Columbus Life Insurance Lawyer
Christian Lassen, Esq. | Quoted in The Wall Street Journal | 25 Years Experience
In Columbus, a fast-growing city known for its vibrant neighborhoods and strong sense of community, families facing denied or delayed life insurance claims often find themselves up against powerful insurance companies with endless resources. At The Lassen Law Firm, we represent Columbus families in recovering life insurance benefits that have been unfairly withheld—whether from private policies, AD&D claims, or employer-sponsored group plans.
Attorney Christian Lassen, Esq. has over 25 years of exclusive experience handling life insurance disputes. With hundreds of millions recovered across all 50 states, our firm stands ready to help you fight back and win.
Why Columbus Families Choose The Lassen Law Firm
Life Insurance Only
We don’t dilute our focus with other areas of law. Life insurance is all we do.
Serving the United States
We handle both individual and ERISA group policy claims in Ohio and across the country.
Attorney-Driven Process
You’ll work directly with Christian Lassen, not paralegals or case managers.
Notable Recoveries for Ohio Clients
$775,000 payout from an AD&D policy after an insurer claimed intoxication voided the claim. Our expert toxicologist proved otherwise, forcing full payment.
$630,000 from a lapsed group policy where the employer failed to provide proper continuation notices under ERISA. We held both the insurer and employer accountable.
$590,000 for a Columbus client wrongly denied due to alleged misstatements on the application. We demonstrated the answers were accurate based on the medical records available at the time.
Types of Columbus Life Insurance Disputes We Handle
Accidental Death Denials
Including exclusions for drug use, alcohol, or “reckless behavior” claims.
Policy Lapse Disputes
We investigate whether the insurer complied with Ohio law on notices and grace periods.
Misrepresentation Allegations
Often used unfairly to deny claims based on minor or irrelevant details.
Beneficiary Conflicts
We resolve disputes involving ex-spouses, updated wills, or outdated policy forms.
ERISA Group Plan Denials
We represent employees covered by workplace policies who are denied under federal law.
Contesting a Beneficiary in Columbus
Life insurance beneficiary disputes often arise when there are questions about a last-minute change, conflicting forms, or whether the policyholder had the capacity to make the designation.
We represent clients nationwide in cases involving:
- Undue influence or coercion
- Lack of mental capacity
- Forged or suspicious beneficiary changes
- Conflicts between spouses, children, or prior beneficiaries
Contesting a beneficiary designation requires strong evidence and a clear legal strategy. We work to challenge invalid designations and protect the rights of the rightful beneficiary.
Interpleader Lawyer in Columbus
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 for alleged misrepresentation if the insurer relied on a third party call center to collect application answers?
Yes. Insurers may still assert misrepresentation, but disputes often focus on whether the call center accurately recorded and conveyed the insured’s responses.
Can a life insurance claim be denied for failing to disclose symptoms that were attributed to minor overexertion?
Yes. Insurers may argue symptoms should have been disclosed, but they must prove the information was material to underwriting.
Can a life insurance claim be denied for omission of medication taken only for a few days for a minor condition?
Yes. However, short term use is often not material unless tied to a serious undisclosed condition.
Can a life insurance claim be denied during the contestability period based on discrepancies between application answers and insurer obtained electronic health summaries?
Yes. Insurers may rely on such data, but they must prove the discrepancy is accurate and material.
Can a life insurance claim be denied if the insurer claims the insured failed to disclose prior advice to monitor a condition?
Yes. Insurers may argue monitoring advice should have been disclosed, but they must show the information was material.
Can an ERISA life insurance claim be denied because the employer failed to properly process a coverage change after a reduction in hours?
Yes. Administrative errors can lead to disputes over whether coverage should have remained in effect.
Can a FEGLI life insurance claim be disputed if the beneficiary designation form contains conflicting beneficiary names or shares?
Yes. The insurer may delay payment while determining the valid designation.
Can an SGLI life insurance claim be delayed if the beneficiary designation includes insufficient identifying information?
Yes. The insurer may delay payment while verifying the intended beneficiary.
Can a VGLI life insurance claim be denied if the veteran’s premium payment was submitted but applied incorrectly?
Yes. Disputes may arise over whether the policy should have remained active.
Can a life insurance claim be denied because of an exclusion related to alcohol or drug use even when the amounts were minimal?
Yes. Insurers may attempt to apply exclusions, but they must clearly establish that the exclusion applies under the policy.
Can a life insurance claim be denied for alleged criminal conduct without proof of a direct causal connection to the death?
No. Insurers must show both the conduct and a direct causal link to the death.
Can a life insurance claim be denied if the cause of death is listed as pending or inconclusive?
Yes. Insurers may delay or deny claims, but ambiguity often benefits the beneficiary.
Can a life insurance claim be denied based on selective reliance on certain medical or forensic findings?
Yes. Insurers may rely on certain conclusions, but courts often require a complete and balanced review.
Can a life insurance claim be denied for failure to provide documents that are not reasonably obtainable?
No. Insurers must consider whether the records can be obtained before denying the claim.
Can a life insurance claim be denied because the beneficiary submitted documents over time instead of all at once?
No. Incremental submission is common and typically not a valid basis for denial.
Can a beneficiary dispute lead to an interpleader even if one claimant appears clearly entitled?
Yes. Insurers often file interpleader actions whenever competing claims exist.
Can an ERISA life insurance claim be denied based on strict interpretation of plan provisions?
Yes. ERISA plans are often enforced as written, though courts may review whether the interpretation is reasonable.
Can a FEGLI claim be delayed if the insurer questions whether the beneficiary designation form was properly executed?
Yes. The insurer may review execution requirements before determining validity.
Can an SGLI claim be challenged if the beneficiary designation was made shortly before reassignment or separation?
Yes. Timing may lead to disputes about whether the designation reflects the insured’s intent.
Can a VGLI claim be denied if the insurer claims the policy never became effective due to incomplete administrative processing?
Yes. The insurer may argue coverage was never in force, leading to disputes over whether all requirements were satisfied.
Areas We Serve Around Columbus
We represent clients across the Columbus metro area, including:
Short North
German Village
Clintonville
Downtown
Westerville
Reynoldsburg
Dublin
Upper Arlington
Franklinton
Hilliard
Wherever you live in Franklin County, our firm is ready to help.
What You Can Expect
Complete case evaluation
Aggressive insurance company engagement
Lawsuit filing if necessary in state or federal court
Direct guidance from start to finish
No Win, No Fee
You pay nothing unless we recover money for you. Every consultation is free and confidential.
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: Jan 3, 2026
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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“The insurer said there was a misstatement in the application and flat-out denied the claim. I contacted the Lassen Law Firm, and they immediately launched a legal challenge. In the end, they got the full benefit paid without me even stepping into a courtroom.”- Karen D.
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.
