Award-winning Hollywood producer sues Lloyd’s of London

A Hollywood producer is suing Lloyd’s of London, alleging the company has breached a contract to pay him for a foot injury he maintains is covered under a long-term disability policy.

Neil Mandt’s Los Angeles Superior Court lawsuit alleges breach of contract and breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing. Mandt seeks unspecified compensatory and punitive damages in the suit brought Friday.

A Lloyd’s representative could not be immediately reached.

The 52-year-old Mandt is an award-winning television and film producer and director who has won five Emmys. He  produced the 2000 Summer Olympics for NBC News, the OJ Simpson trial for ABC News, “Jim Rome is Burning” for ESPN, “My Crazy Life” for E! Entertainment Television, “Destination Truth” for the Sci-Fi Channel and Walt Disney Picture’s 2014 film, “Million Dollar Arm.” He also has produced the Golden Globes.

Mandt’s occupation has required him to stand for prolonged periods, hold and maneuver heavy equipment, run, traverse outdoor terrain and capture split-second moments on film, the suit states. While producing a Jan. 8, 2017, game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Miami Dolphins, Mandt sprinted the 100- yard length of the football field to capture footage of an imminent touchdown, the suit states.

“Mobility is a fundamental duty of his occupation,” according to his complaint.

In May 2015, Peterson International Underwriters, an authorized Lloyd’s syndicate, issued Mandt a long-term disability policy underwritten and insured by Lloyd’s, the suit states. The policy provided for payments of about $8,500.00 per month for up to 10 years in the event that the plaintiff became totally disabled and provided coverage for Mandt’s occupation as a television and film producer, according to the suit.

Mandt severely hurt his left foot in October 2017 that got worse over time, and after he underwent surgery the next year, his doctor imposed restrictions on him that made it impossible for him to perform his usual occupation, according to the suit.

Even with a second surgery, his impairments did not improve and he continues to have pain and mobility problems, the suit states.

Mandt filed a disability claim with Lloyd’s in May 2019. In response, the insurer “demanded voluminous documentation and bombarded Mr. Mandt with extremely tedious, unnecessary demands…” the suit states.

Mandt’s claim was denied late that same year because he did not undergo enough physical therapy from the time of his accident up until May 2018 and because the company did not receive sufficient financial documentation from Mandt to approve his claim, the suit states.

His claim was rejected several more times despite his providing additional documentation, but on Jan. 13 Lloyd’s notified Mandt’s attorneys that it had delegated the plaintiff’s claim to a law firm for review, according to the suit.