Helping People Nationwide Recover Wrongfully Denied Insurance Benefits
J. Price McNamara represents individuals and families across the United States whose disability insurance, life insurance, and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) claims have been denied. With offices in Baton Rouge, Metairie, and Houston, our firm focuses exclusively on insurance benefit disputes, bringing more than 30 years of experience—and the unique perspective of a former insurance company attorney—to every case.
We don’t handle personal injury cases, workers’ compensation claims, or Social Security Disability matters. Our practice is dedicated to one area of law because we’ve learned that insurance benefit claims require a level of knowledge and strategy that general practice firms often can’t provide.
If you’re here because you’ve received a denial letter, you’re probably asking one question:
Can anyone actually beat an insurance company?
The answer is yes. But it always depends on the facts, the evidence, and the strategy behind presenting your claim or appeal as if you were presenting it in court. Everything on this page is designed to help you understand who we are, why we do this work, and what you can expect if you choose our firm.
Safeguard Your Future with Professional Legal Support
Why Was J. Price McNamara Founded?
J. Price McNamara was founded to give policyholders the same strategic advantage insurance companies have relied on for decades.
Before representing individuals and families, Price McNamara spent the early years of his legal career representing major insurance companies.
He began practicing law in 1990 at a large defense firm, where he learned how insurers evaluated disability, life insurance, and AD&D claims. He saw how claim files were reviewed, how medical evidence was weighed, and how denial decisions were defended.
Some of that work served an important purpose, particularly investigating fraudulent claims.
But over time, something became increasingly difficult to ignore.
He watched honest people lose benefits they had paid for—not because they lacked legitimate claims, but because the insurance company held procedural and evidentiary advantages that most policyholders never knew existed.
In 1995, he left insurance defense practice and founded McNamara Law Offices with a different mission: helping policyholders navigate those same systems using the knowledge he had gained on the other side.
More than three decades later, that mission continues to guide every case we accept.
Why Is This Work Personal?
Insurance benefits affect far more than finances—they affect a family’s ability to navigate some of life’s most difficult moments.
Price McNamara understood insurance law long before he experienced its personal impact.
Within a matter of months, he lost his brother, then his father, then his sister after prolonged disabling illnesses.
Those experiences changed the way he viewed insurance benefits forever.
Before then, disability and life insurance were legal matters.
Afterward, they became deeply personal.
When benefits arrive as promised, they provide stability during an incredibly difficult time.
When they’re wrongfully withheld, families often face financial uncertainty on top of grief, illness, or the loss of income.
We’ve learned that every denial letter represents more than a legal dispute.
Behind every file is someone trying to protect a family, maintain financial stability, or honor the wishes of a loved one.
That perspective shapes how we approach every client relationship.
What Makes Our Firm Different?
Our firm focuses exclusively on disability insurance, life insurance, AD&D, and ERISA insurance claims, allowing us to devote all of our experience to a highly specialized area of law.
Many firms advertise that they handle insurance claims.
Very few limit their entire practice to them.
We do.
Approximately 90 percent of our cases involve the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), the federal law governing most employer-sponsored benefit plans.
Because ERISA has its own procedural rules, evidence requirements, and standards of review, we’ve chosen to dedicate our practice to understanding those complexities rather than dividing our attention across unrelated practice areas.
Clients frequently tell us they contacted several firms before finding one willing to handle an ERISA denial.
That’s not surprising.
ERISA cases require a different approach than ordinary insurance disputes, and we’ve built our practice around those differences.
How Does Our Firm Approach Insurance Claims?
We believe successful insurance claims are built on evidence, preparation, and strategy—not simply stronger arguments.
One lesson from representing insurance companies still guides our work today.
Insurance carriers rarely change their minds because someone writes a more persuasive letter.
They change decisions when the evidence supporting the claim becomes stronger.
That’s why our work begins long before we discuss litigation.
Every case follows our Custom 5-Step Win My Benefits Plan:
| Step | Purpose |
| Gather | Obtain the complete claim file, policy, medical records, and supporting documentation. |
| Organize | Build an indexed chronology that reveals missing information and inconsistencies. |
| Analyze | Evaluate policy language, medical evidence, and applicable law. |
| Build | Strengthen the claim through additional medical evidence, expert opinions, and supporting documentation when appropriate. |
| Execute | Submit a comprehensive appeal or continue advocating through litigation when necessary. |
We’ve found that careful preparation often uncovers opportunities that aren’t immediately visible in the denial letter itself.
How Do We Evaluate a Denied Insurance Claim?
Every claim begins with a careful review of the insurance company’s own file.
Many clients assume the denial letter tells the whole story.
In our experience, that’s rarely the case.
Insurance claim files can contain hundreds—or even thousands—of pages of records, internal notes, medical reviews, emails, and policy documents.
What isn’t included can sometimes be just as important as what is.
One of the first things we do is organize the entire file into a searchable, indexed chronology that allows us to identify:
- Missing records
- Internal inconsistencies
- Favorable evidence the insurer overlooked
- Procedural errors
- Opportunities to strengthen the administrative record
Only after understanding the complete picture do we determine the best strategy moving forward.
How Does Medical Evidence Shape a Claim?
Medical evidence often determines the outcome of disability and AD&D claims.
Insurance companies frequently rely on physicians who review records rather than personally examining the claimant.
We’ve learned that many disputes come down to the quality of the medical evidence presented—not simply the existence of a diagnosis.
Depending on the issues involved, we may work with:
- Cardiologists
- Neurologists
- Toxicologists
- Vocational rehabilitation specialists
- Forensic pathologists
- Other subject-matter experts
Our goal is to ensure the evidence addresses the specific medical and policy questions raised by the insurer.
That approach has helped clients recover benefits in cases involving complex disability, life insurance, and accidental death claims.
What Can Clients Expect When Working With Our Firm?
We believe clients deserve direct communication, transparency, and a clear understanding of where their case stands.
From the day you hire us, we take over communication with the insurance company so you don’t have to manage those conversations yourself.
You’ll also have access to the work we’re doing on your behalf as your case progresses.
Here’s what the process typically looks like:
| Phase | What You Can Expect |
| Initial Review | Free review of your denial letter and policy. |
| Investigation | Complete claim file and evidence review. |
| Strategy | Development of a customized legal plan. |
| Advocacy | Appeals, negotiations, or litigation when appropriate. |
| Communication | Regular updates and direct access to our team. |
We’ve found that helping clients understand the process often makes an already stressful situation far more manageable.
Can Our Experience Make a Difference?
We believe experience matters most when it changes the way a case is prepared—not simply the way it’s described.
Over more than three decades, we’ve represented clients in disability insurance, life insurance, and AD&D claims involving complex medical issues, disputed policy language, and insurer denials. Every case is different, and past results never guarantee future outcomes, but the stories below illustrate how careful preparation, complete evidence, and persistence can change the direction of a claim.
Looking Beyond the Denial Letter
One of the most important lessons we’ve learned is that the denial letter rarely tells the entire story.
Insurance companies rely on claim files containing medical records, internal communications, reviewer notes, policy interpretations, and expert opinions. Sometimes those files contain evidence that supports the claimant but never appears in the denial letter itself.
That is why we begin every case by understanding exactly what the insurer relied upon—and what may have been overlooked.
A CIGNA AD&D Claim
One widow came to us after losing her husband in a head-on collision with an 18-wheeler. CIGNA denied the accidental death claim, arguing intoxication caused the accident.
As we reviewed the record, we discovered that CIGNA had failed to produce one of its own internal medical reports. That report concluded the available drug findings could not establish impairment.
Although the district court initially ruled for the insurance company, we continued pursuing the case. While results can vary, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit ultimately held in this case that CIGNA abused its discretion by denying our client a full and fair review, resulting in a recovery exceeding $1.3 million.
Another CIGNA Claim
In another case, parents sought AD&D benefits after their 40-year-old daughter drowned.
CIGNA relied on a drug exclusion to deny the claim.
However, the insurer’s own toxicologist concluded that the medications found in her system were present at therapeutic levels. The claim file also lacked evidence that she had ever received the package insert on which CIGNA relied.
We argued that the exclusion was ambiguous and should therefore be interpreted in favor of coverage.
While results may vary, this matter ultimately resolved through a confidential settlement.
Both cases reinforced the same principle:
Sometimes the strongest evidence already exists inside the insurance company’s own file. The key is finding it and understanding how it fits into the law.
Why Do We Prepare Every Case as Though It May Reach Federal Court?
Preparation often begins long before litigation ever becomes necessary.
Before entering private practice, Price McNamara also served as a prosecutor, trying jury cases on a regular basis.
That experience shaped the way we evaluate evidence.
Rather than preparing only for the next deadline, we prepare every file with the expectation that a federal judge may eventually review it.
This philosophy influences every stage of representation, including:
- Organizing the administrative record.
- Developing medical evidence.
- Working with appropriate experts.
- Evaluating policy language.
- Building clear factual timelines.
- Preserving important documentation.
We’ve found that disciplined preparation benefits clients regardless of whether their cases ultimately settle, resolve during the appeal process, or continue into litigation.
How Do We Represent Clients Across the Country?
Because many disability insurance and ERISA matters proceed under federal law, geography rarely limits our ability to help clients.
Although our offices are located in Baton Rouge, Metairie, and Houston, we represent individuals and families throughout the United States.
Our clients have come to us from:
- Louisiana
- Texas
- New York
- New Jersey
- Florida
- North Carolina
- South Carolina
- Arizona
- Oregon
- California
- And many other states
Most communication takes place by phone, secure video conference, email, and electronic document exchange.
Distance has never changed the quality of our preparation.
Whether a client lives a few miles from our Baton Rouge office or across the country, they receive the same attorney involvement, strategic planning, and evidence-driven approach.
What Types of Insurance Claims Do We Handle?
Our practice is devoted exclusively to insurance benefit disputes.
Rather than handling dozens of unrelated practice areas, we’ve chosen to focus on the claims we believe require the greatest depth of experience.
Our firm represents clients in matters involving:
- Long-term disability insurance denials
- Short-term disability insurance denials
- ERISA disability claims
- Individual disability insurance claims
- Life insurance denials
- AD&D insurance claims
- Beneficiary disputes
- Life insurance conversion claims
- Interpleader actions
- FEGLI claims
- SGLI claims
- VGLI claims
This singular focus allows us to stay current with evolving federal law while continually refining the strategies we use to evaluate complex insurance disputes.
What Do We Believe Clients Deserve?
Our philosophy is built on five principles that guide every client relationship.
Rather than describing ourselves with broad marketing phrases, we believe our values should be visible in the way we communicate and the way we prepare every case.
Compassionate Communication
We understand that a denial letter often arrives during one of the most difficult periods in a person’s life.
Our goal is to explain complicated legal and insurance issues in plain English while keeping clients informed throughout the process.
Aggressive Advocacy
Insurance companies often have substantial legal resources.
We prepare carefully, advocate strategically, and remain professional throughout every case.
Respect
Respect is earned through preparation, honesty, and professionalism.
Our AV Preeminent® peer-review rating reflects the legal community’s recognition of those values, but we believe clients experience respect through the way we treat them every day.
Efficiency
Careful work and efficient work are not opposites.
We continually improve our systems so claims move forward as promptly as possible without sacrificing thorough preparation.
Singular Focus
Everything we do centers on disability insurance, life insurance, AD&D insurance, and ERISA benefit disputes.
That focus allows us to devote our full attention to one highly specialized area of law.
Why Do We Intentionally Limit Our Caseload?
We believe clients deserve attorney attention—not assembly-line case management.
Taking fewer cases allows us to spend more time understanding each client’s medical records, policy language, employment history, and evidence.
It also allows clients greater access to the attorney handling their claim.
We’ve found that educating clients throughout the process reduces uncertainty and helps them make more informed decisions about their cases.
For us, keeping a smaller caseload isn’t a marketing strategy.
It’s how we maintain the level of preparation every claim deserves.
How Does Our Fee Structure Work?
We believe financial concerns shouldn’t prevent someone from understanding their legal options.
That’s why:
- Initial consultations are free.
- Denial letter reviews are free.
- We advance litigation costs and case expenses.
- You pay no attorney’s fees unless benefits are recovered.
Unlike some firms, our fee agreements include a fixed fee cap, and the percentage generally does not increase simply because litigation becomes necessary.
When a court awards attorney’s fees, those funds belong to the client rather than becoming an additional recovery for our firm.
We believe transparency should extend to fee agreements just as much as legal advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kinds of cases does J. Price McNamara handle?
Our practice focuses exclusively on disability insurance, life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D), ERISA insurance claims, beneficiary disputes, and certain federal employee and military insurance matters.
Where do you represent clients?
We represent clients nationwide. While our offices are located in Louisiana and Texas, many insurance benefit claims can be handled remotely through secure virtual meetings and electronic document exchange.
Will I work directly with an attorney?
Yes. We intentionally limit our active caseload so clients have direct access to the attorney handling their matter.
Do all of your cases go to court?
No. Many claims are resolved during the administrative appeal process or through negotiation. However, we prepare every case with the possibility of litigation in mind.
What makes your firm different?
Our firm combines more than 30 years of focused insurance litigation experience with the perspective of a former insurance company attorney. We devote our practice exclusively to insurance benefit disputes and emphasize evidence-based claim development rather than relying on argument alone.
Ready to Have Your Denial Reviewed?
A denial letter is not always the end of the story.
We’ve spent more than three decades helping individuals and families evaluate denied disability insurance, life insurance, and AD&D claims by combining insider knowledge of the insurance industry with careful preparation and evidence-based advocacy.
If you’ve received a denial letter, we’ll review it, explain what it means, and tell you honestly whether we believe we can help.
Contact J. Price McNamara today to schedule your free denial review.
Related Resources
- Disability Insurance Claims
- ERISA Claims
- Life Insurance Denials
- AD&D Insurance Claims
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TESTIMONIALS
What our clients say about us
Nicole
This has been a very difficult time for myself and my family. Mr. McNamara did his best to be as empathetic and compassionate as possible. He is very knowledgeable and a man of great integrity.
Priscilla
I am so thankful Price was my attorney during this difficult time in my life after losing my fiance. He made me feel very comfortable I trusted that he had my best interests in mind. I highly recommend him I was truly blessed to have had him help me fight for what is mine.
James
I would like to take a moment to thank Mr. Price McNamara for the leadership of legal counsel aid him and his staff showed through the entire process of working with me with my Disability case. I will highly recommend Mr. Price McNamara to anyone that needs someone that is outstanding to fight for their legal rights under any legal procedures of Disability law.
