Durham Life Insurance Lawyer
In Durham, a city known for its academic prestige, medical innovation, and vibrant downtown growth, life insurance disputes are unfortunately common. Families are often forced to battle powerful insurers who wrongfully delay or deny claims. At The Lassen Law Firm, we represent Durham residents in recovering life insurance benefits after denials, delays, lapses, or AD&D exclusions.
Attorney Christian Lassen, Esq. has over 25 years of exclusive experience in life insurance law. With hundreds of millions recovered nationwide, our firm is proud to stand with families across Durham as they pursue the benefits their loved ones intended them to have.
Why Durham Residents Trust The Lassen Law Firm
Focused Legal Practice
We only handle life insurance cases. No distractions, no compromises.
Nationwide Coverage
Serving all 50 states, we help with individual and employer-based policies in North Carolina.
Direct Representation
Clients speak and work directly with Christian Lassen from beginning to end.
Successful Life Insurance Recoveries for North Carolina Families
$720,000 from Mutual of Omaha for a Durham family whose claim was denied based on alleged misrepresentation of a past condition. We proved the insurer failed to investigate properly.
$650,000 secured from MetLife after a lapse dispute involving delayed premium processing due to a banking error. Full payout achieved.
$585,000 paid on an AD&D policy following denial under a substance exclusion. Our evidence showed the exclusion was not applicable.
Life Insurance Claim Types We Handle in Durham
AD&D Benefit Denials
Claims denied due to exclusions involving alcohol, narcotics, or alleged misconduct.
Lapse-Based Denials
We investigate missed grace periods or improper notice under North Carolina insurance rules.
Application Misstatement Issues
We push back against denials based on medical history misstatements or outdated records.
Beneficiary Conflicts
We resolve disputes among ex-spouses, stepchildren, and other competing claimants.
ERISA Group Policy Denials
We represent Durham employees denied life insurance benefits under workplace policies governed by federal law.
Durham Neighborhoods and Areas We Serve
We work with clients throughout Durham and surrounding areas, including:
Downtown
Trinity Park
Hope Valley
Ninth Street District
Southpoint
Duke Forest
Old West Durham
Brightleaf
East Durham
Chapel Hill Road corridor
Whether your claim involves an employer-provided plan or a private policy, we have the knowledge and experience to fight back effectively.
Our Services Include
Detailed claim reviews
Communication with insurers
State and federal litigation
One-on-one legal guidance
No Recovery, No Fee
We charge nothing unless we recover money for you. Every case begins with a free consultation.
Call The Lassen Law Firm at 800-330-2274 to speak directly 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: June 13, 2025
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 alleged policy fraud and said they wouldn’t pay. But Christian Lassen’s firm uncovered emails showing the insurer had approved everything months earlier. They settled the case quietly and quickly once the truth came out.”- Linda T.
Why The Lassen Law Firm Is Different
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Proven National ResultsRepresenting clients coast to coast and recovering hundreds of millions in denied life insurance claims, we secure justice and peace of mind for families everywhere.
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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.