UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT EASTERN DISTRICT OF MICHIGAN SOUTHERN DIVISION LATRINA S. WATKINS,

Plaintiff, Case No. 24-cv-12226 Hon. Matthew F. Leitman v.

METROPOLITAN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY,

Defendant. __________________________________________________________________/ ORDER DENYING PLAINTIFF’S MOTION FOR LEAVE TO CONDUCT DISCOVERY (ECF No. 6) In this action, Plaintiff Latrina S. Watkins challenges the decision by Defendant Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (“Met Life”) to deny a claim for benefits under an accidental death insurance policy. The action is governed by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”). It has long been the general rule in the Sixth Circuit that ERISA actions for insurance benefits like this case are decided based upon the record before the claims administrator at the time of the challenged decision and that general discovery is not permitted. See Wilkins v. Baptist Health Sys., Inc.,

(6th Cir. 1998). Watkins nonetheless seeks to conduct discovery here. The Court declines to permit her to conduct her requested discovery. In Met Life’s response to Watkins’ motion, Met Life explained in detail why discovery is neither appropriate nor necessary here. (See Resp., ECF No.

8.) Watkins did not file a reply to Met Life’s response and has not attempted to show that Met’s Life’s analysis is erroneous in any way. The Court has reviewed Met Life’s analysis and finds it persuasive and well-supported. Moreover, Watkins has

not cited a single case in which any federal court has permitted a party to take the discovery she seeks here under circumstances like those presented here. For all of the reasons set forth in Met Life’s response, Watkins’ motion for leave to conduct discovery is DENIED.

The Court will enter a scheduling order to govern the remainder of these proceedings. IT IS SO ORDERED.

s/Matthew F. Leitman MATTHEW F. LEITMAN UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE Dated: February 19, 2025

I hereby certify that a copy of the foregoing document was served upon the parties and/or counsel of record on February 19, 2025, by electronic means and/or ordinary mail.

s/Holly A. Ryan Case Manager (313) 234-5126