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
Questions about life insurance claims in Cleveland
Q1: Can a Cleveland life insurance claim be denied if the insured failed
to report a mental health diagnosis?
Yes, particularly if the diagnosis was omitted on the application and the
death occurred within the contestability period. However, if the condition
didn’t contribute to the cause of death or wasn’t material
to underwriting, the denial may be challenged and overturned.
Q2: What happens if a Cleveland life insurance policy lists a former spouse
who was never removed after divorce?
Under Ohio law, a divorce automatically revokes a former spouse’s
beneficiary status unless the insured reaffirmed it afterward. However,
policies governed by federal law like ERISA (such as workplace plans)
may still pay the ex-spouse unless the designation was formally changed.
Q3: Why would a Cleveland life insurance company file an interpleader?
If more than one person claims the benefit—such as a new partner
and a child from a previous relationship—the insurer may ask a Cleveland
court to resolve the dispute through an interpleader lawsuit. The company
deposits the money with the court and lets a judge decide who gets paid.
Q4: Can a policy be wrongly declared lapsed in Cleveland if the insurer
sent notices to an outdated address?
Yes. If the insurer sent lapse or grace period notices to the wrong address
or failed to notify the insured properly, they may have breached Ohio
insurance law. In such cases, the policy may be reinstated and the claim
forced through legal action.
Q5: Is a claim in Cleveland automatically denied if the insured died while
committing a crime?
Not always. While many policies exclude deaths resulting from criminal
activity, the insurer must prove the act was a felony and that it directly
caused the death. If the link is unclear or the criminal charge was minor,
the exclusion may not apply.
Q6: Can a Cleveland life insurance claim be denied for failure to list
prior hospitalizations?
Yes, if the omission was considered material. But insurers must prove that
the withheld information would have changed the terms or issuance of the
policy. If the hospital visit was unrelated to the death or insignificant,
the denial may be challenged.
Q7: What if a Cleveland beneficiary is accused of murdering the insured?
Under Ohio’s slayer statute, a beneficiary who is proven to have
intentionally caused the death of the insured is barred from collecting
the life insurance benefit. Even if no criminal conviction occurs, civil
courts may deny the payout based on a lower standard of proof.
Q8: Can an accidental death claim be denied in Cleveland if the death involved
a high-risk activity?
Yes. Policies often exclude deaths from risky hobbies like mountaineering
or auto racing. But if the activity wasn’t listed in the policy
or the insurer had prior knowledge of it and continued accepting premiums,
the exclusion could be contested.
Q9: Can a Cleveland claim be denied because the insured passed away overseas?
Yes, if the insurer claims there is insufficient proof of death or if the
death occurred in a restricted country. But these denials are often overturned
by gathering foreign death certificates, embassy records, and expert affidavits.
Q10: 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 they choose. However,
if the designation was made shortly before death or under suspicious circumstances,
it may be contested in court by family members.
Q11: Can a Cleveland insurer deny a claim based on suicide if the policy
is several years old?
Most suicide exclusions only last two years from the date the policy was
issued. If the suicide occurred after that period, the insurer cannot
deny the claim on that basis unless the policy contains a broader exclusion.
Q12: How do ERISA policies complicate Cleveland life insurance claims?
ERISA-governed group life policies (usually provided through employers)
preempt Ohio law, including automatic revocation of ex-spouses and certain
beneficiary disputes. These claims follow federal procedures and often
require appeals before litigation is possible.
Q13: Can a Cleveland insurer deny a claim because of a discrepancy in the
cause of death listed on documents?
Yes, but only if the inconsistency raises questions about the validity
of the claim. If the death certificate conflicts with medical records
or autopsy findings, insurers may delay or deny until clarity is provided.
Legal support helps resolve these discrepancies.
Q14: What if a beneficiary change in a Cleveland policy was forged?
A forged beneficiary change is not valid and can be legally challenged.
Courts will consider handwriting experts, timeline of changes, and evidence
of coercion to determine whether the designation should be reversed.
Q15: Can failure to convert a group policy to individual coverage result
in a denied claim in Cleveland?
Yes. If an employee left a job and failed to convert their group policy
in time, the insurer may deny the claim. But if the employer failed to
inform the employee of their conversion rights, legal action may succeed
in forcing payment.
Q16: 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 misapplied payments or clerical errors. Reviewing
bank records, correspondence, and grace period notices can uncover whether
the policy was wrongfully terminated, potentially reinstating the coverage.
Q17: Can claims in Cleveland be denied based on "failure to disclose
occupational changes"?
Yes, especially if the new job carried significantly more risk and wasn’t
disclosed when required. However, if the change wouldn’t have affected
the policy’s approval or pricing, that defense can often be defeated.
Q18: What if a Cleveland insurer says the cause of death is "undetermined"?
Insurers may delay or deny claims when the death certificate lists “undetermined”
or “pending investigation.” In these cases, legal teams can
gather police reports, medical opinions, and witness statements to establish
a cause and push the claim through.
Q19: Can a claim be denied in Cleveland because the insurer says documents
were incomplete or missing?
Yes, but many times this is just a stalling tactic. A lawyer can ensure
that all required documentation is submitted, follow up with the insurer,
and pressure them to stop unnecessary delays.
Q20: What happens if vague or conflicting policy language is used to justify
denial in Cleveland?
Under Ohio law, ambiguous insurance policy terms are interpreted in favor
of the policyholder or beneficiary. If the exclusion or condition cited
by the insurer is unclear, a court may force the company 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.