Cinematic hero image of Brent Dorian Brehm, The FEGLI Lawyer™, standing before a courthouse at night as a golden spotlight projects the Dorian Law ‘D’ logo into the sky.

The FEGLI Lawyer™

Federal Employee Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) Claims, Appeals, & Lawsuits

MetLife denied, delayed, or underpay your FEGLI benefits?

Dorian Law P.C. represents federal employees and families nationwide in FEGLI life insurance and FEGLI Accidental Death (AD&D) claims—from first submission to OPM appeals and federal court review.

Why Dorian Law for FEGLI claims?

  • Narrow focus: We handle life insurance and accidental death claims every day—including FEGLI.

  • Balanced expertise: Life insurance and AD&D denials demand different proof. We build both cases correctly from the start.

  • Millions recovered from major insurers.

  • Nationwide reach: Based in Calabasas, California; representing clients across the U.S.

  • Client-first advocacy: Clear communication, fast action on deadlines, practical strategy.

What is FEGLI—and who runs it?

FEGLI (Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance) is a federal group life insurance program for civilian employees. The program is overseen by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and claims are processed by MetLife’s Office of Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance (OFEGLI).

Key types of FEGLI benefits we handle

  • Basic & Optional Life (Option A/B/C)

  • Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) (often denied on causation/exclusion grounds)

  • Beneficiary / precedence disputes

  • Coverage & conversion disputes (retirement, separation, lapse, payroll issues)

Accidental Death (AD&D) under FEGLI—what makes it different?

AD&D benefits are not automatic just because a death was sudden. MetLife will scrutinize cause of death and apply exclusions. Common denial themes include:

  • “Death was due to illness, not an accident.”

  • “Intoxication or drug involvement triggered an exclusion.”

  • “Event was foreseeable or not a ‘covered accident.’”

  • “Intervening medical treatment—not the accident—caused death.”

  • “Proof problems” (records, autopsy, police report, witness statements).

How we build AD&D claims

  • Reconstruct the incident (reports, scene evidence, witness statements).

  • Medical causation analysis (treating records, toxicology, ME/coroner, independent experts).

  • Exclusion rebuttals (medical literature, timeline, alternative causation, proximate cause arguments).

  • Tight narrative tying accident → injury → death, closing gaps insurers exploit.

Life insurance denials we see—and how we answer them

  • Beneficiary challenges / order of precedence: Validate beneficiary forms, agency files, and statutory order; address competing claims.

  • “No coverage in force”: Audit payroll deductions, SF-2817/SF-2823 forms, conversion rights, agency errors.

  • Misstatement or application issues: Materiality, reliance, timing, and contestability windows.

  • Interpleader actions: We step in to protect your share when benefits are deposited with the court.

Deadlines & the FEGLI appeal path (know your clock)

  1. Initial decision (often by MetLife/OFEGLI). Your denial letter controls the deadline to request reconsideration (commonly up to 90 days).

  2. OPM appeal. If reconsideration is upheld, you can appeal to OPM for a Final Agency Decision.

  3. Federal court review. After OPM’s final decision, you can seek judicial review under the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) (arguing the decision was arbitrary/capricious, etc.).

Tip: File something early to preserve rights, then supplement as medical/police records arrive.

What to do right now

  • Get the denial letter (all pages). Note the exact deadline and who issued it (OFEGLI vs. OPM).

  • Collect records: Death certificate, autopsy/toxicology, EMS/hospital records, police/incident reports, photos/video, witness info, prior medical history.

  • Beneficiary proof: FEGLI designation forms (SF-2823), employment/HR file, any change forms.

  • Call us. We’ll map the fastest path to preserve your appeal window and evidence.

How we work (fees & communication)

  • Contingency fee options for benefit recovery matters.

  • Plain-English updates and direct access to your attorney.

  • We handle the paperwork, evidence, and briefing so you can focus on your family.

FAQs

Q1: What’s the difference between FEGLI life benefits and FEGLI AD&D?
Life pays when the insured passes away while covered. AD&D pays only if death was caused by a covered accident, and exclusions may apply (e.g., illness, certain intoxication scenarios). Proof standards and evidence needs differ.

Q2: My denial says the death was due to “illness,” not an accident. Can I fight that?
Yes. Many cases involve mixed medical and trauma. We develop medical causation, timeline, and expert analysis to show the accident was the proximate cause despite coexisting illness.

Q3: The letter mentions an intoxication exclusion. Is that the end of the road?
Not necessarily. Exclusions have specific wording and require proof. We analyze levels, timing, alternative causes, and whether the exclusion actually applies to the facts.

Q4: What if there’s no beneficiary form?
FEGLI uses a statutory order of precedence if no valid designation is on file. We verify agency records and protect your place in the order where disputes arise.

Q5: Who do I appeal to—MetLife or OPM?
Initial denials often come from OFEGLI (MetLife’s office). Reconsideration goes there. If denied again, the appeal is to OPM, which issues the Final Agency Decision.

Q6: How long do I have to appeal?
Your denial letter controls the deadline. Many letters allow up to 90 days for reconsideration, but don’t assume—check your letter.

Q7: Can I sue MetLife directly?
FEGLI is a federal benefits program. After OPM’s final decision, court review is typically under the APA, and the proper defendant is usually the agency, not just the contractor.

Q8: Do you handle nationwide FEGLI cases?
Yes. We’re based in Calabasas, California, and handle FEGLI matters nationwide.

Q9: How do fees work?
We offer contingency or hybrid arrangements depending on the case stage. In some court cases, we may seek EAJA fees—ask us how that works.

Q10: Are you affiliated with OPM or MetLife?
No. The FEGLI Lawyer™ is a Dorian Law P.C. brand. We are a private law firm and not affiliated with any government agency or insurer.

Q11: What is “The FEGLI Lawyer™”?
It’s our focused brand and process for FEGLI claims and appeals—combining deep knowledge of federal procedures, AD&D causation strategy, and fast, deadline-driven execution. You’ll see The FEGLI Lawyer™ across our educational guides, checklists, and case workflows.

Q12: What documents should I send first for an AD&D denial?
Denial letter, death certificate, autopsy/toxicology, EMS and ER records, police/incident reports, any photos/video, and the FEGLI beneficiary designation (if any).

Get help now

Free case review. Fast deadline triage.
Call (747) 297-7409 • Text (833) 798-3227 • Upload documents securely via our intake link.

Disclaimer: Dorian Law P.C. is a private law firm. We are not affiliated with OPM, MetLife, or any government agency. Past results don’t guarantee future outcomes.