Sacramento Life Insurance Lawyer
Christian Lassen, Esq. | Quoted in The Wall Street Journal | 25 Years Experience
Families in Sacramento often rely on life insurance as a stabilizing force after loss, especially in households connected to state employment, education, or union based work. When an insurer delays or refuses payment, families are frequently confronted with procedural defenses or documentation disputes that arise only after a death. Many Sacramento families reach out after receiving a denied life insurance claim letter that offers little explanation and no clear next step.
The Lassen Law Firm represents Sacramento 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 Often Disputed in Sacramento
Life insurance disputes in the Capital Region commonly arise from:
Employer sponsored group plans tied to state agencies, schools, and unions
Beneficiary challenges following divorce, retirement, or job changes
Alleged policy lapses caused by billing or notice failures
Claims involving foreign death certificates or overseas travel documentation
Insurers frequently rely on administrative technicalities rather than the substance of coverage.
How Sacramento Life Insurance Disputes Are Reviewed
Many Sacramento life insurance claims are governed by federal law when coverage is provided through an employer. ERISA claims and federal benefit disputes follow strict administrative procedures that limit what evidence may be considered if it is not submitted correctly and on time.
Understanding how these claims are reviewed is often critical to preserving a family’s right to recover benefits.
Examples of Capital Region Life Insurance Disputes We Have Resolved
A family denied benefits after an insurer rejected a foreign death certificate connected to overseas travel. Authentication and policy review supported recovery under a denied life insurance claim strategy.
A state agency employee’s family denied benefits after the insurer challenged a beneficiary designation under an employer plan. Plan documents and administrative records supported recovery under a denied ERISA claim analysis.
An accidental death claim denied after the insurer relied on a self inflicted injury exclusion. 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.
Sacramento Life Insurance Claim Types We Handle
Accidental Death and Dismemberment Claims
We litigate denied AD&D claims involving alleged substance use, risky behavior, or misapplied 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 minor or outdated application information. We challenge these denials using underwriting files and medical documentation.
Beneficiary and Ownership Disputes
We represent families in life insurance beneficiary disputes involving estate confusion, divorce, or last minute changes.
Federal and Group Policy Denials
We assist clients with denied ERISA claims as well as denied FEGLI claims and denied SGLI claims affecting government employees and service members across Sacramento County.
Sacramento Communities We Serve
We represent clients throughout Sacramento County, including Downtown Sacramento, Midtown, East Sacramento, Land Park, Oak Park, Natomas, Arden Arcade, South Sacramento, Tahoe Park, and Elk Grove.
Do I Need a Sacramento 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 administrative claims, not office location.
No Fees Unless We Recover for You
We never charge fees unless we win your case. Consultations are free and confidential.
Call The Lassen Law Firm today at 800-330-2274 to speak 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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“The insurer said my wife’s death was suicide and refused to pay, citing a policy exclusion. I knew that wasn’t true. The team at Lassen Law proved the exclusion period had ended. They handled everything and got me justice.”- Robert S.
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.
