Wilson v. Prudential Insurance Co. of America, 97 F.3d 1010 (8th Cir. 1996) - Plaintiff, an agricultural laborer, sought benefits under employer's health benefits plan for severe injuries she sustained when she was struck by a cow while working on a dairy farm. The plan's provision, however, provide there will be no coverage for a charge in connection with injury ... that is eligible under any workers' compensation law.... This applies if you could be covered under such laws." If, however, "you are a partner, proprietor or corporate executive of the Employer, this ... applies only if you are covered." The state of Missouri exempted employers of agricultural workers from its mandatory workers' compensation program, but the employer could voluntarily elect to come under the workers' compensation provision. In this case, the employer did not elect to provide workers' compensation insurance for its employers, therefore plaintiff's injury was not covered. The employer denied her benefits interpreting the plan to exclude from coverage any injury that could be covered. The Eighth Circuit reviewing the administrator's decision de novo found that the terms of the plan were unambiguous and agreed with the plan administrator's interpretation. It relied on the latter part of the provision that clearly stated that partners or executives will not be covered under the plan unless they are covered by workers compensation law. That distinction clearly intended that all other workers would be excluded if they could have been covered.