What Is an AD&D Policy — and Why Are Claims So Often Denied?
AD&D attorneys at Kadetskaya Law Firm LLC represent beneficiaries whose accidental death and dismemberment claims have been delayed or denied.
Accidental death and dismemberment policies are not standard life insurance. They pay only when the insured died — or was injured — as a result of an accident. That narrow definition gives insurance companies significant room to dispute claims.
Unlike regular life insurance, AD&D policies contain their own set of exclusions. When an insurer decides one of those exclusions applies, it denies the claim. Common reasons insurers use to deny AD&D benefits include:
The insured had alcohol in their system at the time of death
A pre-existing medical condition allegedly contributed to the death
The death involved illegal activity
The insurer argues the cause of death was a sickness, not an accident
These denials are often wrong — and they can be challenged.
If your AD&D claim has been denied for any reason, our attorneys can help you fight back. We handle the full appeals process and, when necessary, litigation against the insurer.
Learn more about intoxication exclusion denials →
Our Experience in Handling Denied AD&D Claims
At Kadetskaya Law Firm LLC, we have a high success rate of recovering insurance payouts on denied accidental death and dismemberment claims. Our attorneys will make sure your AD&D appeal is handled professionally and competently.
Our accidental death and dismemberment lawyers have litigated and settled many AD&D cases involving claim denials including:
Denial based on sickness exclusion;
Denial based on prescription drug use;
Denial based on illegal drug use;
Denial based on the death not resulting from an accident;
Denial based on intoxication;
Denial based on participating in a felony;
Denial based on suicide;
Denial based on failure to file a claim within a certain period of time.
Here are some of the cases our AD&D attorneys have successfully handled:
Denied AD&D due to sickness exclusion and material misrepresentation;
Denied AD&D due to intoxication;
Denied AD&D due to drug exclusion;
Denied AD&D due to marijuana intoxication;
Denied AD&D due to death not being an accident;
Denied AD&D due to sickness exclusion;
Denied AD&D due to an illegal activity. Was the claim denied due to illegal activity or a misdemeanor? Learn more →
We have represented clients against a number of life insurance companies in accidental death and dismemberment appeals, settlements and lawsuits. American General (AIG), CIGNA, Colonial Life, Hartford, Prudential and Primerica are just a few of them. You can find the complete list here.
How Our Lawyers Can Help Recover Your AD&D Payout
Life insurance companies follow extremely narrow definitions of what “accidental death” and “dismemberment injury” are, and often deny or limit how much they pay out. Learn more about what accidental death and dismemberment insurance covers.
Our attorneys are skilled in handling complex circumstances surrounding denied AD&D claims. They will review your case for you and advise you of the best course of action. Before submitting an appeal, we will conduct an independent investigation and research to determine the real circumstances surrounding the insured’s death. The results will help make a comprehensive argument that counteracts the denial reasons and forces the insurance company to look at your case from a different perspective.
At our law firm, we offer legal support in all stages of your AD&D claim for benefits and have considerable experience in:
Explaining how AD&D policies work;
Improving clients’ chances of recovering AD&D claims where life insurance exclusions might apply;
Helping clients understand their life insurance beneficiary rights;
Assisting clients in filing a claim;
Reviewing the policy terms and determining if an exclusion applies;
Filing a comprehensive legal brief to appeal a denied AD&D claim;
Anticipating the arguments the insurance company may make;
Representing clients in AD&D lawsuits.
Due to the complex nature of an accidental death and dismemberment claim, you should retain legal counsel before filing a claim or appeal.
We have helped many beneficiaries get their claims paid. We have recovered millions of dollars in denied AD&D claims and would like to help you receive what is rightfully yours under the policy terms.
Not every denial should be taken as a final verdict and every beneficiary should know that a wrongful AD&D claim denial can be reversed on appeal or through litigation. Whether your claim has been denied due to application of exclusions or because it was filed too late, our AD&D lawyers will tell you about your legal options. Not sure where to start? Read our step-by-step guide on what to do after a denial →
Accidental Death and Dismemberment Attorney Fee
Our AD&D attorneys work on a contingent fee basis. It means that we do not charge legal fees unless we collect the life insurance death benefits for you. Only then will we charge a reasonable legal fee. We take pride in offering competitive contingent fee structures and will work with you to ensure you are comfortable with the fee.
If you find yourself in a similar situation or feel that your AD&D claim has been unfairly delayed or denied, call our AD&D lawyers for help. We have the experience you can trust.