Denied Life Insurance Claim Due to Autoerotic Asphyxiation? You Still Have Options
When someone dies under tragic or unusual circumstances, surviving family members are often left to grieve in silence—especially when the cause of death is stigmatized or misunderstood. Among the most complicated and emotionally difficult situations are those involving autoerotic asphyxiation (AEA) or erotic asphyxiation. While these deaths are unintentional, insurance companies frequently use them as an excuse to deny life insurance or accidental death claims.
We know how to fight back—and we’ve done so successfully for hundreds of clients.
Grief Is Complicated When the Cause of Death Brings Shame
As life insurance attorneys, we speak with beneficiaries every day who are overwhelmed—not just by the loss of a loved one—but by the specific circumstances surrounding the death. Deaths involving sexual practices like AEA carry a unique kind of emotional burden. It’s not just pain—it’s confusion, isolation, and often, shame.
Families are often left with unanswered questions and little emotional support. Worse still, they receive a denial letter from the life insurance company that treats their loved one’s death as a matter of self-inflicted harm or suicide.
This assumption is not only incorrect in most cases—it’s legally unsound.
Understanding Autoerotic Asphyxiation and Why It’s Often Misclassified
Autoerotic asphyxiation involves the deliberate restriction of oxygen—often by means of a noose, rope, belt, or plastic bag—to enhance sexual arousal. It is almost always practiced in private and, tragically, sometimes ends in death due to a miscalculation, failed safety mechanism, or inability to escape from the setup.
Despite the unintended nature of these deaths, life insurance companies routinely classify them as suicide or intentional self-harm, thereby triggering exclusions within life or accidental death policies.
But here’s the legal reality: numerous courts have found that AEA-related deaths do not constitute suicide. The intent is sexual gratification—not death. And under the law, intent matters.
The Insurance Company’s Playbook: Deny, Shame, Delay
Life insurance companies are counting on beneficiaries to be too devastated—or too embarrassed—to challenge a claim denial. They know that the death scene may contain sexually explicit items. They know the medical examiner may use vague or stigmatizing terminology. And they know that you, the beneficiary, might hesitate to pursue a legal battle that could expose deeply personal details.
So they deny the claim, label it suicide, and wait for the beneficiary to walk away.
That’s where we come in. We never let shame stop justice. We understand the law and the science behind AEA, and we use that knowledge to force insurers to honor their obligations.
Erotic Asphyxiation and Wrongful Denial Based on Beneficiary Involvement
In cases of erotic asphyxiation, the circumstances are even more delicate. This practice involves two people—often partners—engaged in consensual activity where one person restricts the other’s breathing. When something goes wrong, the surviving partner may not only be grieving—they may be the policy’s beneficiary.
Insurance companies often pounce on this fact, claiming the beneficiary caused the policyholder’s death and is therefore disqualified from receiving benefits. But most policies only bar payouts to beneficiaries who intentionally kill the insured. Accidental deaths caused by consensual acts do not fall under this exclusion.
We’ve successfully represented surviving partners in these exact situations. We’ve proven time and time again that the death was unintentional—and that the insurer’s interpretation of its own policy was overly narrow, legally flawed, or in bad faith.
What Evidence Can Strengthen an AEA or Erotic Asphyxiation Claim?
Although every case is different, certain forms of evidence can help demonstrate that the death was accidental and not a suicide:
No history of depression, suicidal ideation, or psychiatric treatment
Presence of safety mechanisms (like rescue knots or pre-set timers)
Search history showing education on safety practices
Medical examiner's notes clarifying cause and intent
Statements from forensic experts familiar with AEA fatalities
If your claim has already been denied, don’t worry. We can still work backward to reconstruct the scene, gather independent expert opinions, and craft a compelling legal argument to overturn the decision.
Why Specialized Legal Counsel Matters in AEA Denial Cases
The combination of technical policy language, emotionally charged facts, and sensitive subject matter makes AEA cases uniquely difficult. Most general practice attorneys don’t have the experience—or the willingness—to handle these claims properly.
We do. In fact, we’ve never lost an AEA-related case.
We stay current on all new case law, forensic research, and denial tactics specific to this area. We know how insurers try to stretch exclusions like “suicide,” “self-inflicted injury,” or “reckless conduct” to avoid paying. And we know how to expose those arguments as misinterpretations.
More importantly, we treat every case with discretion, compassion, and professionalism. You won’t find judgment here—only advocacy.
You Deserve the Benefit Your Loved One Meant for You to Have
Autoerotic and erotic asphyxiation deaths are accidental. They are not easy to talk about, and insurers know that. That’s why they use embarrassment as a denial strategy. But you don’t have to let them win.
Our legal team is here to help. We will manage all communication with the insurer, gather the right evidence, bring in trusted experts, and file an appeal or lawsuit if needed. You don’t pay us unless we win.
Confidential, Compassionate, and Ready to Help—Contact Us Today
If your life insurance or accidental death claim was denied due to AEA or erotic asphyxiation, contact us for a confidential consultation at no cost. We’ll review the policy, assess your legal options, and fight for the full benefit you’re entitled to.
You are not alone. And you are not without legal power.