Year: 2017

A settlement was reached in a California insurance lawsuit filed against Anthem Blue Cross, the Los Angeles City Attorney announced, alleging the insurance company illegally canceled coverage for more than 6,000 policyholders, denying them their individual disability claims and individual disability insurance policies. The lawsuit was filed in 2008 and initially sought more than $1 […]

DarrasLaw represents people across the United States who are facing severe mental and physical disabilities in claims for coverage under disability insurance policies. Recently, we published a blog about the challenges of filing a claim for long-term disability based on depression. We discussed a common provision in these policies that restricts wage replacement payments to […]

Surveys from numerous organizations and businesses point to a glaring insurance coverage gap for most Americans: life insurance. According to a 2019 PolicyGenius survey, only 32 percent of Americans have life insurance. Additionally, AALU and the Future of the Industry Working Group estimate that at least 70 million U.S. adults have too little life insurance, […]

In 1928, a complication was first described as “punch-drunk syndrome,” which is an affliction that boxers suffered from repeated blows to the head. More recently, evidence of the disease became more widespread, requiring further analysis of the signs and symptoms. for the condition designated as: Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE). CTE leads to progressive loss of […]

Maryanne Grande, a practicing registered nurse since 1985, worked at Saint Clare’s Hospital in Denville, NJ for ten years. Grande was assigned to a unit where half of the patients were stroke victims that required assistance with washing, bathing, dressing, walking and other daily activities. During Grande’s tenure, she suffered what would be multiple work-related […]

College athletes expertly balance rigorous and competitive sports schedules with full academic curriculums. Since some athletes expect or hope to play in professional leagues, their college life is extremely hardworking and demanding. Pressure mounts for athletes the moment scouts show up to any athletic event. For example, at a football game, the dynamic changes for […]

Wellness programs provide employees the opportunity to take proactive steps in improving health and well-being. These programs can be included in a health plan, or offered separately. Regardless of how the benefit is obtained, employees can use the platforms to increase their health and work productivity. However, employers must recognize that ongoing wellness program management […]

The United States Department of Labor issued regulations that revise how employer-sponsored disability plans will handle claims and appeals. These regulations apply to plans that fall under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). These changes are scheduled to take effect January 1, 2018, meaning they will apply to disability claims or appeals filed on […]

Long-term disability (LTD) insurance provides beneficiaries with a portion of their income if they become ill or injured and cannot work for extended periods (usually more than 90 days). To receive disability benefits, policyholders must file a timely proof of loss and disability claim that insurers approve. Often, disability claims are wrongfully delayed or denied, […]

Fish stories. Prominent fishing guide and angler Billy Swan is facing serious allegations of being less than forthcoming when it comes to his on-the-water exploits. A federal grand jury charged him with wire fraud, mail fraud for allegedly filing false documents with the Social Security Administration (SSA), Social Security fraud, and perjury for allegedly lying […]