Secrets from the ERISA Vault

In this episode of Secrets from the ERISA Vault, Noah Breazeale, Senior Associate at Eric Buchanan & Associates, explains what employees need to understand about the information employers and plan administrators may be required to provide about employee benefits under ERISA. These disclosures can play an important role in helping employees understand their coverage, rights, deadlines, and avai...

In this episode of Secrets from the ERISA Vault , Kaitlyn Barciszewski, attorney at Eric Buchanan & Associates, explains what claimants need to understand about their long term disability and individual disability insurance policies. The terms of these policies play a critical role in how claims are evaluated, approved, or denied, yet many people are unfamiliar with what their policy actually...

In this episode of Secrets from the ERISA Vault , Eric Buchanan explains what employees need to know about life insurance offered through work. He breaks down how these policies usually work, what employees and families often misunderstand about coverage, and the problems that can come up when a claim is denied or benefits are not paid as expected. Eric also discusses why employer provided life in...

In this episode of Secrets from the ERISA Vault, Kaci Garrabrant, Senior Associate Attorney at Eric Buchanan & Associates, discusses why the appeal process is one of the most important stages in an ERISA disability claim. A denial is not always the end of the road, but what happens during the appeal can have a major impact on whether benefits are ultimately awarded. Kaci explains why this stag...

In this episode of Secrets from the ERISA Vault, Eric Buchanan answers one of the first questions most people have after a long term disability denial: how much will an ERISA case actually cost. Eric breaks down the common fee structures used in ERISA disability claims, what expenses typically come up during an appeal and during litigation, and how attorney fees can work when a case is successful....

In this episode of Secrets from the ERISA Vault, Eric Buchanan explains one of the most important concepts in ERISA litigation: the standard of review. Eric breaks down what “standard of review” means, why it can completely change the outcome of a disability case, and how courts determine whether to apply de novo review or the more deferential arbitrary and capricious standard. He walks through th...

In this episode of Secrets from the ERISA Vault , Eric Buchanan explains the three most common mistakes individuals make when trying to handle an ERISA disability claim without legal representation. ERISA cases are often decided based solely on the administrative record developed during the appeal process. If critical evidence is missing at that stage, it may never be considered later in court. Er...

In this episode, Eric Buchanan explains how claimants can obtain the documents that govern their disability claim, including plan documents, summary plan descriptions, and internal claims manuals. He outlines what insurers are required to provide and why these documents can significantly affect the outcome of a case. Listeners will learn how understanding the governing plan language and procedural...

In this episode, Eric Buchanan examines empirical data showing how ERISA disability cases are decided in federal courts. He discusses statistical trends, reversal rates, and what the data reveals about the challenges claimants face when pursuing long term disability benefits under ERISA. Listeners will gain insight into how courts apply the arbitrary and capricious standard of review and why outco...

In this episode, Eric Buchanan explains why ERISA disability claims often feel unfair to claimants. He breaks down how ERISA changed the rules for long term disability cases, how courts review benefit denials, and why the legal standard often favors insurance companies over individuals. Listeners will learn how administrative records control the outcome of most ERISA cases, why jury trials are not...