Panepinto v. New York Life Insurance

OPINION OF THE COURT

Levine, J.

This action involves a dispute over the meaning of language found in two insurance policies that ultimately will determine whether plaintiff’s action on the policies is time-barred. Each policy provides for the payment by defendant New York Life Insurance Company of $1,000 per month in the event of the "total disability” of plaintiff. "Total disability” is initially defined as "the complete inability of the insured to perform any and every duty pertaining to his or her occupation.” After five years of such disability, the definition becomes "the complete…