Life and Medical Insurance Disputes

Employee Benefits Attorney in Seattle, Washington

Experienced Counsel for Life and Medical Insurance Claims and Denials

If you are or have been a participant in an employer-sponsored benefits plan and have been wrongfully denied life insurance or medical benefits under that plan, you need an experienced attorney, one who understands the laws governing employee rights. You need a lawyer who will help you identify all your options and will work to get you the benefits you deserve.

At the Law Office of James D. Oswald, I represent individuals across the state of Washington who have been denied life, health or medical insurance benefits under an employer-sponsored plan. Contact my offices to schedule a consultation.

In over two decades of practice, I have worked extensively with individuals who have claims under ERISA, the federal statute that governs most employee benefits. Insurance companies sometimes possible grounds to refuse to pay a legitimate life insurance or a medical claim. I have a thorough understanding of the process for appealing a denial of any benefits claim.

If your claim has been wrongfully denied, I will:

• Draft a persuasive appeal letter, citing relevant decisions that interpret the standards by which your insurer should be evaluating your claim
• Ensure that any internal appeal you file contains all the necessary information for a potential court proceeding
• Put your insurer on notice that, if your appeal is denied, you will likely seek relief from the court

Life Insurance Benefits

Employers frequently make mistakes when processing life insurance claims. They may identify the wrong beneficiary or erroneously determine that the deceased was not properly enrolled in the program. If the death benefit is limited to accidental deaths, the company may mistakenly conclude that the death was not an accident.

Regardless of why an employer or an insurance company has denied a life insurance claim under a company-sponsored plan, you need experienced and knowledgeable legal counsel to protect your interests.

Medical Benefits

With medical benefits, as with life insurance, employers and their insurance companies will look for ways to deny coverage. They may claim that a condition was pre-existing or that a procedure was experimental. If you are no longer a full-time employee your employer may fail to notify you of your rights under COBRA, or fail to honor your COBRA election, or terminate COBRA coverage prematurely.

Do not rely on representations from your employer or the insurance company. Do not simply accept a denial. When you contact me, I will quickly review your claim and provide you with an honest assessment of your chances of recovering benefits.

Because I am a sole practitioner, you can be confident that you will receive personal attention, and the benefit of my experience and knowledge. Contact me for a consultation. My offices are open from 9 am until 5 pm, Monday through Friday. If you are unable to travel to my offices, I can arrange to visit you at a location of your convenience.

Law Offices of James D. Oswald
401 Second Ave. S., Suite 700
Seattle, WA 98104
Toll Free: 877-814-0216
Phone: 206-812-8546
Fax: 206-629-7657

At the Law Offices of James D. Oswald, I represent individuals across the state of Washington, from Seattle to Spokane; including Bellevue, Tacoma, Everett, Yakima, Vancouver and Richland; and throughout King County, Snohomish County, Pierce County, Spokane County, Yakima County and Clark County.