When a 52-year-old male's life ended in a fiery car crash, it was only the beginning of a lengthy battle for his family over the accidental death insurance policy (AD&D) provided by his employer. Despite an official rule that the death was an accident, the life insurance company claimed it was suicide. MetLife refused to pay the $250,000 claim for the death they claimed was the result of an "intentionally self-inflicted injury."
Read about life insurance and suicide
His wife decided a life insurance attorney was the best bet. Her motive was not just the money, but the wrong allegation MetLife made against her husband. Bill was a cancer survivor, and, according to his family, was preparing for the future and would never take his own life.
Many life insurance beneficiaries whose claims are denied never recover any money because they don't call us. Many people give up in their battle against large insurance companies and walk away from their claims. The odds are stacked against the consumer when big insurers decide not to pay. Life insurance companies make determinations on their own. This is because of a federal law called ERISA, which protects insurance companies. It preempts state law on insurance and denies consumers jury trials and punitive damages if they challenge an insurance company in court. Under the law, the life insurance company does not need a lot of evidence to justify their decision not to pay out.
Last year life insurance companies paid $68 billion in death benefits and 34% of claim decisions are being disputed. Dealing with life insurance claim denial is an emotional rollercoaster for the decedent's family. When your claim for death benefits has been denied you need the help of a reputable life insurance law firm that will fight against the insurance company. Our life insurance lawyers will fight hard for your right to receive the benefits you are entitled to receive under the law.