Very simply, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) is a federal law that protects your employee benefits, such as retirement benefits, pension plans, health benefits, life insurance benefits, and disability benefits. Passed by Congress into law on Labor Day in 1974, this employee rights law is enforced by the Department of Labor, the Internal Revenue Service, the Department of the Treasury, and the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation.

ERISA not only outlines an employer’s responsibilities towards its employees and their beneficiaries, it also outlines a plan of action for employees who believe their rights as workers have been violated in relation to their health benefits, short term disability benefits, long term disability benefits, pension plans, retirement plans, or life insurance plans.

Here are just a few of your rights as an employee under ERISA:

•    You may request and examine all benefit plan documents from the plan’s administrator free of charge.
•    Your employer may not fire you to prevent you from obtaining your benefit rights.
•    Your employer may not discriminate against you to prevent you from obtaining your benefit rights.
•    If a benefit claim is denied, your plan administrator must give you a written reason for the denial.

Having a claim wrongfully denied by your employer, insurance company, or union can put your life into peril. You may need medical attention, disability benefits, or financial support due to the loss of a loved one. With the help of our attorneys, we you can collect evidence and build your case to prove that your claim is valid.

Bollwerk & Tatlow, Attorneys at Law, have a wide range of experience in helping their clients with ERISA cases in Missouri and Illinois. Phil Tatlow alone has taken on more than 100 such cases and fought big insurance companies and big business after his clients have had claims unfairly denied by their employers. If an ERISA-governed body – such as your employer, insurance company, or union – has wrongfully denied your claim, talk to us today about your case. We offer free case evaluations and can help you secure the benefits you legally deserve.