This morning the Federal Circuit issued one precedential opinion in a case involving a claim for death benefits under the Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Act. Here is the introduction to the opinion.
Li v. Department of Justice (Precedential)
Karen Li brought a claim for death benefits under the Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Act (PSOBA) of 1976, Pub. L. No. 94-430 (codified as amended at 34 U.S.C. §§ 10281– 10288). Ms. Li appeals a June 28, 2018, decision by the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) holding that she was not entitled to the death benefits for her fiancé, San Diego Sheriff’s Deputy Kenneth Collier. The BJA determined that Ms. Li was not a designated beneficiary under Deputy Collier’s life insurance policy in accordance with 34 U.S.C. § 10281(a)(4)(B). Because the BJA’s decision is supported by substantial evidence and properly applies the statute and the BJA’s implementing regulation, 28 C.F.R. § 32.13, we affirm the BJA’s denial of benefits.