Attorney Rafel’s Litigation Strategies

If we have handled the appeal of the wrongful denial and the insurance company upholds the denial, we are on to the next battle, often a lawsuit in Federal Court for our client. Insurance claims for long term disability benefits under ERISA law take up much of the federal courts time, and on average, judges often decide in favor of the insurance company due to some restrictions on the level of the court's review. Therefore, winning the administrative appeal is our major effort. Once in Federal Court, the Rafel team focus is on strategizing success either through early mediation, settlement conferences and of course, taking the case through the judicial process to judgment on the client's behalf.

Rafel has extensive experience dealing with Unum, Provident, Paul Revere, Equitable, Aetna, John Hancock, Reliance, Reliance Standard, Prudential Financial, DMS, Lincoln Financial, Liberty Mutual, Hartford, Northwestern Mutual, Guardian, Berkshire, MetLife, Cigna, LINA, Mass Mutual

American Association for Justice (AAJ)

• Past Chair Bad Faith Litigation Group AAJ

New Jersey Association for Justice (NJAJ)

• Past Chair Bad Faith Committee NJAAJ
• Past Member Board of Directors

National Multiple Sclerosis Society Government Relations Advisory Committee (2017-2019)

NJ Woman Lawyers Association