Brunel Energy, Inc. Health Plan Litigation
Practice Area: Employee Benefits
Summary of the Lawsuit
This lawsuit alleges that Brunel failed to provide continuing health care coverage (commonly called COBRA coverage) to employees and their beneficiaries who were covered under the Plan through an insurance policy with BUPA International.
Summary of the Claims
The Complaint alleges that Brunel failed to notify employees about their entitlement to COBRA coverage or their right to obtain coverage at a reduced rate as authorized by Congress in an economic stimulus package. According to the Complaint, when asked for a COBRA package by a terminated employee, Brunel advised the former employee that COBRA coverage was not available. Even after being notified by the U.S. Department of Labor that the former employee was entitled to elect COBRA coverage at the statutorily reduced rate, the Complaint alleges that Brunel did not offer the coverage.
Class Action Allegations
This lawsuit is brought on behalf of the following persons: All employees of Brunel who elected coverage provided by BUPA together with their spouses and other covered dependents who were participants or beneficiaries in the Brunel Group Health Plan at any time from April 15, 2009 until the present.
Status of the Litigation
The complaint was filed on April 15, 2011, and an amended complaint was filed on November 30, 2011. Discovery has commenced, and Plaintiffs are in the process of obtaining information from Defendant. The parties attended mediation sessions on January 31, 2012 and March 12, 2012 to discuss the possibility of a settlement, but the parties were unable to reach an agreement. Plaintiffs expect a further mediation session after receiving certain documents and other information from Defendant.
Whom to Contact for More Information
If you are a member of the proposed class or you have information which might assist us in the prosecution of these allegations, please contact one of the following persons:
Monya M. Bunch, Associate mbunch@cohenmilstein.com
Peter V. Black, Paralegal pblack@cohenmilstein.com
Cohen Milstein Sellers & Toll PLLC
1100 New York Avenue, N.W., Suite 500
Washington, D.C. 20005
Telephone: 888-240-0775 (Toll Free) or 202-408-4600