Fresno California ERISA Blog

Sleep apnea sometimes unacknowledged despite ERISA

On behalf of ERISA Law Center on Sunday, June 16, 2019.

If you have or think you may have sleep apnea, you probably know it’s often not taken seriously often enough. If another condition caused headaches in the morning, insomnia at night, difficulty staying awake during the day, an inability to focus, and mood disorders, it probably would be more easily recognized as serious and debilitating.

For some sufferers, one of the condition’s hardest aspects is knowing that your spouse or partner is unable to sleep due to your snoring, or out of worry after they find you gasping for air or not breathing at all.

How funding status affects ERISA liens.

On behalf of ERISA Law Center on Friday, June 14, 2019.

In 1974 the federal government established the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) to regulate employer-sponsored health and retirement plans.

However, the ERISA may have a negative impact on a personal injury claim you make against a third party.

Lesser-known law may pay for breast reconstruction

On behalf of ERISA Law Center on Monday, June 3, 2019.

Women’s health coverage took a step forward when the 1974 Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) was amended in 1998.

The Women's Health and Cancer Rights Act (WHCRA) requires reconstructive surgery and other post-mastectomy measures to be covered by group health plans if they also cover mastectomies for breast cancer or other medical reasons.

Recent breakthrough may help victims of fibromyalgia

On behalf of ERISA Law Center on Friday, May 31, 2019.

If you have fibromyalgia, you know how painful and crippling it can be to suffer from constant cramps, aches, numbness and fatigue. And you likely know how hard it can be to convince others your invisible pains are real.

Fortunately, a recent breakthrough from the Indiana University School of Medicine may lead to a better measurement of your pain. Researchers at the school say they’ve found pain biomarkers in the blood that could allow doctors to create objective pain tests. Such tests wouldn’t relieve you of your pain, but they could help doctors regulate your medication more effectively and would likely strengthen any disability insurance claims you need to file.

ERISA should provide for your mental health

On behalf of ERISA Law Center on Monday, May 13, 2019.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. And the purpose of this month is to increase the visibility of mental health issues. It also has a goal of reducing the stigma that often surrounds mental illnesses.

For a long time, that stigma influenced employers as well. However, a recent amendment to ERISA changed that.

Out with the old fiduciary rule

On behalf of ERISA Law Center on Tuesday, May 7, 2019.

For years, people have been consulting with financial advisors who are sponsored by retirement plans to receive information and advice on how to best proceed with their retirement investments. The Department of Labor allowed for this under its fiduciary advice rule, but that rule was recently stricken down by a 5th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling, according to the Society for Human Resource Management.

Legal experts anticipate that there will be another rule coming down the pipeline that covers this same topic, but that could take months or even years to complete. In the mean time, organizations that offer retirement savings plans and investment accounts need to figure out how to maneuver through the law now that the rule no longer exists.

How to know if your claim was denied in bad faith

On behalf of ERISA Law Center on Tuesday, April 9, 2019.

Individuals who pay their insurance premiums consistently expect their insurance company to give them the support they need in times of trouble. For example, older California workers suffering from severe injuries or long-term disabilities should be able to collect insurance for financial assistance.

Unfortunately, insurance companies are often more interested in their finances than the individuals they are supposed to support. Some of them even go to extreme measures to deny valid claims to protect their profit. It is essential to know the signs of a bad faith insurance claim, so you can appeal to obtain the benefits you deserve.

Retirement security, before and after, ERISA

On behalf of ERISA Law Center on Monday, March 11, 2019.

In the US, Labor Day is a public holiday honoring the contributions of American workers. As such, Labor Day is often the date in which laws protecting employees are signed into effect.

That was the case in 1974, when then-President, Ford signed the landmark Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), into law.

What should you look for in an ERISA attorney?

On behalf of ERISA Law Center on Tuesday, February 12, 2019.

Many employers offer benefit plans for those who work for them. As you dedicate your time and talents to your workplace, you probably hope to gain something in return. In many cases, retirement and pension plans are an important part of a decision to accept an employment offer. However, when you run into trouble, do you know where to turn?

If you run into a problem with your benefit plan, you may be able to exercise your options under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). ERISA laws are incredibly complex – so much so that there are specific things you might want to find when you request attorney assistance to handle your claim.

Does ERISA cover your disability insurance plan?

On behalf of ERISA Law Center on Monday, February 11, 2019.

If you have developed an injury or illness that will keep you out of work, you may be wondering whether you qualify for long term or short term disability in California. You may also wonder if the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) applies to your disability insurance.

You Deserve Your Erisa Benefits