CV-2037 JLS (NLS), 2022 WL 712926 (S.D. Cal. Mar. 8, 2022) (Judge Janis L. Sammartino).

This week’s case of the week is a significant long-term disability win for plaintiff Maureen Stratton, represented by our talented colleagues at Kantor & Kantor, Corrine Chandler and Andrew Kantor. 

Ms. Stratton, who worked as a senior executive partner at Gartner Inc., began experiencing significant back pain in 2011. This pain progressed to such a point that, by early 2017, she was calling in sick to meetings and could no longer tolerate plane travel or extended sitting. Around that time, she stopped working and applied for disability benefits.
Continue Reading Court Credits Treating Physician Over Retained Experts