Fort Smith Life Insurance Lawyer
Christian Lassen, Esq. | Quoted in The Wall Street Journal | 25 Years Experience
Families in Fort Smith often rely on life insurance to provide stability after a loss tied to industrial work, military service, or employer provided benefits. When an insurer delays or refuses payment, families are frequently told the denial is based on exclusions, paperwork issues, or alleged lapses that were never explained before death. Many clients reach out after receiving a denied life insurance claim letter that leaves them with more questions than answers.
The Lassen Law Firm represents Fort Smith families and others across Arkansas life insurance disputes involving private policies, employer sponsored group life insurance, and federal or military benefit programs. Our practice is devoted exclusively to life insurance law.
Attorney Christian Lassen, Esq. has more than 25 years of experience handling life insurance litigation nationwide and has been quoted by The Wall Street Journal on insurance related legal issues. Clients work directly with him from initial review through appeal or litigation.
Why Life Insurance Claims Are Commonly Denied in Fort Smith
Life insurance disputes in the Fort Smith area often arise from:
Workplace accidents tied to manufacturing, logistics, or industrial employment
Employer sponsored group policies affected by job changes or medical leave
Alleged policy lapses caused by payroll or notice failures
Military and federal benefit claims governed by strict administrative rules
Insurers often rely on technical defenses rather than the underlying facts of the loss.
How Fort Smith Life Insurance Disputes Are Reviewed
Many Fort Smith life insurance claims are governed by federal law, especially when coverage is provided through an employer or the military. ERISA cases follow rigid procedures that limit what evidence can be introduced if it is not raised early.
Understanding these procedural rules is critical to preserving a family’s right to recover benefits.
Examples of Arkansas Life Insurance Disputes We Have Resolved
An accidental death claim denied after a workplace incident near Fort Smith’s industrial corridor where the insurer cited a pre existing condition exclusion. Medical and employment records supported recovery under a denied AD&D claim analysis.
A Chaffee Crossing widow denied benefits after an insurer froze payment over a disputed beneficiary designation. Military documentation supported recovery under a denied SGLI claim strategy.
A Fort Smith policyholder denied benefits after an employer terminated group coverage without proper notice. Review of plan procedures supported recovery under a denied ERISA claim and life insurance claim denied due to lapse analysis.
These examples demonstrate how insurer defenses are challenged rather than guaranteed outcomes.
Life Insurance Claims We Handle in Fort Smith
Accidental Death and Dismemberment Claims
We litigate denied AD&D claims involving workplace accidents, vehicle incidents, alleged intoxication, or disputed exclusions.
Policy Lapse and Missed Premium Disputes
We investigate billing practices, notice compliance, and employer conduct when a life insurance claim denied due to lapse is raised.
Application Misrepresentation Allegations
Insurers often rely on incomplete or outdated application information. We challenge these denials using underwriting files and medical records.
Beneficiary and Ownership Disputes
We represent families in life insurance beneficiary disputes involving divorce, outdated forms, or competing claims.
Military and Federal Policy Denials
We assist families with denied SGLI claims, denied VGLI claims, and denied FEGLI claims tied to service members and federal employees connected to Fort Smith and Ebbing Air National Guard Base.
Fort Smith Communities and Areas We Serve
We represent clients throughout Fort Smith and Sebastian County, including Downtown Fort Smith, Fianna Hills, Chaffee Crossing, Park Hill, Riley Farm, Cavanaugh, Fort Chaffee, the Waldron Road corridor, and Massard Prairie.
Do I Need a Fort Smith Based Lawyer for a Life Insurance Claim
Life insurance disputes are governed by contract law and federal statutes rather than local courtroom appearances. What matters most is experience handling insurer defenses, ERISA procedures, and complex military or federal benefit claims, not office location.
No Fees Unless We Win
There are no legal fees unless we recover compensation. Every case starts with a free and confidential consultation.
Call The Lassen Law Firm at 800-330-2274 to speak with attorney Christian Lassen today.
Written & Reviewed by Christian Lassen, Esq.
National Life Insurance Attorney | 25+ Years of Experience
Quoted in The Wall Street Journal (May 17, 2025)
Last reviewed: Jan 19, 2026
Our FAQ
Have questions? We are here to help. Still have questions or can't find the answer you need? Give us a call at 800-330-2274 today!
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A grace period is the time after a missed payment during which the policy remains in force, usually 30 to 60 days depending on state law and policy terms.
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No. In most states, insurers must send a written notice of overdue premiums and warn of pending lapse before terminating coverage.
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The policy may still be enforceable. Beneficiaries can challenge the lapse based on the insurer’s failure to provide required notice.
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Yes. If the insured dies during the grace period, the policy is still considered active, and benefits should be paid.
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Yes. In group life insurance policies, employers sometimes fail to forward premiums properly, leading to wrongful lapse denials.
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Yes. If automatic payment setups fail through no fault of the insured, lapses may be challenged.
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Some policies automatically borrow against cash value to cover missed payments. Failure to apply this correctly can lead to wrongful lapse claims.
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Possibly. Some courts excuse nonpayment if the insured was mentally incapacitated and missed premiums without proper notice.
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No. Reinstatement must occur while the insured is alive, but wrongful lapse denials can still be challenged posthumously.
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Not without following strict notice and grace period rules. Beneficiaries can often challenge technical denials.
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Deadlines vary by state, but it’s critical to act within 1 to 5 years depending on the policy and jurisdiction.
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Not necessarily. Payments mailed within grace periods or accepted by insurers may keep coverage active.
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Bank records, payment receipts, insurer correspondence, and premium notices are key evidence.
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If the insurer used an outdated address despite updated information, lapse denials can often be overturned.
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Possibly. If the insured submitted a reinstatement application before death, it may help challenge a lapse denial.
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In some states, special grace periods and protections applied during COVID-19 emergencies. They can help fight wrongful lapses.
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Only if the insurer followed all legal notice and grace period requirements. Otherwise, beneficiaries may still recover.
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Misapplied premiums can lead to wrongful lapses — and courts often hold insurers accountable for these errors.
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An attorney can obtain records, challenge improper lapses, negotiate settlements, and litigate if necessary to enforce payment.
Our Clients Speak Volumes
The Right Choice for Your Claim
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“They tried to deny my mom’s claim by referencing a vague exclusion clause. Christian quickly proved the exclusion didn’t apply. What seemed impossible at first became a closed case thanks to their persistence.”- Thomas E.
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.
