Heimeshoff v. Hartford Life & Accident Insurance Co. and Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
| Docket No. | Op. Below | Argument | Opinion | Vote | Author | Term |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12-729 | 2d Cir. | Oct 15, 2013 | Dec 16, 2013 | 9-0 | Thomas | OT 2013 |
Holding: Absent a controlling statute to the contrary, a participant in an employee benefit plan covered by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) and the plan may agree by contract to a particular limitations period, even one that starts to run before the cause of action accrues, as long as the period is reasonable.
Judgment: Affirmed, 9-0, in an opinion by Justice Thomas on December 16, 2013.
SCOTUSblog Coverage
- Opinion analysis: ERISA limitations periods are enforceable (Tejinder Singh, December 16, 2013)
- Argument analysis: Nobody seems worried about ERISA limitations periods (Tejinder Singh, October 17, 2013)
- Argument preview: When can an ERISA limitations period start to run? (Tejinder Singh, October 14, 2013)
| Date | Proceedings and Orders |
|---|---|
| Dec 11 2012 | Petition for a writ of certiorari filed. (Response due January 14, 2013) |
| Dec 11 2012 | Appendix of Julie Heimeshoff filed. |
| Jan 30 2013 | DISTRIBUTED for Conference of February 15, 2013. |
| Feb 7 2013 | Response Requested . (Due March 11, 2013) |
| Mar 11 2013 | Brief of respondents Hartford Life & Accident Insurance Co., and Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. in opposition filed. |
| Mar 26 2013 | Reply of petitioner Julie Heimeshoff filed. (Distributed) |
| Mar 27 2013 | DISTRIBUTED for Conference of April 12, 2013. |
| Apr 15 2013 | Petition GRANTED limited to Question 1 presented by the petition. |
| Apr 30 2013 | The time to file the joint appendix and petitioner's brief on the merits is extended to and including June 25, 2013. |
| Apr 30 2013 | The time to file respondents' brief on the merits is extended to and including August 20, 2013. |
| Jun 18 2013 | Consent to the filing of amicus curiae briefs, in support of either party or of neither party, received from counsel for the petitioner. |
| Jun 19 2013 | Consent to the filing of amicus curiae briefs, in support of either party or of neither party, received from counsel for respondents Hartford Life & Accident Insurance Co., and Wal-Mart Stores Incorporated. |
| Jun 25 2013 | Joint appendix filed. (Statement of costs filed) |
| Jun 25 2013 | Brief of petitioner Julie Heimeshoff filed. |
| Jul 2 2013 | Brief amicus curiae of the United States filed. |
| Jul 2 2013 | Brief amici curiae of AARP and National Employment Lawyers Association filed. |
| Jul 2 2013 | Brief amicus curiae of United Policyholders filed. |
| Jul 22 2013 | CIRCULATED. |
| Jul 23 2013 | SET FOR ARGUMENT on Tuesday, October 15, 2013. |
| Aug 20 2013 | Brief of respondents Hartford Life & Accident Insurance Co., and Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. filed. (Distributed) |
| Aug 27 2013 | Motion of the Solicitor General for leave to participate in oral argument as amicus curiae and for divided argument filed. |
| Aug 27 2013 | Brief amici curiae of American Council of Life Insurers, et al. filed. (Distributed) |
| Aug 27 2013 | Brief amicus curiae of DRI - The Voice of the Defense Bar filed. (Distributed) |
| Sep 5 2013 | Record from U.S.C.A. for 2nd Circuit is electronic (Not PACER). |
| Sep 5 2013 | Record from U.S.D.C. for District of Connecticut is eletronic and is located on PACER. |
| Sep 19 2013 | Reply of petitioner Julie Heimeshoff filed. (Distributed) |
| Oct 1 2013 | Motion of the Solicitor General for leave to participate in oral argument as amicus curiae and for divided argument GRANTED. |
| Oct 15 2013 | Argued. For petitioner: Matthew W.H. Wessler, Washington, D. C.; and Ginger D. Anders, Assistant to the Solicitor General, Department of Justice, Washington, D. C. (for United States, as amicus curiae.) For respondents: Catherine M.A. Carroll, Washington, D. C. |
| Dec 16 2013 | Adjudged to be AFFIRMED. Thomas, J., delivered the opinion for a unanimous Court. |
| Jan 17 2014 | JUDGMENT ISSUED. |
