AT&T Services Inc.

In this case, Shenita Sapp (“Sapp”) sought to recover long-term disability (LTD) benefits for PTSD and bipolar disorder. Her claim was denied by Sedgwick Claims Management Services (“Sedgwick”) after an independent medical examiner concluded her test results showed deliberate symptom exaggeration, despite her diagnoses from multiple treating doctors and her award of Social Security disability benefits. The court …

The Court addressed several issues within the Plan’s determination that the Court found did meet the required arbitrary and capricious standard. (1) Whether the Plan ignored favorable evidence from the Plaintiff’s treating physicians. (2) Whether the Plan conducted a selective review of the evidence from Plaintiff’s treating physicians. (3) Whether the Plan failed to conduct its own physical evaluation of Plaintiff. (4) Whether the Plan relied too heavily on non-treating physician consultants.