Opheim v. Standard Ins. Co.

MARK W. BENNETT, U.S. DISTRICT COURT JUDGE

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. INTRODUCTION ...849 *849A. Factual Background ...849

B. Procedural Background ...852

II. LEGAL ANALYSIS ...853

A. Opheim's Claims ...853

1. Opheim's denial of benefits claim ...853

a. Arguments of the parties ...853

b. Applicable standards ...854

i. Standard of review ...854

ii. The "plan documents rule" ...854

c. Analysis ...856

2. Opheim's equitable relief claim ...858

3. Attorney fees ...858

a. Arguments of the parties ...858

b. Applicable standards ...859

c. Analysis ...859

B. Standard's Third-Party Claim ...860

1. Standard's claim for a…