http://www.michiganlongtermdisabilityinsurancelawyer.com/ Published by Serafini, Michalowski, Derkacz & Associates, P.C. en-us 2009-12-17T09:33:56-05:00 http://www.michiganlongtermdisabilityinsurancelawyer.com/2009/12/smda_obtains_trucking_accident_1.html In addition to our work on Long Term Disability cases, Serafini, Michalowski, Derkacz & Associates (SMDA) also handles personal injury cases. This is the story of one such case. Our client, James Hawthorne was rear ended by a semi-truck owned... Other Stuff Serafini, Michalowski, Derkacz 2009-12-17T09:33:56-05:00 http://www.michiganlongtermdisabilityinsurancelawyer.com/2009/12/why_should_ltd_insurers_pay.html From the Insurance Companies perspective, the answer is simple- there is no reason for them to pay. My clients are universally surprised to learn that under ERISA the only thing you can sue for are the unpaid LTD benefits. There... ERISA Serafini, Michalowski, Derkacz 2009-12-15T08:45:37-05:00 http://www.michiganlongtermdisabilityinsurancelawyer.com/2009/10/discovery_in_long_term_disabil_1.html Most Long Term Disability cases in our office are governed by ERISA as they are non-governmental employer provided benefits. The fact that they are ERISA claims is usually all bad for our clients as the law in this area has... ERISA Serafini, Michalowski, Derkacz 2009-10-13T08:42:55-05:00 http://www.michiganlongtermdisabilityinsurancelawyer.com/2009/10/court_rejects_long_term_disabi.html The federal 8th Circuit Court of Appeals rejected a Long Term Disability Insurer's (Unum Life Insurance Company) claim denial in the case of Chronister v Unum Life. Citing an important change in the law since Metlife v Glenn the Court... Serafini, Michalowski, Derkacz 2009-10-12T08:11:48-05:00 http://www.michiganlongtermdisabilityinsurancelawyer.com/2009/07/does_a_parents_life_have_value_1.html Recently, the new majority of 4 Michigan Supreme Court Justices upheld a decision by the Court of Appeals in Thorn v Mercy Memorial Hospital. In Thorn, a mother of young children died as a result of a medical error. When... Other Stuff Serafini, Michalowski, Derkacz 2009-07-22T08:50:26-05:00 http://www.michiganlongtermdisabilityinsurancelawyer.com/2009/06/dont_trust_the_insurance_indus_1.html In testimony presented to Congress, the Washington Post recently reported on the testimony of Cigna Insurance's former VP, Wendell Potter who said insurers "make paperwork confusing because 'they realize that people will just simply give up and not pursue it'... Insurance Bad Faith Serafini, Michalowski, Derkacz 2009-06-25T08:57:13-05:00 http://www.michiganlongtermdisabilityinsurancelawyer.com/2009/06/smda_partnerpatrick_derkacz_at.html In my continuing effort to do the best job that I can for my Long Term Disability Insurance clients I attended that ACI Long Term Disability Insurance Conference in Boston this past week. For the the second year in a... LTD Policy Issues Serafini, Michalowski, Derkacz 2009-06-25T08:35:52-05:00 http://www.michiganlongtermdisabilityinsurancelawyer.com/2009/03/state_farm_insurance_companypa_1.html Michigan residents injured in auto accidents beware of Auto Insurance tactics. According to the sworn testimony of a representative of State Farm Insurance it appears that the company paid millions of dollars to a consulting firm to analyze and modify... Insurance Bad Faith Serafini, Michalowski, Derkacz 2009-03-19T08:08:41-05:00 http://www.michiganlongtermdisabilityinsurancelawyer.com/2009/03/6th_circuit_affirms_limits_on_1.html In a tremendously important decision, the 6th Ciruit court of appeals affirmed today a decision limiting the language that disability insurance carriers can include in their policies to protect themselves from making payments. In American Council Of Life Insurers v.... ERISA Serafini, Michalowski, Derkacz 2009-03-18T17:58:30-05:00 http://www.michiganlongtermdisabilityinsurancelawyer.com/2009/03/long_term_disability_insurer_o_1.html In a recent decision, Delisle v Sun Life, the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a decision requiring Long Term Disability Insurer Sun-Life to pay disability benefits even though 6 of its hired physicians supported its decision to terminate benefits.... Serafini, Michalowski, Derkacz 2009-03-12T08:37:44-05:00