ST. LOUIS — An Illinois woman is suing Cigna, alleging violation of the Employment and Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA).
Lauren Kizer filed a complaint March 6 in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri against Cigna Health Management Inc., alleging the plan administrator violated ERISA through non-payment of plan benefits.
According to the complaint, on Dec. 13, 2016, Kizer suffered monetary damages from the defendant's improper denial of her long-term disability benefits, on grounds she had received treatment to her spine in the three months preceding Feb. 1, 2016 or the effectivity of coverage, and therefore was considered as "pre-existing."
The suit says the medical records relied upon by Cigna did not show any treatment received by plaintiff on her spine. The plaintiff alleges Cigna failed to consider the medical records from Kizer's treating physician, failed to pay disability benefit payments to the plaintiff and failed to provide a full and fair review of the plaintiff’s claim.
Kizer seeks trial by jury, declaratory relief, disability benefits owed plus interest, attorney fees, court costs and all relief the court deems just. She is represented by attorneys Rick Barry and Megen Hoffman of Law Offices of Rick Barry PC in St. Louis.
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri Case number 17-cv-00831