Ex-CommScope Worker Must Pursue ERISA Claim in Federal Court

A former CommScope Inc. of North Carolina employee’s lawsuit that asserted an ERISA claim over unpaid benefits will not be returned to state court, a federal judge ruled.

James DeCoe was terminated for poor performance in 2023, which under CommScope policy meant he couldn’t collect benefits, according to the opinion from the US District Court for the Western District of North Carolina. But, there are certain circumstances set forth in that policy, like a reduction in force, where he would’ve been entitled to benefits, Judge Kenneth D. Bell wrote. DeCoe said his termination coincided with a reorganization mandate from CommScope, ...