New Orleans Life Insurance Lawyer
Christian Lassen, Esq. | Quoted in The Wall Street Journal | 25 Years Experience
In New Orleans, where resilience defines the city and every street echoes with history, the shock of a denied life insurance claim can strike just as deeply as the loss itself. At The Lassen Law Firm, we help families in New Orleans fight back against life insurance companies that delay, underpay, or deny benefits without just cause. Whether you’re in the French Quarter, Mid-City, Algiers, or along the banks of the Mississippi, we bring unmatched experience and national firepower to your case.
Why New Orleans Families Trust The Lassen Law Firm
We focus exclusively on life insurance law
That’s all we do, no injury claims, no distractions. Just aggressive representation for policyholders and beneficiaries.
Attorney-led litigation, not call-center runaround
When you hire us, Christian Lassen personally leads your case. No junior associates. No voicemail mazes.
Serving all 50 states
We handle Louisiana claims involving private policies, ERISA group plans, and federal benefits like SGLI, VGLI, and FEGLI.
No fees unless you recover
We only get paid if we win. You risk nothing upfront.
Types of Life Insurance Denials We Handle in New Orleans
Lapse disputes
We analyze payment records, grace period violations, and missed premium notices.
Accidental death exclusions
We challenge insurers who rely on toxicology reports or stretch definitions to dodge AD&D payouts.
Contestability and misrepresentation
If your claim was denied during the two-year window, we break down vague or irrelevant misstatements that insurers exploit.
Beneficiary challenges
We represent rightful claimants in disputes involving multiple beneficiaries, changes under duress, or forged designations.
Federal and military policy appeals
Our team knows the ins and outs of FEGLI, SGLI, and other government-backed policies.
Notable Wins in Louisiana and the Gulf Region
$412,000 paid after a lapse-based denial was reversed by proving notice failure under Louisiana law
$275,000 secured for a New Orleans East family after insurer improperly applied a drug-use exclusion
$600,000 recovered in a contested beneficiary case involving allegations of undue influence
Interpleader Lawyer in New Orleans
When a life insurance company faces competing claims or unclear beneficiary designations, it may file an interpleader lawsuit and deposit the funds with the court instead of paying the claim.
We represent beneficiaries nationwide in interpleader actions and life insurance disputes involving:
- Conflicting beneficiary claims
- Disputed beneficiary changes
- Divorce or remarriage issues
- Allegations of undue influence or fraud
Once an interpleader is filed, the case becomes a legal dispute between claimants. We work to protect rightful beneficiaries and pursue recovery of the full policy proceeds.
Denied Life Insurance Claim FAQ
Can a life insurance claim be denied if the insured dies during the two year contestability period and the insurer claims the application omitted prior symptoms?
Yes. When death occurs within the first two years, insurers often review physician notes and medical records to see if symptoms mentioned in those records were not disclosed on the application.
Can a life insurance company deny a claim during the two year contestability period because it discovered undisclosed medical consultations after death?
Insurers sometimes obtain additional records from physicians and argue that certain medical consultations should have been disclosed during underwriting.
Can a life insurance policy be rescinded after death during the contestability period if the insurer claims inaccurate answers were given on the application?
Some insurers attempt to rescind policies during this period if they claim that the underwriting decision was based on incorrect information.
Can an accidental death and dismemberment claim be denied because the insurer says the injury did not directly cause the death?
Yes. AD&D policies typically require proof that the accident directly resulted in death without other contributing causes.
Can a denied AD&D claim involve disputes about whether a preexisting condition contributed to the fatal accident?
Yes. Insurers sometimes argue that a medical condition caused the accident rather than the accident causing the death.
Can AD&D claims be denied under exclusions related to alcohol intoxication at the time of the accident?
Some policies contain intoxication exclusions, and insurers sometimes rely on toxicology reports when applying them.
Can AD&D claims be denied because the insurer claims illegal drug use contributed to the accident?
Certain policies contain exclusions involving illegal substances, which insurers sometimes cite during claim investigations.
Can AD&D claims be denied under exclusions involving high risk recreational activities such as racing or skydiving?
Some policies exclude certain hazardous activities, and disputes sometimes arise over whether the activity fits within the exclusion.
Can a life insurance claim be delayed while the insurer gathers medical records and investigative reports?
Yes. Insurers sometimes delay payment while requesting records from hospitals, physicians, or government agencies.
Can a life insurance claim be delayed during the contestability period while the insurer reviews the policy application?
Yes. Deaths occurring within the first two years often lead insurers to conduct a detailed investigation before paying the claim.
Can a beneficiary dispute arise if the policyholder named beneficiaries using unclear language such as “my heirs”?
Yes. Courts may need to interpret vague beneficiary designations if the language does not clearly identify the intended recipient.
Can a beneficiary dispute occur when family members challenge a beneficiary change made near the end of the insured’s life?
Yes. Relatives sometimes argue that the insured lacked mental capacity or was influenced when making the change.
Can an interpleader lawsuit be filed when the insurer receives claims from multiple potential beneficiaries?
Yes. Insurers sometimes deposit the proceeds with the court and ask a judge to determine who is entitled to the funds.
Can an interpleader case involve allegations that the beneficiary designation was improperly executed?
Yes. Courts may review whether the form was properly signed, dated, and submitted according to policy requirements.
Can an ERISA life insurance claim be denied because the employee allegedly failed to meet the employer plan’s active employment requirement?
Yes. Some employer benefit plans require employees to be actively working for coverage to apply.
Can ERISA life insurance disputes involve disagreements about whether the employer processed enrollment paperwork correctly?
Yes. Administrative errors sometimes lead to disputes over whether the employee actually obtained coverage.
Can a FEGLI life insurance claim involve disputes about whether the official beneficiary designation form was properly filed with the agency?
Yes. Federal records are often reviewed to determine which beneficiary designation is valid.
Can a FEGLI policy still pay benefits based on a beneficiary form filed many years earlier if the insured never updated it?
Yes. Unless a new designation form was filed, the earlier form typically remains controlling.
Can life insurance claims be denied because the insurer says the insured failed to disclose abnormal diagnostic imaging results on the application?
Insurers sometimes review imaging reports such as MRIs or CT scans and argue that certain findings should have been disclosed during underwriting.
Can life insurance claims be denied because the insurer claims the insured failed to disclose ongoing monitoring for a chronic medical condition?
Insurers sometimes rely on records showing repeated medical visits or testing when alleging application misrepresentation.
Serving Every Neighborhood in New Orleans and Beyond
We proudly represent clients in:
French Quarter
Garden District
Mid-City
Bywater
Algiers
Uptown
Gentilly
Marigny
And throughout Orleans Parish
Don't Let a Denial Go Unchallenged
Insurance companies count on you giving up. We don’t. Contact The Lassen Law Firm today to fight for the money your loved one intended for you.
Call 800-330-2274 now for a free consultation or submit your case through our secure online form.
Written & Reviewed by Christian Lassen, Esq.
National Life Insurance Attorney | 25+ Years Experience
Quoted in The Wall Street Journal (May 17, 2025)
Last reviewed: Jan 3, 2026
Louisiana Required Disclaimer: “The Louisiana Supreme Court does not recognize certifications of specialties in the practice of law, and the use of such terms may be misleading.”
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.
