Without a sudden event, an insured’s injury does not constitute an “accidental bodily injury” within the meaning of a disability insurance policy that distinguishes between accident versus sickness. Where it was undisputed that the insured’s disabling condition -- carpal tunnel syndrome (or “CTS”) -- was caused by repetitive and forceful activities in which the insured had engaged for years in connection with his occupation as an orthopedic surgeon, the insured’s disability was not due to an “accidental bodily injury” as a matter of law. This was the common-sense approach taken by the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California in Bilezikjian v. Unum Life Insurance Co. of America.
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