Insurance & ERISA Litigation Blog
Ninth Circuit Again Addresses California’s Lapse Statutes: A Mixed Ruling in Siino v. Foresters Life
Life insurance lapse disputes have become increasingly common in recent years, especially after the California Legislature enacted Insurance Code sections 10113.71 and 10113.72 (Statutes) to prevent policyholders from inadvertently losing…
When ERISA Plans Fail to Speak Clearly: The Ninth Circuit Upholds Benefits Denial Reversal in Residential Mental Health Treatment Case Under De Novo Standard of Review
In the world of ERISA litigation, the stakes are often high for families trying to secure essential health benefits, particularly for residential mental health care. The most contested issue in…
Mundrati v. Unum: An Important Decision on How Insurers Are to Characterize a Claimant’s Occupation in Long-Term Disability Disputes
The case of Mundrati v. Unum Life Insurance Company of America, __ F. Supp. 3d __, 2025 WL 896594 (W.D. Pa. Mar. 24, 2025), serves as a significant illustration of…
ERISA and Mental Health Disability Claims: What You Need to Know
In today’s evolving healthcare landscape, mental health care has taken center stage and our society continues to better understand the effects mental health can have on peoples’ well-being and ability…
What is ERISA and How Does It Impact Your Employee Benefits?
Understanding ERISA as an Employee If you have health insurance, life insurance, disability insurance, accidental death and dismemberment insurance or retirement benefits through your employer, your plans may be covered…
How Community Property Interests Can Affect a Life Insurance Claim
When filing a life insurance claim, many policyholders and beneficiaries are unaware of the complexities that community property laws can introduce. In California, community property laws can play a significant…
Indiana District Court Limits What An Insurer Can Place in the Administrative Record Based on its Violations of ERISA’s Regulations Governing Timing of Claim Decision
The United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana recently examined the issue of determining what constitutes the administrative record where an insurance company fails to meet regulatory…
United States District Court for the Northern District of California Clarifies the Standard of Disability Under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act
The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California recently clarified what a claimant must demonstrate to meet the standard of “disabled” under the Employment Retirement Income Security Act…
How to Choose the Right Lawyer for an ERISA or Insurance Bad Faith Claim
If you have made or are considering making an insurance claim pursuant to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) or a bad faith claim, choosing the right lawyer can…
Why Do Disability Insurers Deny Disability Claims and How Do You Successfully Appeal an ERISA Disability Claim Denial
Reasons for Denials of ERISA Disability Claims Many people make career decisions with employee benefits in mind. Being covered by employer-sponsored health, life, and disability insurance can provide peace of…