Tampa Life Insurance Lawyer
Christian Lassen, Esq. | Quoted in The Wall Street Journal | 25 Years Experience
Families in Tampa often rely on life insurance tied to retirement planning, employer benefits, or long-held private policies. When a death occurs, insurers sometimes respond with exclusions, billing arguments, or claims that coverage ended before death. Many Tampa families contact us only after receiving a denied life insurance claim that cites technical defenses they never encountered while the policyholder was alive.
The Lassen Law Firm represents Tampa families as part of a statewide practice handling Florida 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 from Tampa Are Often Contested
Life insurance disputes tied to Tampa frequently involve:
Accidental deaths related to boating or water activity
Alleged policy lapses following relocation or address changes
Beneficiary disputes involving second marriages or blended families
Contestability period denials raised after recent underwriting
Employer sponsored coverage governed by federal ERISA rules
Insurers often rely on administrative defenses rather than whether coverage was actually in force at the time of death.
How Tampa Life Insurance Disputes Are Reviewed
Many Tampa based claims are governed by federal law when coverage is provided through an employer or government program. ERISA and federal benefit claims impose strict procedural rules that limit what evidence can be considered if it is not submitted early.
Understanding these deadlines is often the difference between recovery and permanent denial.
Examples of Tampa Life Insurance Disputes We Have Resolved
A Hyde Park family denied benefits after an insurer declared the policy lapsed following an address change. Notice failures supported recovery through a life insurance claim denied due to lapse challenge.
A Seminole Heights claim denied under a suicide exclusion applied after the contestability period. Policy terms supported recovery under a denied life insurance claim analysis.
A Westshore accidental death claim denied after a boating incident. Evidence supported recovery through a denied AD&D claim review.
These examples reflect common insurer defenses and how they are challenged rather than guaranteed outcomes.
Communities We Serve in the Tampa Area
We help clients across Hillsborough County, including:
Downtown Tampa
Hyde Park
Ybor City
Seminole Heights
West Tampa
New Tampa
Davis Islands
Westshore
Carrollwood
Brandon
Riverview
Town 'n' Country
Temple Terrace
South Tampa
Whether your case involves a Florida-based insurer, a national company, or a federal life insurance policy, we’re ready to act fast and fight for your rights.
Our Process
Comprehensive policy and denial review
Personalized legal strategy
Appeals and litigation, if needed
Clear communication throughout
No fees unless we win your case
If Your Life Insurance Claim Was Denied in Tampa, We’re Ready to Help
Don’t let an insurance company delay or deny your claim without a fight. Call The Lassen Law Firm at 800-330-2274 or fill out our contact form today. Your consultation is free, and we only get paid if we recover money for you.
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 3, 2026
Florida Disclaimer: “The hiring of a lawyer is an important decision that should not be based solely upon advertisements. Before you decide, ask us to send you free written information about our qualifications and experience.”
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.
