ERISA Litigation
The Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) requires insurance companies to treat participants fairly and pay benefits without delay. ERISA litigation is a way for policyholders to seek the benefits they’re legally owed under this federal law. See if we may be able to help you file an ERISA lawsuit and pursue the compensation you deserve.
Why Take Legal Action?
By challenging a wrongful disability insurance denial, you can pursue the benefits and justice you deserve.
Results Secured
- $1.36 million for a New York man whose Aetna long-term disability claim and appeal were denied
- $1.21 million for a California worker denied disability benefits
- $975,000 for a physician who lost his hearing and was denied long-term disability benefits by Unum
What Is ERISA Litigation?
ERISA litigation is a legal action taken under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) of 1974 to resolve disputes over employee benefit plans like long-term disability (LTD) insurance.
ERISA law sets standards for benefit plans offered by private employers, but insurance companies often deny valid claims to get out of paying the money they owe.
ERISA litigation may occur when an insurer:
- Wrongfully denies disability benefits
- Doesn’t treat a policyholder fairly
- Fails to provide accurate information about a benefits plan
- Unreasonably delays paying LTD benefits
By filing an ERISA lawsuit, an employee or their beneficiary can seek the benefits they’re entitled to and hold the insurance company accountable.
LawFirm.com works with ERISA attorneys who have secured over $131 million for unfair long-term disability denials.
Our legal partners never charge any upfront costs or hourly fees and can help clients in all 50 states.
Get a free case review now to see if they may be able to fight hard for everything you deserve.
ERISA Settlement and Verdict Amounts
The majority of ERISA litigation ends in out-of-court settlements, providing victims with faster access to compensation that can help pay for medical bills, everyday living expenses, and more.
ERISA lawsuit settlements and verdicts secured by our legal partners include:
- $1.36 million to a New York patient with chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia
- $800,000 for a denied Unum LTD claim in California
- $450,000 to an Alabama client denied disability benefits
- $400,000 for a long-term disability insurance denial in Ohio
- $395,000 to a Georgia patient denied long-term disability benefits
- $227,000 on behalf of a woman in Arizona with a denied disability claim
- $1.15 million to a California woman denied disability benefits
ERISA disability lawsuit settlements may vary depending on factors like the terms of your policy, how long you’re unable to work, and your occupation. A long-term disability denial attorney will consider all relevant factors when building and filing your lawsuit.
Call (888) 726-9160 right now or chat with a case manager to see if an experienced LTD lawyer may be able to fight for ERISA settlements on your behalf.
Eligibility to File an ERISA Lawsuit
You may be able to file an ERISA lawsuit if you:
- Are an employee, former employee, or beneficiary of an ERISA plan
- Have been wrongfully denied long-term disability benefits
Depending on the terms of your LTD policy, you may need to file an appeal before taking legal action. An ERISA lawyer can explain how your policy works and act to protect your legal rights.
It’s important that you reach out to a disability denial attorney as soon as possible. Policyholders only have a limited amount of time to file a legal claim due to deadlines called ERISA lawsuit statute of limitations.
Don’t delay: Take the first step toward the compensation and justice you deserve with a free case review.
How to File an ERISA Disability Lawsuit
ERISA litigation can be complicated, so working with a skilled disability lawyer can ensure that your lawsuit is as strong as possible and filed correctly.
The basic steps involved in filing an ERISA disability lawsuit include:
- Getting a free case review: If your long-term disability claim has been denied, a free, no-obligation case review lets you know if you can fight back against your insurer’s decision.
- Collecting evidence for your claim: Your ERISA litigation team will gather evidence showing that you have a qualifying health condition and that the insurance company wrongly denied your claim.
- Appealing your LTD denial: Depending on your policy, you may be required to appeal your claim denial. Your ERISA lawyer will submit all of the necessary paperwork and communicate with your insurer on your behalf.
- Filing your ERISA lawsuit: If your appeal isn’t successful, your attorney can file a lawsuit and work to negotiate an ERISA settlement that compensates you for the benefits owed and other damages. Your legal team will be ready to fight for you in court if a settlement isn’t reached.
With an experienced legal team handling all aspects of your ERISA litigation, you’ll have peace of mind and be able to focus on your health.
How Disability Attorneys Help With ERISA Lawsuits
Disability attorneys who have successfully litigated ERISA claims have the experience needed to achieve favorable outcomes for their clients.
A disability denial lawyer can help with ERISA litigation by:
- Explaining the terms of your plan and the benefits you’re entitled to
- Collecting evidence to ensure your case is as strong as possible
- Consulting with medical experts to prove you’re unable to work
- Handling all of the necessary paperwork
- Working to secure compensation without going to court
LawFirm.com works with top LTD law firms that have helped thousands of clients navigate ERISA litigation and secure the benefits they need to make up for lost income.
“From the very beginning, the law firm treated me with respect and compassion, recognizing the gravity of my circumstances and the impact it had on my family’s well-being. They secured a favorable resolution in my case. I cannot express enough gratitude for their support and advocacy.”
– Office worker with a denied LTD claim who worked with our legal partner
Get Help With an ERISA Lawsuit
Employees trust that the long-term disability benefits they paid for will be there when they need them. When an insurance company fails to make good on its promise, an LTD lawyer can even the playing field for victims and fight for the compensation owed.
LawFirm.com has partnered with ERISA attorneys who have recovered over $131 million in disability compensation for families nationwide.
The ERISA lawyers in our network:
- Are leaders in ERISA litigation and appeals
- Can help victims in all 50 states
- Never charge any upfront costs or hourly fees
Call (888) 726-9160 right now or get a free case review to see if we can help you stand up to your insurer and get the benefits you deserve.
Employee Benefits Litigation FAQs
What qualifies as an ERISA claim?
An ERISA claim involves a dispute over the denial of employer-offered benefits like long-term disability.
ERISA is a federal law that protects private employees’ rights to benefits and requires insurers to act in the best interest of policyholders and their beneficiaries.
What is an ERISA lawsuit?
An ERISA lawsuit is a legal claim filed when an employee believes their insurance company has unjustly denied them benefits covered under a benefit plan regulated by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act.
ERISA litigation often occurs after an unsuccessful appeal to recover the denied benefits.
Can you sue an ERISA plan?
Yes, you may be able to sue an ERISA plan or the insurance company service provider if you’ve been denied LTD benefits or other benefits covered by federal law.
To file an ERISA lawsuit, you must be a plan participant or beneficiary facing a wrongful claim denial. Depending on the terms of your plan, you may need to first file an appeal with your insurer or participate in arbitration before filing a lawsuit.
An ERISA lawyer can help by explaining how your plan works, gathering evidence for an appeal or ERISA litigation, and filing the paperwork on your behalf.
Call (888) 726-9160 now to see if a top long-term disability denial attorney may be able to fight for you.
What damages are available under ERISA?
You may be entitled to a range of damages in an ERISA lawsuit, like:
- Unpaid long-term disability benefits
- Bad faith damages for intentional violations of ERISA
- Interest on the money owed
Compensation from an ERISA case can help pay for your health care costs, basic living expenses, and more.
An ERISA lawyer can fight for all damages allowed under the law, increasing the amount of money you may receive.
Get a free case review now to take the first step toward the compensation you deserve.
What is the ERISA class action lawsuit?
An ERISA class action lawsuit is an action filed under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act where a group of employees sue a plan administrator for mishandling benefits like long-term disability insurance.
ERISA class actions may be filed when an insurer:
- Abuses plan assets or makes prohibited transactions
- Commits a breach of fiduciary duty by failing to act fairly toward a policyholder
- Charges excessive fees
- Improperly denies long-term disability benefits
- Makes misrepresentations about coverage
A disability denial lawyer can tell you if a class action or individual lawsuit is the best way to resolve your ERISA complaint.
Fact-Checked and Legally Reviewed by: Rae Theodore
Rae Theodore is a writer and editor with more than 30 years of experience in legal publishing. She earned a bachelor’s degree in English from Pennsylvania State University.
- Sokolove Law. (2024, October 1). “ERISA Claims.” Retrieved November 25, 2024, from https://www.sokolovelaw.com/disability-insurance-denial/long-term-disability-denial/erisa-law/
- The Federal Lawyer. (2009, January). “ERISA Litigation: Back to Basics.” Retrieved November 25, 2024, from https://www.fedbar.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/coverstoryjan2009-pdf-1.pdf
- U.S. Department of Labor. (n.d.). “Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA).” Retrieved November 25, 2024, from https://www.dol.gov/general/topic/retirement/erisa