Bethany Williams v. National Union Fire Ins.

OPINION LIPEZ, Circuit Judge:

This case, brought under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (“ERISA”), stems from the sudden death of Jack Williams as a result of Deep Vein Thrombosis (“DVT”) shortly after he completed roughly 28 hours of air travel in a five-day period. Appellee National Union Fire Insurance Co. of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania denied accidental death benefits to Williams’ family on the ground that his death did not result from an “accident” under the terms of the policy. The district court accepted the insurer’s interpretation of the policy and granted summary judgment for…