Reese v. Brookdale Motors, Inc.

OPINION

HARTEN, Judge.

Respondents 1 sued appellant Brookdale Motors, claiming that they were entitled to, and wrongfully denied, health care benefits under Brookdale Motors’ group health insurance plan. Seeking to recover damages for unreimbursed medical expenses, Reese initiated suit pursuant to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), 29 U.S.C. § 1132(a)(1)(B) (1994). See 29 U.S.C. § 1132(e) (1994) (giving state courts of competent jurisdiction and federal district courts concurrent jurisdiction over section 1132(a)(1)(B) actions). On cross-motions for summary judgment,…