Los Angeles Life Insurance Lawyer
Christian Lassen, Esq. | Quoted in The Wall Street Journal | 25 Years Experience
Families in Los Angeles often purchase life insurance as part of long term financial planning, expecting benefits to be paid without dispute. Instead, many are met with delays, shifting explanations, or a formal denied life insurance claim letter that cites exclusions or technical defenses only after a death has occurred. These disputes are especially common in a city where policies, beneficiaries, and employment frequently change.
The Lassen Law Firm represents Los Angeles 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 Commonly Disputed in Los Angeles
Life insurance disputes in Los Angeles frequently involve:
Beneficiary conflicts arising from divorce, remarriage, or blended families
Alleged policy lapses tied to address changes or missed notices
Accidental death claims involving transportation, cycling, or recreational activity
Federal and government employee benefit claims subject to strict administrative rules
Insurers often rely on paperwork inconsistencies rather than the policyholder’s actual coverage or intent.
How Los Angeles Life Insurance Disputes Are Reviewed
Many Los Angeles life insurance claims are governed by federal law when coverage is provided through an employer or government agency. ERISA and federal benefit claims follow rigid administrative rules that limit what evidence may be considered if it is not submitted correctly and on time.
Understanding these procedures is often critical to preserving the right to recover benefits.
Examples of California Life Insurance Disputes We Have Resolved
A Los Feliz resident faced delayed payment after an insurer questioned a beneficiary designation. Documentation review supported recovery through a life insurance beneficiary dispute strategy.
A Hollywood Hills family denied benefits after a policy was declared lapsed due to an address error. Review of notice requirements supported recovery under a life insurance claim denied due to lapse challenge.
An accidental death claim denied after a fatal bicycle accident in Venice where the insurer relied on an intoxication exclusion. Medical and eyewitness evidence supported recovery under a denied AD&D claim analysis.
These examples illustrate how insurer defenses are challenged rather than guaranteed outcomes.
Life Insurance Claims We Handle in Los Angeles
Accidental Death and Dismemberment Claims
We litigate denied AD&D claims involving alleged intoxication, criminal activity, or disputed accident classifications.
Policy Lapse and Nonpayment Disputes
We investigate billing records, notice compliance, and employer conduct when a life insurance claim denied due to lapse is raised.
Application Misrepresentation Allegations
Insurers often rely on outdated or immaterial application information. We challenge these denials with underwriting records and medical evidence.
Beneficiary and Ownership Disputes
We represent families in life insurance beneficiary disputes involving ex spouses, blended families, or conflicting forms.
Federal and Military Benefit Denials
We assist clients with denied FEGLI claims, denied SGLI claims, and denied ERISA claims affecting postal workers, federal employees, and service members across Los Angeles County.
Los Angeles Communities We Serve
We represent clients throughout Los Angeles County, including Downtown Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Hollywood Hills, Venice, Echo Park, Los Feliz, Koreatown, East Los Angeles, South Los Angeles, Beverly Grove, Pico Union, Brentwood, and Westchester.
Do I Need a Los Angeles 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 owe nothing unless we recover money for you. Consultations are always free and confidential.
Call The Lassen Law Firm at 800-330-2274 today 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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“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.
