Oakland Life Insurance Lawyer
Christian Lassen, Esq. | Quoted in The Wall Street Journal | 25 Years Experience
Families in Oakland often assume that once a life insurance policy exists, benefits will be paid without conflict. In practice, insurers frequently raise exclusions, beneficiary questions, or procedural defenses only after a death. Many Oakland families reach out after receiving a denied life insurance claim that offers little clarity and no practical roadmap forward.
The Lassen Law Firm represents Oakland families and others across California life insurance disputes involving private policies, 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 Frequently Disputed in Oakland
Life insurance disputes in Oakland commonly arise from:
Competing beneficiary claims following divorce, separation, or blended family arrangements
Insurer filed interpleader lawsuits when carriers refuse to decide who should be paid
Exclusion based denials involving alleged criminal conduct or disputed activity
Employer sponsored group policies affected by job changes or administrative errors
Insurers often rely on complexity and delay rather than addressing the merits of the claim.
How Oakland Life Insurance Disputes Are Reviewed
Many Oakland life insurance claims are governed by federal law when coverage is provided through an employer or union plan. ERISA cases and interpleader actions follow strict procedural rules that can limit evidence and delay payment if not handled correctly from the start.
Understanding how these cases are reviewed is critical to protecting a family’s right to recover benefits.
Examples of Oakland Life Insurance Disputes We Have Resolved
A family drawn into a carrier filed lawsuit after the insurer claimed it could not determine the rightful beneficiary. Litigation and evidence supported recovery through a life insurance interpleader lawsuit strategy.
A policyholder’s family denied benefits after an insurer relied on a felony exclusion tied to prior conduct. Review of sentencing and policy language supported recovery under a denied life insurance claim analysis.
An accidental death claim denied after the insurer relied on vague exclusion language to avoid payment. Medical and investigative records supported recovery under a denied AD&D claim challenge.
These examples illustrate how insurer defenses are challenged rather than guaranteed outcomes.
Life Insurance Disputes We Handle in Oakland
Accidental Death and Dismemberment Claims
We litigate denied AD&D claims involving alleged substance use, criminal allegations, or disputed exclusions.
Policy Lapse and Termination 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 application information. We challenge these denials using underwriting files and medical documentation.
Beneficiary Disputes and Interpleader Actions
We represent clients in life insurance beneficiary disputes and insurer initiated life insurance interpleader lawsuits involving multiple claimants or conflicting designations.
Federal and Group Policy Denials
We assist clients with denied ERISA claims as well as denied FEGLI claims and denied SGLI claims affecting public sector workers, union members, and veterans across Alameda County.
Oakland Neighborhoods and Communities We Serve
We represent clients throughout Oakland and nearby communities, including Downtown Oakland, Piedmont, Rockridge, Montclair, Fruitvale, Temescal, East Oakland, Lake Merritt, Glenview, West Oakland, and the Laurel District.
Do I Need an Oakland 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 interpleader litigation, not office location.
No Fees Unless We Win
We work on a contingency basis—there are no fees unless we recover for you. Consultations are always free and confidential.
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
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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“Apparently, there were so-called inconsistencies on the application. The insurer used that as an excuse to avoid paying. Thankfully, Lassen Law stepped in and proved everything had been disclosed accurately. Claim paid.”- Rebecca M.
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.
