Insurance and ERISA Legal Issues Around Puget Sound
A recent decision from federal court in Oregon is an interesting example of how ERISA disability benefit disputes can arise where the claimant suffers from complex and hard-to-diagnose conditions such as fibromyalgia. Since conditions like fibromyalgia defy easy identification, these cases often turn on the claimant's treating doctor's documentation of the claimant's symptoms. Jane Medefesser …
ERISA-governed disability benefit claims are subject to the Department of Labor's regulation requiring full and fair investigation of claims. The regulation includes rules requiring claims administrators apply plan provisions correctly and thoroughly investigate claims. A claims administrator's failure to adhere to the rules expressed in the regulation can be the difference-maker if the benefit dispute …
California recently announced new wildfire insurance rules that might be a glimpse into the future for Washington State homeowners having trouble getting insurance coverage in wildfire-prone parts of Washington. California's new rules help people who can no longer get homeowner's insurance coverage due to increased wildfire risk. The new rules expand a California state-run program …
The Washington Court of Appeals recently answered an important question for policyholders: what if your agent sells you coverage but the insurance policy fine print fails to reflect the coverage you thought you purchased? On November 4, 2019, the Washington Court of Appeals decided Digitalalchemy, LLC v. John Hancock Insurance Company (USA). The court held Digitalalchemy could …
Let's say you go to an insurance agent to buy an insurance policy. You tell the agent you want coverage for something specific, for example, fire damage to your boat. The agent sells you a policy the agent tells you covers fire damage to your boat. The agent gives you some documents summarizing the policy …
Continue reading WA Supreme Court Confirms Insurers Must Follow Their Agents’ Promises
