District 2, United Mine Workers v. Helen Mining Co.

OPINION OF THE COURT

SLOVITER, Circuit Judge.

Before us is the appeal by an employer who claims that the district court erred in holding that the action of the trustees of an ERISA-covered employee benefit plan in denying benefits to the spouse of an employee was arbitrary and capricious. We hold that the district court erred as a matter of law.

I

Facts and Procedural History

Janet Zayac is the wife of George Zayac, a coal miner employed by the Helen Mining Company (employer) at a mine in Indiana County, Pennsylvania. In July, 1982, she underwent in-hospital surgical treatment for severe obesity,…