Opinion
No. 03 C 1018
March 25, 2004
MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER
Plaintiff Frank DiPietro, a former employee of Washington Group International, Inc. (Washington), brought this action for recovery of short-and long-term disability insurance benefits against the plan administrator, defendant Prudential Insurance Company of America (Prudential), pursuant to Section 502(a)(1)(B) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), 29 U.S.C. § 1132(a)(1)(B). Now before the court are plaintiff's motion for summary judgment, which is granted, and defendant's cross-motion for summary judgment, which is denied.
BACKGROUND
Plaintiff started working as a computer-aided design operator for Washington on July 7, 2000. As a Washington employee he received disability insurance pursuant to a plan underwritten by Prudential. Prudential pays benefits for short-term disability after seven consecutive days of disability and for long-term disability after 26 weeks of continuous disability. Under the terms of the plan a claimant is disabled when Prudential determines that
you are unable to perform the material and substantial duties of your regular occupation due to your sickness or injury; and you have a 20% or more loss in your indexed monthly earnings due to that sickness or injury.
Plaintiff stopped working at Washington on March 5, 2002, and filed a claim for short-term disability benefits nine days later on March 14. DiPietro's claim was denied, as were his two subsequent appeals.
In 1952, at age five, plaintiff was diagnosed with polio. The disease affected his left leg and right arm, and even after recovery his left leg still experienced residual paralysis and weakness. Forty-eight years later, on August 22, 2000, plaintiff joined a post-polio clinic database. On a survey provided by the database, plaintiff stated that he was diagnosed with post-polio syndrome in "about 1997." He identified his symptoms as new weaknesses in muscles that were both affected and unaffected by polio, pain in his muscles and joints, fatigue out of proportion with his activity level, and an inability to perform activities that were previously possible. On a followup questionnaire for the database, dated August 8, 2001, plaintiff reported a change in his symptoms since his last visit. He wrote that he was tired and exhausted, had trouble sleeping and suffered front headaches.
During 2001, plaintiff sought treatment from his physician, Dr. Mario Prete, for persistent headaches and some nausea and vomiting. At an appointment on February 12, 2001, Dr. Prete noted tenderness by the cervical muscles in the back of plaintiff's head, but did not record any other abnormalities. The doctor prescribed medication for plaintiffs headaches and counseled him as to gastroesophageal reflux disease. On September 13, 2001, Dr. Prete assessed plaintiff as having "Persistent neck pain . . . Headaches . . . Possible sleep apnea." On Dr. Prete's recommendation, Dr. Glen Glista, a neurologist, examined plaintiff on November 14, 2001, due to his recurrent headaches. Dr. Glista noted the weakness in plaintiffs left leg caused by polio. The doctor prescribed medication for plaintiffs headaches, but did not find any indication of a serious neurological problem.
Dr. Prete saw plaintiff again on December 20, 2001. In his notes, Dr. Prete discussed plaintiffs history with polio. Plaintiff told Dr. Prete that he thought polio was affecting him and requested a referral to a polio specialist. Dr. Prete again observed tenderness at the base of plaintiffs skull and assessed that he was probably suffering from tension headaches and arthritis of the neck.
On January 24, 2002, Dr. James Sliwa, a post-polio syndrome specialist, examined plaintiff at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago. In his report, Dr. Sliwa related plaintiffs medical and social history. He wrote that plaintiff worked for a computer drafting company but would be unemployed as of March because his company was closing. The report listed plaintiffs three primary medical complaints: headaches, neck pain, and fatigue. The doctor found that plaintiff had "symptoms compatible with postpolio syndrome" and recommended that he participate in a sleep study and physical therapy. Plaintiff underwent a sleep study that revealed he did not suffer from sleep apnea, ruling it out as the cause of his fatigue. On February 7, 2002, during a followup visit, Dr. Sliwa recorded plaintiffs "complaints of fatigue, decreasing functional status, limited . . . ambulation because of fatigue," and diagnosed him with post-polio syndrome. In a letter dated February 18, 2002, Dr. Sliwa informed Prudential of plaintiffs diagnosis and the possibility that he would not be able to work full-time during his treatment.
Plaintiff did not return to work at Washington after March 4, 2002. Three days later plaintiff returned to see Dr. Sliwa. The doctor's treatment notes from that appointment state plaintiffs "symptoms have been getting worse over the past few years, particularly the fatigue to the point where he would require naps during the day and wasn't able to do as much activity as he was in the past, having difficulty concentrating." Dr. Sliwa's physical examination revealed that plaintiffs strength findings were consistent with the previous month's findings. The doctor's assessment concluded that plaintiff was "significantly limited by his fatigue." He also mentioned that he had discussed with plaintiff the "possibility of therapy in the future. . . ." Following this appointment, Dr. Sliwa submitted a second letter to Prudential on March 8, 2002, expressing his opinion that plaintiff was not capable of full-time employment due to his worsening symptoms of post-polio syndrome.
Plaintiff filed an application for short-term disability on March 14, 2002. On the attending physician statement submitted in support of the application, Dr. James Sliwa diagnosed plaintiff with post-polio syndrome. Dr. Sliwa stated that plaintiff's lower extremity was weak and that he suffered from fatigue, "which interferes with all activity that requires concentration." In response to the question, "What Job Category best describes the claimant's functional abilities," Dr. Sliwa marked the box, "Sedentary." He wrote in the margin next to his response, "Still a fatigue problem." Along with this statement, plaintiff submitted Dr. Sliwa's examination notes and letters. Prudential denied plaintiffs claim on April 4, 2002. Plaintiff appealed the decision a week later, submitting additional records from Dr. Sliwa and plaintiffs own written statement. In May, plaintiff faxed Prudential information about post-polio syndrome and letters from family and friends discussing their observations of his condition.
Plaintiff began physical therapy at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago on April 8, 2002, and continued through May 1, 2002. Plaintiff did not believe that therapy was helping his symptoms, but Dr. Sliwa's tests revealed slight improvements in the strength of his hips. In his notes from May 2, 2002, Dr. Sliwa wrote that he would recommend to plaintiffs primary care physician that plaintiff return to therapy. He also suggested that plaintiff see a psychiatrist or seek out some other form of treatment for depression.
On August 22, 2002, Prudential denied plaintiffs first appeal. Plaintiff filed a second appeal on December 2, 2002, providing Prudential with newly acquired information. After a fall that required treatment at a hospital, plaintiff was re-examined by Dr. Sliwa on September 25, 2002. The doctor reported plaintiffs recurrent symptoms and observed decreased tone in his legs and "changes" in his neck that were revealed by X-ray. Dr. Sliwa recommended that plaintiff wear a soft cervical collar to support his head and visit a psychiatrist. The doctor also wrote an order for plaintiff to return to physical therapy, which he did on October 22, 2002. The objective findings from plaintiffs re-evaluation for outpatient physical therapy included a deficiency of strength in his cervical spine, left arm and trunk.
On October 23, 2002, occupational therapist Maureen Ziegler completed a functional-capacity evaluation of plaintiff. The general summary of the evaluation stated:
Mr. Dipietro participated in a 2.5 hour evaluation with great difficulty. He demonstrated poor body mechanics with lifting, standing, and walking activities. Mr. Dipietro demonstrated moderate pain behaviors including use of cervical collar, holding his head, and frequent rest breaks. His pain level at the beginnning of testing was 8-9/10 in his head, neck, and right wrist. At the conclusion of testing, his pain level was rated at 9/10 in his head, neck, shoulders, and RUE, as well as complaints of overall exhaustion. During the evaluation, Mr. Dipietro demonstrated difficulty standing, walking, lifting, reaching, handling, fingering, carrying, and bending. Mr. Dipietro demonstrated poor endurance as evidenced by frequent rest breaks, increased respiration, increased perspiration, decreased pacing, and decreased body mechanics.
Ziegler concluded that plaintiff could work at "the sedentary level respectful of the tolerances outlined in this report." The report listed plaintiffs tolerances for activities such as standing, sitting, walking, bending, and handling. In an undated addendum to her evaluation, Ziegler stated that plaintiffs tolerances would make it difficult to tolerate a full workday. She recommended that plaintiff work on a part-time basis: four hours a day.
On November 12, 2002, after four therapy sessions, plaintiff's physical therapist, Susan Lofton, summarized the results for Dr. Sliwa, stating plaintiff continued to have pain and weakness in his cervical spine. Lofton also reported thatDiPietro had "difficulty performing any prolonged activity requiring holding his head erect.'" She concluded that he would benefit from continued therapy sessions.
A few weeks earlier, on November 1, 2002, the Social Security Administration found plaintiff disabled as of March 6, 2002, and awarded him disability benefits as of September 2002. The same month, Thomas Grzesik, a rehabilitation consultant hired by plaintiff to assess his employability, released his report. After reviewing plaintiffs medical records and other documents, Grzesik concluded that plaintiff could not perform the duties of his job as a CAD operator. Grzesik explained that the duration of sitting, walking, standing, reaching and use of fingers required by plaintiff's job exceeded his capacity for these activities. Grzesik also stated that plaintiffs difficulty concentrating due to pain and fatigue impeded his ability to complete his work projects. Plaintiffs second appeal was denied on February 3, 2003, and thereafter he filed the present suit in federal court.
DISCUSSION
The court's function in ruling on a motion for summary judgment is merely to determine if there is a genuine issue of material fact for trial. Andderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc. 477 U.S. 242, 249 (1986). Only if the evidence on file shows that no such issue exists and that the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law will the court grant the motion. CelotexCorp. v. Catrett. 477 U.S. 317, 322-23 (1986); Bennett v. Roberts. 295 F.3d 687, 694 (7th Cir. 2002). Both plaintiff and defendant argue that they are entitled to summary judgment on plaintiffs claim for disability benefits.
Generally, a court reviews apian administrator's denial of benefits denovo, "unless the benefit plan gives the administrator or fiduciary discretionary authority to determine eligibility for benefits or to construe the terms of the plan." Firestone Tire Rubber v. Bruch. 489 U.S. 101, 115 (1989). If the plan confers discretionary authority to the administrator, then the court applies the arbitrary and capricious standard of review. Wilczynski y. Kemper Nat. Ins. Cos., 178 F.3d 933, 934 (7th Cir. 1999). In the court's Memorandum Opinion and Order dated September 16, 2003, the court held that plaintiffs insurance plan conferred discretionary authority to Prudential and, therefore, the arbitrary and capricious standard applies. In plaintiffs memorandum in support of summary judgment, he asks this court to reconsider its decision.
Plaintiff rehashes the arguments from his original motion on the issue. He maintains that the language reserving discretion does not apply to an initial determination of disability and that the language is ambiguous. As explained in the court's prior opinion, the language conferring discretionary authority to Prudential appears under the heading, "What Information Is Needed as Proof of Your Claim?" The placement of the language refutes plaintiffs contention that it does not apply to initial determinations. The language reads, "We may request that you send proof of continuing disability, satisfactory to Prudential, indicating that you are under the regular care of a doctor." This sentence suffers from no reasonable ambiguity. Plaintiffs attempt to compare this sentence, with its clear modifying phrase, "satisfactory to Prudential," to the language in Coles v. LaSalle Partners Inc. Disability Plan. 287 F. Supp.2d 896 (N.D. Ill. 2003), is misguided. The Coles insurance plan stated, "You must provide us, at your own expense, satisfactory proof of Disability before benefits will be paid." Id. at 900. Unlike in Prudential's plan, there is no indication in the Coles plan to whom the proof must be satisfactory. As previously decided, Prudential's denial of plaintiffs benefits claim will be reviewed, using an arbitrary and capricious standard.
Under the arbitrary and capricious standard, a plan administrator's decision should not be overturned unless it "entirely failed to consider an important aspect of the problem, offered an explanation for its decision that runs counter to the evidence before [it] or is so implausible that it could not be ascribed to a difference in view. . . ."Reilly v. Blue Cross and Blue Shield United of Wisconsin. 846 F.2d 416, 420 (7th Cir. 1988) cert. denied 488 U.S. 856 (1988); see Postma v. Paul Revere Life Insurance Company. 1998 WL 641335 (N.D.Ill.1998). Despite the deference accorded under this standard, the administrator's discretion is not unlimited — the decision will be overturned if it is unreasonable or if the administrator fails to afford the claimant a full and fair review. See Hawkins v. First Union Corporation Long-Term Disability Plan, 326 F.3d 914 (7th Cir. 2003); Crespo v. Unum Life Insurance Company of America. 294 F. Supp.2d 980, 994 (N.D. Ill. 2003). Given the evidence in the administrative record, the plan administrator's decision to deny plaintiff disability benefits was arbitrary and capricious.
Prudential provides three reasons for the denial of plaintiffs claim: lack of medical evidence to support a finding of disability, his failure to work to the greatest extent possible, and his failure to follow treatment recommendations. Prudential first denied plaintiffs benefits on April 4, 2002. In its letter explaining the decision, the company recognized plaintiff suffered from a condition requiring medical treatment, but found that the medical information did not demonstrate an inability to perform his job. Prudential's decision on plaintiffs first appeal summarized medical evidence not discussed in its prior decision, but it ultimately reached the same conclusion: "Although Mr. Dipietro is experiencing symptoms which require medical treatment, based on the available medical information, there has been no change with his condition. . . ." In response to plaintiffs second appeal, Prudential stated that it received new submissions from Dr. Sliwa, vocational counselor Thomas Grzesik, the Social Security Administration, and plaintiffs physical therapists, and that it had reviewed all the evidence. Prudential noted plaintiffs impairment in his left leg and right arm, but found no evidence of a change in his condition. Prudential then discussed Dr. Sliwa's findings that plaintiff may be suffering from depression and his recommendation that plaintiff meet with a psychiatrist. Prudential also highlighted plaintiffs delay in attending physical therapy. In summary, Prudential reaffirmed its prior conclusions that the medical evidence did not support a finding of a significant change, which prevented plaintiff from working. For the first time, the company also determined that plaintiff had not followed the treatment recommendation of his physician and had not worked to the greatest extent possible, as required by the insurance plan.
Prudential concluded that the medical evidence did not support a finding of disability by relying on an improper assumption, discrediting evidence with no justification, and conducting a selective review of the evidence. In its decision on plaintiffs second appeal, Prudential explained each of its rulings. All three of its decisions relied on a determination that the medical information "did not document a change in [DiPietro's] condition." As the denial of the second appeal states, "We have determined there are no objective findings to indicate the impairment was increasing." Even if true, this fails to justify a finding that plaintiff is not disabled. In Hawkins v. First Union Corporation Long-Term Disability Plan. 326 F.3d 914 (7th Cir. 2003), the plan administrator argued that the claimant was not disabled because he worked from 1993 to 2000 with his condition and there was no indication that it had worsened since then. The Seventh Circuit dismissed this as bad argument because there was no "logical incompatibility between working full time and being disabled from working full time. . . ." Id. at 918. Despite this finding, Prudential argues that the "best evidence" that plaintiff was not disabled and could perform his duties as a CAD operator is the fact that he had been performing those same duties for the previous thirty years. Reliance on plaintiff's thirty years of employment, makes little sense given that post-polio syndrome is a condition that can affect polio survivors anywhere from ten to forty years after recovery from an initial attack of polio, and the record nowhere indicates that plaintiff suffered from post-polio syndrome before 1997. The earliest evidence that plaintiff was experiencing worsening symptoms of the syndrome appears on his survey for the post-polio syndrome clinic database in 2000. Just as Hawkins may have continued to work for seven years despite his pain and fatigue, so too may have plaintiff worked for two years.
Prudential provides no support for its assertions that plaintiffs case does not involve "heroic efforts" of enduring pain. On the other hand, letters from plaintiffs family, friends and co-workers do support plaintiffs contention that post-polio syndrome made his work increasingly difficult and rendered him disabled. While there are certainly grounds for skepticism when reviewing testimonials from acquaintances of the claimant, Prudential ignores these letters altogether. This evidence was comprised of statements from seven individuals who observed plaintiffs increasing fatigue, and included statements from his Washington co-workers that his difficulty concentrating began to affect his work and at times his pain forced him to leave work early.
Prudential also discredits medical evidence without justification. Under ERISA, there is no "treating physician rule" that requires plan administrators to grant deference to the opinions of a claimant's physician. Black Decker Disability Plan v. Nord. 123 S.Ct. 1965 (2003). Nonetheless, plan administrators "may not arbitrarily refuse to credit a claimant's reliable evidence, including the opinions of a treating physician." Id. at 1972. In Nord. a physician hired by the plan administrator examined an individual claiming disability. Contrary to the findings of the claimant's treating physician, the plan administrator's doctor concluded that the claimant could perform sedentary work with the aid of pain medication. Id. at 1968. The Supreme Court ruled that the plan administrator need not give more weight to the determination of the claimant's physician. Prudential's failing is not in refusing to defer to the findings of Dr. Sliwa, but rather in refusing to credit them when there are no medical findings to the contrary. Unlike in Nord. Prudential has not had plaintiff examined by its own physician. Insurance providers are not required to seek independent medical evaluations, but an evaluation by the insurer is evidence of a thorough investigation into the claim. Crespo v. Unum Life Insurance Company of America. 294 F. Supp.2d 980, 995 (N.D.II1. 2003).
In Hawking v. First Union Corporation Long-Term Disability Plan. 326 F.3d 914, 917 (7th Cir. 2003), the Seventh Circuit stated that a treating physician's information would likely be superior to the information of a plan's medical consultant, if the consultant had not examined the claimant but had only spoken to the treating physician on the telephone. There is no evidence that a consultant for Prudential even spoke with plaintiffs doctors. Yet, Prudential seemingly ignores Dr. Sliwa's assessment that plaintiff is not capable of full-time employment due to worsening symptoms of post-polio syndrome.
Prudential's argument in support of its decision reveals a selective review of the evidence. Defendant suggests that plaintiff's impending layoff motivated his claim. As proof, it highlights a report in which Dr. Sliwa mentions both plaintiffs pending layoff and his complaints of symptoms consistent with post-polio syndrome. This argument appears to ignore evidence of plaintiff's ongoing complaints since 2000 of progressive fatigue, neck pains and headaches. These complaints pre-date news of plaintiffs layoff.
Prudential also argues that plaintiffs statements regarding his physical therapy and his job responsibilities are inconsistent, thus calling into question his credibility. Dr. Sliwa's discovery that plaintiffs strength was slightly better in certain areas after therapy does not evidence plaintiffs untruthfulness when he said he did not believe therapy was helping. An individual's perceptions often fail to reflect reality, especially where the discrepancies are subtle. Nor are there obvious inconsistencies between plaintiffs SSA disability claim form, which stated that his job involved lifting ten-pound objects, walking up to two hours, and standing for one hour, and the list of work requirements that he wrote during the consideration of his claim, stating that his job required carrying "heavy and cumbersome" stick sets, "a lot of walking," climbing stairs and walking on uneven ground. Perhaps ten pounds is unusually heavy for a stick set and certainly two hours of walking a day could be characterized as "a lot." Furthermore, Prudential provides no evidence that plaintiffs work did not entail these activities. It also fails to show that plaintiffs alleged inconsistencies in his job description are not a reflection of changes in his actual responsibilities.
Prudential selectively reviewed the attending physician's statement for plaintiffs disability claim application by highlighting one of Dr. Sliwa's answers. In response to the question, "What Job Category best describes the claimant's functional abilities," Dr. Sliwa selected "Sedentary" — the least demanding of the defined categories offered, which included "Light," "Medium," "Heavy" and "Very Heavy." "Other" was the final possibility. Dr. Sliwa qualified his selection by writing in the margin, "Still a fatigue problem." Prudential's decision denying benefits focused on plaintiffs deficiencies in his leg and arm, but it failed to discuss Dr. Sliwa's assessment that plaintiff's "[f]atigue interferes with all activity that requires concentration." This observation, along with Dr. Sliwa's March 8, 2002 letter concluding that plaintiff was not capable of full-time employment, reveals that Prudential's reliance on the attending physician's statement to justify its denial of benefits is misguided.
Another example of Prudential's selective review of the evidence involves plaintiff's functional capacity evaluation. Prudential argues that the original report prepared by Maureen Ziegler on October 23, 2002, affirms that plaintiff was able to perform his sedentary job. In fact, the report states, "Mr. Dipietro can return to work at the sedentary level respectful of the tolerances outlined in this report." The third page of that same report states the duration/capacity for several activities involved in sedentary work. Plaintiffs duration/capacity for sitting is two hours and his tolerance for it is "Occasional." His duration/capacity for walking and standing are 15 minutes and 30 minutes, respectively. Prudential appears to ignore these limitations, which are plainly referenced under the report's final recommendation. Defendant then casts aspersions on the addendum that Ziegler wrote, explaining the findings from the first report that Prudential disregarded. The record reflects that the undated addendum is not an alteration of the original report, but rather a restatement of it. Ziegler specifies the result of taking into account plaintiffs tolerances as outlined in the report — a finding that plaintiff is only capable of part-time work.
In its response, Prudential acknowledges that even though the Social Security
Administration's ruling on plaintiffs eligibility for benefits is not dispositive on this claim, it is entitled to some weight. See Ladd v. ITT Corp., 148 F.3d 753, 755-56 (7th Cir. 1998). Prudential mentions that it received the SSA's records in its decision denying plaintiffs second appeal, yet the decision does not discuss them. As with plaintiffs medical evidence, Prudential dismisses the SSA ruling without providing any justification for doing so. Prudential likewise ignored Grzesik's vocational evaluation. As explained above, contrary to Prudential's assertion, Grzesik's conclusion that plaintiff could not perform his job responsibilities supported Dr. Sliwa's assessment and Ziegler's findings, as well as the SSA's ruling. Despite this, it was dismissed without discussion.
In its denial of plaintiff's second appeal, Prudential provided two other justifications for its decision. The first was that plaintiff was not working to his full capacity, as required by the plan. Prudential relies on a provision in the plan that states, "We will stop sending you payments and your claim will end on the earliest of the following: 1. During the first 12 months of payments, when you are able to work in your regular occupation on a part-time basis but you choose not to; after 12 months of payments, when you are able to work in any gainful occupation on a part-time basis but you choose not to." The policy defines part-time basis as "the ability to work and earn 20% or more of your indexed monthly earnings." The courts interpret the language of these policies as it does any contract, employing the ordinary meanings of words. See Swaback v. American Information Technologies Corp. 103 F.3d 535, 540-41 (7th Cir. 1996). Given the plain meaning of this provision, it does not apply to plaintiff. The provision discusses two situations in which payments will be stopped. One is during the first twelve months of payment and the other is after twelve months of payment. Plaintiff has never been approved for payments. Thus, by its own terms, this provision does not apply to plaintiffs situation.
The language regarding payments is not the only evidence that Prudential improperly relied on this provision to deny plaintiffs disability benefits. The provision imposes an obligation on a disabled policyholder to work part-time, if able, in his regular occupation during his first year of disability, and in any occupation after one year. Therefore, after finding a claimant disabled, Prudential may employ this provision to stop payments if the disabled policyholder is presented with part-time work in his regular occupation that he is capable of performing but refuses to accept. In plaintiffs case, Prudential considered this obligation to accept part-time work an element of his initial claim for disability. Prudential argues in its memorandum that it reasonably denied plaintiffs claim because his functional capacity evaluation showed he could work a four-hour day, but "he has not engaged in any gainful employment (part-time or otherwise) since March 5, 2002." However, under the terms of the plan plaintiff has no obligation to prove that he engaged in part-time work in order to succeed on his disability benefits claim. The onus for showing that a disabled policyholder refused to accept part-time work that he was capable of performing falls on Prudential after the claimant has made a showing of disability. Prudential has provided no evidence that plaintiff refused to accept an offer of part-time work in his regular occupation. Thus, even if this provision did apply to plaintiff at this stage, it would not justify Prudential's denial of plaintiffs benefits.
Despite Prudential's argument, a showing that plaintiff was offered "any gainful employment" on a part-time basis would not satisfy its burden when employing this provision. The language of the provision requires Prudential to show that during plaintiffs first year of disability he was offered part-time work in his r egular occupation that he was capable of performing, but refused to accept.
Prudential's third and final reason for denying plaintiffs claim is his failure to continue physical therapy and to consult with a psychiatrist. To make a claim for disability benefits under the Prudential plan, the claimant must submit proof that he is under the regular care of a doctor. The plan defines regular care as:
You personally visit a doctor as frequently as is medically required, according to generally accepted medical standards, to effectively manage and treat your disabling condition(s); and
You are receiving the most appropriate treatment and care, which conforms with generally accepted medical standards, for your disabling condition(s) by a doctor whose specialty or experience is the most appropriate for your disabling condition(s), according to generally accepted medical standards.
Prudential argues that plaintiff failed to receive the most appropriate treatment because Dr. Sliwa's recommendation to see a psychiatrist and participate in physical therapy went unheeded. In his notes from May 2, 2002, Dr. Sliwa suggested that plaintiff may suffer from depression and that he should "see a psychiatrist or possibly some form of treatment for his depression." The next day he wrote a letter to plaintiffs primary care physician, Dr. Prete, initiating a discussion regarding plaintiffs depression and a possible referral to a psychiatrist. In his assessment from September 25, 2002, Dr. Sliwa repeated his suggestion "that it would be wise for [DiPietro]. . . to see a psychiatrist."
The plan language cited by Prudential requires that plaintiff receive appropriate treatment and care for his "disabling condition(s)." Plaintiff claims that he is disabled from post-polio syndrome. While he may also suffer from depression, that is not the disabling condition for which he is seeking benefits. Though Dr. Sliwa stated that depression may be contributing to plaintiffs "pain, poor sleep, and overall fatigue," he does not indicate that depression, not post-polio syndrome, is the cause of these symptoms. In fact, as explained above, the doctor repeatedly states that plaintiff suffers from significant fatigue as a result of post-polio syndrome.
Even if plaintiff is required to receive appropriate care for depression, Prudential could not reasonably deny benefits on this basis, given this record. Dr. Sliwa's notes indicate that seeing a psychiatrist was a possible treatment. The doctor allowed for other forms of treatment, and at plaintiffs suggestion agreed to discuss the issue with Dr. Prete. Prudential does not indicate what Dr. Prete's recommendations to plaintiff were following Dr. Sliwa's letter, nor that plaintiff did not pursue some other form of treatment.
Dr. Sliwa also recommended that plaintiff participate in physical therapy to treat the effects of post-polio syndrome. Prudential contends that plaintiff delayed starting therapy and stopped a month early. Therefore, defendant argues, plaintiff failed to obtain the most appropriate care and its denial of benefits is justified. However, the record does not support this conclusion. Dr. Sliwa's appointment notes from January 24, 2002, recommend that plaintiff undergo a sleep study and then, after the study, physical therapy. Plaintiff returned to see Dr. Sliwa on February 7, 2002, after completing his sleep study. At this appointment Dr. Sliwa recommended a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) titration study as well as physical therapy. He stated that plaintiff is "aware of our recommendations in the future" and "will pursue these and will contact us when indeed he's ready for the titration study and the therapy," This language clearly does not mandate immediate treatment. Plaintiff did undergo the titration study and returned to Dr. Sliwa on March 7, 2002. The doctor again mentioned the "possibility of therapy in the future. . . ." About one month later, plaintiff began physical therapy at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago. These records do not support a reasonable finding that plaintiff violated the regular care provision of the plan. Between January 24 and
March 7 he met with Dr. Sliwa three times and underwent two different sleep-related studies. Dr. Sliwa's treatment recommendations consistently allowed for plaintiff to begin therapy in the future. It is unreasonable for Prudential to find that appropriate treatment required plaintiff to begin therapy immediately, when Dr. Sliwa's recommendations indicated no such requirement
Plaintiff participated in physical therapy from April 8, 2002, through May 1, 2002. On May 2, 2002, he returned to Dr. Sliwa. Plaintiff reported that he thought walking was more difficult as a result of his therapy. In his notes, Dr. Sliwa wrote that plaintiffs therapist suggested that he continue physical therapy for one more month. Dr. Sliwa's plan contained a recommendation to plaintiff's primary care physician that plaintiff continue in physical therapy. The record is silent on Dr. Prete's response to these suggestions from Dr. Sliwa. In its denial of plaintiffs second appeal, Prudential states that it was "unclear if Mr. DiPietro continued PT in May 2002. . . ." Had Prudential contacted Dr. Prete, it could have clarified plaintiffs treatment following Dr. Sliwa's suggestions. Prudential's reliance on this argument, despite its uncertainty regarding Dr. Prete's and DiPietro's response to Dr. Sliwa's recommendations, once again reveals its failure to make a full and fair assessment of plaintiff's claim.
Prudential's denial of plaintiffs disability claim was arbitrary and capricious. Accordingly, we reverse its decision and deny defendant's cross-motion for summary judgment. The Seventh Circuit has recognized that an award of retroactive benefits is not always the proper remedy for a plan administrator's arbitrary and capricious decision. However, "where there is no evidence in the record to support a termination or denial of benefits," it is the proper remedy. Quinn v. Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, 161 F.3d 472, 477 (7th Cir. 1998) (citations omitted). In support of its finding, the Seventh Circuit cited Grossmuller v. International Union, United Auto., Aerospace Agricultural Implement Workers of America. UAW, 715 F.2d 853, 858-59 (3d Cir. 1983), where the plan administrator's claims procedure did not provide the claimant with a full and fair review, and Govindarajan v. FMC Corp. 932 F.2d 634, 637 (7th Cir. 1991), where the plan administrator conducted a selective review of medical evidence and reached a conclusion that was unreasonable. Like the decision in Grossmuller. Prudential's decision did not provide plaintiff with a full and fair review, and like the decision in Govjndarajan. Prudential's decision was based on a selective review of the evidence resulting in an unreasonable conclusion. The record is clear that plaintiff is entitled to disability benefits. The court, therefore, grants plaintiffs summary judgment motion and awards benefits retroactive to March 6, 2002.
In addition, plaintiff is entitled to prejudgment interest and attorney's fees. There is a presumption in favor of awarding prejudgment interest to successful plaintiffs in ERISA cases to fully compensate the plaintiff and eliminate any incentive for the defendant to delay payment.Fritcher v. Health Care Service Corp. 301 F.3d 811, 820 (7th Cir. 2002); see Gorenstein Enters., Inc. v. Quality Care-USA, Inc. 874 F.2d 431, 436 (7th Cir. 1989); see also Rivera v. Benefit Trust Life Ins. Co., 921 F.2d 692, 696 (7th Cir. 1991). Plaintiff urges the court to set the prejudgment interest rate at 9%, the rate applied to overdue insurance payments under the Illinois Insurance Code, 215ILCS 5/357.9. While recognizing that the interest rate is left to the discretion of the district court, the Seventh Circuit has suggested that district judges use the prime rate for fixing prejudgment interest. Fritcher, 301 F.3d at 820 (citing Gorenstein. 874 F.2d at 436). Given the absence of any reason to disregard this suggestion, the court sets the prejudgment interest rate at the current prime rate, 4%.
Under 29 U.S.C. § 1132(g)(1), the court may in its discretion award reasonable attorney's fees and costs to a party in an ERISA action. In the Seventh Circuit, two tests have evolved for determining whether a prevailing party in an ERISA case is entitled to attorney's fees. One requires the application of five factors: "1) the degree of the offending parties' culpability or bad faith; 2) the degree of the ability of the offending parties to satisfy personally an award of attorney's fees; 3) whether or not an award of attorney's fees against the offending parties would deter other persons acting under similar circumstances; 4) the amount of benefit conferred on members of the pension plan as a whole; and 5) the relative merits of the parties' positions." Quinn, 161 F.3d at 478. The second test asks whether the losing party's position was "substantially justified." As the defendant points out, the courts have found that both tests essentially pose the question: "Was the losing party's position taken in good faith or was it an effort to harass the opposing side?" An application of the five factors shows that Prudential's denial of plaintiff's claim was not substantially justified. For the first and fifth factors, the court looks to Prudential's failure to provide plaintiff a fair and full hearing by relying on faulty inferences, discrediting evidence without justification, and conducting a selective review of the evidence plaintiff provided. Prudential did not conduct its own medical examination, consult with plaintiffs doctors, or provide other medical evidence to support its decision. These actions evidence a degree of bad faith and a lack of merit in Prudential's position. The remaining factors are also satisfied as there is no evidence that Prudential would be unable to pay the attorney's fees, and the award would encourage Prudential and other plan administrators to perform a full and fair review of its policyholders' disability claims.
CONCLUSION
For the foregoing reasons, plaintiffs motion for summary judgment is granted and defendant's cross-motion for summary judgment is denied.
Jury Verdict. This action came before the Court for a trial by jury. The issues have been tried and the jury rendered its verdict.
Decision by Court. This action came to trial or hearing before the Court. The issues have been tried or heard and a decision has been rendered.
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED AND ADJUDGED that plaintiffs motion for summary judgment is granted and defendant's cross-motion for summary judgment is denied.