Emery v. American Airlines, Inc., No. 1:2008cv22590 - Document 199 (S.D. Fla. 2014)

Court Description: ORDER Granting Defendant's Motion for Summary Judgment, in Part, and Denying Plaintiff's Motion for Summary Judgment, in Part; denying 192 Motion for Leave to File; denying as moot 194 Motion for Hearing. Signed by Senior Judge William M. Hoeveler on 10/20/2014. (ar2) Modified document type per chambers' instruction on 10/20/2014 (ar2).

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UNI TED STA TES DI STRI COU RT CT SOU TH ERN D I STRICT O F FLORI DA CA SE N O .0822590- V - 0EVELER CI H K ATI EM ERY , W Pl nt f, ai i V. AM ERI N M RLIN ES,I C. CA N , a f ei c por i or gn or aton, Def endant . / O RD ER G M NTI G D EFENDA N T' M OTI FO R SU M M ARY JU D GM EN T. N S ON i P N ART. AND DENYI PLM NTI ' MOTI FOR S NG FFS ON UMMARY JU DG M EN T,I PART N TH I CA U SE c es bef t Courton t par i 'm o i f sum m ar S om ore he he tes t ons or y j m e and Pl i ifsmo i f rl av t fl ne y ac r d e i nc . The udg nt a ntf ton o e e o ie wl quie v de e Cour has r ew ed t par i 'ar t evi he t es gum ent and evi s denc -i udi t e ncl ng he suppl ent br ef and has r ew ed per i em al i s, evi t nentportons oft fl bas on t i he ie; ed hat r e ,t Cour fnds t Pl nt f has not es abls evi w he ti hat ai if t i hed t she i entt ed t hat s il o rei t em entofdi lt beneft The Cour hasconc uded,how ever,t ns at sabiiy i s. t l hat a ci l vi penaly shal be i posed agai Def t l m nst endantf t f l e t tm el pr de a c or he aiur o i y ovi opy Emery v. American Airlines, Inc. o t s b e tpe i pl t Em e y. f he u j c nson an o r ' Doc. 199 l t Pl ntf s c ai f d herequiabl r i i Countl Ioft As o ai if l m or d ot t e elef' n I he Com pl nt t r or r ai , he ec d eiec s t Pl nt f abandoned t cl m . See Tr t hat ai if hat ai ansc i r pt ofor argum ent ECF No.169,p.42. The Cour al o has det m i t Pl nt f al , t s er ned hat ai if i no e il d t ato ne ' e s( r que t d i Co I o t Compl i ) s t ntte o t r ys f e as e s e n unt V f he a nt. Dockets.Justia.com BA CK GRO U N D Thi l s tw as fl purs s aw ui ied uantt t Em pl o he oyee Retrem entI om e Secur t i nc iy Ac ( SA) 2 U . C. 1 e s q. o Se e r 1 200 s eki t r c ve t ERI , 9 S. j 001 t e , n pt mbe 8, 8, e ng o e o r beneft purs is uantt t A m er can Ai i o he i rlnes,I ,PiotRet r entBeneftProgram nc. l i em i (het a '.Pl ntf Eme y wase plye by De e ntasa ailnepio and t ( n' ai if Pl ) r m o d f nda n ri l t elgi e t par i i e i t beneft oft Pl i bl o t c pat n he is he an. The P1 pro des r i em ent di lt and r at beneft t elgi e an2 vi et r , sabiiy, el ed i s o i bl pio sand t i be fc a i sand i an e o e b ftpl s j c t ERI A. lt he r nei i re s mpl y e ene i an ub e t o S Beneft awar undert Pl ar f is ded he an e unded by paym ent f om a t ,w hi h sr rust c Am e can A i i f ri rlnes unds t ough year y c ri i ;w hie s paym ent ar not hr l ont but ons l uch s e elgi e t be r unded t Am er can Ai i ,f ure r i bl o ef o i rlnes ut equi ed c ri i m ay be r ont butons r duc d i t e e t tapar ii tngm e ro t Pl (. ,an e plye )di s e e n he v nt ha tcpa i mbe f he an ie. m o e e or t r r ghtt beneft i f f t hei i o is s or ei ed.4438. The Pl i adm i st 3 an s ni ered by Am er c i an Ailne , aloby a Pe i n Be ft Ad i s r i n Co m it e (PBAC' ri s and s nso ne is m ni t ato m te I ' ) cr ed by Am er can Ai i eat i rlnes,as desc i i m ore det l bel w . r bed n ai , o 2 The par i have s t es ubm it f t Cour ' r ew a c t ed or he ts evi opy oft Pl w hi h he an c i udes a1 am endm entsup t t Se ncl 1 o he vent A m endm ent,exec ed on D ec ber 20, h ut em 2006. Se ECF No.108- p.11.U nl ot w i e st ed,a1 r er es t t e 15, ess her s at l ef enc o he Pl her n ar t t ver i am ended up t and i l ng t Sevent an ei e o he s on o nc udi he h Am endm ent. 3rhr ' oughout t s Or t Cour has r er hi der he t ef enced t desi he gnat pages oft ed he Pl ac di t t num ber f an cor ng o he s ound on t docum ent s he s ubm it i t par i ' t ed n he t es j i no ieo flngt Pl n, ECF No.1 a t par i s j i no ie o flng o nt tc f ii he a at 08, nd he te ' o nt tc f ii t adm i s r i r he ni t atve ecor atECF N o.109,unl ot w i e not d, ess her s ed. For exam pl at e, ECF N o.108- p.6 of 11,t docum entbears t num ber d A000038'att 4, he he ' A ' he bot om r ghtc t i orner,and t s Cour ,ac di y,has r erenc 4A38. hi t cor ngl ef ed Fr M ar 18,2003,untlJanuar 25, 2007,Em er rec ved l t om ch i y y ei ong erm di abiiy beneft f s lt i s rom Def endant as a r ul ofher s f i f om depres on and es t ufer ng r si per or ance anxi y;i earl 2007 Em er sbeneft were t m i ed when f m et n y y' is er nat De e f ndantde e mi d t td e ii a i n o ( r s c ntnued di a lt a t r ne ha t r fc to f Eme y') o i v s biiy nd nec iy ofcont nued m edi alt eat entcannotbe es abls .' A A541. Em er esst i c r m t i hed ' y adm i st i y appeal t dec s on and t appealw assubm it t an ni ratvel ed hat i i he t ed o i pe ntdi c la ho iy, e t r M e i a Eva ua o s(W M E', c ha nde nde ni a ut rt W s e n d c l l t r d d ' whih d ) be j i l s l de by De e nta t pio s uni t ha e s h diput s As en o nty e e d f nda nd he l t ' on o ndl uc s e . t piot 'uni and Am er ean Ai lneshad agr t t m edi opi ons of he l s on i ri eed hat he cal ni W M E w oul be fnaland bi ng,t PBA C w as bound t ac eptW M E' uli at d i ndi he o c S tm e det m i i t Em er had not s er nat on hat y ubm it evi t ed denc t s w as di abl . Afer e hat he s ed t t deni ofher appealby t PBAC,Em er t he al he y hen fl t s ac i . ied hi t on Thi Cour hear or argum ent on t par i 'c oss- ot ons f s m ar s t d al he t es r m i or um y j m e o M ar h 23, 1. udg nt n c 201 4 STAN DA RD O F REVI EW The El event Ci c thas adopt a s x- t t tf t revi ofERI h r ui ed i s ep es or he ew SA di put . s es- V f er Def t endantfl a not c t i had fl a vol ar pet ton f ied i e hat t ied unt y i i or bankrupt y pr ec i i N o c ot t on n vem ber 2011,t cas w as s ayed aut atcaly and he e t om i l s eq l dim is d wiho pr j i e Afe t bankr c wasc m plt d, ubs uenty s s e t ut eud c . t r he upt y o ee t c e w asr he as eopened on Januar 1 2014. A st s Courtal y 0, hi ready hasheard or al ar gum ent Pl ntf s new m ot on f or argum enti D EN I . , ai if i or al s ED 1. Appl t de nov st y he o andard ofr ew t det i whet t evi o erm ne her he Adm i s r orsdecsi t deny beneft was( ong'(. ,t c t nit at ' i on o is d wr ' ie. he our diagr wih t c l onl i i i not t end t i r and afi s ees t he oncusi ; f t s , hen he nquiy frm t dec si he i on. 2.I t A dm i s rat ' deci i i wrong,t f he ni t ors s on s hen det m i w het t er ne her he Adm i s rat had di c i i r ewi cl m s;i not t ni t or s reton n evi ng ai f , hen end t i he nqui y r and r ever t dec si se he i on. 3. l t Adm i s rat ' deci i i w r f he ni t ors s on s ong,and t Adm i s rat w asves ed he ni t or t wi h di cr i i r ew i c ai s,t t s eton n evi ng l m hen det m i w het d eas er ne her d onabl ' r e' g o ss or e t de i in (. , e i w t d c so und rt d f r ntal r und upp t d he cso ie.r v e he e ii n e he e e e i ar t y and caprcous'st birar ii ' andard) . ' d 4. I no r onabl gr f eas e ounds exi tf t dec si t s or he i on, hen end t i he nqui y and r r ever e t Adm i st ors dec s on;i reasonabl gr s he ni rat ' ii f e ounds do exi ,t st hen det m i whet t A dm i s rat operat under a c lctofi er . er ne her he ni t or ed onfi nt est 5. I t f here i no confi tofi er t t s lc nt es , hen end t i he nqui y and afi t r frm he deci on. si 6. I t f here i a c s onii tofi er t,t c lcti m erel a f orf t c t c nt es he onfi s y act or he our t cons der when det m i ng whet an Adm i st ors deci i was o i er ni her ni rat ' s on ar t y and c i i birar apr c ous. Bl ankens p v.M et Lie I Co. 644 F. 1350,1355 ( h Ci ) ce .deni hi ro. f ns. , 3d 11t r., rt e4 132 S.Ct 849 ( . 2011) . I t s c e,t Pl s ii t is Adm i s rat i A m eri Ai lnes. n hi as he an pec fes hat t ni t or s can r i s I addii t Pl es abls t PBA C,appoi ed pur n t on, he an t i hes he nt suantt Sec i 11. of o t on 3 t Pl w hi h has t power t d he an, c he o d i st t cl m s appealpr adm ni er he ai ocedur oft es he V r il I ,Se to 2. ( o t Pl n de i sd m i s r t r' t tc e I c i n 1h) f he a fne s Ad ni t a o 'as he ' pany, whih i defned asAm erc Ai i I ,atSec i 2. z . I d com ' c s i ' ian rlnes, nc. ton 1() n a ii n,a Se to 11 1 ( ame edby t Fit Amendme t t Pl n) t dd to t c i n . as nd he fh nt o he a , he Pl st est t Com pany hast d pons bii y and aut iy t cont olt an at hat he he d res i lt hor t o r he oper i and adm i st i oft Pl ..' aton ni rat on he an .. ' 4 Pl ' Pl n,j 1 3 c ()( ame e by t Fit Ame an. a ' 1.()v as nd d he fh ndme B. ThePl ntl' an pr des t Am er c Ai lnesi t Adm i s r orw ih d es ovi hat i an r i s he ni t at t t pons biiy and r i lt aut iy t c rolt operaton and adm i s r i oft Pl , exc t t hor t o ont he i ni t at on he an ept o he ext such r pons biiv and aut iv hasspec fc l been ass ened her n t ent es i lt hor t ii alv i ei o rhe PBACI' Pl j 11 1( o t Si h Am e e t t Pl n,a pt t . an, . as f he xt ' ndm nt o he a do ed De e r2 2 )( mphas sadde ) n o he wo ds asa kno edg d b t c mbe 0, 006 e i d .I t r r , c wl e y he pa te , hePl g a sdic e i n t t Adm i s r o ( e ian Ai lnes t ris t an ' nt s r to o he r nit at r Am rc ri ) o d c d c a m sa g a st PBAC ( a sgne b Am e i a Ailne )dic e i n t e i e l i nd r nt he as s i d y rc n ri s s r to o r ew cl m son appeal evi ai . l lghtoft s grant ofdi c i even i t Cour fndst t dec s o t n i hi s reton, f he ti hat he i i n o deny beneft t Em er w asd is o y d wrong,'(t p o o t r l va t t t Co twil ' s e ne f he e e nt es) he ur l notdi t b t dec s on i t rec d re s ur hat i i f he or veal a r onabl basi f r t dec s o s eas e s o hat i i n (t p t e o t t s ) unl s t Co tde e mi t ta c nfito i e e twas se hr e f he e t, e s he ur t r nes ha o le f nt r s pr esent(t f )and t t decsi wasar t y and caprci (t si . s ep our hat he i on birar i ous s ep x)8 Em er bearst bur y he den ofes abls ng t t D ef t i hi hat he endants dec s on -w het or ' ii her 6 evantpagesoft Pl w hi h i l t ver on ofSecton 11.3,as Rel he an c nc ude he si i am ended by t Fit Am endm ent ar f he f h , e ound atECF N o. 108- 4A 144 - 45. 14, 4 1 7 ' Pl gr st t PBA C t aut t t t i ques i c erni 'he an ant o he I he horiy o d de dec t ons onc ng t applc i ori er he i aton nt pret i oft Pl ... i l ng but notlm ied t at on he an nc udi i t o det m i i ofelgi lt f beneft .' Pl n,j 113()ii ( a e d by t er natons i biiy or is ' a . c(i) as m nde he Fit Amendment . fh ) 8 A dm i s r orsbeneft dec s on i notd t y and c i i 'i i An ni t at ' is ii s s arbi rar apr c ous' f t has a ' t reasonabl basi 'i t m at i avaiabl t t adm i s r or att t m e e s' n he er al l e o he ni t at he i oft dec si Bl he i on. ankens p,644 F. at 1354. hi 3d nott dec si aker oper ed under a c he i onm at onii tofi er -w as ar t ar and c nt est bi r y c ii apr c ous. The Cour has,f t pur es ofanal i ass ed t t dec s on by t or he pos ys s, um hat he i i Am ercan Ai i t di c i Em er sbeneft w as wrong;assuc and i lght i rlnes o s ont nue y' is h, n i o t ce xe i nc t t Admi sr t r( rc n Ailne o PBAC)had f he l a v de e hat he ni t a o Ame i a ri s r di c t on i r e i c ai s,t Cour proc s re i n evi w ng l m he t eeds di ty t t queston of rec l o he i whe her t e exi treas t her s onabl grounds f t Adm i s rato s dec si ie.t e or he ni t r' i on, . he Cour pr eeds t t t rd s ep oft t tado ed i t s Ci ui I m aki m y t oc o he hi t he es pt n hi rc t. n ng det i i Iam lm ied t r ew i t evi erm naton, i t o evi ng he denc i t adm i s rat ve r or g e n he ni t i ec d, unl s ii evi ess pec fc denc as t a c lc ofi er t i pres ed,oand I m us uphol e o onfi t nt es s ent l t d t Pl s dec s on i t . i a reas he an' i i f hez s e onabl bas s f t Pl sdeni ofbeneft e i or he an' al is, 9 The Courti lm ied t t r ord t w asbef t adm i st or when i s i t o he ec hat ore he ni rat t madeisdecsi Gl erv.RelanceSt LieI Co. 524 F. 1241 ( h Ci t i on. az i d. f ns. , 3d 11t r. 2 ) c'Wgee tv. ue Cr s & Bl Shi d o A1 , nc , F. 11 11 9 008 , ll l t Bl f os ue el f a.I . 890 2d 37, 3 ( h Ci 1989) 11t r. . lli ied di co y beyond t adm i s r i rec d m ay be perm i i e i o um t s ver he ni t atve or ss bl n c ai cas t det m i w hati t appr i e s andar ofr ew t appl ort ert n es o er ne s he opr at t d evi o y, o as i t c ti det m i ng whet a pl adm i s rat o at under a s st he our n er ni her an ni t or per ed c lc ofi er t Forexam pl i m ay be per i si e f a pl nt f t s onfi t nt es . e, t m s bl or ai if o eek evi denc i or t defne t cont soft adm i s r i rec e n der o i he ent he ni t atve ord,Cer i o v. rt Li t LieAs anc Co. 209 F. D.663,664 ( . Fl 2002) orwhet t ber v f sur e , R. M D. a. , her he adm i s r or m akesbot elgi lt dec si and paysbeneft outofi sow n ni t at h i biiy i ons is t f unds,orw het t adm i s r or devi ed f om i s own c ai spractces Bl her he ni t at at r t l m i , oom v.Har f Lie & Accdentl Co.917 F.Supp.2d 1269,1276- ( D.Fl 2013) tord f i ns. , 79 S. a. , et Pl ntf i t s c e w asperm i t t c c. ai if n hi as t ed o onduc som e di c t s over s Or y, ee der r antng,i par ,Pl nt f s m ot on t c pel E CF N o.70,and s has s i n t ai if i o om , he ubm it t ed depos ton t t m ony and ot evi i i es i her denc whi t Cour hasrevi ed. e, ch he t ew 6 l even i t e i evi f her s dence suppor i a c r y res t.ll t ng ont ar ul W ast here a c lc ofi er ? onfi t nt est Bef e addr s ng t ques i ofw het t deci i w as bas on or es i he t on her he s on ed r onabl gr eas e ounds,t Cour hasexam i whet or not Pl nt f has he t ned her ai if est i hed t Def abls hat endantoperat undera confi tofi eres . W hie t s m ay ed lc nt t l hi appear t be a depar ure f om t enum er ed s eps oft gover ng t , ie. a o t r he at t he ni est . , c ualobs ver m i sugges t t Courthas s pped s e t ee, i ead t s as er ght t hat he ki t p hr nst hi appr oach hast beneftofalow i t Cour -i Em er haspro he i l ng he t f y venl t a z hat conii exi t -t exam i t evi ct s s o ne he denc i t fr t i t e wi h c ef at enton e n he i s ns anc t ar ul t i t whet any bi orconfi t i er m i have afec ed t dec s on.l3 o her as c ed nt est ght f t he i i Alho Pl i if a t r ysda m t ttr a e y i e i e e o bi sand s lt ugh a ntf s t o ne i ha ' l r l s v d nc f a l ef i er ts nt es een asbl ant as i i i t s c e,'ECF N o.119,p.20,t Cour at t s n hi as ' he t di sagrees. Pl ntf s ac ai if cusat ons ofbi ar di ec ed sol l atD r. Thom as Bet es, i as e r t ey t t M anagerofOc he cupatonalHea1h Ser c ( s r er t ast M edi i t vies alo ef red o he cal lA Pl adm i s rat i f ee t deny a c ai bas on c lc i evi l an ni t or s r o l m ed onfi t ng denc , e w her t evi e hat denc i r i e. Oat v. W al een Co. 2014 U . App.LEXI e s elabl es r , S. S 1 5 ( t Ci . 552 11 h r Aug.1 2 4 (ii Olve v.Co a Co a Co.497 F.d 11 11 9 3, 01 ) ctng i r c l , 3 81, 9 ( t Ci .,v at dl pa o o he r nd ,5 F.d 1 6 ( t Ci .2 ) 11 h r) ac e h rt n t rg ou s 06 3 31 11 h r 007 ) . 1Ateac s ep oft applcabl t t t burden ofproo r ai fr l on t 2 h t he i e es , he f em ns i m y he pl ntf t dem onst e t t deci i w as ar t ar and capri i . Dovl v. ai if o rat hat he s on bi r y c ous e Li t Lie Ass ber v f uranc Co. 542 F.3d 1352,1360 ( t Ci 2008) e , 11 h r. . 'To be cl , t Cour has notski 3 ear he t pped a s ep oft t -i t fnal t he est n he i anal i 1 have eval ed al oft e denc t det i w het r onabl ys s, uat l he vi e o erm ne her eas e grounds s uppor ed t Def t he endants dec s on. ' ii Die t r f rAm e ian Ailne .Dr Be t wasr s nsbl f rad udi a i r co ) o rc ri s . tes e po i e o j c tng Em er si t alapplc i f di lt beneft -whi he appr y' ni i i aton or sabiiy is ch oved i Jul 2003.14 n y Pl nt f r sher alegatons ofbi on st ned i er et i of ai if est l i as rai nt pr atons s at ent m ade by Dr.Bet es.For exam pl Em er poi st an em ai dat June t em s t e, y nt o l ed 17,2003,f om Dr.Bet est t em pl r t o wo oyeesofA m er can Ai lnes, rel ed t a i ri at o r equestf a ps hol s t ref t Em er . l t m ess or yc ogi t o er o y n hat age,Dr.Bet esw r e t t ot hat t r er e bei r he ef enc ng eques ed w as f : t or a f al piot..w ho i unabl t c pl e m andat y upgrade t ni and em e l . s e o om et or rai ng w ho needs a ver lm i ed c y i t ours ofc e ouns i f per orm ance anxi y and elng or f et m i de nor pres on bef e s i re eas t r urn t hert ni . Thi si or he s l ed o et o rai ng s em pl oyee i ext em el uncoo s r y perat ve and difc tt w or wi h and we need i fi ul o k t t m a s es d e no e up on a l ng t r (ik l av o abs e ( o ke ur he o s t nd o -e m sc e e f enc ) we ne t ha a g o wo ki r l to hi wih t pr v de ) ed o ve o d r ng e a i ns p t he o i r . 4A1 9 (o i ECF No 1 3 . One mo h l t r Dr Be t sno e t ti wo d 01 f und n . 22- ) nt a e , . t e t d ha t ul b t r s i lt o hi de t ntdoc r f l mana e and mo t r ( r )t e he e ponsbiiy f s par me d a e uly t g nio Eme y o ens e t goalr ai t i pr and event l be c eared rat t ur he em ns o m ove ualy l her han t rem ai o n on di abiiy.. 1w ilm ake t s case a pr or t t hopef l ens i does not s lt .. l hi i iy o uly ure t bec e a c t y per anentm edi di lt case.' A A1117. I t sam e om os l m cal sabiiy ' n hat m ess he no ed t Em e y w oul d age t hat r dd need t appl f and be adm i s r i y o y or ni t atvel a o d fr ( s biiybene is butasl ng ass i f ly c mplantwih t ppr ve o di a lt ft ) o he s u l o i t he t eat entIw oul have t m edi l c t f ' AA 1116. These c m ent and r m d o caly er iy. ' om s lI Jul 2003 Dr. Bet es appro 4n y t ved Em er s i t alreques f di lt y' nii t or sabiiy beneft AA496. i s. 8 ) 1 ot hers s-f om s l r everalyear pr ort t fnaldet m i i t deny Em er s appeal s i o he i er naton o y' ( , I y ! I E - w hen read i t rcont xt ar notsufi i pr on t row n t t dec s on n hei e , e fc ent oof hei hat he i i 7 . y m aki pr es was arbi r y or c ci . H o ever as des r bed bel ,t ng oc s t ar apri ous w , ci ow he ' L ( Cour haseval ed a1 oft evi t uat 1 he denc t det i whet any aleged bi by e o erm ne her l as ) l ë Dr.Bet es agai Em er i ect t e proc ngst s ext t r t nst y nf ed hes eedi o uch ent hat ever of sal i C Dee a fsd cso i rq ie fnd n eiin s e urd. t è As t t aleged s fi eres or s ruc uralconfi tofi eres ,ie. t o he l el nt t t t lc nt t . , he ) ( t ' ) - x alegat on t t Pl s s r ur pr ent an i l i hat he an' t uct e es ed nher c lctofi er , t ent onfi nt est he ' t Cour ' r vi i cat t t us ofa t t s r ur w ih non- ever onary ts e ew ndi es hat he e rus t uct e t r si l r equi ed per odi c ri i f om Am er c Ai lnespr ent at m ost an r i c ont but ons r i an r i es s, , ! ( . 3 at enuat sel-nt es on t par ofAm eri an.6 M ox t ed fi er t he t c l eover, i t s cas Am er can n hi e i C Ai lnes def r t t opi on ofan i ri er ed o he ni ndependentaut i y, W M E,c i t w ih hor t ons s ent t t y j l . t c l t ve bargai ng agr he olec i ni eem entent ed i o bet een t piot 'uni and er nt w he l s on t f ' t ( Dee d n.Th ta re n po ie t t fn a t a geme t rvds ha: ( ) Any di put ar s ng as t t clni valdi y ofa cl m or as t t s es i i o he i cal i t ai o he c i ontnuat on ofdi abiiy def s,onc com m enced,s lbe ref r t a i s lt ect e hal er ed o m ut l agreed-o ci c s ualy t lni al ourc , whos fndi r e e i ngs egar ng t nat e and di he ur ext oft c ent he ondii s lbe fnaland bi ng upon t partes. t on hal i ndi he i ï J l ) . ) ï 1I De e r20 , Dr.Bett not t $f( e y do s ts w pr e s 5n c mbe 03 i or s es ed hat d Em r ) e n' ho i t e m e 'hem i htne d t d a a agg e svec ntnue Diab lt Eldbiiy n r at nt' g e o d ke n r s i o i d s iiy i lt m l ( de er i i ' AA1113. t m naton. ' L . 1nacs bfr teCoroAp elfrh Eeet Crut 6 ae eoe h ut f paso te lvnh ici I 1 . fu dta asmi r structure w as notevi e ofa struct alconl t a cut. o n ht i l a h t oest r denc ur hctofi er nt l i t Tow ns end v.Del a Fam iv- e D i abiiv & Sur vor p Pl 295 Fed.Appx. 971 t l car s lt vi shi an, ' ( t Ci 2008) 11 h r. . q , 9 ( ) ) 1 . Suppl entF t Colectve Bargai ng Agr ent ! 5( , em o l i ni eem , h) 4A278- 0.7 Thus t r 8 1 , he e w asan agr entt r er m at ers t t W M E t res ve di put rai ed by piot , eem o ef t o he o ol s es s l s lke Em er ast di lt beneft i y, o sabiiy is . Atl as t o he j esi t sDit ita r dy hav add e s d t q ton e t wo t r udg n hi s rc lea e r s e he uesi ofwhe her t s s e ERISA Pl i o t hi am an s perat by A m eri Ai lnes undera confi ed can r i lct ofi er t M eadow sv. Am e i a Ailne , nt es . rc n ri s 2011U . Dit LEXI 3 9 ( D.Fl . S. s . S 083 S. a M ar h 24, c 2011 ,a /# 52 Fe Appx.7 ( 1 h Ci . 3 ; ne v A m eri ) f ' 0 d. 87 1 t r 201 ) Tur r can . Ailne ,2 1 U. Di t LEXI 432 ( D. a. i 21 2 ) I ea h o t e ri s 01 S. s . S 42 S. Fl Aprl , 011 . n c f hos cases,t c tc l he our onc uded t even i a c lctofi er was pr ent i di not hat f onfi nt est es , t d oper e i s h a m annert di t b t cour ' det m i i t t at n uc o s ur he ts er nat on hat he adm i s r ors dec s on w as r onabl I ot w or , t e cour s f ni t at ' ii eas e. n her ds hos t ound t hat wei ng t f t ofa c lc ofi er on t partoft Pl Adm i s r or ghi he ac or onfit nt est he he an ni t at w oul onl s i l f d y lghty avor t em pl he oyee and w as i ufi entt dem ons r e t t ns fci o t at hat he beneft deni w as ar t y and capr ci . is al birar i ous g e ian Ailnes hast ken ac i e s e t r duc any po e i lbi -ie. Am rc ri ) a tv t ps o e e t nta as . , by usi a t t f ng rus unded t ough non- evers onar paym ent and r hr r i y s equi i r ng t i vem entofan i he nvol ndependentm edi c uli entt when di putes cal ons t ng i y s o e e i i lt a ie Fur he m o e ( e d ewaspr s ed o d pa t r v r lg biiy r s . t r r , no vi enc e ent l f a t e n orprac i e ofunr onabl denyi m er t i c ai s . .. .' tc eas y ng i or ous l m M eadows( t i omit .Havi revi ciatons t ed) ng ewed t evi epres edby Emer as he denc ent y t t ques i ofa c o he ton onfi tofi eres ,Iam i agreem entw i h t obs vaton of c nt t n t he er i my c l oleague,not above. H o ever,f pur ed w or poses ofanal i , Iw ilas ys s l sum e t hat lThes pages are f 7 e ound atECF N o. 117-52. 10 Em e has s n t pot i f s e s ruc uralconii tofi er t t have been ry how he ent al or om t t c nt es o a f t i t dec si ac or n he i on. The Cour now pr eeds t addres t evi t oc o s he denc bef e m e i order t e or n o det m i whet t er ne her here was a r onabl bas s f Def eas e i or endants deci i wei ng ' s on, ghi any aleged c lc ofi eres as,atm os ,a s i f t i t dec s on l onfi t nt t t lght ac or n hat i i cons st w ih t di uss on,abo i ent t he sc i ve. FA CTS The pa te ' o i nsf rs m a yj me add es t es e i lq s i n r i s m to o um r udg nt r s he s nta ue to bef e t Cour :w ast Def or he t he endants deni ofPl nt f r ' al ai ifs eques f beneft t or is ar t ar and c bi r y apri i c ous? The par i agr as t t f l i f s unl s t es ee o he olow ng act , es ot r i e not ' he w s ed.8 Em ery' el zi lt f and r ptof di lt beneft i 2003 s i biiy or. ecei . sabiiv is n Em er w or y ked f Def or endants artng i Sept ber 1992,and i i t i n em ts undiput d t s wa e i i e t pa tcpat i t Pl sbe is Ans r ! 6. s e hat he s lg bl o r ii e n he an' neft . we , ThePl whih i s j c t t pr vii o ERI pr vi sr tr m e be ft an, c s ub e t o he o sons f SA, o de e ie nt ne is 1Se ,ee.Jo ntStpul to o Fa t ,ECF No.11 andj i no i eo flng 8 e . , i i a in f c s 5, o nt tc f ii t Pl n, he a ECF No.1 and j i no ie o flng t admi s r i r c r ECF No. 08, o nt tc f ii he nit atve e o d, 109. Pl nt f s St em entofFact i c ai w ihi her c r ed M ot on f ai if at s s ont ned t n or ect i or Sum m ar Judgm ent,ECF No.128- addi i l Pl nt f sres y 1; tonaly, ai if pons t e o Def endants s at f t i f ' t ed ac s s ound atECF N os.134,156. D ef endants St em entof ' at Fac s i f t s ound atECF No.120;addi i l Def t onaly, endants r pons t Pl ntf s ' es e o ai if s at f t i f t ed ac s s ound at ECF N o.150. 11 t partc pant and t r benefc ar es, i udi a Di abiiy Ret r entBeneft o ii s hei i i i ncl ng s lt i em i, avaiabl t t e w ho m eett t m s oft Pl . l e o hos he er he an The Pl n de i sa t s lt ' st n il s o i j y, verii t ough a fne d abiiy'a t lne s r n ur Di a fed hr qualfed m edi aut iy ( pr ded i Secton 5 4)whih pr v saM e r ii cal hort as ovi n i c e ent mbe . f om c i ng t ac as an Ac i PiotEm pl r ont nui o t t ve l oyee i t Ser c oft Em pl .'' n he vi e he oyer Pl j2. ( Se to 5. o t Pl pr vi st tt e i t e o a pio ' an, 1 a9. c i n 4 f he an o de ha he x s enc f l ts di abiiy t lbe det i i ac ordance'w i h a s ofrul , w hi h i l t s lt ' shal erm ned n c ' t et es c nc ude he f lo ng:' M e rsd s biiy wilbec ns d r d t c s t e s i ()hi he t ol wi C A mbe ' i a lt l o i e e o ea e o xit f 1 s alh i r or s as nott pre s est ed o o venthi f om ac i asan Actve PiotEm pl m r t ng i l oyee i t n he s r ieo t Co e v c f he mpany,(i ve iiato o s h di a lt c no l e be i) rfc i n f uc s biiy an ong r es abls or(i)appr i e medialc e i want y dir t ihed ii oprat c ar s onl s egarded by s h uc M e r' Pl n,j5. c. mbe . a ' 4() l or t be qualfed t s ve as a Piotf Def n der o ii o er l or endant an i vi ndi dualm us t , obtai a t i Fi stCl M edi Cer ii at ' rom t FederalAvi i n ï d r val ass cal t fc e'f he at on Admi s r i (d '.ThePl sdefnii ofdi lt however, does not nit aton $ FAA' ) an' i ton sabiiy, equat d sabiiy'wi h a f l e t obt n s a Cer ii at f om t FA A .19 ed di lt ' t aiur o ai uch t fc e r he 1I Lars v. Ai Tr Ai w ays.l ,2009 U . . Dit LEXI 11 045 ( . 9n en r an r nc. S s. S 6 M D. Fl Dec.14,2009) apiotc l a. , l halenged t deni ofdi abiiy beneft aferhef l he al s lt is t aied t obt n hi FA A m edi alc t fc i The cour det m i t t piothad not o ai s c er ii aton. t er ned hat he l est i hed t t di abii y beneft pl ati ue had a pr s on f di lt abls hat he s lt is an ss ovi i or sabiiy s el due t a t ossoflcens ft s f dut al 'and, as s h,t piotw as not ol y o t l i e/ines or y one' uc he l entt ed t beneft The c t quot t pl adm i s r or' obs il o is. our ed he an ni t at s ervat on t i hat dll FAA hasno r f edt r i t t y lc e be aus o yo m e c l dthe d t e us o e ns a e our iens c e f ur dia c ondii r her,t y are unabl t det m i i yourlc e s ton, at he e o er ne f i ens houl be r ns at d ei t ed because you ar r us ng t under t necess y t t ng t t e ef i o go he ar es i hat hey r equi e.''' r Lars en. 1 2 l l e 2002,Em er w as r er ed t t m edi aldepart entofAm eri an n at y ef r o he c m c Ai lnes af er s f l t com pl e a r ri t he aied o et equi t ai ng pr am r at t her red r ni ogr el ed o pos ton as a piot Dr. Bet es t Def ii l . t , he endantsM edi Di ect , di t t ' cal r or rec ed hat Pl nt f be eval ed by D r. Gar K ay,a clni neuro yc ogi t. A fer ai if uat y i cal ps hol s t eval i Em er on Oc ober 7, 2002,Dr.Kay not evi uat ng y t ed denc oft pec fc c e d ii ognii s tve defcis'and opi t s raloft defc entabiii t e es it' ned hat eve he i i ltes ' ar sent alm ent i al abii i f avi i per or anc .' A646lt es or aton f m e 'A 648. Dr.K ay i cat t ndi ed hat 'co e nsveneur ps hoolc (e tng m a bei i a e t c nfr de iis ' l mpr he i l o yc l al t s i l y nd c t d o o im fct i t ar where defc t w er f n he eas iis e ound .. ..' 1 ' d. Dr.Bet esal o r er ed Em er f a di ness f dut 'exam i i by Dr. t s ef r y or d t f or y' naton Elz i abet Jenni on,a boar c t fed phys c an. D r Jenni re t on Oc ober h s d- er ii ii . son por ed t 22,2002,0t s f 2 hat he ound no t dence ofa m edi alcondii whi h woul lm i t d evi c ton c d i t he a lt o ( r )t pe f r a quat l o he r uied upgr t ai ng go he biiy f Eme y o ro m de e y n r eq r ade r ni f r r dutesa a pio l' 4A637- 2 i s lt . ' 640.1 2Dr. Jenni on exam i Em er on O c ober 21, 2002. 4A 637. 0 s ned y t 2Dr.Jenni on r orded Em er s hi t y as f l w s, notng t att t m e l s ec y' s or olo i hat hat i Em er had notlow n i appr m at y 11 years: y l n oxi el M s Em e yj i Am e i a Ailne i 1 2 a a 7 Flg Eng ne r Af er . r o ned rc n ri s n 99 s 27 i ht i e t . abouta year ofs c she w as f oughed f about 3 year , t ervi e, url or s hen ret ned ur t dut as a 727 FlghtEngi o y i neer. Alhough she hashad s t everalpr or i oppor uni i t upgrade t Fi t Ofi , s has al t t es o o rs fcer he wayschosen t def t s. o er hi She w oul have been abl t c i def ri unt lApr l2003, butw as d e o ontnue er ng i i f c i o upgrade t ni w hen t Am er e Ai lnes 727 feetw as or ed nt rai ng he i an r i l ground i ApriN ay 2002. n l M 637. 1 3 Em er w as t y hen r er t Dr.Jam esH il a c i calps ef red o l, lni ychol s and ogi t neur ps o ychol st f as es m ent.Dr.Hileval ed Em er on t o dat i ogi , or s s l uat y w es n Dec ber 2002,and f em ound t evi t no denc 'ofi pai ed neur yc ogi al e' m r ops hol c f unctoni butrec m ended t Em er r ei t adequat c se of i ng, om hat y ec ve t an e our ps at i t eat entt addres he< depr i and per orm ance anxi y. A A624ychi r c r m o s ess on f et ' ' 38. Dr.H ilr l epor ed t Em er st ed t t r on f her s pt sw as t hat y at hat he eas or ym om d aus oft s r ofhercur t bec e he t ess rentwork siuat on'and t t i ' hat s t he t exper enc i ed anxi y onl dur ng t ni eval i set i and noti her day-o- w or ' et y i rai ng/ uaton t ngs n t day k. ' AA635. Dr.H ilnot t i lght o t ext ofEm er s s pt s at t t m e, l ed hat n i f he ent y' ym om hat i ï he notbe alo ed t fy unt lt e pr em shave been adequat y t ed as t s lw ol i hes obl el reat det m i by an i pendentps hi r ceval i ' 4A 636. er ned nde yc at i uat on. ' Based on t eval i s he uat ons ubm it by Dr.K ay and Dr.H il Dr.Bet es t ed l, t dec ded t r o Em er f om ac i piotdut Al hough Dr.Bet es det m i i o em ve y r t ve l y. t t er ned t Em er was m edi l di hat y caly squalfed f om Ii dut AA620,s w as notyet ii r l ght y, he appr oved f l t m di abiiy beneft att tm e.2 or ong- er s lt is hat i 2 On herow n i t atve Em er began seei a ps hi r s Dr.B ar y nii i y ng yc at i t, r Kapl t i Novem ber 2002 f de owi z, n or press on and anxi y,and Em er c m uni ed i et y om cat t s i or at on t Am er can Ai 1nes.3 Dr.K apl t si t aleval i ofEm er hi nf m i o i ri 2 owi z' ni i uat on y 2At s e poi i ear y 2003, Em er appled f and r ei shor -erm 2 om nt n l y i or ec ved tt di abiiy beneft ,w hi ar notati sue i t s acton. s lt is ch e s n hi i 2Forexam pl s Aut 3 e, ee hori at on f Rel z i or ease ofl or aton, dat Decem ber nf m i ed 3,2002.4A1176 (n ECF No.123- . i 2) 14 obs ves t s w as' ear ulathavi t dealw ih em otonalt aum a of er hat he t f t ng o t i r em pl ent'and w as havi ( oym ' ng ' PTSD f rom t ni program '4A 544. Hi rai ng ' s . di no tci e so wast ts had d j t e d s w / ess m ood '' Id 2 ag s i mpr s i n ha he d us m nt i depr ed Ad = 4 . . H e al o no ed t she had t . Eye st sm us.' l s t hat d Lf rabi ' d. On June 1 2003, Dr.Bet esw r e t Em er t s woul need t com pl 9, t ot o y hat he d o y w ih a di tve f t rec i rom t fi ofi e ofAm eri an Ai lnes w hi h requi ed her t he l ght fc c ri c r o , i t at and doc entt actve c ni i e um d an i ours oft apy' t addr s he e her ' o es r s pt s of ym om depr i and per or anc anxi y. AA1115,f ess on f m e et ound atECF No. 123- Dr.Bet es 1. t r equest t Em er di ectDr. K apl t t subm i r ed hat y r owi z o t ecor det lng t cur ds aii he rent c ours oft eat ent and Dr. Bet esnot t i w asant c pat t ' t an e r m , t ed hat t i i ed hat ï er af a pr pr a eand tm e lm ie c ur eo t ea me y m a be ce e by g rc p o it i -i t d o s f r t nt ou y l ar d Ame ian Ailne )M e c t r s ri s dial o e ume t ai ng asd t r i d a o i eb t Flg r ni e e m ne ppr prat y he i ht Ofi ' I Em er senta l t t Dr. Bet es on June 23,2003 s atng t she fce. d. ' y et er o t hat , t i had notr ei a d r m entpl 'f Am eri A i i and aski whet i ec ved d eat t an' rom can rlnes ng her t wasm andat y t s be t ed by aps hol s ( Rik Suarez)whom had or hat he reat yc ogit Dr c . been r er ed t herby Dr. Bet es's af .A A1000- , f ef r o t t f 01 ound atECF No . 122- Dr. 3. Bet es r ponded by di t ng Em er t c ac Dr. Suar d o i t at and begi t es rec i y o ont t ez f ni i e t n t eat ent f your s pt sofde r m s or ym om press on and perf m anc anxi y' and not i or e et ' ed t tfin a to yo wilne d t haveyo Ps hi r s , Dr.Barry K apl tz ha d l ddii n, u l e o l ur yc at it owi 21 a l t sentt Am eri Ai lnes i Apr l2006 on Em er s behal,Dr. 4 n et er o can r i n i y' f apl iz i c ed t he had been s ng Em er as a pat entsi e N o ow t ndi at hat eei y i nc vem b 2002 er c i t s i t t s ss c i t , atw hi h tm e d he w as dealng w ih s res i ues w hi h overt m e wors ened oM a o De es i n and Gene alz d)Anxi t .' 44582. j r pr so r i el ey ' K ) ' j ( f w ard t m e f r ew com pl e re ds det lng your r entt m ent wi h or o or evi et cor aii ec reat s t : . @ hi . AA986,f m ' ' ound atECF No.122- Dr.K apl iz w r e a l t dat June 30, 2. ow t ot et er ed l 20,hcicdshfl igttmet 03w i nl eteoo n sae n: h u lw l 7 . . Att s tm e M s Em er has devel hi i . y oped a depr ed m ood f ess rom t prol he onged t s r s f de i r i nsa t s i g y t pio s uni n and Am e i a t e sul lbe ato nd e tng b he l t ' o rc n Ailne ) Durngt stm ei wa ce t s hasha aviua ri s . i hi i t s lar hat he d s l St a s us whih mi htha c us d hert bes m e ts o ro r bim , c g ve a e o o wha l we n ) com put t i Butot w i e s i noti need ofm edi atons f t s er estng. her s he s n c i or hi j de e s danxo mo do ys ri g danc ast whys wasc pa e pr s e / ius o nl uppo tve ui e o he a bl t ) offyi pr ous y butno now . l hercoor naton ofhand, e s l ng evi l t f di i ye peeds ar e no l onger att l velt i nec ar f t ai lne i he e hat s ess y or he r i ndust y, Ibele M s. r i ve Em er c ac y an ceptt di lt Buti needs c ar fc i and nott eat hat sabiiy. t l ii aton hr s i ( . ' t ' M 602. ) . , 7 Em er began s ng Dr.Suar i Jul 2003. l a Ps y eei ez n y n ychol calTr m ent ogi eat ( y ) ' Sum m ar dat Oc .21,2003,AA520- Dr.Suar re y ed t 21, ez port t Em er was s hat y ' ( te r rl t t l diabl d t pe f r he j b asapio . He no e t he t mpo a iy o aly s e o r o m r o t l t' ' t s hat r obs ved c er ondi i afer ni t ot on, t ne w hour s i ever ot week,w asconsi ent ess ons y her st j è ' ( wi h a di t agnosi oft ood Di der Not Ot w i e Spec fed,w ih Anxi y s t M sor , her s ii t et . ? . Feat es, and t ur ' ' d onalt D i or pers iy s der,Pr s onal' I Dr.Suar not t he ovi i . d. ' ez ed hat c ac ed D r. Kapl w i and s ont t o tz ugges ed t Em er m i be t appropr at t hat y ght t an i e ) candi e f ps hot opi m edi aton t hel el e her m ood, r dat or yc r c c i o p evat educ her anxi y e et ) L f ! . and hel her see pat er 'A A521. p l p t n. ' / . y ' l a l t dat O c ober 17,2003,Em er w as advi by Am er can Ai i n et er ed t y sed i rlnes ' ' t k j y # . t she had been appr hat oved f l t or ong erm di lt beneft bec sabiiy i s ause ofher d edi ' m cal ) i lt t actas a Piot and t suc beneft w er ret oac i t Oc ober 9, nabiiy o l , hat h is e r tve o t ( ï t ) ' 1 6 ) l ) ( . E . 2003. 2 765. Def G endants a s m iar l t t Em er on Januar 7, 2004, ent i l et er o y y ( ë ( i c i t t beneft peri had been m odii t be r r t ve t M ar 18, ndi atng hat he is od fed o et oac i o ch ) : 2 2003. 4A 756. ) Dr Suar pro ded anot Tr m ent Sum m ar , dat Jan.22,2004, ez vi her eat y ed * C : i r whc n tdt a Emeyha b g ntkn Z lf i mi-a uay2 0 2 a dt a ih oe h t r d e u a ig oot n dl n r 0 45 n h t ) I L Z ' E r dhas continued to show im provem ent and stability ofm ood.' 4A 523-24 He meyt I ) r s her di evi ed agnosi t d ood Di order .. I Par i Rem i i ' Fi m ont so' M s ., n t al ss on. ' ve hs ) . ( 2 E t . l er,hi Tr m entSum m ar not t her di at s eat y es hat agnos s i d ood D i or ..., wih i sd M s der t ) ( . Anxi y Feat es I M edi Rem i i ' 4A 525- A si iar r et ur , n cal ss on. ' 26. m l epor , d tdNo . t ae v t 1,2004,4A527- m akest s e fndi as t di 28, he am i ng o agnos s,and obs ves t dti i er hat t s i ) . ) no kno t wha d r e i any, ro hamo o a c ndii n ( t nt tve t wn o t eg e , f he pt l bc l o to a e a i ï ( : ' ( k di gno i o v t i lr tna t a to )ma i a ss f iro e i l r c i n y mpac o (hepl f rhe t r t n t t n t an o r o e ur o y y . ' fi htt a ni l' 4A528 lg r i ng . ' . A ta t eat ents s on wi h D r Kapl i zi ear y 2003,Dr.K apl t not r m es i t . ow t n l owi z ed ; ' r t Em er was d eeki advi e about St sm us. 4A 546. H e m ent ons hat y s s ng c rabi ' ' i ( $ s r s us agai i t not f om a sess on i l e 2004:t i wilf w ar t abi m n n he er i n at t ent l or d pat ; ( . J 7 . 2Att tme, lf ( t adena ef rt g ne i m e c to Se t alne was 5 he i Zoo t a r m o he e rc dia i n r r i ) ( cons der t be a drug w hi h di qualfed a piotf i ed o c s ii l rom o ai ng hernec ar bt ni ess y lc e f om t FederalAvi i Adm i s r i . See,e. ,H annaean v.Pi ont i ens r he at on ni t aton =. edm ? . , y ) Ailnes.l ,2010 U. Di .LEXI 31472 ( D. . 2010) I H annagan,t ri nc. S. st S N. N Y. . n he cour r t ever ed t deni ofbeneft ,fndi t t r s he al i s i ng hat he ecor r d eveal an under yi ed l ng healh- el ed di abii y;t cour obser t t piothad d unc i t r at s lt he t ved hat he l t t onal f ; ) ' , lmia i nsb f r t ki g lfl and a s had ano he m e c c nd to The i t to e o e a ng zoo t' ' lo t r dial o ii n. ' f si H annaean ar di i act n e stngui shabl f om t f t bef e m e atpres and, as e r he ac s or ent not ator argum ent t FAA polc changed i Apr l2010,suc t Zol ti no ed al , he iy n i h hat of s l onger an aut at c l di qualf ng m edi at on. om i aly- s iyi c i ' , E è . ) 1 7 t ) ) l t optcalt tres tf om Dr. W ei on St abi us.' 44 549.Ata subs i es ul r ss r sm ' equents i ess on i 2004,he not t Em er f n ed hat y d a sc e overpos i e vi i l had ar s bl s on os sw hen s had a he vi r l i eye;w ilr om m end t she t a per anentdi abii t ous eak n l ec hat ake m s lt y f om r ai lne. 4A550. Ata s s on i 2005, Dr.K apl iz not t Em er had st t ri ' ' es i n ow t es hat y ar ed eye e c ses s f xer i he ound on t i ernet 44 550,and att f l ng s i -on he nt he olowi ess on , Apr l13,2005,Dr. Kapl w i z not d noc ar i t lt -D r i Ft.Lauder e' i o t es d Bi ul ns abii y . n dal ' wi houtf hercom m ent 4A 551. t urt . I ar n epor dat Apr l8, 2005,D r.Suarez obs ved t Em ery d il t ed i er hat ' l w m ai ai hert apeut c gai and f i nt n her i ns unctonalabiii wi houtm edi i ' lt es t cat on'and t she shoul be abl t r urn t t ai ng t f l i m ont 44 529- Dr. hat d e o et o r ni he olow ng h 30. . Suar s r ez' epor dat Nov. 27,2005,obs t ed erves t Em er cont nued t at end hat y i o t t apy wi h Dr.Suarez whie bei weaned of Zol tby Dr Kapl w i z. A4 531her t l ng f of o t 32 . . D r Suar ant cpat t Em er w oul be abl t r urn t fi t ni t ce . ez i i ed hat y d e o et o l ght rai ng s on her m edi aton i di c i c i s s ont nued.' 4A 532. I ot words Dr. Suar appear t te ' n her , ez s oi Em er si y' nabii y t r urn t fi t ni t t f tofher c i lt o et o l ght rai ng o he ac ont nued use of Zol t of . On Oct 7,2005,Dr.K apl t r . owi z epor ed t Em ery had d om e ver ups t hat d bec y et atr ei ng new sofdi t banc ofvi on f om Dr. Chao.'44 552. The r d ec vi s ur e si r ' ecor i c est Em er s D r Chao,an opt et s / upunc uri t on M arc 31, ndi at hat y aw . om ri tac t s, h 2005. l a r n epor dat Sept 13,2005,D r.Chao not t hi exam i i of t ed . ed hat s nat on Em er i M ar h 2005 r y n c eveal t d er seyes ar healhy .. . ed hat ' Em y' e t g utt s l b hat he s wse r me y fag l a uns a ebi c a v so gr m whata ar t be a ho xt e l r ie nd t bl no ul r i i n fo ppe s o J 18 l s andi condii ' r.Chao not t Em er had d ar ong- t ng ton. 'D ed hat y d ked bi ul m noc ar pr em s'and t s h pro em sdar s gnii antt he car as a piot' AA510obl ' hat uc bl d e i fc o r eer l .' 12. H e al o r s epor ed t Em er w as bei t eat by D r. Thom asW ei f t hat y ng r ed ss, o< t d pos eri vi r t or t eousdet achm ent' ih s pt s whi h had st t i approxi at y 'w t ym om c ar ed n m el Jul 2004. AA510.6 N o r d w aspr ded f om a D r. Thom as W ei s. A s ngl y 2 ecor ovi r s i e r d,a pr c i i f ,w as pr ded f om Dr.H er t W e s and i appearst ecor es r pt on orm ovi r ber is t o be dat i earl 2003;t f ed n y he orm i udes a barel l bl di ncl y egi e agnosi -whi s ch appar l r enty eadsd t d ernatngEs Al i ophor a. AA513 (eeAA569,i whi Dr. i' ' s n ch . Ka o t r f r t t di no i) plwiz e e s o he ag s s. O n M ar 21,2006,Dr.K apl t t eat Em er and r arked t she w as ch owi z r ed y em hat c ntnui t t ea wih l c o a lt t fy ( ue t s a î nd m e ii l o i ng o ' l t a k f biiy o l d l o i ht a d d c ne m anazem ent'butt he w as notabl t r ' hat e o educe her dos ofZo of att t m e. e l t hat i AA552 ( emphas sadded) i . On Apl l4,2006,Am er c Ai lnes r ' i i an r i eques ed t Em er i t uc Dr. t hat y ns r t Suar and Dr.Kapl w i t s ez o tz o ubm i progres r t s epor s wi h di t t agnosi and t m ent s reat , no i t (the me c ldo ume a i n i r ui e t s t nta ec ntnue tng hat t l l di a c nt to s eq r d o ubs a i t o i d m edi di lt beneft ' A584. On Apr l21,2006, Dr.Kapl i r cal sabiiy i s. 'A i ow tz epor ed t t o Am eri Ai lnest Em er d ontnues t be seen on a r can r i hat yd i c o egul basi and ar s 2Dr.Chao r 6 epor s t Em er had a pr or epi ode ofd arge hi y m obie t hat y i s d l ghl l foat s and fashes i t r ght e wi h ons aboutei m ont pr ousl , l er l n he i ye, t et ght hs evi y d ag e ass c ndar t po t ro v t e usde ac e 'and t t(thi c nd to i nos d e o y o s e i r ir o t hm nt' ha d l s o ii n g w as bei f l ng olowed and t ed by Thom asW ei M D ,w i h c reat ss, t onsul at on att t i he Bas om - m er Eye l i ut ' A A510. Em er pr ded no evi c pal nstt e. ' y ovi denc t e hat s w as he t eat by Dr.Thom asW ei r ed ss. 19 m edi atonsw ilbe c dered t be l c i l onsi o ower atour nextvi i i June. She was l ed st n ast s e o ( i 1 20 1' e n n Aprl 9, 06 . /AA5 Dr Ka o t o ne t tEm e y' di no i at 82. . pl wiz pi d ha r s ag s s t tm ewa ( a o De es i n, hat i s t j r pr so Gene alz a i t d s r r'' and re ed t M r ied nx e y i o de , port hat Em er w as t ng 75 m g daiy ofZol t I H e al o not t Em er w as y aki l of . d. s ed hat y di agnos wi h ( i alSt sm us'butdoes noti cat any t eat entbei ed t d c opt rabi ' ndi e r m ng pr ded f t c ovi or hat ondi i l ton. d. Dr.Suarez pr ded hi rec ds whi dem ons r ed t Em er w as t eat ovi s or ch t at hat y r ed by Dr.Suar on t ee o as onsbet een N o ez hr cc i w vem ber 2005 and M ay 2006. Dr. Suar re ez port i a Tr m ent Sum m ar dat M ay 28, 2006,t he w ilf l w sn eat y ed hat l olo Em ery on a t uppor i and/ asneeded basi unt lsuc tm e as s i m edi at on d s t ve or s i h i he s c i f ee. AA534. Si fcant y,he not t he had s Em er i Januar and Apr l r ' ' gnii l ed hat een y n y i 2006,and Em er had d ai ai her t y t nt ned m hexapeut c gai and has no m anies ed i ns t f t any r c enc ofher di caldepr i ' A A533.Em er w ast ed by Dr. eoc urr e ni ess on. ' y reat Suar on onl one ot oc on i 2006:at an appoi m enton Se em be 20, ez y hex casi n nt pt r 2006,Dr.Suar o er t Em er appear t be m ai ni herd herapeut c ez bs ved hat y ed o ntai ng t t i gai ' and had a ( t e m ood and afec ' A A515. Progressno esf m Dr. ns' d abl s f t. ' t ro Suar st eat entofEm er duri s i i 2005ez' r m y ng ess ons n 2006 do no m ent on her t i vi i Em ex appar l onl di cuss hervi i wi h D r. K apl t s on. y enty y s ed s on t owi z. Att eat ent s i i l e 2006 and earl 2007, Dr.Kapl w i z i c ed r m ess ons n at y o t ndi at t tEme y wasd bl t s a f c e easl d sr t '( v. 200 , ha r t una e o t y o us d, iy i t aced' No 27, 6) was d bl t s o c o a t i lf ve y unmo i t d' Ja 31, 07) a ï una e o t p yde f pa hy n ie r tva e '( n. 20 , nd c i ontnued t need Zol t'ora l l m ood'( ar h 16,2007) 4A555.Ata s i o of d f abie 'M c . esson 20 i m i 2007,he obs ved t Em er w as tn pr ess ofget i hel f om n der hat y ' i oc t ng p r l ga / yc l ia / e lps ho ogc lsnancalad s m e gi)i o de t r c iy al s c a / usne s i vie nt sc n r r o e tf l o i lb i s m at e t ai her, and t he w oul c i t pro de m edi aton and t rs hat l ' ' hat d ont nue o vi c i s uppor i t tve herapy. 4A556. Dr.K apl t m akes no obs owi z ervat ons aboutEm er s i y' vi on i hi Pr es N ot r at t vi is aferM arc 21, 2006. si n s ogr s es el ed o s t t h D r.Suar t eat Em er on Januar 18, 2007,not ng t t ez r ed y y i hat s overal s l he appearsst e. 4A 516.7 N one ofDr. Suarez' not f om Januar 2006 t abl ' ' 2 s es r y o Januar 2007 i l a ref ence t Em er svi i . y nc ude er o y' s on D ec s on t di c i Em ery' beneft i 2007 i i o s ont nue s is n On Januar 25,2007, Dr.Bet es s a l t t Em er not f ng hert y t ent et er o y iyi hat t ii at on ofyour contnued di abii y and neces t ofc i d fc i ver i s lt siy ont nued m edi cal t eat entcannotbe es i r m tablshed.'4A541- The l t i orm s Em er t her ' 42. et er nf y hat di abiiy beneft d e bei t m i ed becaus i c notbe es abls s lt is d ar ng er nat e t an t i hed t you hat c i t rem ai di ed and unabl t pur obt ni your FA A m edi al ont nue o n sabl e o sue ai ng c c riiat wih t g alo r t ni t yo j b a a pio f rAm e ian Ai lne '' e tfc e t he o f e ur ng o ur o s l t o rc ri s . I Dr.Bet esexpl ned t t Pl pr dest a piots di abii y R ilbe d. t ai hat he an ovi hat l ' s lt w l c der t cont nue t exi tonl i t PiotEm pl yee .. .. . (ilc ntnue t onsi ed o i o s y f he l o sc o i s o r c i qualfe m e c c ec nss e wih t na ur o t il s o i j y t e eve ii d dial ar o i t nt t he t e f he lne s r n ur hat 2D r Suar t eat Em er on f ot oc asi i 2007, and provi a 7 . ez r ed y our her c ons n ded r por t Def e to endanton Augus 29,2007,w ih t pr es not f t e t m ent t t he ogr s es or hos reat ses ons. AA514- See di c si , bel . si 19. s us on ow gi ri e't t di lt .z8 ves s ' o he sabii y Specii l Dr. Bet esnot t Em ery was advi ed i June 2003 t she fcaly, t ed hat s n hat woul be requi t i t at a c s oft d red o ni i e our e herapeut c c i ouns i t addr her elng o ess sym pt s r at t ' pr i and per or anc anxi y'and t t e w as om el ed o d ess on de f m e et ' hat her no d c e e o j c i e e de e t tEm e y c ntnue do hav a ment li paime o um nt d b e tv vi nc ha r o i dt t e a m r nt t r hat equi es pr onged t eat ent' I D r Bet es r er ed t r ordsf r ol r m . ' d. . t ef enc he ec rom Dr. Suar and Dr.K apl t , not ng t Em er s d ouns or'had pr ousl ez owi z i hat y' d c el ' evi y es i at t t ons ofEm er s s pt sbegan ats e tm e dbet een tm ed hat he et y' ym om om i d w d Oc oberand Dec ber of2002.' 9 Dr. Bet es obs ved,however t Em er had t em ' 2 t er hat y , been exam i i D ec ber 2002 by Dr. Jam es H il i a ' t s-or D ut ned n em l, n d nes f - y Fi eval i 'and t t e rec uaton, ' hat hos ords r eveal tno evi ed d d denc ofi pai f i ng e m red unctoni on any oft t s ofneur yc ogi alf t oni .' Id.0 D r. Bet es not t he est ops hol c unc i ng ' 3 ' t ed hat zsec i 5.4 oft Pl pr dest t e st e ofa piots di lt 8 t on he an ovi hat he xi enc l ' sabiiy d lbe de er i i acc danc 'w ih a s ofr es whi i l t f l i d shal t m ned n or e' t et ul , ch nc ude he olow ng: ' M e rsd s biiy wilbe c ns d r t c as t e i ti ()hi he lh i r s o e 6 mbe ' i a lt l o i e ed o e e o x s f I s a t s e t r d A s asnott pr o o eventhi f om ad i as an Ac i Piot Em pl yee i t s vi e of m r ng tve l o n he er c t e Co pa (i v rfc to o s h d s biiv c n no lnz rbees a ihed o (i) h m ny, i) e ii a i n f uc i a lt a o e t bls r ii appr i e m edi alc e i w ant y di r c ar s onl s egar by s ded uch M em ber ( opr at ' Pl n,j5.* ' a 4 emphassadded) Thi s ton wasam ended by t Sec Amendmentt t i . s ec i he ond o he . Pl so el t c t i e t ' 'i di lt an, l y o apialz he 6 n sabii y d' . 2Thi r er e i t a l t dat Novem ber 10, 2003,f 9 s ef enc s o et er ed rom Dr.Suar t ez o t piot uni d ed on m y di c si wi h M s. Em er and a r ew ofpri he l s' on:t Bas s us ons t y evi or m edi aland ps hol caldoc ent i , Iw oul es i at t ons ofherpx ent c yc ogi um at on d tm e he et es c ondii t have occ ed s et m e bet ton o urr om i ween O c ober and D ec berof2002 t em AA 1110. . 3Dr. Bet es r arked t Dr. H ildi r om m end t 0 t em hat l d ec hat Em er t ec ve d y ' ei an r adequat cour ofps e se ychi r c t m entt addr .. . depr i and per or anc at i reat o ess ess on f m e anxi y.' 541. et ' 4A ' evi dencebased t m entgui i s reat delnes ugges ed t a d t hat ' reapprai oft sal reatm ent' ' oc i t e i no m oder e i pr cur f her s at m ovem entofs pt s and t a ï horough r ew ym om hat t t evi and reappr s oft di ai al he agnos s c plcat ng c i , om i i ondi i and i t ons ssues and t eat ent r m , pl s an houl be c d onduct .' I ed ' d. Dr.Bet es advi Em er ofherri t appealt deci i t t PBA C f t sed y ght o he s on o he or r ew ,and pr ded i t t ons on ho t s evi ovi ns ruc i w o ubm i her appeal 1 t . d. Em er s appealt t PBAC and her r y' o he eques sf docum ent t or s Afer Em er sbeneft wer t i ed she rec ved an em ai f om a uni t y' is e erm nat ei lr on r es at ve pr di i ruc i f s epr ent i ovi ng nst t ons or ubm it ng an appeal 4A503 ( ai dat ti . em l ed Feb.16,2007) I al t dat M ar h 3, 2007,addres t d m eri an Ai lnes, . n et er ed c sed o d A c ri I ,Em pl yee Ser ces' er reques ed co es ofd ldoc ent , r or and nc. o vi 'Em y t pi d al um s ec ds, ot i or aton r evant t t t i i ofm y di lt beneft .' 44 502. her nf m i el o he erm nat on sabiiy is ' D ef endant ass t t t l t was notr ved by t PBAC pr or t t flng of er s hat he et er ecei he i o he ii Em er s appeal3 and Pl nt f has ofer no evi y' ai if f ed denc , ie. no r urn rec pt or e ., , l et ei ot acknowl her edgm ent t t l t w as r ei . ec ved , hat he et er 0n June 29,2007, Dr.K apl t s a l t t t PBAC on Em er s owi z ent et er o he y' behal. 2 569. I t l t Dr. K apl t r f G n hat et er owi z eport t Em er has been under hi s hat y s ps hi r c c e s nc N o yc at i ar i e vem ber 2002, and t hi dni i t eat entc i t of hat s t tal r m i ons s ed s el ps hot ol y yc herapy f anxi y/ ess on c ed by her per or anc r at or et depr i aus f m e el ed 3The l t erbear a st p ï 1 et s am ' RECEI VED Aug 17 2007.' 44 502. ' 23 st es ' due t t r es di l ng a piots r i e on a ps r s' o he ul salowi l ' elanc ychot opi m edi aton. r c c i Ac di t Dr.Kapl i z, dur ng t s t eat entperi ie. Novem ber 2002 cor ng o ow t i hi r m od, . , t ough June 2007, ttbec e appar 't Em er had a t s st abi us' hr d i am ent' hat y d ual r sm ' vi and, t rr f r a t e s ca i t ( Thom asW ei opht m ol s , and Dr. afe e e r l o ye pe i ls s Dr ss, hal ogi t . He be tW e s , pt m e r s) Eme y wasd agno edwih t teo r r is o o ti t, r i s t d r us vi foat s Al er i Es l er / t nat ng ophor a'and w as pr r bed eye exer i and r t 1 3 i' esc i c ses es . d.2 D r Kapl iz not t Em er was r er by A m er can Ai lnes t Dr. . ow t es hat y ef red i ri o Suar d ez, d who i no cur enty seei her.' A c ordi t Dr. K apl t he had s w r l ng ' c ng o owi z, pros ri Zol t25 m g/ c bed of day,i eas t 100 m g/ , t Em er and t ncr ed o day o y, hen i n Febr y 2005 D r. Suar r uar ez eques ed t Em er be w eaned of t m edi aton t hat y f he c i - as he bele t her anxi y/ i ved hat et depres on were r ol si es ved D r.Kapl t r owi z epor s t t hat . he s or ed,butt Em er sufer d i efect f om t sw eani , a r apse of o der hat y f ed d de f s r s hi ng el anxi y/ es i ' Dr Kapl i znot t Em er s anxi y was exac et depr s on. ' . ow t es hat y' et erbat by ed t c t ofr he os s epai i st r ng orm dam age t herhom e i 2005 and t ng fi s m ul or o n aki l ght i at t ai ng ( a cos of$500- 000/ ) Ac di t Dr K apl i zsl t dat r ni at t $1, hour . cor ng o ow t ' et er ed . June 2 2 ,dples nty, ti i po s b e t s a lz M s Em ery w ihoutthe daiy 9, 007 d r e l i s m s i l o t bii e g t l . i ake ofps hot opi m edi i nt yc r c cat ons;t s c i caldiem m a rendersM s. Em er a hi lni l y di abl piot' AA570.3 s ed l . ' 3 3As not , above,no r 2 ed ecor w as pr ded f om a Dr. Thom asW ei and t d ovi r sé, he onl r ord pro ded f om D r H er tW ei s w as a br efpres i i wi h a bar y y ec vi r . ber s i crpt on t el l bl di egi e agnos s. i 3Fr t s r 3 om hi epor i June 2007, i appearst tn t hat Dr.Kapl t s opi on w as owi z' ni t Em er was di ed as a re tJ aki a ps hot opi m edi i ie. t hat y sabl sul ft ng yc r c cat on . , hat , On Jul 17,2007, A m eri an Ai lnes,t ough D eborah Jam es on behal of y c ri hr on f t PBAC,ac w l he kno edged rec pt ofDr K apl t s l t and t i appeared t be ei owi z' et er hat t o . Em er si t alefortt fl an appeal Def y' ni i f o ie . endants l t not t i w as grant ng ' et er ed hat t i Em er an addii y tonal30 days( c appar l had notbeen reques ed by Eme whih enty t r y) i w hi h t subm i an appealw ih suppor i docum ent i . 44566n c o t t t ng aton 67. On August 13,2007, Em er s an em ai t a r esent i att uni y ent l o epr at ve he on , w ih a c py t D r.Bet es, whi i l t o o t ch nc uded a doc enttt ed ( A di abiiy appeal'' um il C A s lt . A487- as f 92 ound i ECF No. 117. Em er des r bes her il n y ci lness asd d Gener i ed alz Anxit Dio de and M a o De e so ,'' and not t s i t ng Zol t and ey sr r j r pr s i n es hat he s aki of r ei ng d edi t m entc i t w ih t nat oft il ec vi t m cal reat ons s ent t he ure he lness.' A A.9 i ' 8 n ECF N o.117. Em er m akesno m enton ofhereyes ght nor any vi i pr em s y i i , s on obl , no does s r er r he ef ence any t eat entbei pr ded by a vi i -rel ed m edi al r m ng ovi s on at c pr es onal I a l t dat A ugus 16, 2007,Am eri an Ai lnes,thr of si . n et er ed t c ri ough t he o fc oft PBA C' AppealCoor nat , advi ed Em ery t t y had r ved her fi e he S di or s hat he ecei appeal A A476. . Em er al o s y s ubm it an appealon t Def t ed he endants appealf , whi w as ' orm ch r ved by t PBAC on Augus 17, 2007. 4A490. W i h t appeal Em er ecei he t t hat y , i l nc uded an d m ended Suppl entt Di abii y Appeal'4A 492s A em o s lt 495,and a co of py ,' t l t f om Em er t Def he et er r y o endantdat M ar 3, 2007,requestng t ed ch i t docum ent s , rec ds,and ot i or at on'r evantt t t m i i ofher di abiiy or her nf m i ' el o he er naton s lt w ast d lni aldiem m a'pres ed. he t i c c l ' ent 25 ' ( E l t . ' beneft A A502. The PBA C al o rec ved t r een pagesofnot f om her is. s ei hi t es r , L t eat entby D r.Kapl iz. AA544r m ow t 556. The handw r t en d ogr s N ot ' it d pr es es' : i l br efs at ent 3 ast t eat entr nc ude i t em s 4 o r m endered on each ofs everalocc i as ons è begi ng on N ovem ber 18,2002 and c i ng t ough ear y 2007.5 nni ontnui hr l 3 y ( ' ) ( . The r ord r l t t Em er s ec efec s hat y poke by t e el phone w i h Jam es , t on . ote fh PBA C,on Augus 22,2007. Jam es s not oft c t on' es hat onver i are as f l s: sat on olow l ï ( k ; $ It n a ke ( r i s wo d be s ndi any o he ci c lr c r fo he s d Eme y) f he ul e ng t r lni a e o ds r m t any ot doc orst s f s woul s her t hat he eel d uppor her appealf c i ng t or ont nui di abiiy,and t d heri s fcs t r or f om hereye s i i s s lt ol n pecii , he ec ds r pec alst è (pt l oog s (il( o o t i ts wa s i ) Shes i t ts o ha m l it s c andl pt me rs he s ee ng . a d ha he wasc nc r d t t s (e o ds m i htg tba k t t Company g o e ne hat ho e r c r l g e c o he andl mi diqualf herfom r urni t work ( t t i ourpri ght s iy r et ng o no e, hat n or 7 . c onvers i on 8- 2007,Iexpl ned t her t appealdocum ent w er aton 15ai o hat s e . a ia et he be ftap a o y ( nd we e no pr vi d t herc e pplc bl o r ne i pe l nl a q r t o de o hi f pio ,s ro s o m anag r o he ,j b) 1s cfc l as d he i I l t upe i r , r e s f r o . pe iialy ke r f ( ' under ood hert s t she w on tbe s st o ay hat endi m e any m or r or i ng e ec ds n ( . , s r o he ap l(t rt t et ar c mi fo Suar z and s uppo t f r pea o he han hos hat e o ng r m e) he ) c i m ed t she w oul notbe s onfr hat d ubm it ng any ot r ordsi suppor of ti her ec n t her appeal.. .. è . . ) ' ' 4A .48788. D es t Em er s c m ent t M s.Jam eson,i appearst Em ery di pie y' om so t hat d, y t i f ,s n act ubm i f t m edi re ds i s t ur her cal cor n uppor ofher appeal t . # ) On Augus 23,2007,Em er f t y axed t t PBA C a co oft re tby Dr. o he py he por f ) J ) . 3F 4 orexam pl t entre ent y f t m entr e, he i r or reat ender on a dat i earl ed en y 2006 i d i l s t ult yi t bus hers fw ih c m uni y ac i tesal o s:d ent es earf r ng o pat y el t om t tvii s t yi t hel pay f r re rs. A A553. r ng o p or oof pai ' ' ) @ $ 3Em er w as s 5 y een by Dr. Kapl w i zf a t alofei t eat ent s i i o t or ot ght r m ess ons n f y 2003:Jan.6,11,20,27,Jul 18,A ug.22,Se 24,and Oc 27,2003;f a t alof y pt. t. or ot s x t eat ent s si i 2004:Feb.20,Apr l23,Jul 2,and t ot dat i i r m es ons n i y wo her es n 2004;s x s i i 2005;and ei s s ons i 2006. A A544i ess ons n ght es i n 556. y è , 26 3 # j i ) 1 . Cha (pt me rs / c o o o t i ta upunc urs ) da e Se .13 2 ,3 whi h statesthat t it , t d pt , 005 6 c d er s eyes ar healhy ... gutt ts )s wse t e e y fag l a uns a e t Em y' e t b ha he ho x r m l r ie nd t bl bi c arvii n ( o wha ap a st be a l s and ngc ndii ' A snoted no ul so f m r t pe r o ) ong-t i o ton ' . above,Dr.Chao not t Em ez had S ar bi ed hat . y d ked nocul pr em s'and t s m ar obl ' hat uch pr em sf e si fc t hercareeras a piot.' 4A510- Dr.Chao' r obl t ar gnii ant o l ' 12. s epor t m akesno m enton ofr i ecom m ended t eat ent buti i a e t tr c ntwo kr m , nd c t s hat t e e l r r at st s i one lkel prec piat ng f t 't Em er s vi i pr em s. el ed res s i y i t i ac or' o y' s on obl 44 512.7 3 On A ugus 29,2007,Dr.Suar pr ded t PBA C w i h hi t eat ent t ez ovi he t sr m sum m ar es and hi progr s not ast Em er i s es es o y.44 51 17. Dr.Suar opi i a 4ez ned n r epor dat Augus 8,2007,t i her c rentcondii , Em er was d sabl t ed t hat n ur ton y d di ed fo f to ngi he j b asapio o r t ni t t ai ng' t i wast uie r m une i ni n r o l t r e ur ng o r ni 'but hat t d t q poss bl t w ih cont nued t eat ent w hi h i l i e hat t i r m , c nc udest di c i he s ontnuaton ofhe i r c entm edi i 's m i be r or t f tonalt as t her em pl ent urr cat ons' he ght est ed o unc i i y o oym a t a ni .4451 1 (mphassad d) nd r i ng 8- 9 e i de . Jam eson,on behal oft PBAC , cole ed t r evantm edi s f he l ct he el cal ubm i i ss ons f om Em er and hert eatng physi ans, asw el as t i orm at on f r y r i ci l he nf i rom her c ai l m fl and delver t c pied i orm at on t W M E , whi -as not above -had ie, i ed he om l nf i o ch ed 3The r 6 epor by Dr. Chao r erst a s ngl exam i i ofE m er on M ar h t ef o i e naton y c 31,2005,ie. m or t ., e han t o year pri t t tm e Em er subm it her appealof w s or o he i y t ed Def endants di c i ' s ont nuat on o Em er s di lt beneft . i f y' sabiiy is 3Em er had r 7 y epor ed t D r Cha t tEm e y ha ( xt e j b-el t d t o . o ha r d d r me o r a e e s res ' A A510. t s. ' be nj i l s l c edby t pio s uni and Am e ian Ai lne 3 By l ter dated e o nty e e t he l t ' on rc ri s 8 et . Sept 17,2007,Def . endantr eques ed t W M E per or an ( vi t hat f m ï dence based, e - f r nscme c r viw/va ua i n ( e r vi w'' fEmer scai 4A 651. The o e i dial e e e l to pe r e e l o ' y' l m . not c ed ondi i c ai ed ar d t ons l m et Depres i and Per or anc Anxi y;M ood Di order s on f m e et s , NOS,wih Anxi y Feat es( ton ofPer t et ur ques i sonalt Di derasa s ondar iy sor ec y d ag s s. I Am e ian Ailne po ed fveques insf rW M E t add e s i no il' d. ' rc ri s s i to o o r s: 1. Doest evi he denc r l tcontnui pr e efec i ng esenc ofherps e ychi ri di at c agnoses on or beyond Januar 31,2007? l s , s f w hi h di y f o peciy c agnos are pr ent es es , and i cat w het ornott c i t e s at a l ndi e her hey ontnue o xi t evelofs ever t iy r equi i m edi alt eat ent r ng c r m . 2. Do st e i e er fe to j c i fnd ng o t e a o emento d e he v d nc e l c b e tve i i s f hes f r i ne ps at i di ychi r c agnos orot ps hi r c di es, her yc at i agnos ? Pl e expl n. es eas ai 3. D oest e dence r he vi efec co i t ntnuaton ofdi lt , ari i f i sabiiy s ng rom her ps hi r c di yc at i agnos beyond Januar 31, 2007? W hy or w hy not es, y ? 4. Does t evi he denc r l tt c i e efec he ont nuat on ofongoi r i ng egul m edi l ar calyappro at t eat entrec m ended/ i st pri e r m om adm ni ered f t e di or hes agnoses ? Pl e expl n. eas ai 5. Does t evi he denc reiectt t piot has s e hat he l ought and r ved m edi l ecei caly appro at t eat ent r om m ended/ i s e f t pri e r m ec adm ni t red or hese di agnos ? es W hat t ype,f equenc and dur i oft eat enti m edi aly appr at i r y, aton r m s c l opri e n t scas Doess requi c i hi e? he re ontnuat on oft eat entbe i r m yond Januar 31, y 2007? Pl e expl n. eas ai 4A 652. The l t i et er dentfes Jam eson as t poi ofc ac f Am eri an Ai lnes. ii he nt ont t or c ri 3The par i s i at t Am er c Ai lnesengaged W M E t pro de 8 t es t pul e hat i an r i o vi m edi cons t ng ser c i num er cal uli vi es n ous s i tesofm edi ne, i l ng pec ali ci nc udi opht m ol hal ogy,ps at y,and ps hol , and w as res ychi r yc ogy pons bl f com pens i i e or at ng W M E f suc s vi . ECF N o.115. or h er ces 28 PBAC deci i and Em er srenewed r s on v' enuestf docum ent or s A s not above,W M E w as as t perf m a f ed ked o or t peer r ew 'oft m edi al evi ' he c fl and pr de a w r t en r ie ovi i t epor and r om m endat ons as t whet Em er w as t ec i o her y di ed. Two m edi alpr ess onal f sabl c of i s rom W M E , Dr Ja k Gr e r( bo d c r ii d . c e ne a ar e tfe ps hi t it a Dr Kar n Gr nt( Se o Av ato M ed c lExa i r , per orm ed yc a rs ) nd . e a a ni r i i n ia m ne ) f t peer r ew ,and s he evi ubm it a writ r t ed t en epor . t The i t alW M E r por ,t pages i l ni i e t en n engt , not t Dr.K apl iz' h ed hat ow t s ps c a rcc ncuso (ha Eme y ne d t t ke Zo o t we epr babl unr la e y hi t i o l i ns t t r e ed o a l f) r o y e i bl and bi ed becaus he had a s pat i r at onshi w ih Em er and had bec e as e ym het c el i p t y om her ' d cat ' 4A663. The W M E r ew ersobs ved t Dr. K apl t ' not advo e. ' evi er hat owi zs es f om Januar 2007 f w ard d notpr de any di r y or d do ovi agnos .' AA662. Al t es ' so, hey not t D r.Suar ' not f ed hat ezs es rom Fe bruar 2007 f w ar di notprovi y or d d de sgnikantobj tvefndi tn t ver f occasonson whih he hass t i f ec i i ngs ï he y ew i i c een he s j c i 2007' 4466 3 TheW M E d c o sno e t tt r i e de e t t ub e t n . ' 3.9 o t r t d ha he e s vi nc ha Em er d s depr s and anxi butt s pt s now appear t be due t t f t yd i es ed ous he ym om o o he ac t herdi lt paym ent have been di ont nued.' AA663 d hat sabii y s sc i ' . d , o j ci Thus no b e tve e denc hasbeen pro ded s nce 01/ vi e vi i 2007 ofa c ondii ofs h s t on uc ever t t i iy hat t wo d r nde t s bj c una et pe f r he j b. AA6 ul e r he u e t bl o r o m < o ' ' 63. Ac o di t Dr Gr e ra Dr Gr ,d r hass ug a r c i d c r ng o . e ne nd . ant dEme y) l o ht nd e eve t e t e , i r t n t wo k waspa to t (r at nt pl n, r t e wasno r a m nt but f e ur o r r f he t e me ) a t ea m nt t 3A1 t t m e ofW M E' r ew oft r ord i Sept ber 2007, Dr.Suar 9 he i S evi he ec n em ez had t eat Em er a t aloffve t m esi 2007. r ed y ot i i n 29 appr i e.'4A664. opr at ' ( e me )s ul hav c nss e o m uc m o e i de h ps ho he apy, Tr at nt ho d e o i t d f h r n pt yc t r behavi m odii i and t us ofm edi i t at em ptt alevi e a1 or fcat on he e catons o t o l at 1 s pt sofdepr s on and anxi t wi houtr ym om es i ey t egard t whet o nots o her r he w oul be alo ed i t c d lw n he ockpi w hie t ng t e m edi i . O nc she t l aki hes cat ons e had been s abii t lzed,t hen di c i s ontnuaton orchange ofm edi i t ones i cat ons o t ar f tt be appropr at c d have occ red. H owever, t s di not hat e el o i e oul ur hi d take pl e and i appears e dentt t bas s f c i ng t m entw as ac t vi hat he i or ont nui reat t pr de s fci docum ent i f cont nued di lt . o ovi ufi ent at on or i sabiiv AA6 (mphassad d .TheW M E d c o sno e t t m e als at 64 e i de ) o t r t d hat he nt t us eval i conduc ed by Drs.K apl i z and Suarez were ve y lm i ed i t r uatons t ow t r i t n hei des i i and di notdem ons r e t Em er w asunabl t per or ac i t es o crpt on d t at hat y e o f m t vi i f daiy lvi nor had her t i phys d ans doc ent t s w as havi l i ng reat ng i um ed hat he ng tho htdio d r g Eme y' t ea i physcans e ua i nso Eme y d d no t ug s r e and t r s r tng ii ' val to f r ) i t dem onst e severe afee i di order,di no dem ons r e pos raum at c s ress rat f tve s d t t at t i t di or ,di notdem ons r e pos bl harm t s forot s der d t at si e o el hers,c ogni i tve di organi i or dysf i or s t e abus ' 4A 664. s zat on uncton ubs anc e. ' Af er addr s ng t e denc pr ent t t t es i he vi e es ed o hem ,Dr.Greener and Dr.G r ant conc uded: l The e o ehav ngr vi we t pio ' j b de c i i n and t ( an .. he r fr i e e d he l ts o s rpto he Pl ) . t onl reas att s t m e and f om Januar 31,2007 f ward f t spiott y on hi i r y or or hi l o bec i r d d s l 4 i t f c t ts i t ng ( l f) e e t ugh onsde e i ab e s he a t ha he s aki Zo o t, v n ho overt year oft eat entt s m edi i does notappear t have been of he s r m hi cat on o sg fc Eil i niiant sc . AA66 (t lc ad d) Fi ly, he o ne t : 4 ia is de . na l t y pi d hat l s m a y t r f r , ït ad ni tato o I lflpre e st pio f o n um r he e o e l he mi s r i n f zo o t v nt he l t r m f pe f r l he dute lhe ls i c ns d re d s l dêrzaJa a y 31 ro m hg r i s t n he s o i e d i ab e i z nu r , 20 o r Ho ve t r i no ci c e d et t( lf)hasbe n o 07f rwa d. we r he e s lnial vi enc ha Zoo t e f benefti hert eat entor i m edi aly nec ar f t t eat entofher i n r m s c l ess y or he r m 30 t ) co t on att s tm e. ndi i hi i 4A6 (t isad d) 65 ialc de . , Af errec vi a c oft W M E r t ei ng opy he epor by f si ie on Se . 28,2007, t ac m l pt t . j 7 è Jam es phoned W M E t w eeks l er t di c s t r on wo at o s us he epor Ac ordi t t. c ng o . Jam es s not oft convers i she advi W M E as f l w s: on' es he at on, sed olo , t r ' a d si ton be we n be ngd tftf rd y' c e o t ng an he es i tnc i t e i no ' o ut me aus f aki i FAA- i q lf i me a i n)( nd be ng d s bl d. Pl as e pl n t t d s ua iy ng di to a ) i i a e e e x ai o he ; j s cait- 'eno as nghi t o neo ft s frdut -o yo t pe ils wer t ki m o pi n ine s o y nl n he 1 . di lt i sue -t Piotst ng t s m edi i does tneces iy m ean sabiiy s he l ' aki hi cat on n' sar l ' s m e t t ( fnii n)o diabiiy i t pl Pl s ha d c li he he e s he dei to f s lt n he an. ea e ve r al f ) has ques i t ons. ' , .' : 4A6 ( wrte no e da e Oc .11 2 ) 55 hand it n t s t d t , 007 . ' ! On Oc ober 17 2007,W M E pr ded a r sed c ofis r t ovi evi opy t eportt Jam es o on , ) y t s e r s on w asas t t c l ng par he ol evi i o he onc udi agraph: t . 1 Is n umm ar t r f r f o a 1t l o m ato av ab e t r i noev d nc y he e o e, r m 1 he hf r i n ml l he e s ie e t tt ploti d s l dfrzl r o m l he o dute f o Ja u r 31 ha he l s iab e z z pe f r àg rj b i s r m n a y , zo o wa d.Ho ve t r i no ci c e d nc t tE l f)hasbe n o o7f r r we r he e s lnial vi e e ha zoo t e f j , . ' , benefti her t m entor i m edi aly nec ar f t t eat entofher i n reat s c l ess y or he r m c ondii att st m e. ton hi i # ) . T J A467 (t lc ad d) The f lo ng da Jam e o c l d t as d . ee rt 7 ia is de . ol wi y, s n ale o k d Gr ne o Dr ) c a iy g t ra pa tc a s at nti t r po twa ast 1a ft s f rdut l rf whe he r i ul r t eme n he e r s o ine s o y ) i ue ora di lt i sue. 4A666. D r Gr ss sabii y s ' ' . eener r s t r evi ed he eport fnaly,t st e: , i l o at : i l ï t The e o e ha ngr vi we t pio ' j b de c i i n and t ( an . t r f r vi e e d he l ts o s rpto he Pl ) . he . ) onl r on att s t m e and f om Januar 31,2007 f w ard f t s piot t y eas hi i r y or or hi l o t bec ns d r u f r dut i t f c t s i t ki ( lfl e en o i e ed nût o y s he a t hat he s a ng Zoo t , v @ t hough over t yearsoft m entt s m edi aton does notappeart have he reat hi c i o : be n o s g fc (i) e f i niiant sc . ' i 4A687 (t isadded) Not y,eac verson oft W M E r ti l ialc . abl h i he epor ncudest he ' ) 1 r ' . 31 è j ' ) 3 . ï ' b l 1 q j ) . ' . - . o bser i t t e d s no ot doc ent i i t s i t ofps at y vaton hat her d i her um aton n he pec aly ychi r whih d m o t a e t tt spio i d s bl d wih r a dst t ( a . 2 664 40 c e ns r t s ha hi l t s i a e t eg r o he Pl n)' G ' . Def endant t , hrough t PBAC,not fed Em er on O c o r 22, 2007,t her he ii y t be hat appealhad been deni and t t di c i ed hat he s ontnuanc ofher l t m di lt e ong er sabii y beneft w asd oper and i ac danc w ih t pro s ons oft Pl .' A A467is t pr n cor e t he vi i he an ' 74. Def endant s at t t r t ed hat he eason f t dec si w ast ( nabiiy t ver f t or he i on he d i lt o iy he c i nc o g e ys d s biiy (e uli fo yo ps hi t i d s r e s and ontnua e f Em r ') i a lt r s tng r m ur yc a rc i o d r ) i lt t ver f your c i nabiiy o iy ont nuanc ofand c planc wi h qualf ed appro i e e om i e t ii pr at m edi alcar f yourps at i di orders. A A469. e e or ychi r c s ' ' l a l t dat Jan.1 2008,Em er r n et er ed 6, y eques ed a c t opy ofd ldoc ent and ' al um s ot i or at on rel vantt m y di lt d ai and t t m i i ofm y her nf m i e o sabiiy m he er nat on di lt beneft ' AA689sabiiy i s. ' 90.Am er can Ai lnes r ponded by l t er dat i ri es et ed Januar 22,2008,f om t PBAC,pro di c es oft reques ed docum ent y r he vi ng opi he t s r at ng t Em er s appeal A A698,and by l t er dat Januar 28, 2008,f el i o y' , et ed y rom t he o fc ofH um an Res fi e ourc by pr di a co oft Pl . AA694. N eiherl t es, ovi ng py he an t et er addr es t c ess he once rai ed by Em er i her l t er o Januar 16:t she had rn s y n et f y hat m ade an i t alx nii equestf i orm at on on M arc 3, 2007. AA690.1 or nf i h 4 4Thi st em enti unc 0 s at s hanged t hroughoutt t ee ver ons oft W M E he hr si he r epor di cuss abo 4A 664,A4 676,A4 687. t s ed ve. 4I herJanuar 2008 l t Em er al cl m s t have m ade a wr t en 1n y et er y so ai o it r eques f i or aton on Novem ber 8,2007, t or nf m i 44690,but Em er has notpr y oduc ed e denc ofany s vi e uch r eques . t ANA LYSIS I i undi put t t Pl ves s t PBAC w i h di r i t r ew and ts s ed hat he an t he t sc et on o evi dec de appeal f i s rom t deni ofbenelt 4 I lghtoft di c i , t Cour he al - s.z n i i hat s reton he t m us uphol t Pl s det m i i unl s i i f t d he an' er naton es t s ound t be d birar and o d t y ar c i apr dous. W ard v.Ret.Bd.ofBer Bel/ e Roz l N FL Pl ' ' t lpet ele aver Ret Pl 643 F. . an, 3d 1331( h Ci.2011 .Asl ast ewasa reas 11t r ) ong her onabl bassf t PBAC' e i or he S deci on,ie. t dec si t deny beneft w as s si . , he i on o is uppor ed by atl tsom e r i e t eas elabl evi denc t s Cour m us uphol t dec s on,even i Em er s pos ton al o w as e, hi t t d he ii f y' ii s reas onabl The Pl need onl dem ons r e t i reled on s e. an y t at hat t i ubst i evi ant al denc e f i sdec si s t i e denc hasbeen des i i ot c e s asd or or t i on; ubs ant al vi e cr bed n her ont xt d e m t han a s i il butl t c nt la, ess han a pr eponder e. oods or h v.H ec er,703 F. anc ' 'Bl w t kl 2d 1233.1239 ( h Ci 1983) See,alo,Pi c v.Under 11t r. . s er e wood,487 U . 552 ( S. 1988) (ia i nso it d (Thatphr e (d ubs anta e de e',do sno m e a l g o ct to m te ) d as ,d t i l vi nc ' e t an ar e r s ) c i abl am ountofe denc butrat tuch r evantevi ons der e vi e, her s el denc as a reas e onabl e m i mi ac e asad quat t s ppo ta c ncuson.'. nd ght c pt e e o u r o l i ') ' Even i t s Cour fnds t a c lc ofi er exi ed,Em er s ilm us f hi ti hat onfi t nt est st y tl t dem ons rat t t deci i t deny herbeneft c ai was ar t y and t e hat he s on o is l m birar c ci apri ous. Si pl s at afer wei ng a1 oft e denc I m us det m i m y t ed, t ghi l he vi e, t er ne 4As not above,t Pl gr st t A dm i s r or,Am er can A i i 2 ed he an ant o he ni t at i rlnes, t d hor t t c r t oper i and adm i s r i oft Pl exce t t he d aut iy o ont ol he aton ni t aton he an, pt o he ext s ent uch r ponsi lt and aut iy has s ii aly been as gned't t es biiy hor t pec fc l si ' o he PBAC.Pl j 11 1( xt Ame an, . Si h ndme ) The Pl a s g ant t t PBAC t nt . an l o ' s o he r he po rt de i e que to ast e i i lt frbe ft . Pl n,j 1 3()ii ( fh we o cd s i ns o lgbiiy o ne is a 1. c (i) Fit Amendment. ) 33 whet t PBA C had reas her he onabl grounds t suppor i s dec s on t di cont nue e o tt ii o s i Em er sbeneft and 1m us uphol t PBAC' deci i i t e i s t i y' i s, t d he S s on f her s ubs ant al e denc t s vi e o uppor t dec s on,ie. i t e w as a reas t hat i i . , f her onabl bas s f t e i or he dedsi t deny di lt beneft t Em er even i t on o sabiiy is o y, f here i s e e denc s om vi e s uppor i a c r y r ul . t ng ont ar es t M edi evi cal denc bef t PBAC pri t i s dec s on t denv beneft e ore he or o t ii o is The Cour hasrevi t ewed t m edi evi he cal denc c ai i t e ont ned n he Adm i s ratve Rec -al ofw hi ofc ni t i ord 1 ch, ourse,w as avaiabl t Def l e o endantf or r ew when m aki i s de erm i i as t Em e y' appeal The Cour has evi ng t t nat on o r s . t i ii s e oft evi dent fed om hat denc s ii aly,above,and t evi e pec fc l he denc i s m ari ed, e s um z bel . ow Fr l e 2002 t om at hrough 2007,Em er r ved peri c ps hi r c t eat ent y ecei odi yc at i r m f rom herpers onalps hi r s ,Dr.K apl w i z,and f yc at i t o t rom ear y 2003 t l hrough 2007, Em er wast eat by a ps y r ed ychol i t r om m ended by Am eri Ai lnes,Dr. og s ec can r i Suar AtDr.Suar s s ez. ez' ugges i Dr.Kapl i pres ri t ant - pr ant t on, ow tz c bed he ide ess dr Zol t as an ai i Em e y' rec ry'i appeaxst t approac w ast ug of d n r s ove , t hat he h o s abii her c t lze ondi i atwhi h po nt s c d di c i t ng t dr and ton, c i he oul s ont nue aki he ug t hen re urn t ac i piotdut t o tve l y. Em er began t ng Zol ti Januar 2004 and c i y aki of n y ont nued t ng i f r at aki t o l tt nextt ee years. Dr.K apl t r eas he hr owi z epor ed t he at em pt t w ean t hat t ed o Em er of Zol tor r y f of educ her dosage,butw as notsuc f ,as Em er re t e cess ul y por ed 34 t herdepr i and anxi y wors hat ess on et ened att e t m es. H e not t her hos i ed hat s pt swere exacer ed by deat i t f iy,pro t dam age f ym om bat hs n he am l per y rom H ur i r cane Kat na,and herf t s w oul notbe abl t r uxn t fyi .43 ri ear hat he d e o et o l ng D r.Kapl t sum m ar zed hi c s oft eat entofEm er and opi t , owi z i s our e r m y ned hat i hi o ni s w as di ed;s ii aly,he not t Em er w asnotyetr n s pi on, he sabl pec fc l ed hat y eady t di c i Zol t,es i l c i i t her depr s on and anxi y o s ontnue of pec aly ons der ng hat es i et s pt s s ed t be get i w ors Dr.Suar al o s ym om eem o tng e. ez s ubm i t m edi r t ed cal epor s t whi h i uded a s m ar ofhi opi on on Em er scondi i . c ncl um y s ni y' t on Bot ofEm er s t eat ng doc ors eval i c be unders ood as h y' r i t ' uatons an t s uggestng t Em er sdi i c i hat y' sablng ondii w as t f t ofher t ng Zol t ie., ton he ac aki of , . t s w as di abl becaus oft m edi i s w as t ng. I ot words, hat he s ed e he cat on he aki n her t appeart have confat t ques i ofwhe he she w oul be elgi e f a hey o l ed he t on t r d i bl o< piotslc e wi h t ques i ofwhet s was di abl and unabl t r ur t l ' i ens t he t on hex he s ed e o et n o wor 4 The c i i alques i , how e k.4 rtc t on ver,w asnotw he he Em e y w as t ng Zol t t r r aki of ( c att tmeundeni y rende herunftfr dut as s woul notbe abl whih he i abl red i o y, he d e t o ai a r r FAA lc e) butwhe he i wasnec ar f hert take o bt n equied iens , t rt ess y or o 4Dr Kapl iz no ed i Oct 3 . ow t t n ober 2005 t he had i r ed Pl nt f s hat nc eas ai if m e c to ' l as f r2 mo hg)whe r e l to wilb do ' 4455 Tot dia i n d e t o at nt s n e va ua i n l e ne. ' 2. he ext a d eeval i 'w as done,t doc ent i t ent t r uat on' he um aton hereofi lm i ed.A A552- . si t 56 Forexam pl one ent y si pl s at d i seen w ih i reas anxi y ofhow e, r m y t es: d ent pat t nc ed et t c wih Inanc and Hurrc dam ages. AA553 ( edAprl19,2006) o ope t ' es i iane ' ' dat i . 41 lghtoft FA A' c 4n i he s hange i i spolc i eary 2010 r n t iy n l egar ng lcensur of di i e piot t ng Zol t t Courtnot t a di abiiy cl m bas s el on havi a l s aki of , he es hat s lt ai ed ol y ng pres r pton f Zol twoul lkel f laf er 2010. c i i or of d i y ai t Zo ot ie.wa t Zolf m e c l ne e s r t t e d n il s o i ur ve ii d l f, . , s he o t dialy c s a y o r at d lne s r nj y rfe a t hrough a qualfed m edi aut iy t pr ii cal hor t hat event a piot f om c i ng t work s l r ontnui o as a piotf t Com pany.4 l or he 's ' Thq dec son t denv beneft w as nott res tofan abuse ofdi c et on ii o is he ul sr i The W M E doc orsr e ed s t evi w everali em sbef e delver ng t rre t or i i hei port : Em er s appeall t t m edi r y' et er, he cal epor s f om Dr.Kapl w i z and Dr. Suarez,t t r o t he r epor f om Dr.Chao,t pr r pton f om D r.W ei s,t t s and c tr he esc i i r s he erm ondi i of t ohs t Pl c es he an, orr pondenc i t c ai sfl and t r e n he l m ie, he epor s ofDr.Kay,Dr.Jenni on t s and Dr.H il A A656- W M E ul i at y det m i t t r ord di not l. 61. t m el er ned hat he ec d s uppor a fndi t Em er had an under yi c t i ng hat y l ng ondi i f w hi h Zol tw as t on or c of m edi aly nec sar and t Em er had notes abls c l es y hat y t i hed t s w as di ed hat he sabl ac rdi t t Pl co ng o he an.The PBAC ac eept t c ed he oncl on oft W M E ,and deni usi he ed Em er sappeal y' . Em er arguest t dec s on t deny her adm i s rat ve appealw as y hat he i i o ni t i ar t ar and capr c ousbec bi r y ii ause t PBAC,i r hi i s dec s ons,reled atl t he n eac ng t ii i eas i partupon s at ent and/ conc us ons t Dr.Bet eshad e es i hi n t em s or l i hat t xpr sed n s o gi deci i t di c i Em er sbeneft i Januar 2007. Acc ng t ri nal s on o s ont nue y' is n y ordi o Em er Dr.Bet es' c y, t s oncl i w er f s and not r i e becaus w hen he us ons e al e elabl e 4per s haps Em er her el m i akenl bele y s f st y i ved t hat s m pl havi a i y ng pr crpton f Zol tw assufi i t pro t she s f ed f om a di abiiy,or es i i or of fc ent o ve hat ufer r s lt s f ufered fom an dlnes ori ur 'acc di t t Pl r s l s nj y' or ng o he an. i 36 f m ul ed hi dec s on, he had not r ew ed t m ostr entupdat f om Dr or at s ii evi he ec es r . Suar and Dr. K apl t aboutEm er sm edi alc ez owi z y' c ondi i . D ef t on endant argues t , hat even i D r Bet es had behaved i pr f . t m oper y i r hi hi deci i a poi w hi h l n eac ng s s on nt c - Def endants r y c es s -suc f t r i notrel t ongl ont t h ac o s evant ast onl r evant he y el , dec s on i t appelat deci i w hen exam i an ERl gover i i s he l e s on ng sA ned di put s e. - To fl an ERI ac i a pl nt f m us fr exhaus her adm i s r i ie SA ton ai if t i st t ni t atve rem edi whi i udest flng ofany r evant adm i s rat ve appeal I t s es, ch ncl he ii el ni t i . n hi c e,t PBA C,t ough i s r i e on a peer r ew c as he hr t elanc evi onduc ed by W M E , m ade a t det m i i on appealast w het Em er w as d s ed'bas on t evi er naton o her y d abl ' ed di he denc e i t adm i s ratve rec d. Em er ofc se,bor t bur ofpr n he ni t i or y, our e he den oduc ng i evi denc t s e o uppor herc ai f l t t l m or ong erm di lt beneft . Upon re ewi t sabiiy is vi ng he e de epr e e t PBAC wasfe t a c pto r j c Dr Be t ' de i i n i vi nc es nt d, he r e o c e r ee t . tess c so n Januar 2007 t deny beneft . o W M E' exper s, D r.Gr y o is S t eener and Dr.Grant , r ew ed t m edi evi evi he cal denc and r hed t r ow n c l i t Em er w as e eac hei onc us on hat y not di ed. The PBA C t , c i t w i h t agr entoft piot 'uni sabl hen ons s ent t he eem he l s on and Am er can Ai lnes, r i on t W M E r i ri eled he epor i r t n ender ng i s deci i . i t s on Pl ntf ur t s Cour t fnd t t dec si w asar t ar and ai if ges hi t o i hat he i on bi r y capr c ous bec e i f l t ac ountf her t eatng phys ci s opi onst she ii aus t aied o c or r i i an' ni hat Rl ndeed, t questonsposed t t W M E i l he i o he nc uded a r equestt W M E hat det i w het Em er w as di ed notonl as oft dat oft deni but erm ne her y sabl y he e he al , al o atany poi beyond Januar 31, 2007,ie. a t m e per od af er Dr.Bet es had s nt y ., i i t t r hed hi c l on t beneft shoul be deni -w hi h i evi eac s onc usi hat is d ed c s denc oft e he f reedom w ih w hi h t W M E coul r t c he d ender i s dec s on. t ii w as di ed. The r ord oft r di sabl ec hei agnos s and t eat entofEm er , however w as i r m y , under hel i as t i sc pr w m ng o t om ehens veness orefectveness. The W M E doc ors i f i t addr ed t t eat ng phys c an' r ess he r i i i s epor ,and m ade s ts pedfc c t c sm soft i rii i he conc us ons t ei and Pl ntf hasf l t est i h t t W M E doct ' l i her n, ai if aied o abls hat he ors o ni w e unr i e.; pi ons re elabl 4 Def endantw asf ee t deny di lt beneft i t f e ofc l c i r o sabiiy i s n he ac onfi tng m edi opi ons,asl as i had r onabl gr cal ni ong t eas e ounds t do so. A det m i i t o er nat on o di c i beneft w oul be r s ontnue is d easonabl i i w asbas on t f tt al hough e ft ed he ac hat t Zol tundeni y x of abl ender a piotunftf dut at t t m e,t c ed l i or y hat i hat ondi i w asnot t on t s m e a abe ng d s bl d unde t Pl n asa r s to a tlnes o i j y. I he a s i ia e r he a e ul f n d l s r n ur ' n i ' lghtoft sr d,t Cour does notfnd t t Def i hi ecor he t i hat he endant abus i s di c i ed t s reton. Em er al o argues t t Def y s hat he endants dec s on was ar t y and c i i ' ii birar apr c ous becaus D ef e endantf l t addr Em er s vi on pr em s,whi h s c ai s aied o ess y' si obl c he l m coul have been a di lt t w oul have pr d sabii y hat d event Em er f om res i he ed y r um ng r j b asapio . W hiei i t uet De e antsOc o r2 l te de i he o lt l t s r hat f nd ' t be 007 e t r ny ng r c a m do sno e plcty i ntf a r j c a cai f rd s biiy bas o avii n l i e t x iil de iy nd ee t l m o i a lt ed n so pr em ,t W M E l t r er es a r e ofDr.K apl t s r obl he et er ef enc evi w owi z' eportt Em er hat y 4pl nt f has notes abls 7 ai if t i hed t t Def hat he endantr i onl on t ni eled y d ppet 'of s s' r ordst ec aken out ofc ext H el s v.Gen.Dvnam i s Cor ,222 Fed.Appx.821, ont . m c p. 833 ( h Ci 2007)(twasunr onabl f an ERI pl adm i s rat t r y 11t r. i eas e or SA an nit or o el on a d ci il ofevi d ntla s denc puled outofcont xt'i t f e ofext i e l e ' n he ac ens ve document i suppori a cai f s tt diabiiy beneft ) I t aton tng l m or hor -erm s lt is . ns ead, Def endant t ough t ar eed, hr he upon r i e on W M E,eval ed al oft evi elanc uat 1 he dence and f ound t Em er s t eatng physi ans had notsubs ant at a c ai f hat y' r i ci t i ed l m or di lt sabiiy. 38 E : ( . had been r er ed t eye spec alst and t t t m entrec m endaton w as ef r o i i s hat he reat om i : . t L . t exer i and r t. M or d eye c ses es ' ' eover t rec d bef t W M E w as devoi of , he or ore he d ( eie c t tEmeysvso ha b e eau tdo tetda a ytmeatrMac vdn e ha r' iin d en v lae r rae t n i fe rh t ) ( 2005.8 4 E E ' . N o abl Em er s pr t y, y' epar appealdi notf uson her vi i and Em er t d ed d oc s on, y ol Jam es by t e on elphonet Emer sdi lt cl m wasonl rel ed t her hat y' sabiiy ai y at o ) t è , ps c a rcpr bl m s no he vii n. Em e y l t rs plm e e he a alwih a y hi t i o e , t r so r a e up e nt d r ppe t t . q . lte fo Dr Cha cn enngh rp tn il iinis e whc wa rve db etr r m . o o c r i e oe ta vso su , ih s e iwe y W M E. Em er advi Jam es t Em er had t ec l r ved t s r y sed on hat y t ent y ecei r hi epor 'f om t' r t piot 'uni and i t as notc i ed a f ori Am eri Ai lnes' i t al he l s on, tt w ons der act n can r i s ni i dec si t m edi l di qualf m e. She added t si e Dr.K apl iz d entons i on o caly s iy ' ' hat nc ow t d m i ) 1 . l j ) . ' . j i i hi r t n s epor ,l deci t s t ded o ubm i i ' S suc s at ent by Em er do notr t t.4 ' h t em s y eveal t ts wa s e ng d s biiy ast r s to avii n-e at (lne so i ur ) ha he s e ki i a lt he e ul f so r l ed ( l s r nj y. i , : è . J ) l t ) And,even i Em er w as at em pt ng att t m e t c ai di lt r at t a f y t i hat i o l m sabiiy el ed o C vi on def t t e was no e denc t si ec , her vi e hat s had s he oughtor r ei any t eat ent ec ved r m , l L L oft i ue f m or t he ss or e han t o years,nor had hert eat ng ps hi r s even w r i yc at i t ) ) ' . 4Th 8 e si e rec f ngl ord rom Dr.Chao w asf rom an appoi m entdat i M ar nt e n ch 2005, and t onl r he y ecor pr ded f om Dr.H er t W ei s was a br efpres ri i d ovi r ber s i c pt on f è ) ( t a bar y l bl di wih el egi e agnosi)whih appear t be fom 2003. s c ed o r t 41 f t,Dr.Kapl t had m entoned i Oct 9n ac owiz i n ober2005 -m any m ont afe hs t r t Em er s Dr.Chao -t Em er w as upsetabout t new s ofhervi i y aw hat y he s on i t lt f om Dr. Chao. 4A 552. Not y,Dr.K apl iz m akes no m ent on of ns abiiy r abl ow t i ' l t Em er bei c y ng oncer abouthervii durngt appoi m ent ( ay 2005and ned son i wo nt sM Jul 2005)whih wereaferEmer svii t Dr.Chao i M ar h 2005. y c t y' st o n c ( i 39 y ' j ' l l 4 m ent oned t i s i t pas year. I M ar 2006,D r Kapl t r arked t i he s ue n he t n ch . owi z em hat Eme y wa c ntnui t d e wih l c o a lt t fy ( lt sg ( r s o i ng o t al t a k f biiy o l due o i ht and d me cne m anag m e 'butt hewasno a et r duc he do e o Zolf a t dii l e nt' hat t bl o e e r s f o t t hat t m e. 44 552. l ot words he at r but her di i c i n her t i ed sablng ondii t her vi on t on o si , pr em s and her t ng Zol t N o f t com m ent aboutEm er s vi on ar obl aki of . ur her s y' si e f ound i Dr.Kapl i zsProgr N ot aferM arc 2006. n ow t ' ess es t h Em er bear t burden ofpr y s he oduc ng evi i dence t s i di ed ac ordi hat he s sabl c ng t t t m soft Pl The Pl does notr o he er he an. an equi e t Adm i s r ort t r he ni t at o ake afi m atve st pst cont Em er s m edi prof si si order t obt n fr i e o act y' cal es onal n o ai addi i tonali or at on on her behal. W hie an ERI adm i s r ori nott nf m i f l SA ni t at s o ar t ar l r us t c edi a t eat ng phys ci s o ni , i al need notgrant bi r iy ef e o r t r i i an' pi ons t so gr er wei t t eat ght o hem . The r ecor r d eveal t t e s m pl w as lt l or no s hat her i y ite evi denc t Em ery had r enty been di e hat ec l agnos w i h a vi i def tand t ed t s on ec here w asno evi denc t Em er was r ei ng t m entf a vi i def . e hat y ec vi reat or s on ect A sanot argum enti suppor ofhercl m t t Def her n t ai hat he endantsdec si ' i on was ar t y and c c ous,Pl nt f aleges t t r atonshi bet een t birar apri i ai if l hat he el i p w he PBA C and t W M E was notent r y i he i el ndependent and t t exchange bet een hat he w Jam es and W M E r on egardi t l ng he anguage i t r n he epor i evi t s denc t W M E was e hat cont oled by PBA C. The Courtdi agr . As des ri above,Jam es as t r l s ees c bed on ked hat W M E c ar f i s r l iy t epor as t whet or notEm er w oul be c i ed t s ed' t o her y d ons der t abl ' di under t Pl bec e ofher use ofZol t l t frs ver on oft W M E re he an aus of . n he i t si he port , t doc or c eary f he t s l l ound t Em er was notdi ed ot t hat y sabl her han dft s he i ad i s r i n o ( l f)pr ve st pio fo pe f r ng he dute ' 4A665. m nit ato f Zo o t e nt he lt r m ro mi r is ' . ïrq o y r s n a t stm e a fo Ja dr he nl ea o t hi i nd r m nuar 31 2007 f r r f rt spio t l y , o wa d o hi lt o bec nsde e diab ed, st f tt s i t ki ( lf) e n t h o e t o i r d s l i he ac hat he s a na Zoo t, ve houg v r he ye so t e m e t sm e c to d esno a art hav be o s g fc (il'' ar f r at nt hi dia i n o t ppe o e en f i niiant sc . 2 664 ( G emphassadded) i .Not ng sai by Jam es convi ed t W M E doc or t hi d on nc he t so aler t conc us on i any subs antve m anner and, i t c extoft f lW M E t hat l i n t i n he ont he ul r epor i i notcl t t r s onspr pt by com m uni at on f t, t s ear hat he evi i om ed c i rom Jam es on wer s gnik ant Fr t r i t alxe e i t . om hei ni i portt t t rd and fnalvers on oft W M E o he hi i i he r epor ,i i dear t t W M E doc or di notfnd t t r t ts hat he t s d i hat he ecord s uppor ed a t fnd ngt tEm e y ha a dlne so i ur ' c m e t t r so t Pl n. i i ha r d n t l s r nj y'whih t he e m f he a i l a f t efor t s n ur her f t o uppor her axgum entt t W M E w ascont l t hat he roled i pr m oper y by Def l endant or t t dec s on render by D e endantw as ar t y , hat he i i ed f birar and c i ous,Pl ntf has as t t s Cour grantper i i f Pl ntf t aprci ai if ked hat hi t m ss on or ai if o i r nt oduce d t 'evi new' denc .a s at entf e' t em xom Dr.G r as t w het s r l ant o her he ecals be ng e ns t frt c ng si t W M E r po t f nda o j c st t i o uled o he ha e n he e x .De e nt b e t o he i r nt oduc i ofs evi t on uch denc The Cour fndst even i t evi e. ti hat f he denc i d ,'i e sd new ' t i notpers i Dr.G r s m pl s at t ,t t bes ofher know l s uas ve. ant i y t es hat o he t edge, s he w asnotconsuled f t changesm ade t t re taf e Se em ber 21, 2007. t or he o he por t x pt Suc evi h denc i i ufi i t es abls t a c lctofi eres exi t , no does i e s ns fc ent o t i h hat onfi nt t s s r t s es t t deci i was ar t y and capr c ous. As Pl ntf has f l t ugg t hat he s on bi rar ii ai if aied o es abls a basi f adm i i ofs h e denc att st m e, Pl ntf sM oton f t ih s or ss on uc vi e hi i ai if i or l eave t fl t s evi o ie hi dence i DEN I . s ED 41 Fi l al hough t Cour has notc l naly, t he t onc uded t Em er has dem ons r ed hat y t at t a c l c ofi er twas pr ent t Cour has,i an abundanc ofc i , hat onfi t nt es es , he t n e aut on r ew ed t evi evi he dence w ih a c ef regar t any pos i e t ntofbi or s f t ar ul d o s bl ai as el - i er . The r d does notr l tt Def nt est ecor efec hat endantsufer f om a c lc of f sr onfi t i er t,oreven i any s c lctdoesexi t, i i s m i m i by t Pl s nt es f uch onfi s t s o ni zed he an' s r t e and t r i e on W M E,s as nott be s gnii .so t uc ur he elanc o o i fcant I c us on,w hen f ed w ih di n oncl i ac t vergent m edi opi ons t s Cour i not cal ni , hi ts i i t fnd t an ERI Adm i s r or abused t r di c et on, par i ul l nclned o i hat SA ni t at hei s r i t c ar y when t dec si i he i on nvol an ass m entofan i vi ves ess ndi dualsps ' ychol calhealh. ogi t And e ven i t Cour had f f he t ound t a c lctofi er texi t , I s ilm us gi hat onfi nt es s ed t l t ve def enc t t Pl adm i s r ors d s retonar deci i m aki 'as a w hol . er e o he an ni t at ' t c i di y s onng' e Dovl v.Li t Lie Ass e ber v f uranc Co. 542 F.3d 1 e , 352,1 60 ( t Ci . 08 . W he he 3 11 h r 20 ) t r or nott s Cour agr w i h t Def hi t ees t he endantsc l i ast Em ex s c ai f ' onc us on o y' l m or di lt beneft t bur i Em er s t s sabiiy is, he den s y' o how t t dec s on agai her was hat he i i nst ar t y and caprii oran abuse oft di c i gr ed t t Pl birar c ous he s reton ant o he an sEm er arguest Def o y hat endantw asi er t i savi m oney an nt es ed n ng unr ar em kabl pr e oposii ofc ton, ours -and t Def e hat endanti pr m operl deni y ed Em er s c ai i order t r i e c s ngs. Em er ofers,as e dence,a re y' l m n o ealz ost avi y f vi port pr ded by Def ovi endantt appearst refec nur e c e m anagem entsavi as a hat o l t s as ngs r t o deni c ai s f beneft . Ther i no evi esul f ed l m or is e s denc t s e hat uch r epor w as i t n t pos he sesson ofany dec si i i onm akeras t Em er sc ai ;m oreover, t r o y' l m he epor w as t noteven i exi t e att t m e Em er sbeneft wer deni i Januar 2007, nor n s enc he i y' is e ed n y c d i have been r ew ed by W M E i Se em ber 2007. The re t s oul t evi n pt por s ubm it by t ed Em er ar atECF N o.162;one r y e epor i t ted d t s il C PBA C Di pos ton 11 30/ ,'and s ii / 10 ' t o her i t ted t l Di abiiy -Oc ober 2007.'' he t s i l t ot s lt pi t - 42 Adm i st at and Em er hasf l t do s 51 ni r or, y aied o o . The del i r pondi t Em er s r av n es ne o v' equestf docum ent or s I Count1 ofher Com pl nt Em er c ai st Def n 1 ai , y l m hat endantvi at ERI ol ed SA by r us ng t t m el pr de her wi h a co oft Pl des i i i res ef i o i y ovi t py he an crpt on n pons t e o her r eques on M ar h 3,2007, Co ai ,!! 1 26t c mpl nt 4, 28.Ac o d ngt Se to 1 32 c r i o cin 1 ofERI a pl adm i s r orm ay be labl f a fne i t adm i s r ordoes not SA, an ni t at i e or i f he ni t at tmel ( t n t r y days c pl wih a pl par ii ' r i y wihi hit ) om y t an tcpants eques f i or aton t or nf m i t c s h adm i s r ori r ' whi h uc ni t at s equi ed by t s t te t f ni h t a par i pant ' 29 r hi il o ur s o tci ' . U. C. 11 2 ()1 ( . I a to 29 U. C.1 S. j 3 c ( )B) n ddii n, S. 024*)4)pr vi st a pl n ( o de hat a adm i s rat s lf ni t or hal urni a c sh opy oft l estupdat s m ar pl desc i i he at ed um y an r pton ï d upon w r t en r it eques ofany partc pantor benefc ar .'' t ii ii y Ac di t Em er af er Dr.Bet es i t aly t m i ed Em er s di lt cor ng o y, t t ni i l er nat y' sabii y beneft i Januar 2007,Em er s a l t t Am eri an on M ar 3, 2007, is n y y ent et er o c ch reques i copi ofdal doc ent r ds,and o heri orm at on r evant t t tng es d l um s, ecor t nf i el o he t m i i ofm y di abii y beneft ' 4A 502.D ef er nat on s lt is. ' endantdeni r vi t es ecei ng hat l t eri M ar h 2007. Em er sr et n c y' eques f i or aton w as br , i t she asked t or nf m i oad n hat f ever hi r evantt hert m i i ofbeneft w hie s di notexplcil or yt ng el o er naton is; l he d i ty r eques a c oft Pl she di r t opy he an, d eques d opi ofes i hed pr edur f t t d es c tabls oc es or he sEve i t Def l n f he endantsdec si w asçdenovow r ,' Em er bear t ' i on ç ong ' y s he burden ofshowi t Def ng hat endants deci i w as ar t y and c i i . H er i ' s on bi rar apr c ous r ne v.Aet Liel Co. 517 Fed.Appx.897 ( h Ci Apri 29,2013) na f ns. , 11t r. l . 43 è i E i I ver fc i ofa di abii y asi rel es t t Pl pr am .' I ii aton s lt t at o he an/ ogr ' d. l an em ai t heruni repres atve, dat A ugus 13,2007, Em er n lo on ent i ed t y pr ded a co oft M ar 2007 l t ,and she c ed Dr ovi py he ch et er opi . Betso ta te n h t t ' ( m e s ge AA87 (ound atECF No.11 8 .Theadmi s r i r o d i l sa sa . f 7- ) ni t atve ec r ncude y t c ofEm er s l t whi i m arked t opy y' et er ch s C RECEI VED AU G 17 2007. '4A5 2 I ' 0.n i i adt n Dee dn h s rvddacp oh n wrte ntsprepared by d io , fn a t a poie oy f a d itn oe i . , , ( Jame o d e No e be 1 2 s n, at d v m r 3, 007, c s a e:d eas s nd ( e y c pi so he whih t t ' pl e e Em r ) o e f r di lt cl m fl sabiiy ai ie ... . t ) ) Shec l d m e l tThur day ( v 8 ad sngt s ne r ale as s No ) vii hat he ve - gott s i o,al hough s r hi nf t he eques ed i f om Em pl yee Ser c .' 44 1 (o t tr o vi es ' 26 f und at ) ECF No.117- .Amerian admist i di notpr de Emer wih aco oft 14) c t hat t d ovi y t py he Pl des r pton untlJanuar 23,2008,i res an ci i i y n pons t Em er sl t ofJanuar e o y' et er y 16,2008. l Acc ng t ERI ,i a covered em pl ordi o SA f oyee m akes a wr t en requestf a c it or opy . è . . oft pl t her pl adm i st at t pl adm i st or i r he an o an ni r or, he an ni rat s equi ed t pr de r o ovi ' L . . a c py oft pl des i i wi hi 30 da l t em pl o he an crpton t n ys. f he oyer f l t do s , t ais o o he ) emplye c bepe lz d up t $1 0 pe da o no c mpla e 29 U. C.! o r an na i e o 1 r y f n-o i nc . S. y ' 1132() 29 C F. 2575. c; R. 502c- I D aueht ev v.H one 1. n r vwel .I ,3 F l nc. l t . ) . 3d 1 88 ( 1 h 4 1t . Ci 1993) t ERI adm i s rat had del r. , he SA nit or ayed by oneyeari r n espondi t a ng o pl par i i an t cpantsreques f a s at ent ofbeneft . Al hough t adm i s r or ' t or t em is t he ni t at ) 7 : , j ' ofe no expl f red anat on f t del t l i or he ay, he ower c t declned t i pose a penaly. our i om t The appelat cour re l e t vers t deci i and di t t an appro i e penaly ed he s on rec ed hat pr at t t ' t t ) be i posed. D aueht ev,3 F. at 1494m r 3d 95. ) ' ! 4 4 ) ' q . I 1 . l 1 ! I have r ewed t l t s by Em er i M arc 2007 and fnd t t evi he et er ent y n h i hat he reques was s fci l s fc t have t i ed an oblgaton by Am er can -i t t ufi enty pecii o r gger i i i f he ( t l t had been rec ved. I et er ei ndeed,t t i t l t i nearl i he ext n he et er s y dent calt t i o he l anguage f ound i t Sum m ar Des i i oft Pl w here i r t onsar n he y crpt on he an, nst uc i e 5 A 2 1 ' y t Def o endants depar m entoft pl ' t d Em oyee Servi es'as s w as di ect t do by her c ' he r ed o ë ) , pr ded t Pl par i i ovi o an t c pant 4A 504. s. nd, Em er proper y addres t l t y l sed he et er , 1 1 t uni r on epres atve. 4A 503. l i undi put t Def ent i ts s ed hat endant r ei a c of ec ved opy ' 7 t M arc 2007 l t atl t as ofAugust 17, 2007. he h et er eas I lghtoft di urbi 3f l e ofDef n i he st ngs aiur endantt r o espond t m el t Em ery' i y o s r equest whih D ef , c endantr ei at l ec ved eastasofAugus 17,2007,t Cour has t he t de er i t a fnei t am ountof$14,080 s lbe i posed. Thi sum t m ned hat i n he hal m s ( t ( . ( : ) r t , ) r pres st m axi um alowabl fne of$110perday f eac of128 daysfom e ent he m l ei or h r Sept ber 16,2007,t ough Januar 22,2008. The Cour does not, how e em hr y t ver,fnd i , ) ' t t si a basi on w hi h t aw ard t Pl ntf her at or y' f . Ac or ng t hat hi s s c o o ai if t ne s ees c di o 29 U .S. j 11 ( )1 ,t de i i n ast ato ne sf sa c s si i t sCo ts C. 32 g ( ) he cs o o t r y' ee nd o t s n hi ur ' ) ( t t sM oreo , t t oft l t i near y i z ver he ext he et er s l dent c t t t oft l t i al o he ext he et er s i Januar 2008,t whi D ef ent n y o ch endantr ponded pr pty. O n Januar 22, es om l y 2008, Jam es i or ed Em er t on nf m y hatAm eri an w oul s c d end hert r evant he el doc ent and t 6 co oft Sum m ar Pl Des i i f t sbeneftpl um s hat d py a he y an cr pton or hi i an i avaiabl t you vi Jet . l o herw or as ofJanuar 22, 2008,Am er c s l e o a net' n t ' ds, y i an Ai i c t ued Em er s r rlnes ons r y' equestas a r equestf a copy oft Pl . or he an ) ' ) r ) C ' y è r 5Em e y hasno de 3 r t mons r e t ts wa pr j c by t De e nts t at d ha he s e udied he f nda ' t f l e t tm el pro de a c aiur o i y vi opy oft Pl t Em er . W hie t l k of he an o y l he ac J d ns r bl pr j c i no a c nt o lng f c o ,i c be c nsde e a a f t ri emo t a e e udie s t o r li a t r t an o i r d s ac o n t exer i ofdicr i Bvar v.Coc col Co.517 F. 1256 ( t Ci 2008) he cse s eton. s a- a , 3d 11 h r. . ) E 45 . L 1 t t ) ) l di c et on,and Iam exer s ng t di c i t deny Pl nt f sr sr i ci i hat s reton o ai if eques f t or at or s f t ney' ees. I addi i Def n ton, endant i i sAns ,n t werand Afi atve D ef es frm i ens , r reques ed is at or y' f t t t ne s ees;t reques i D EN I . hat ts ED t t l t . CO N CLU SI ON è ' The Courthas r ew ed t adm i s r i r or and t evi evi he ni t atve ec d he denc pres ed e ent ) by t par i ,and fnds t Em er has f l t es abls t t Def he tes i hat y aied o t i h hat he endants ' y t deci on w as ar t y and capri ous. The Courtfnds t t e w er r onabl si birar ci i hat her e eas e è ' ( . ) . , gr ounds f t Def or he endants dec si t deny Em er ,s c ai f beneft , even i on o y l m or is ) ) ( t hough t e i s e evi her s om dence c rar t Def ont y o endants uli at det i i as t ' t m e erm nat on o ' ë Em er s di lt m or y sabiiy; eover,Em er hasf l t dem ons rat s fci evi y aied o t e uf i ent dence of ' . a bi i Def as n endants appr ' oach t her c ai ,nor has s dem onst ed t any o l m he rat hat ; ) c l c under whi h Am eri an Ai lnes m ay have operat res t i an abuse of onfi t c c ri ed ul ed n . ' ' ) q di c et on i t dec s on t deny Em er s appeal s r i n he i i o y' . ( l I lghtoft above,even i t Cour were t fnd t t dec si t deny n i he f he t o i hat he i on o ( ' ) di abiiy beneft t Em er wasw r , t Courtw oul notbe abl t fnd t s lt is o y ong he d e o i hat ) ) : .. De e ntsd c so wass j c t r ve s l TheCo thasd t r ned, we e , f nda e iin ub e t o e r a . ur e e mi ho v r , ( . E t t Def hat he endanti labl f a ci lpenaly i t am ountof$14, f t s i e or vi t n he 080 or he ( . f l t t m el provi Em er w i h a co oft Pl . Bas on t abo i i aiure o i y de y t py he an ed he ve, t s l : t t ' . O RDERED A ND A DJUD GED t t Def hat he endantsM ot on f sum m ar i or y ' t l . ( Judgm enti GRAN TED ,i par . Def s n t endanti ent t ed t Sum m ar Judgm entas s il o y t Count 1 1 1 and I oft Com pl nt. Pl nt f s M ot on f Judgm enti o s , 1, V he ai ai if i or s 46 . t E t ) ) q j . l 1 ) t l f t . ' j j . j : . t l c : . GRANTED, i par -Pl ntf i e il d t j m e i t a o o $1 08 a t n t ai if s ntte o udg nt n he m unt f 4, 0 s o herc ai i Count1 oft Com pl nt i a1 ot r l m n 1 he ai ; n 1 her espect Pl nt f sm oton i s ai if i s DEN I ED At o t rney' f are D EN I as t bo h part es s ees ED o t i . ) ) . Fi lj mentwilbeis d by s par t o d ro t sda e. na udg l s ue e a e r e n hi t ) t D ON E AN D ORDERED i Cham bersi M i it s 20t day ofOc ober n n am hi h t E t 2014. ) ) J ' t . i ) w I AM M .H OEVELER LLI SEN I U N I OR TED STA TES DISTRI COU RT JU DGE CT ? ' J ' è . . ( Copi t es o: c ouns ofr ord el ec ) . t ( L ) t ' ( ï y ' ) ; . 1 t . ) l r è . l i . 1 t ! l 47 )

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