Losing a loved one is an incredibly difficult experience, and dealing with the aftermath of a denied life insurance claim can make it even harder. In cases where the cause of death involves high-risk activities such as skydiving, life insurance companies may try to deny claims based on policy exclusions. However, a skilled life insurance lawyer can help you challenge this denial and recover the benefits you're entitled to.
The Case of John’s Skydiving Death and Denied Claim
John was an experienced skydiver who tragically passed away when he failed to deploy his parachute during a group jump. His daughters, Mikchele and Cindy, filed a life insurance claim for $400,000 in death benefits, only to have the claim denied by the insurance company. The insurer cited a policy exclusion that prevented payouts for deaths resulting from "descent from an aircraft while in flight."
This clause is a common exclusion found in life insurance policies that cover high-risk activities like skydiving. However, John's daughters disagreed with the insurer’s interpretation of the clause, arguing that their father's death did not occur as a result of descent from an aircraft, but instead due to other factors after he exited the airplane.
The Dispute Over Causality
The daughters contended that their father’s death did not directly result from the descent from the aircraft, but rather from a potential medical issue or other causes that occurred once he stepped out of the airplane. Their lawsuit, filed in federal court, alleged that John did not exhibit any signs of life, such as sounds or movements, during the jump. Instead, they claimed that he simply plunged downward, back first, with his arms and legs toward the sky.
The life insurance company, however, was determined to uphold the policy exclusion, arguing that John’s death was directly caused by the descent from the aircraft in flight. The insurer would need to prove that the death occurred as a result of the descent, and not from other possible causes.
The Difficulty of Proving the Cause of Death
A major hurdle in this case was the inability to perform an autopsy, as John’s body hit the ground with great force. Without the autopsy results, determining the exact cause of death became a complex issue that would ultimately need to be resolved in court.
Despite the challenges, cases like these, where the cause of death may seem to clearly fall under an exclusion, can still be won. The insurer has the burden of proving that the death was caused by a covered exclusion. In situations where the cause of death is ambiguous, an experienced life insurance lawyer can help challenge the denial and secure a favorable outcome.
How a Life Insurance Lawyer Can Help
Even when an insurer claims that a policy exclusion applies, it doesn’t necessarily mean your claim is automatically invalid. With the help of an experienced life insurance lawyer, you can challenge the denial and argue that the death was caused by something other than what the insurer claims.
Our law firm has successfully recovered full policy amounts in 100% of the cases we handle. We have helped thousands of clients whose life insurance claims were wrongfully denied, ensuring they received the death benefits they were entitled to.
If your life insurance claim has been denied—whether for skydiving or any other reason—don’t give up hope. Contact our office today for a free consultation. We will review your case, assess your options, and help you fight for the compensation your family deserves.
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At our law firm, we specialize in handling denied life insurance claims, including those involving high-risk activities like skydiving. Don’t let an insurance company take advantage of you in a difficult time. Reach out today to speak with an experienced life insurance attorney who can guide you through the legal process and work tirelessly to recover your rightful benefits.