Aetna Life Insurance Co. v. Lavoie et al. (475 U.S. 813)
U.S. Supreme Court · decided April 22, 1986 · Supreme Court Database (Spaeth)
- Citation
- 475 U.S. 813 · 106 S. Ct. 1580
- Decided
- April 22, 1986
- Term
- October Term 1985
- Vote
- 8–0
- Majority author
- Justice Burger
- Issue area
- Due Process
- Disposition
- Vacated and remanded
- Outcome
- Petitioning party won
- Ideological direction
- Liberal
Opinion excerpt
Chief Justice Burger delivered the opinion of the Court. The question presented is whether the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment was violated when a justice of the Alabama Supreme Court declined to recuse himself from participation in that court’s consideration of this case. I — I This appeal arises out of litigation concerning an insurance policy issued by appellant covering appellees Margaret and Roger Lavoie. In January 1977, Mrs. Lavoie was examined by her physician, Dr. Douglas, because of various ailments. Shortly thereafter, on Dr. Douglas’ recommendation, she was admitted to the Mobile Infirmary Hospital, where she remained for 23 days for a battery of tests. After her discharge, the hospital forwarded the appropriate forms and medical records along with a bill for $3,028.25 to appellant’s local office in Mobile, Alabama. The local office refused to pay the entire amount, tendering payment for only $1,650.22. The local office also sent a letter to the national office, concluding that the 23-day hospitalization was unnecessary and that “[hjospital records do not indicate anything to the contrary,” even though all the hospital records had not yet been received. At one point, the national office told the local office to continue denying the request for full payment, but added that “if they act like they are going to file suit,” the file should be reviewed.…
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