Life Insurance Lawyer Cleveland Oh

"Life Insurance Lawyers for Cleveland, OH – The Lassen Law Firm" In Cleveland, a city celebrated for its rich industrial history, world-class arts institutions, and passionate sports culture, navigating life insurance claims can still be a stressful and overwhelming experience—especially when benefits are unfairly delayed or denied. At The Lassen Law Firm, we are committed to helping families and individuals in Cleveland secure the financial protection they deserve. Whether you’re near the bustling Downtown area, the scenic shores of Lake Erie, or anywhere across Cuyahoga County, we provide trusted legal expertise and personalized care every step of the way. Our experienced and trusted Ohio life insurance lawyers are here to help.

With a nationwide reputation for recovering hundreds of millions in life insurance claims, The Lassen Law Firm delivers compassionate advocacy, relentless representation, and trusted results for Cleveland residents seeking justice in insurance disputes.

2025 Cleveland Ohio Denied Life Insurance Claims

AAA beneficiary dispute won $291,000.00
Lincoln National interpleader $40,000.00
Foreign death denial $1,000,000.00
ING application misrepresentation $350,000.00
Cleveland life insurance claim $201,000.00
Northwestern Mutual drug exclusion $500,000.00
COVID 19 denial of life insurance benefits $22,000.00
Primerica beneficiary dispute $404,000.00

Cleveland Life Insurance Claim Denials: Common Questions Answered

Can a Cleveland life insurance claim be denied if the insured failed to report a mental health diagnosis?

Yes, particularly during the contestability period, which typically lasts the first two years. However, if the diagnosis was unrelated to the cause of death or wasn’t material to the underwriting decision, the denial may be contested. For example, we recently helped a Cleveland client challenge a denial where a mental health diagnosis wasn’t disclosed but had no impact on the cause of death.

Is a former spouse automatically removed as beneficiary after divorce in Cleveland?

Yes, under Ohio law, divorce automatically revokes a former spouse’s beneficiary designation unless reaffirmed by the policyholder. If the policy falls under ERISA (federal law), however, the ex-spouse may still be entitled to the benefits unless the designation was formally changed.

Why would a Cleveland life insurance company file an interpleader lawsuit?

An interpleader is filed when multiple individuals claim to be the rightful beneficiary of a policy. For example, in a recent Cleveland case, a former spouse and a new partner both made claims. The insurer filed an interpleader, and a judge decided who was entitled to the payout.

Can a policy be wrongly declared lapsed in Cleveland if the insurer sent notices to an outdated address?

Yes. Ohio law mandates insurers to notify policyholders properly before canceling a policy. If the insurer failed to send notices or sent them to an outdated address, the lapse could be contested. We successfully reinstated a policy for a Cleveland client in a similar situation by proving the insurer’s failure to notify the insured.

Is a claim in Cleveland automatically denied if the insured died while committing a crime?

Not always. While many policies have exclusions for criminal acts, the insurer must prove that the act was a felony and directly caused the death. We’ve assisted Cleveland clients where the insurer tried to deny the claim based on a minor criminal act, which was ultimately overturned.

Can a Cleveland life insurance claim be denied for failure to list prior hospitalizations?

Yes, if the omission is considered material to underwriting. However, if the hospitalization was unrelated to the cause of death, the denial may be challenged. For instance, we helped a Cleveland beneficiary contest a claim denial based on the insured's prior hospitalizations, proving that they weren’t connected to the cause of death.

What if a Cleveland beneficiary is accused of murdering the insured?

Under Ohio’s slayer statute, a beneficiary who causes the insured's death is barred from collecting the benefits. Even if the beneficiary isn’t criminally convicted, civil court proceedings can prevent them from receiving the payout. We helped a Cleveland family challenge a claim where a beneficiary was suspected of foul play, successfully stopping the payout.

Can an accidental death claim be denied in Cleveland if the death involved a high-risk activity?

Yes. Many policies exclude death from high-risk activities like skydiving or mountaineering. However, if the activity wasn’t disclosed or explicitly listed as an exclusion, the denial could be challenged. We represented a Cleveland client whose accidental death claim was initially denied after a skydiving accident. The denial was overturned when we proved the activity was not adequately assessed by the insurer.

Can a Cleveland claim be denied because the insured passed away overseas?

Yes, particularly if the insurer claims insufficient proof of death or the death occurred in a country excluded by the policy. However, many of these denials are overturned once we provide the necessary documentation, such as foreign death certificates or embassy reports.

Is it legal to name a friend or unmarried partner as a life insurance beneficiary in Cleveland?

Yes. Ohio law allows policyholders to name anyone, including friends or unmarried partners, as a beneficiary. However, if the designation was made under questionable circumstances, such as shortly before death, it may be contested by family members.

Can a Cleveland insurer deny a claim based on suicide if the policy is several years old?

Most policies have a two-year suicide exclusion. After that period, suicide is generally covered unless the policy explicitly excludes it. In one Cleveland case, we successfully helped a client claim life insurance benefits after a suicide occurred beyond the exclusion period.

How do ERISA policies complicate Cleveland life insurance claims?

ERISA-governed policies, typically provided through employers, override Ohio state law. For example, ex-spouses may still receive life insurance benefits under these policies even if Ohio law would revoke their beneficiary status after divorce. Navigating ERISA claims can be complex, requiring federal-level procedures for appeals and litigation.

Can a Cleveland insurer deny a claim because of a discrepancy in the cause of death listed on documents?

Yes, insurers may deny claims if they believe there’s a discrepancy or inconsistency in the cause of death, especially if the death certificate doesn’t match other records. In these cases, legal support can help gather necessary documents and testimony to resolve the issue and push the claim through.

What if a beneficiary change in a Cleveland policy was forged?

A forged beneficiary change is not valid. We successfully contested a forged beneficiary designation in Cleveland, where we presented handwriting experts and other evidence to prove the fraud and restore the rightful beneficiary.

Can failure to convert a group policy to individual coverage result in a denied claim in Cleveland?

Yes, if the insured failed to convert their group policy to an individual one after leaving their job, the insurer may deny the claim. However, if the employer failed to inform the insured of their conversion rights, legal action may help recover the benefits.

What if a Cleveland insurer claims the policy was canceled for nonpayment but the family believes it’s still active?

This often happens due to clerical errors or misapplied payments. If the policyholder had paid premiums or there was a valid grace period, we can help review bank records and correspondence to potentially reinstate the policy and recover the payout.

Can claims in Cleveland be denied based on "failure to disclose occupational changes"?

Yes, particularly if the new occupation carries greater risk and the insured didn’t update the insurer. However, if the job change wasn’t material to underwriting or the insurer accepted premiums without reevaluating the risk, the denial may be contested.

What if a Cleveland insurer says the cause of death is "undetermined"?

If the insurer delays or denies a claim because the cause of death is listed as “undetermined,” we can help investigate by collecting police reports, autopsy results, and medical records to establish the cause and push the claim through.

Can a claim be denied in Cleveland because the insurer says documents were incomplete or missing?

Yes, but often this is just a tactic to delay the claim. A legal professional can help ensure that the insurer has all required documentation and push for timely resolution of the claim.

What happens if vague or conflicting policy language is used to justify denial in Cleveland?

Under Ohio law, ambiguous policy terms are generally interpreted in favor of the policyholder. If the insurer tries to deny a claim based on unclear or vague language, we can challenge it in court and force the insurer to honor the claim.

For more information on insurance regulations and consumer protections in Ohio, you can visit the Ohio Department of Insurance. Additionally, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) offers nationwide insurance resources.