- August 9, 2017
- By Michael Grabhorn
- 3 min read
In Orzechowski v. The Boeing Company Non-Union Long-Term Disability Plan, et al., Case No. 14-55919 (9th Cir. May 11, 2017), the Ninth Circuit reversed a district court’s decision based on the district court’s failure to apply the correct standard of review. At issue was the applicability of California’s ban on discretionary clauses. Under California’s Insurance…
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- June 28, 2017
- By Michael Grabhorn
- 2 min read
Bad faith insurance claims are one of the several aspects of insurance law handled by attorney Michael Grabhorn at his Louisville, Kentucky firm. Many times, when someone has been injured by the negligence or recklessness of another — a person, a company, or another legal entity — the legal problem in a victim’s claim doesn’t…
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- February 23, 2013
- By Michael Grabhorn
- 3 min read
Described in an article released on November 27, 2012, researchers have found evidence to explain the cognitive effects of chemotherapy on cancer patients. Chemotherapy is used to treat many conditions besides cancer, including Multiple Sclerosis, Crohn’s disease, Rheumatoid Arthritis and many others. According the Wikipedia, “traditional chemotherapeutic agents act by killing cells that divide rapidly, one of the…
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- November 1, 2012
- By Michael Grabhorn
- 5 min read
Todd and Jane Pierce were a middle-aged couple from Colstrip, Montana who spent nine years struggling and supporting each other through Todd’s fight with cancer. Todd was diagnosed with skin cancer in his nasal cavity, but luckily, treatments were effective and Todd was able to become cancer-free within two years. In order to “rebuild his…
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- November 1, 2012
- By Michael Grabhorn
- 5 min read
You may have noticed some of the country’s largest life insurance providers, such as AIG, MetLife and Prudential, have been in the news lately. A handful of states recently settled with MetLife and AIG for millions of dollars in order to eliminate old and introduce new claims handling procedures when it comes to unclaimed life insurance policies. …
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- November 1, 2012
- By Michael Grabhorn
- 2 min read
Similar to MetLife’s recent settlement in April 2012, American International Group (AIG) has agreed to pay more than $300 million to settle claims from state insurance commissioners on their life insurance benefits. Multiple states, lead by California, Florida, Illinois, New Hampshire, North Dakota and Pennsylvania, have been investigating AIG’s company practice of handling “unclaimed” life insurance…
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- November 1, 2012
- By Michael Grabhorn
- 2 min read
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) announced in April 2012 a $40 million settlement with Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (MetLife) after an investigation by the NAIC Investigations of Life and Annuity Claims Settlement Practices Task Force that started in 2011. MetLife, as well as many of the nation’s other life insurance providers, routinely cross-checks…
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- October 30, 2012
- By Michael Grabhorn
- 4 min read
As the name illustrates, AD&D (Accidental Death and Dismemberment) policies provide benefits in the case of an accidental death or dismemberment of an insured. Many employees of high-risk, dangerous occupations, such as construction workers, purchase AD&D plans due to their lower rates when compared to regular life insurance policies. However, it is important to understand…
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- October 24, 2012
- By Michael Grabhorn
- 5 min read
Unum, previously known as UnumProvident, First Unum, and Paul Revere, is the largest disability insurance provider in the United States today. With profits reaching almost 900 million dollars, according to CNN Money, Unum is one of the most profitable and resourceful companies in the insurance market. And with great success comes bad publicity – Unum…
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- October 24, 2012
- By Michael Grabhorn
- 15 min read
Lack of Objective Evidence Many disability insurance companies today, especially CIGNA, have difficulty in accepting and approving claims for disability benefits for conditions such as Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and Chronic Headaches and Migraines. Even with all the advancements in science and technology that have greatly impacted the way we provide service to patients, some…
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