Sun Life Beats Disability Suit With Worker’s Release Agreement

Sun Life Assurance Co. of Canada defeated a dental sales representative’s lawsuit seeking disability benefits by pointing to a release agreement the representative signed with her former employer upon leaving her job.

Kristen Schuyler’s 2019 separation agreement with Benco Dental Supply Co. included a voluntary waiver of her right to bring claims under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, Judge Ronnie Abrams of the US District Court for the Southern District of New York ruled Tuesday. The agreement “expressly states, in two separate places, that it releases any claims under ERISA,” Abrams said.

The judge focused on the fact that ...