Smith v. Bayer Corporation Long Term Disability Plan

OPINION

TARNOW, District Judge.

The defendants, Bayer Corporation Long Term Disability Plan and Bayer Cor poration (collectively, Bayer) appeal from a district court ruling that granted long-term — disability (LTD) benefits and partial-disability benefits to the plaintiff, Terry Smith, a former Bayer employee, pursuant to the provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), 29 U.S.C. §§ 1001-1461. The defendants allege that the initial decision of the ERISA plan administrator to deny benefits to Smith was neither arbitrary nor capricious and, therefore, should have been upheld…