Ben-Hur v. Equifax Information Services, Inc.

976 F. Supp. 795, 1997 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 13776, 1997 WL 542936
CourtDistrict Court, E.D. Wisconsin
DecidedAugust 28, 1997
DocketNo. 96-C-243
StatusPublished
Cited by3 cases

This text of 976 F. Supp. 795 (Ben-Hur v. Equifax Information Services, Inc.) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, E.D. Wisconsin primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Ben-Hur v. Equifax Information Services, Inc., 976 F. Supp. 795, 1997 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 13776, 1997 WL 542936 (E.D. Wis. 1997).

Opinion

DECISION AND ORDER

CALLAHAN, United States Magistrate Judge.

BACKGROUND

On March 5, 1996, the plaintiff Shia BenHur, D.V.M., (“Ben-Hur”) filed a complaint, pro se, against defendants Equifax Information Services, Inc., (“Equifax”) and The Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York (“Mutual of New York”), alleging that the defendants violated the provisions of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (“FCRA”), 15 U.S.C. § 1681, et seq. In lieu of filing an answer to the complaint, the defendants each filed a motion to dismiss the complaint for failure to state a claim, pursuant to 12(b)(6) Fed. R.Civ.P. On June 5, 1996, this court issued a decision and order in which it denied the defendants’ motions to dismiss.

Thereafter, on July 1, 1996, Ben-Hur filed his first amended complaint. The first amended complaint, like the original complaint, alleged that the defendants violated the provisions of FCRA. Each of the defendants filed answers in which they asserted, inter alia, various affirmative defenses.

[797]*797On August 28, 1996, a scheduling conference was conducted. At that time, an order was entered setting a discovery cutoff date of January 1, 1997. The scheduling order also set February 15, 1997, as the date by which the parties could file dispositive motions. Now, both the plaintiff and the defendants have, consistent with this court’s scheduling order, filed motions for summary judgment arguing that the undisputed material facts demonstrate that they are each entitled to judgment in their favor. The parties have fully briefed their motions. Thus, they are ready for resolution. This court has jurisdiction over this action pursuant to the provision of 15 U.S.C. § 1681p and 28 U.S.C. § 1331. All parties have consented to proceed before this court in accordance with 28 U.S.C. § 636(c) and Rule 73(b) Fed.R.Civ.P. Consequently, this court has jurisdiction to resolve the parties’ motions.

FACTS

In support of their positions on their respective motions for summary judgment, the parties have filed extensive briefs, as well as affidavits and other documentary material.1 Distilled to their essence, the undisputed material facts in this action show the following.

In 1989, Ben-Hur was working as a veterinarian. In early 1989, he had group disability coverage through a professional association. Sometime later in 1989, the professional association switched insurance carriers for the disability coverage to defendant Mutual of New York. The disability coverage through Mutual of New York became effective December 1, 1989.

In January 1990, Ben-Hur suffered a heart attack. Sometime thereafter he made a claim for benefits under the Mutual of New York policy. However, on January 16, 1990, a representative of Mutual of New York sent a letter to Ben-Hur which stated as follows:

Dear Dr. Ben-Hur:

Thank you for your application for coverage under the AVMA program. A final underwriting decision is not possible at this time because additional information is needed.
An inspection report will be required. Equifax Services, Inc., is the company that will be contacting you shortly to arrange for an appointment at a time and location convenient for you.
Your cooperation in this matter is appreciated.
Sincerely,
Deloris Arnett.

Mutual of New York eventually denied Ben-Hur’s claim for benefits. By letter dated November 5, 1990, Mutual of New York informed Ben-Hur that he would not be receiving the disability benefits based, in part, on the Equifax investigation and report. The November 5, 1990, letter stated as follows:

Your application and claim files have been referred to my attention because of information developed in the claim review process.
Attached is a copy of your application for Long Term Disability Income Benefits dated November 22, 1989. By answering “yes” to question no. 1, you indicated that for the past 30 days you have been performing all the duties of your occupation on a full-time basis at your usual place of business.
[798]*798Because this question had been answered “no” on your application for Major Medical coverage dated September 1,1989, and the answer on your later application had been altered, the Plan Administrator requested an investigation by Equifax Services. Their report stated that you had no earned income. When you were questioned about this by the Plan Administrator, you submitted a letter dated April 3, 1990, stating that you were employed by the Animal Care Center, Inc., from May 1 to December 1, 1989, and that you received compensation exceeding $35,000.00 during that period. Based on your representations, disability income coverage was approved effective December 1, 1989. In the course of evaluating your claim, a MONY representative personally visited the North Shore Animal Hospital to examine your employment and payroll records for the period including the dates of your application and disability. The present owners of the practice were unable to produce employment, payroll, or any other records in support of your claim that you were employed there for more than 25 hours weekly between May 1, 1989, and December 1,1989.
In order to qualify for AVMA disability insurance under the terms of the 1989 special enrollment offer for transferring WVMA insureds, you must have been employed in a gainful occupation at the time of the application for 25 or more hours per week. Since you have been unable or unwilling to furnish verifiable evidence of such employment, it appears that you were not eligible for the transfer when you applied in November, 1989. Consequently, your claim for benefits under the AVMA program must be denied, and the coverage is subject to rescission (cancellation as of its effective date).
Enclosed is MONY’s cheek for $620.56 refunding with interest all premiums you have paid for the rescinded coverage. Please negotiate this check promptly, sign the enclosed Acknowledgment of Rescission form and return one copy in the enclosed envelope.
If you believe that any of our information is incorrect, or have additional information which you believe might alter our decision, please write to me promptly and explain fully. In any event, please let me hear from by November 26,1990.

As a result of his being denied benefits, Ben-Hur repeatedly threatened Mutual of New York with litigation during 1990, 1991 and 1992. He also had a lawyer communicate with Mutual of New York about the matter. However, Ben-Hur did not file a civil action against Mutual of New York until he filed the instant action on March 5, 1996.

As stated, the instant action claims a violation of the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

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976 F. Supp. 795, 1997 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 13776, 1997 WL 542936, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/ben-hur-v-equifax-information-services-inc-wied-1997.