Denied ERISA Life Insurance Claims
Christian Lassen, Esq. | Quoted in The Wall Street Journal | 25 Years Experience
If your employer provided life insurance claim was denied, your case is likely governed by ERISA, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act. ERISA imposes strict rules on how group life insurance claims must be handled, appealed, and litigated. These rules are very different from those that apply to private life insurance policies, and mistakes can permanently destroy a valid claim.
At Lassen Law Firm, we focus exclusively on helping beneficiaries challenge denied life insurance claims nationwide, including complex ERISA governed claims. Christian Lassen, Esq., has 25 years of experience handling ERISA denials and personally manages each case to ensure compliance with ERISA’s demanding requirements.
How ERISA Changes Life Insurance Claim Rights
ERISA is a federal law that governs most employer sponsored benefit plans, including group life insurance. When a claim is denied under an ERISA plan, beneficiaries must follow a mandatory administrative appeal process before filing a lawsuit.
Unlike non ERISA claims, ERISA cases are generally decided based on the administrative record created during the appeal. Courts typically do not allow new evidence later. This makes the appeal stage the most critical phase of the case.
ERISA also limits recoverable damages. In most cases, beneficiaries can recover only the policy benefits, interest, and possibly attorney’s fees. Punitive damages and emotional distress damages are not available.
Why ERISA Life Insurance Claims Are Denied
ERISA life insurance claims are denied for many reasons, often unrelated to whether coverage should exist. Insurers and employers frequently deny claims based on technical issues, paperwork errors, or administrative failures.
Common denial scenarios include alleged lapse of coverage after termination, failure to convert group coverage to an individual policy, disputes over beneficiary designations, and alleged misrepresentations. Many denials occur because employers fail to provide required notices or mishandle premium payments, yet insurers deny claims anyway.
These denials are often legally challengeable under ERISA.
How We Handle Denied ERISA Life Insurance Claims
At Lassen Law Firm, we approach ERISA claims with precision and urgency. We immediately request the full plan documents and administrative record. We identify procedural violations, notice failures, and unsupported conclusions.
We then prepare a comprehensive administrative appeal designed to build a complete record for federal court review. If the appeal is denied, we file suit in federal court and pursue enforcement of the life insurance benefits.
In one recent case, we helped a surviving spouse recover $300,000 after an employer failed to provide proper notice of conversion rights at termination. The insurer denied the claim, but through a detailed ERISA appeal, we secured full payment.
Common Reasons ERISA Life Insurance Claims Are Denied
• Failure to convert group coverage after leaving employment
• Alleged lapse caused by employer premium payment errors
• Disputes over beneficiary designations after life events
• Misrepresentation allegations on enrollment forms
• Late or disputed proof of loss submissions
• Contestability investigations during early coverage
• Deaths ruled outside policy terms
• Improper application of exclusions
• Employer administrative failures
• Termination related coverage misunderstandings
What To Do After a Denied ERISA Life Insurance Claim
If your ERISA governed life insurance claim is denied:
Request the denial letter and full plan documents immediately
Calendar the ERISA appeal deadline, often 180 days
Do not submit an appeal without legal guidance
Contact an experienced ERISA life insurance attorney promptly
Ensure the appeal record is fully developed
Missing an ERISA deadline or submitting an incomplete appeal can permanently bar recovery.
For a concise overview of ERISA claims and deadlines, see our Denied ERISA Life Insurance Claim Fact Sheet.
See Our Denied ERISA Life Insurance Claim Fact Sheet
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Written & Reviewed by Christian Lassen, Esq., Nationally recognized life insurance lawyer: 25 years experience, hundreds of millions recovered. Quoted in The Wall Street Journal ( May 17, 2025).
Last reviewed: Dec20, 2025 | Contact 800-330-2274
Frequently Asked Questions About Denied ERISA Life Insurance Claims
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ERISA claims require beneficiaries to exhaust administrative appeals before suing and are governed by federal court procedures and remedies.
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Typically, you have 180 days from the date of denial to submit an administrative appeal under ERISA regulations.
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No. Under ERISA, you must first exhaust the internal appeal process before filing a lawsuit.
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Missing the ERISA appeal deadline usually means you lose your right to sue or recover benefits.
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Typically, you sue the insurance company, not your employer, although in some cases employers can be liable for administrative errors.
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No. Under ERISA, beneficiaries generally cannot recover punitive damages — only plan benefits, interest, attorney’s fees, and possibly equitable relief.
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The administrative record includes all documents the insurer reviewed to make the decision. Courts usually limit review to this record in lawsuits.
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Usually not. New evidence is rarely allowed in ERISA lawsuits unless special exceptions apply, making the appeal stage critical.
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Yes. Skilled attorneys often negotiate settlements while preparing ERISA appeals, leveraging the insurer's risk of losing later in court.
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You can challenge wrongful denials based on employer error, improper notice of conversion, or misapplication of plan terms.
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Yes. Divorce can revoke prior beneficiary designations under some state laws, although ERISA preemption rules complicate these cases.
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Yes. If accidental death coverage is employer-provided, it falls under ERISA's rules and appeal procedures.
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Yes. If the employer fails to forward premiums properly, insurers may deny claims, but legal challenges may still succeed.
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Yes. Insurers may investigate applications during the first two years, but still must act fairly and reasonably.
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You may have legal claims against the employer under ERISA if misinformation caused loss of life insurance benefits.
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Yes. Courts often award reasonable attorney’s fees to successful ERISA plaintiffs.
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Most cases resolve within 6 to 18 months, depending on court schedules and settlement opportunities.
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No. ERISA life insurance lawsuits are typically decided by a judge, not a jury.
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An attorney helps by preparing the appeal correctly, preserving evidence for court, negotiating settlements, and litigating skillfully if necessary.
Our Clients Speak Volumes
The Right Choice for Your Claim
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“My mom died after a non-traditional medical procedure, and the insurer refused to pay. Lassen Law proved the treatment had nothing to do with the cause of death. They fought like it was their own family involved.”- Emily N.
Why The Lassen Law Firm Is Different
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Proven National Results
With over two decades of exclusive focus on life insurance litigation, we’ve helped thousands of families recover wrongfully denied benefits. Our reputation for fast, strategic resolutions has made us a trusted national resource for complex claim disputes.
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Recognized ExpertisePerfect 10.0 Avvo rating endorsed by over 1,700 attorneys; life member of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum; ranked among the top 1 percent of lawyers nationally for life insurance litigation.
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Client-First AdvocacyNo upfront fees: our contingency fee guarantee aligns our interests with yours; we provide personalized, compassionate representation from your initial consultation through resolution.
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Media & Community LeadershipQuoted in The Wall Street Journal and featured in leading legal publications; frequent speaker at national conferences; dedicated to charitable efforts supporting pediatric cancer care.
