The Daily Brief for Benefits Professionals
BenefitsWire
Health & Welfare Plans
September 22, 2026
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4 items · ~2 min read
Top of the Brief
ERISA De Novo Review and the Burden of Proof: California Court Affirms Unum’s Termination of Long-Term Disability Benefits“In Syed v. Unum Life Insurance Company of America, No. CV 25-01052-MWF (CTSx), 2026 WL 2807048 (C.D. Cal. Sept. 18, 2026), United States District Judge Michael W. Fitzgerald affirmed Unum’s termination of a corporate lawyer’s long-term disability benefits under an ERISA-governed group policy and entered judgment for the insurer. Reviewing the claim de novo by stipulation, the court held that Plaintiff failed to prove by a preponderance of the evidence that she remained disabled from her usual occupation when benefits were terminated. For anyone with an ERISA group disability claim, the decision is a reminder that on de novo review the claimant carries the burden of proof, and that a diagnosi”
In this issue
Regulatory Action and Guidance (2) · Litigation (2)
Regulatory Action and Guidance
2 items“Articles + Publications September 21, 2026 James E.” MORE >>
Source: Troutman Pepper Locke
[General Benefits]
Developing New DOL Guidance Reiterates Key Priorities for MHPAEA Enforcement | Epstein Becker Green“On September 8, 2026, the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL’s) Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) issued Field Assistance Bulletin No. 2026-03 (“FAB 2026-03”) and an accompanying compliance resource identifying potential warning signs of Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) violations.” MORE >>
Source: Epstein Becker Green
Litigation
2 items“In Syed v. Unum Life Insurance Company of America, No. CV 25-01052-MWF (CTSx), 2026 WL 2807048 (C.D. Cal. Sept. 18, 2026), United States District Judge Michael W. Fitzgerald affirmed Unum’s termination of a corporate lawyer’s long-term disability benefits under an ERISA-governed group policy and entered judgment for the insurer. Reviewing the claim de novo by stipulation, the court held that Plaintiff failed to prove by a preponderance of the evidence that she remained disabled from her usual occupation when benefits were terminated. For anyone with an ERISA group disability claim, the decision is a reminder that on de novo review the claimant carries the burden of proof, and that a diagnosi” MORE >>
Source: Roberts Disability Law
“In Doe v. The Signature Benefits Plan and the Disney Severance Pay Plan, No. SA CV 24-2230 DMG (DFMx), 2026 WL 2790684 (C.D. Cal. Sept. 17, 2026), Chief United States District Judge Dolly M. Gee, following a half-day bench trial, held that a mother was entitled to reimbursement of residential mental health treatment benefits for her dependent child under an ERISA-governed, self-funded welfare benefit plan. The court reviewed the denial de novo and found that Plaintiff had proven by a preponderance of the evidence that the treatment at issue was medically necessary. The claim arose from residential treatment provided to Plaintiff’s 13-year-old child, S.J., who had a history of major depressiv” MORE >>
Source: Roberts Disability Law