Denied Life Insurance Claim After a Skydiving Accident? Here's What You Need to Know
Life insurance companies often include exclusions for hazardous pursuits, but that doesn’t mean every claim related to such an activity should be denied. In fact, many denials are based on overly broad or misapplied policy language. If your loved one’s claim has been denied after a skydiving accident, legal help may make all the difference.
John’s Case: A Skydiving Tragedy and a $400,000 Denial
John was a seasoned skydiver who tragically died during a group jump. He failed to deploy his parachute and fell to his death. His daughters, Mikchele and Cindy, filed a life insurance claim under his $400,000 policy, only to have it denied. The insurer cited an exclusion for deaths “resulting from descent from an aircraft while in flight.” This clause—commonly found in policies that aim to limit risk exposure—was the insurer’s justification for denying payment. But John’s daughters didn’t accept that explanation. They knew their father was safety-conscious and well-trained. They believed the insurer had applied the exclusion improperly.
Causation Dispute: What Really Caused John’s Death?
The insurer argued that John’s death was clearly caused by the descent from the aircraft—specifically, by falling without deploying his parachute. However, his daughters pointed to observations made by other skydivers. Witnesses noted that John exited the aircraft back-first, showed no movement or control during the fall, and failed to respond to radio calls. These details led the family to believe that John may have suffered a medical emergency, such as cardiac arrest or unconsciousness, after exiting the plane but before impact. They filed a lawsuit in federal court, arguing that his death may not have been caused directly by the skydiving activity itself, but by an unrelated medical issue. This subtle but important distinction was critical to the outcome of their case.
The Legal Importance of Establishing Cause of Death
A major obstacle in John’s case was the lack of an autopsy. Because his body sustained significant trauma upon impact, no conclusive medical cause of death could be determined. This left the central question unanswered: Was John’s death caused by the descent, or did he die mid-air from another cause? Life insurance exclusions must be applied based on evidence. The insurer cannot simply assume that a fall equals an excluded cause of death. Courts generally require insurers to prove that an exclusion clearly applies. In ambiguous cases, the benefit of the doubt may go to the beneficiary.
When Ambiguity Works in Favor of the Beneficiary
Insurance policies are legal contracts. Under long-standing legal principles, any ambiguous language in those contracts must be interpreted in favor of the policyholder or their beneficiaries. This principle is known as the “doctrine of contra proferentem.” In John’s case, the exact wording of the exclusion—“death resulting from descent from an aircraft in flight”—became the focal point. Was the descent the cause, or merely a setting in which something else happened? With no definitive medical evidence, the burden shifted to the insurer to prove that the exclusion applied. And if they couldn’t do that with certainty, the denial could be challenged.
Why Legal Representation Matters in Skydiving-Related Denials
Fighting a denial like this isn’t something most families can do alone. These cases require knowledge of insurance contract law, burden-of-proof standards, and court procedures. A skilled life insurance lawyer can subpoena witness statements, analyze policy language, and challenge the insurer’s conclusions. In cases like John’s, where the insurer leans on a loosely worded exclusion, legal pressure may be the only way to force a fair outcome. Our firm has extensive experience challenging denials involving high-risk activities, including skydiving, scuba diving, aviation, and other adventure sports. If your loved one had a policy and the claim was denied based on a recreational activity, we may be able to help you recover the full benefit.
You Don’t Have to Accept a Denial Without a Fight
John’s daughters didn’t accept the insurance company’s decision—and neither should you. Even in cases where death occurs during an excluded activity, there may be strong grounds to challenge the denial. Policy exclusions are not always as broad or definitive as insurers claim. If the cause of death is ambiguous or if the insurer has overreached, an experienced life insurance attorney can demand accountability. Don’t assume that a denial is final. Contact us for a free consultation, and let us review your case. You may still be entitled to the benefits your loved one intended for you.
FAQ: Life Insurance Denials Related to Skydiving and High-Risk Activities
Can life insurance companies deny claims for deaths related to skydiving?
Yes, many policies contain exclusions for hazardous activities, including skydiving. However, insurers must prove the exclusion applies and that the death was caused directly by the activity.
What is a typical exclusion clause for skydiving deaths?
Most policies state that they will not pay for deaths “resulting from descent from an aircraft while in flight” or “while engaging in high-risk activities such as skydiving.”
What if the cause of death during a skydive is unknown?
If there’s no clear evidence that the activity caused the death, the insurer may not be able to enforce the exclusion. Courts may side with the beneficiary when cause of death is unclear.
Can I challenge a denial even if my loved one died while skydiving?
Absolutely. Legal challenges often succeed when the insurer cannot conclusively prove that the exclusion applies or if the policy language is ambiguous.
What if my loved one had a medical emergency mid-jump?
That can be a key argument. If the death was caused by a heart attack, stroke, or other unrelated medical event—even during a skydive—the exclusion may not apply.
What happens if there was no autopsy?
While lack of an autopsy complicates things, it doesn’t automatically justify a denial. The insurer still has the burden of proving that the exclusion applies.
Do courts interpret insurance policy language strictly?
Yes. Courts often interpret unclear or ambiguous policy language in favor of the policyholder or beneficiary.
Can a lawyer help me even if the policy had an exclusion?
Yes. An experienced life insurance attorney can examine the exclusion, determine whether it’s enforceable, and build a legal strategy to challenge the denial.
What should I do if my claim was denied due to skydiving?
Contact a life insurance lawyer immediately. Preserve any policy documents, witness statements, and correspondence with the insurer. Prompt legal action increases your chances of success.
How much does it cost to hire a life insurance attorney?
Most life insurance lawyers—including our firm—work on a contingency fee basis. That means you pay nothing unless we recover money for you.