Guardian Owes Disability Pay for Covid-Tied Psychotic Breakdown

Guardian Life Insurance Co. owes disability benefits to an art director who began experiencing heightened mental health issues and involuntary movements around the time he tested positive for Covid-19 in 2021.

The insurer was wrong to deny disability benefits based on the plan’s exclusion for preexisting conditions, Judge David O. Carter said. Guardian argued the art director was previously treated for anxiety and depression, but these conditions were minor and non-disabling compared to the “severe symptoms” he began experiencing along with his Covid diagnosis, Carter said.

Jason Kim began working for video game maker Dreamhaven Inc. in 2020, receiving disability ...