Client Testimonials

"My family was referred to Michael Young by an attorney friend in Austin. My elderly mother was involved in a federal court lawsuit involving over a million dollars of life insurance proceeds through an ERISA plan.  Michael filed a motion to dismiss the case and the other side responded by agreeing to a settlement very favorable to my mother. My family was pleased by Michael's aggressive representation and his prompt responses to our questions. I would recommend Michael and the firm of Sanders, O'Hanlon & Motley to anyone involved in a dispute regarding life insurance benefits or the distribution of an estate." Rafael S., Hunt County.

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"Michael took careful measurement of our case, asked the right questions, and respected the sensitivity of the situation.  At the end of the day, this is the type of person you want working on your side. He also worked outside of normal business hours to accommodate our busy work schedules. Despite such a stressful and frankly sad time, J. Michael Young was a strong source of support, and helped us figure out the right course of action."  -Shaun,  Travis County.

Life Insurance Governed by Federal Law

Many people purchase life insurance through their employer. The employer will often offer life insurance as part of a larger package of employee benefits.  Typically, but not always, such policies are not governed by Texas law.  Instead, a federal law, commonly referred to as ERISA, applies.

ERISA provides for different remedies and procedures than Texas law. It is very important to consult an attorney experienced in handling ERISA claims. Some attorneys not familiar with ERISA will waste valuable time pursuing recovery in Texas court, instead of following proper adminstrative procedures.

With ERISA, it is often mandatory to exhaust the internal appeals process offered by the insurance company. During the internal  appeal, it is essential to collect all available evidence for the administrative record in case that appeal is denied. If the internal appeal is denied, the next step is to file a federal lawsuit under ERISA.

In an ERISA lawsuit, it is a federal judge who will hear your case - not a jury. The evidence that was gathered in the internal appeal and entered into the administrative record is  the evidence the judge will consider. The Judge has discretion to award you attorney's fees if it is determined the insurance company wrongfully denied the claim.

Time is of the essence if you are seeking life insurance benefits under an ERISA policy.  Contact an experienced attorney as soon as possible to determine if ERISA or Texas law applies and the actions to be taken.