Burtch v. Hartford Life & Accident Insurance

PER CURIAM: *

Robert Burtch filed this suit after Hartford Life and Accident Insurance Compa ny denied his claim for long-term disability benefits under an ERISA-qualified plan. He appeals from the district court’s judgment in favor of Hartford Life and Accident Insurance Company. For the reasons stated below, we conclude that Hartford’s denial of Burtch’s application for long-term disability benefits was not supported by substantial evidence, and, we therefore reverse the district court’s judgment.

L FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

In February 2004, Dr. William Hines, a pulmonologist,…