Legal Opinion
Michele Eckelberry, in Her Capacity as Beneficiary v. Reliastar Life Insurance Company
Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
Decided November 17, 2006No. 06-1020PublishedCited by 37 opinions
1Opinion of the Court
Reversed by published opinion. Judge WILKINSON wrote the opinion, in which Judge MOTZ and Judge TRAXLER joined.
OPINION
WILKINSON, Circuit Judge:
Earl Eckelberry died after his vehicle crashed into the back of a parked tractor trailer. His ex-wife, Michele Eckelberry, sought accidental death benefits from Reli-aStar Life Insurance Company, Eckelber-ry’s insurer. ReliaStar denied the claim. Under the terms of the Plan, injuries are part of an “accident” only if they are “unexpected” and “the insured does not foresee” them. ReliaStar reasoned that because Eckelberry’s blood-alcohol level was 50…
2Cases cited24 opinions
- Firestone Tire & Rubber Co. v. BruchSupreme Court of the United States · 1989
- N. Brown FELTY, Plaintiff-Appellant, v. GRAVES-HUMPHREYS COMPANY, Defendant-AppelleeCourt of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit · 1987
- Mary Jane Wickman v. Northwestern National Insurance CompanyCourt of Appeals for the First Circuit · 1990
- John Doe Firm Doe v. Group Hospitalization & Medical Services, D/B/A Blue Cross and Blue Shield of the National Capital AreaCourt of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit · 1993
- Joanne W. Coleman v. Nationwide Life Insurance Company, & Third-Party v. Roofing Concepts, Incorporated, Third-Party Joanne W. Coleman v. Nationwide Life Insurance Company v. Roofing Concepts, Incorporated, Third-PartyCourt of Appeals for the Third Circuit · 1992
19 more not listed; retrieve them via the Exa API.
3Cited by37 opinions
- LaAsmar v. Phelps Dodge Corp. Life, Accidental Death & Dismemberment & Dependent Life Insurance PlanCourt of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit · 2010
- Gagliano v. Reliance Standard Life InsuranceCourt of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit · 2008
- Elena David v. J. AlphinCourt of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit · 2013
- Deborah Firman v. Beacon Construction Co., Inc.Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit · 2012
- Stamp v. Metropolitan Life InsuranceCourt of Appeals for the First Circuit · 2008
32 more not listed; retrieve them via the Exa API.