“What is ERISA?” Great question! The term ERISA shows up on short-term disability, long-term disability, life insurance, and accidental death and dismemberment denial letters. After receiving a denial for much-needed benefits, an ERISA insurance claim lawyer can explain what ERISA means and how it affects your claim.
ERISA is a key phrase in the next steps you should take to protect and fight for your benefits. ERISA stands for the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and many attorneys are not familiar with the nuances that come with practicing in this area of law. ERISA involves your application for benefits, initial review, an administrative appeal, and (if denied) a lawsuit which deviates from the normal. Why? The federal judge in an ERISA lawsuit cannot consider any evidence that was not made part of the administrative record during the administrative appeal process, BEFORE suit is filed.
