Lao v. Hartford Life and Accident Ins. Co.

MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER

KYLE, District Judge.

Introduction

Between July 1, 1996, and October 1, 1998, St. Mary’s Duluth Clinic in Duluth, Minnesota sponsored a long-term disability insurance plan (“the Plan”) for its employees through Hartford Life and Accident Insurance Company (“Hartford”). Under the Plan, a participant suffering a twenty-reduction in “current! ] earning[s]” due to disability is entitled to residual disability benefits. Dr. Antonio Lao, a physician at the Duluth Clinic, filed for benefits after he reduced his practice because of heart disease. Because the Clinic pays its…