U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit Rules in Favor of Life Insurance Beneficiary

In a recent decision, Edwards v. Guardian Life Insurance Company of America, No. 24-60381, 2025 WL 1718263 (5th Cir. June 20, 2025), the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit issued a rare ruling that favors employees and beneficiaries in group life insurance disputes. In this case, the court made clear that an insurance company cannot continue collecting premiums …

ERISA Appeals and Litigation: Understanding The Path Forward After a Denial

When a life insurance, long-term disability, or other ERISA claim is denied upon the first review, it can be tempting to want to run to the courthouse and file a lawsuit. After all, the frustrated ERISA claimant’s degree of trust in the claim review process is at an all-time low. Sure, the denial letter refers to an appeal process, but …

Fifth Circuit Ruling Out of Louisiana Shows Challenges in Long-Term Disability Fights

A recent decision by the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals highlights just how tough it can be for people in Louisiana to hold on to their employer-sponsored long-term disability benefits. The case, Stout v. Smith International, Inc., No. 24-30571, 2025 WL 1029503 (5th Cir. Apr. 7, 2025) centers on Charles Stout, a Louisiana resident whose benefits for a heart …

Court Prioritizes Plan Participant’s Last Wishes in Life Insurance Dispute Governed by ERISA

In a recent decision, the New-Orleans based United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit affirmed a district court’s decision in an ERISA life insurance case where an insured’s formal beneficiary paperwork was incomplete but the insured’s intentions are unmistakably clear. The ruling in Morgan v. Barrera, No. 21-20497, 2025 WL 1234567 (5th Cir. Apr. 21, 2025), confirms that …