ERISA (Denial of Benefits Claims by Employees)
Schiff Hardin attorneys assist clients with all aspects of employee benefit plan management, from plan drafting and compliance issues to administrative claim review and federal and state court litigation.
Our lawyers have expertise in the areas of plan drafting and Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), and Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) compliance, and they advise clients on questions of plan interpretation and design. We counsel clients during the various stages of the claims review process, and have defended insurers, plan administrators, sponsors and trustees, investment managers, broker/dealers, and other fiduciaries in all aspects of ERISA and employee benefits litigation. This includes:
- Investigations and lawsuits by the Department of Labor
- Lawsuits by plan trustees
- Class actions by participants in state and federal courts around the country
The substantive issues involved in these representations include:
- Claims for breach of fiduciary duty in employer stock and other cases challenging plan investment decisions
- Claims challenging the denial or elimination of benefits following a merger or change in control
- Claims involving changes to benefits in collectively bargained plans
- Claims related to the reduction or elimination of retiree health benefits
We also defend employers in connection with claims related to multi-employer pension plan withdrawal liability. Our attorneys strive to provide all legal services essential for effective benefit plan management.
