Hatchwell v. Blue Shield of California

Opinion

ARABIAN, J.

Introduction

This case raises the issue of whether a spouse who is not a party to the insurance contract has standing to maintain a bad faith action and related causes of action against the insurance company for wrongful denial of benefits to her insured husband. Plaintiff Denise Hatchwell appeals from the judgment entered against her following the grant of the motion of defendants Blue Shield of California (Blue Shield) and L.K. Lloyd & Associates (Lloyd) for summary adjudication on the ground that Denise was an improper party to the action arising out of a claim for medical…