News from the Firm
Gisonni & Harms Wins Victory in N.Y. State Court of Appeals on Pre-Existing Condition Issue
On June 27, 2007, the N.Y. State Court of Appeals, the highest court in New York, issued a decision in favor of our client, Mitchell Benesowitz, and against insurance giant MetLife. The High Court construed a pre-existing condition statute applicable to group disability policies ruling that insurance companies like MetLife could not withhold disability benefits for longer than 12 months to disabled people under group policies.
Richard Harms Was Named An Arbitrator For The New York Stock Exchange
Richard Harms was named an arbitrator for the New York Stock Exchange on August 18, 2006. As an arbitrator, Richard will serve on a three arbitrator panel hearing and ruling on disputes between member organizations and either other member organizations or individual investors.
Richard Harms Completes Marathon After Kidney Donation
Richard was recognized by Newsday for donating one of his kidneys to help his sister who was suffering with kidney disease and on dialysis. As a result, and because of his successful completion of the Long Island Half Marathon less than 6 months later, Richard was recognized by the Town of Huntington and received a proclamation on May 25, 2005. See the article in Long Island Newsday and at http://town.huntington.ny.us/newsdetails.cfm?Id=651.
Eve-Lynn Gisonni Gives All Day Lecture on Challenges In New York Insurance Coverage Litigation
Eve-Lynn Gisonni presented a lecture on behalf of the National Business Institute to discuss various issues which arise in the insurance industry.
New York Law Journal Publishes Eve-Lynn Gisonni's Article Concerning U.S. Supreme Court Ruling Under ERISA
Eve-Lynn Gisonni's article entitled U.S. Supreme Court Rejects Treating Physician Rule Under ERISA was published in the July 11, 2003 New York Law Journal. The article deals with the treating physician rule and its application to long-term disability claims governed by ERISA. The U.S. Supreme Court held that a plan administrator assessing a disability claim was not required to treat the treating physician's opinion of disability as controlling.
Eve-Lynn Gisonni Presents Lecture Concerning Issues Relating to Disability Income Insurance From the Legal Perspective
Eve-Lynn Gisonni presented a lecture at Hofstra University as part of continuing legal education for brokers and financial planners. She presented different cutting-edge issues associated with disability insurance.
Eve-Lynn Gisonni Presents Disability Seminar at the Nassau County Bar Association
Eve-Lynn Gisonni presented a Dean's Hour for her colleagues at the Nassau County Bar Association. Continuing Legal Education director said "Anatomy of an ERISA medical benefit or long-term disability claim was a hit! On behalf of the Nassau Academy of Law, I thank you for accomplishing the goal of our Dean's Hour- lots of important and worthwhile information all in an NCBA hour. Kudos to a well-organized and well-appreciated presentation."