Texas Employee Benefits Attorney
ERISA, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, covers employer-provided benefits such as life insurance, accidental death insurance, long and short-term disability insurance, health insurance and retirement plans such as 401K plans. The law applies to private employers who provide these benefits but does not require employers to offer them. ERISA does not apply to privately purchased life insurance, homeowners insurance or any other insurance policy purchased by individuals.
At our law firm, the Law Office of Mark A. Ticer, we represent individuals in disputes with their employers or their employer-provided insurance carriers. As a Dallas ERISA claims lawyer, Mark A. Ticer uses his extensive knowledge of the insurance industry to help clients obtain the benefits their employers promised. Since our founding in 1990, the firm has concentrated on consumer insurance matters, helping people take on large major carriers in pursuit of justice.
Many people are confused about ERISA and are unaware about the distinctions between privately held policies and employer-provided insurance benefits; our attorney helps people understand the differences and serves as their advocates.
ERISA or Not?
To determine whether an insurance question or dispute is covered by ERISA, ask the following questions:
- Who do I work for? If your employer is a public entity or a religious organization, you are not covered by ERISA.
- Who pays the premiums? If your employer pays some or all of the premiums, it's an ERISA-covered benefit.
- Who is my contact? If your contact person is your employer's human resources office, you are covered by ERISA.
- What kind of insurance is at issue? If your dispute is over homeowners insurance, this is probably not an ERISA matter. If the problem is with any type of employer-paid insurance, it is an ERISA case. If the dispute is over work-related injury coverage, our law firm can advise you.
Like all insurance companies, providers of employer-sponsored insurance are in business to make money. To do this, they often deny initial claims, especially for long term disability and significant medical expenses. Because of the way the appeals process works under ERISA-covered plans, it is important to include all evidence and documentation in the initial benefit application — you may not have an opportunity to add anything later as your appeal moves forward. Our firm can advise about all these matters.
Contact our Dallas law firm to learn more about ERISA-covered benefit plans.
