No. 21-1310

Garnet Turner, et al. v. Allstate Insurance Company

Lower Court: Eleventh Circuit
Docketed: 2022-03-31
Status: Denied
Type: Paid
Tags: appropriate-equitable-relief benefit-claims civil-action concrete-injury eleventh-circuit equitable-relief erisa erisa-section-502(a)(3) fraud-claims fraud-in-equity statute-of-limitations
Key Terms:
Arbitration ERISA Securities JusticiabilityDoctri
Latest Conference: 2022-09-28
Question Presented (AI Summary)

Did the Eleventh Circuit critically err by applying the limitations period at 29 U.S.C. § 1113(1)(A)?

Question Presented (from Petition)

QUESTIONS PRESENTED First Question In an issue of critical importance affecting approximately 13,000 Allstate retirees, as well as ERISA beneficiaries elsewhere, the Eleventh Circuit addressed the statute of limitations codified in 29 US.C. § 1113 for an ERISA § 502(a)(3) claim, which empowers a plan participant and others with standing to bring a civil action to obtain appropriate equitable relief. The Eleventh Circuit held that Plaintiffs were required to bring their action before a concrete injury occurred, thereby frustrating the purpose of ERISA and rendering the provision of “appropriate equitable relief” meaningless. The question is this: Did the Eleventh Circuit critically err by applying the limitations period at 29 U.S.C. § 1113(1)(A)? Second Question This Court’s decision in Cigna v. Amara addresses the forms of “appropriate equitable relief” available under ERISA § 502(a)(3), including the historical treatment of fraud in equity cases, such as breach of duty or breach of trust, and how fraud supports various forms of equitable relief. 29 U.S.C. § 1113 imposes an exception in fraud or concealment cases and allows an action to be commenced within six years after discovery of such fraud or concealment. The question is this: Was the Eleventh Circuit required to analyze Plaintiffs’ fraud claims under an “in equity” standard, as opposed to “in law,” and by not doing so, does its decision conflict with Cigna v. Amara?

Docket Entries

2022-10-03
Petition DENIED.
2022-06-15
DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 9/28/2022.
2022-06-01
Brief of respondent Allstate Insurance Company in opposition filed.
2022-04-28
Motion to extend the time to file a response is granted and the time is extended to and including June 1, 2022.
2022-04-26
Motion to extend the time to file a response from May 2, 2022 to June 1, 2022, submitted to The Clerk.
2022-03-28
Petition for a writ of certiorari filed. (Response due May 2, 2022)

Attorneys

Allstate Insurance Company
Stephen J. O'BrienDentons US LLP, Respondent
Stephen J. O'BrienDentons US LLP, Respondent
Garnet Turner, et al.
W. Lewis Garrison Jr.Heninger Garrison Davis, LLC, Petitioner
W. Lewis Garrison Jr.Heninger Garrison Davis, LLC, Petitioner