“We are not convinced that the current record accurately shows how the profit-sharing and consolidated welfare plans changed between 2017 and 2023,” Judge Nalbandian wrote. The court noted that the submitted documents included anomalies such as redlines and electronic comments, suggesting they may not have been operational.
Geico’s Win In Agents Benefits Suit : The Disputed Documents
The agents had argued that Geico’s documents were not official, urging for a more thorough discovery process to verify their authenticity. The trial court had previously dismissed these concerns, determining that the agents’ claims lacked merit. However, the appellate court found that the documents might not fully represent the changes made to the plans during the relevant period.
“The plaintiffs’ challenge to this document rises beyond the level of mere assertion,” the panel noted, emphasizing that the actual plan documents, not just summaries, should govern any legal disputes.
Impact on the Lawsuit
The appellate decision forces a re-evaluation of the case, allowing for further discovery and a more detailed examination of the plan documents. This decision highlights potential discrepancies in Geico’s document production and underscores the necessity for a comprehensive review of evidence before any final ruling.
