Ep. 150 – Lost in the Mail: How Reliance Standard Fumbled a Six-Year Old Disability Claim

Step into the courtroom as attorney Ben Glass argues a pivotal ERISA disability case before the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals in this special edition episode. When Reliance Standard Life Insurance Company terminated benefits for a woman who had been on claim for six years, then lost her appeal documents, the stage was set for a legal battle over each side's respective rights.

The judges and attorneys engage in a deep discussion about what happens when insurance companies fail to follow federal regulations. You'll hear some pretty tense moments as the court confronts the insurance company's attorney about contradictory statements regarding lost appeal documents. "I'm literally reading it right and it's like you're just saying like don't believe what you read on the paper," one judge remarks when presented with evidence that contradicted the company's claims.

At the heart of this case is a fundamental question that affects thousands of disability claims: should insurance companies maintain their privileged "abuse of discretion" review standard when they fail to follow the basic rules of the appeals process? As Ben Glass argues, "We give fiduciaries the benefit of this abuse of discretion standard of review when they act like fiduciaries, when they follow the rules."

The argument dives deep into complex legal territory, exploring technical aspects of ERISA regulations, proper standards of review, and procedural requirements that determine how courts handle disability insurance disputes. These seemingly dry procedural questions have enormous real-world impact on claimants fighting for their benefits.

Whether you're dealing with your own disability claim, practicing in this area of law, or simply interested in how the legal system works, this episode offers a rare glimpse into high-stakes appellate advocacy where technical legal arguments directly impact people's financial survival.

Ben Glass is a nationally recognized personal injury and long-term disability insurance attorney in Fairfax, VA. Since 2005, Ben Glass and Great Legal Marketing have been helping solo and small firm lawyers make more money, get more clients and still get home in time for dinner. We call this TheGLMTribe.com

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There are no other organizations who understand the highs and lows of running a small law firm and are engaged in talking to real clients. That is what sets GLM apart from every other organization, and it is why we have had loyal members that have been with us for two-decades.