Daniels v. Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States

Plaintiff-Appellant Thomas Daniels appeals the district court’s dismissal of his claims on collateral estoppel grounds, based on a prior state court judgment. Daniels alleges that his present claims are not barred by collateral estoppel, and that to deny his claims on collateral estoppel grounds violates his due process rights.

I. FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY

A. Proceedings in State Court

As part of a settlement for a prior personal injury claim, Plaintiff/Appellant Thomas Daniels (“Daniels”), became the beneficiary of an annuity issued by Defendant/Appellee Equitable Life Assurance Society…