Life Insurance Lawyer Fort Worth
"Life Insurance Lawyers for Fort Worth, TX – The Lassen Law Firm" In Fort Worth, the "City of Cowboys and Culture," celebrated for its rich Western heritage, vibrant arts scene, and welcoming community, navigating life insurance claims can still be a frustrating and overwhelming experience—especially when benefits are unfairly delayed or denied. At The Lassen Law Firm, we are dedicated to helping families and individuals in Fort Worth secure the financial protection they deserve. Whether you’re near the lively Sundance Square, the historic Stockyards, or anywhere across Tarrant County, we provide trusted legal expertise and personalized care every step of the way. Our experienced and trusted Texas life insurance lawyers are here to help.
With a nationwide record of recovering hundreds of millions in life insurance claims, The Lassen Law Firm delivers compassionate advocacy, relentless representation, and trusted results for Fort Worth residents seeking justice in insurance disputes.
2025 Fort Worth Denied Life Insurance Claims
- Prudential Life interpleader claim $190,000.00
- Fort Worth Texas denied life insurance claim $900,000.00
- AARP interpleader claim $325,000.00
- Penn Mutual suicide exclusion $39,000.00
- Genworth beneficiary dispute $95,000.00
Questions about life insurance claims in Fort Worth
Q1: If the insured in Fort Worth accidentally understated their weight
on the application, can the life insurance company deny the claim?
Usually not unless the misstatement was significant and materially changed
the insurer's risk assessment. Minor differences are often not enough
for valid denial under Texas law.
Q2: Can an ex-spouse still collect life insurance benefits in Fort Worth
if the insured forgot to update the beneficiary after divorce?
In Texas, divorce generally revokes an ex-spouse’s designation unless
the policyholder reconfirmed it. However, if the policy was through an
employer plan governed by ERISA, the ex-spouse may still legally claim
the proceeds.
Q3: What happens if no valid beneficiary is listed on a Fort Worth life
insurance policy?
If no living or valid beneficiary exists, the payout typically goes to
the insured’s estate, which means it could be subject to creditors
and probate court proceedings.
Q4: Can death during a dangerous hobby like motocross racing void life
insurance coverage in Fort Worth?
Possibly, if the policy specifically excluded the activity. However, many
exclusions are poorly written, and ambiguous terms must be interpreted
in favor of the beneficiary.
Q5: What if an insured in Fort Worth died abroad and the insurer says the
foreign death certificate isn’t good enough?
You can often satisfy proof requirements with certified translations, consular
reports, and affidavits. Our attorneys frequently resolve international
death claim delays that insurers try to exploit.
Q6: How does a missing or forged signature on a life insurance beneficiary
form affect a Fort Worth claim?
If the signature is proven forged or the insured lacked capacity when signing,
the court can reject the change and restore the previous rightful beneficiary.
Q7: Can a Fort Worth insurer deny a claim if the death occurred during
minor illegal activity, like trespassing?
Not automatically. Unless the policy has a clear exclusion for
any illegal act (and most don't), minor infractions typically don't void coverage.
Q8: How are accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) claims different
from regular life insurance in Fort Worth?
AD&D policies require strict proof that death was due to an "accident"
as narrowly defined in the policy. Insurers often deny these claims by
arguing that illness, intoxication, or other non-accidental causes were involved.
Q9: If an employer in Fort Worth deducted premiums but never finalized
enrollment, can the insurer deny the life insurance claim?
Yes, but beneficiaries can sue the employer for negligence. Courts sometimes
require insurers to pay anyway if premiums were accepted in good faith.
Q10: How long can a Fort Worth insurer delay life insurance payment before
it becomes bad faith?
Texas law requires insurers to promptly acknowledge and process claims.
Unjustified delays beyond 60 days without legitimate reasons may lead
to a bad faith lawsuit.
Q11: Can a suicide void a Fort Worth life insurance policy years after
it was issued?
No. Suicide exclusions typically expire two years after policy issuance.
After that, even suicide must be covered unless explicitly excluded elsewhere.
Q12: Can an innocent mistake like listing the wrong doctor on the application
void a Fort Worth life insurance policy?
Generally no. Texas law protects beneficiaries against immaterial errors
that didn’t affect underwriting risk or cause the insurer to make
a different decision.
Q13: What if the insured's death in Fort Worth was initially labeled “undetermined”?
Undetermined deaths delay claims but don’t justify automatic denial.
Additional investigation, medical records, and expert testimony can clarify
cause of death and force payment.
Q14: Can experimental treatments like new cancer therapies lead to denied
claims in Fort Worth?
Only if the policy clearly excludes deaths related to experimental procedures.
If the treatment was part of recognized medical practice, denials can
often be challenged successfully.
Q15: Example Case: How forgery can alter a Fort Worth life insurance outcome
In one case, an elderly insured changed his beneficiary while in hospice.
The signature was sloppy and inconsistent. Handwriting experts later proved
it was a forgery, and the court restored the original beneficiary—the
insured’s daughter.
Q16: Can vague or poorly defined felony exclusions be used against Fort
Worth beneficiaries?
Texas courts construe vague insurance clauses against the insurer. Unless
the policy is clear and death was directly caused by the felony, exclusions
may not apply.
Q17: What if the insured in Fort Worth missed one premium but the insurer
kept accepting payments afterward?
If the insurer accepted late or subsequent payments without objection,
they may have waived their right to claim the policy lapsed.
Q18: Can a Fort Worth beneficiary be disqualified without criminal charges
under the Texas slayer statute?
Yes. Even if no criminal case is brought, a civil court can find by a preponderance
of the evidence that the beneficiary wrongfully caused the insured’s
death and bar recovery.
Q19: How does ERISA limit options for Fort Worth life insurance beneficiaries?
ERISA policies have strict appeal deadlines—often as short as 180
days. If you miss administrative appeal deadlines, you may lose your right
to sue entirely.
Q20: What is the deadline for filing a life insurance lawsuit in Fort Worth
after a denial?
For traditional policies, Texas allows four years to file breach of contract
suits. However, ERISA plans often shorten this window to as little as
one year, depending on the plan terms.