American general life insurance
Mohney indicated that he did not expect to return to work, either part-time or fulltime, and further advised that he was receiving disability benefits from the Social Security Administration. Mohney stated that while he could take care of himself, his ability to walk, drive, bend, and reach were “limited.” Id. Life's claims department, Mohney advised that he had been diagnosed with a rheumatic disease called Ankylosing Spondylitis that had worsened his back injury. In response to the questionnaire directed to him by Lawrence Carroll (“Carroll”), an “Investigative Specialist” in U.S. (“Dr.Miller”), Mohney's treating physician, requesting information about the status of Mohney's current condition and ability to work.
Life did not contact Mohney again until October 1994, at which time it sent questionnaires to Mohney and Edward Miller, M.D. Life initially sent Mohney monthly continuation claims reports for his doctor to verify his disability, but in or around July 1993 he was placed on automatic status and monthly reports were no longer necessary. Life began making payments on Mohney's automobile loan and his mortgage. Pursuant to the two insurance policies, U.S.
In October 1992, Mohney suffered a back injury in a traffic accident and was unable to continue work as a coal miner. The definition in the 1992 policy differed only slightly, and imparted the same understanding that after the first twelve months, “disability means you are unable to perform any occupation that you are fitted for by means of your education, training or experience.” Id., Exhibit 4. “Total Disability”, as used in this Certificate means complete inability of the Insured Debtor to perform any and every duty of his occupation during the initial twelve month period of any disability covered by this Certificate and, thereafter, inability of the Debtor to engage in any occupation for wage, gain or profit for which he is qualified by reason of education, training or experience. The 1991 policy defined “Total Disability” as follows: These policies provided, inter alia, for the payment of benefits on these debts in the event that Mohney became totally disabled. In September 1992, Mohney also purchased disability and life insurance from U.S. In October 1991, Mohney, then a coal miner, purchased disability and life insurance on an automobile loan from U.S. For the reasons set forth herein, we vacate the judgment and remand the case for a new trial. Life Credit Life Insurance Company (“U.S.Life”), 1 cross-appeals from the Octoverdict. Appellee, American General Life Insurance Company (“American General”), as successor-in-interest to U.S.
#American general life insurance trial#
Mohney (“Mohney”), appeals from the judgment entered on Decemby the Armstrong County Court of Common Pleas, following the trial court's non-jury verdict entered against Mohney on October 18, 2013. Decided: May 08, 2015īEFORE: DONOHUE, ALLEN and STRASSBURGER *, JJ.Īppellant, Timothy A. Life Credit Life Insurance Company, Appellants. American General Life Insurance Company, as Successor by Merger to American General Assurance Company, as Successor in Interest to U.S. Life Credit Life Insurance Company, Appellee. AMERICAN GENERAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY, as Successor by Merger to American General Assurance Company, as Successor in Interest to U.S.