Fresno Life Insurance Lawyer
Christian Lassen, Esq. | Quoted in The Wall Street Journal | 25 Years Experience
Families in Fresno often rely on life insurance as a safeguard against uncertainty, especially in households connected to agriculture, healthcare, or public sector work. When an insurer delays or refuses payment, families are frequently left confronting technical defenses that appear only after a death. Many Fresno families contact us after receiving a denied life insurance claim letter that cites exclusions, alleged misstatements, or administrative issues without clear explanation.
The Lassen Law Firm represents Fresno families and others across California life insurance disputes involving private life insurance, employer sponsored group coverage, and federal 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 Often Disputed in Fresno
Life insurance disputes in the Central Valley commonly arise from:
Application based denials tied to medical history or personal data errors
Alleged policy lapses caused by missed notices or address changes
Accidental death claims involving toxicology or medication exclusions
Employer sponsored group policies connected to agricultural, healthcare, or municipal employment
Insurers often rely on paperwork and technicalities rather than the substance of coverage.
How Fresno Life Insurance Disputes Are Reviewed
Many Fresno life insurance claims are governed by federal law when coverage is provided through an employer. ERISA governed claims follow strict procedural rules that can limit what evidence is considered if it is not submitted early and correctly.
Understanding these procedures is often critical to preserving a family’s right to recover benefits.
Examples of Central Valley Life Insurance Disputes We Have Resolved
A Fresno policyholder denied benefits after an insurer alleged a misstatement on the application. Underwriting records showed the information had no impact on insurability, supporting recovery under a denied life insurance claim analysis.
A Tower District family denied benefits after an insurer relied on an incorrect date of birth. Review of original policy records supported full payment under a life insurance claim denied due to lapse and policy enforcement strategy.
An accidental death claim denied near Clovis where the insurer cited a drug exclusion. Toxicology interpretation and medical context supported recovery under a denied AD&D claim challenge.
These examples illustrate how insurer defenses are challenged rather than guaranteed outcomes.
Types of Life Insurance Claims We Handle in Fresno
Accidental Death and Dismemberment Claims
We litigate denied AD&D claims involving alleged intoxication, medication use, or hazardous activity exclusions.
Policy Lapse and Grace Period Disputes
We investigate notice compliance and billing practices when a life insurance claim denied due to lapse is raised.
Application Misrepresentation Allegations
Insurers often rely on outdated or immaterial health records. We challenge these denials using underwriting files and medical documentation.
Beneficiary and Ownership Disputes
We represent families in life insurance beneficiary disputes involving divorce, unprocessed changes, or multiple claimants.
Federal and Employer Sponsored Policy Denials
We assist clients with denied ERISA claims as well as denied FEGLI claims and denied SGLI claims affecting federal employees and workers across Fresno County.
Fresno County Communities We Serve
We represent clients throughout Fresno and surrounding Central Valley communities, including the Tower District, Fig Garden, Clovis, Kingsburg, Reedley, the Fresno High area, Sunset, East Central Fresno, Roosevelt, and Sunnyside.
Do I Need a Fresno 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 benefit claims, not office location.
No Fees Unless We Win
You pay nothing unless we recover money for you. Consultations are always free and confidential.
Call The Lassen Law Firm today at 800-330-2274 to speak directly with attorney Christian Lassen.
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
California Disclaimer: “Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.”
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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“We were told the policy lapsed before my mother died. But we had receipts showing otherwise. Lassen Law Firm used them to force the company to honor the contract. They don’t mess around.”- David K.
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.
