Date: 06-06-2025

Case Style:

David Szczepansk v. The Lincoln National Life Insurance Company

Case Number: 25-cv-60466

Judge: William P. Dimitrouleas

Court: united States District Court for the Southern District of Florida (Broward County)

Plaintiff's Attorney: Jason Macri

Defendant's Attorney: Wendy Furman, Danielle Ploshnick

Description: Fort Lauderdale, Florida employment law lawyer represented the Plaintiff who sued on an employee benefits E.R.I.S.A. theory.

The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) is a federal law that primarily protects employees' retirement savings and health plans, ensuring they receive promised benefits. It sets standards for retirement plans, including participation, vesting, and funding, and for health plans, including health insurance coverage, plan administration, and fiduciary responsibilities. ERISA also establishes a process for participants to get benefits and a way for them to sue for benefits or breaches of fiduciary duty.

Key aspects of ERISA:

Protection for Retirement Plans:
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ERISA ensures that employees' retirement funds are managed responsibly and that they receive the promised benefits when they retire.

Minimum Standards for Health Plans:
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It sets minimum standards for health plans, including access to care, coverage for certain conditions, and limitations on discrimination.

Fiduciary Responsibilities:
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ERISA imposes fiduciary responsibilities on those who manage and control plan assets, requiring them to act solely in the best interests of plan participants.

Plan Information and Disclosure:
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ERISA requires plans to provide participants with information about their benefits, including how they work, how to get benefits, and the process for appealing denied claims.

Right to Sue:
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ERISA gives participants the right to sue for benefits and breaches of fiduciary duty, providing a way to address disputes or mismanagement of plan assets.
COBRA:
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ERISA includes the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA), which allows employees to continue their health insurance coverage after a qualifying event like job loss.

Outcome: Settled and dismissed.

Plaintiff's Experts:

Defendant's Experts:

Comments: