{"argument_date":"2006-03-21T00:00:00Z","arguments":[{"argument_date":"2006-03-21T00:00:00Z","heading":"What happened at the argument","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2005","official_transcript_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/05-128.pdf","paragraphs":["Mr. Verrilli described the specific benefits provided by the plan.","Mr. Strain emphasized the strict requirements for bankruptcy priorities.","questions_and_answers"],"reargument":false,"sequence":1,"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 25, lines 7-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/05-128.pdf","page_label":"file page 25, lines 7-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/05-128.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-9"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/05-128.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 5-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/05-128.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 11-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 29-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/05-128.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 29-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 27-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/05-128.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 27-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 19-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/05-128.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 19-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 37-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/05-128.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 37-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 3-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/05-128.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 3-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 45-54","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/05-128.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 45-54"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 33-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/05-128.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 33-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 45-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/05-128.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 45-9"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 5-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/05-128.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 5-5"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 25-27","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/05-128.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 25-27"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 33-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/05-128.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 33-37"}]}],"caption":"Howard Delivery Service, Inc. v. Zurich American Ins.","case_history":[{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:28.573943Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"}],"case_status":"argued","dek":"The dispute centers on whether a workers' compensation plan fits the legal definition of an employee benefit plan.","dek_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 25, lines 7-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/05-128.pdf","page_label":"file page 25, lines 7-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/05-128.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-9"}],"dispositions":[],"latest_court_document_date":"2006-03-21T00:00:00Z","maturity":"official_transcript","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2005","official_disposition_urls":[],"official_docket_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/docket/docketfiles/html/public/05-128.html","primary_docket":"05-128","revisions":[{"correction_note":"Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.","created_at":"2026-08-31T13:43:39.652285Z","maturity":"official_transcript","revision_number":1},{"correction_note":"Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.","created_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z","maturity":"official_transcript","revision_number":2}],"schema_version":"1.1","sections":[{"heading":"What this case is about","paragraphs":["The case asks if a workers' compensation plan counts as an employee benefit plan. This classification determines bankruptcy priority for unpaid premiums."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 25, lines 7-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/05-128.pdf","page_label":"file page 25, lines 7-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/05-128.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-9"}]},{"heading":"How the case got here","paragraphs":["The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on March 21, 2006."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/05-128.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 5-15"}]},{"heading":"What each side wants","paragraphs":["the sides that brought the case want the plan excluded from the employee benefit definition.","the opposing sides want the plan included in the employee benefit definition."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 25, lines 7-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/05-128.pdf","page_label":"file page 25, lines 7-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/05-128.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-9"}]},{"heading":"What each side says","paragraphs":["the sides that brought the case argue bankruptcy priorities require clear statutory language.","the opposing sides argue the plan fits the standard employee benefit definition."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 25, lines 7-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/05-128.pdf","page_label":"file page 25, lines 7-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/05-128.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-9"}]},{"heading":"What the justices asked","paragraphs":["Chief Justice Roberts asked for the strongest authority for the initial presumption.","Justice Scalia noted ERISA explicitly excludes workers' compensation from the definition."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/05-128.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 11-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 29-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/05-128.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 29-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 27-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/05-128.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 27-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 19-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/05-128.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 19-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 37-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/05-128.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 37-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 3-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/05-128.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 3-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 45-54","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/05-128.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 45-54"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 33-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/05-128.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 33-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 45-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/05-128.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 45-9"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 5-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/05-128.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 5-5"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 25-27","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/05-128.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 25-27"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 33-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/05-128.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 33-37"}]},{"heading":"Why it matters","paragraphs":["The outcome defines the scope of employee benefit plans. This classification affects bankruptcy priority for insurance premiums. The ruling clarifies statutory definitions for future cases."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 25, lines 7-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/05-128.pdf","page_label":"file page 25, lines 7-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/05-128.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-9"}]},{"heading":"What happens next","paragraphs":["This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/05-128.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 5-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/05-128.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 11-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 29-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/05-128.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 29-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 27-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/05-128.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 27-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 19-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/05-128.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 19-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 37-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/05-128.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 37-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 3-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/05-128.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 3-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 45-54","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/05-128.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 45-54"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 33-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/05-128.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 33-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 45-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/05-128.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 45-9"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 5-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/05-128.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 5-5"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 25-27","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/05-128.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 25-27"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 33-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/05-128.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 33-37"}]}],"slug":"2005-05-128-howard-delivery-service-inc-v-zurich-american-ins","term":"2005","title":"Does a workers' compensation plan qualify as an employee benefit plan under ERISA?","title_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 25, lines 7-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/05-128.pdf","page_label":"file page 25, lines 7-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/05-128.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-9"}],"topics":[],"undated_disposition_date_fallback":null,"updated_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z"}