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Michael Grabhorn

Michael Grabhorn

Grabhorn Law | Insured Rights
  • Insurance Claims, Employment Law
  • Kentucky
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Claimed Lawyer ProfileQ&A
Biography

Located in Louisville, Kentucky, Michael D. Grabhorn is a recognized national authority in the area of life and disability insurance, involving both state law and ERISA. Mr. Grabhorn’s practice is limited to representing insureds, individually and on a class basis. Mr. Grabhorn litigates insurance cases locally and across the country. As a result, in addition to the courts in Kentucky, he is also admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court, as well as regularly appearing before the federal district and appellate courts.

Based on his focus on life and disability insurance, Mr. Grabhorn is familiar with the insurance companies and their internal claims processes. His insurance clients benefit from his unique knowledge and experience, as well as his reputation with the insurance companies.

In addition to his legal background, Mr. Grabhorn has intimate knowledge in the design, marketing, and workings of life and disability insurance products. Prior to establishing his law firm, Mr. Grabhorn spent over 17 years working in the insurance industry. During this period, he was exposed to all facets of life and disability insurance, as well as annuities. He was recognized for his knowledge and received the prestigious chartered life underwriter (CLU) and chartered financial consultant (ChFC) certifications. He learned how the insurance products were sold, how they were marketed (the promises made), and how they were designed. He was retained by insurers to consult in the design and marketing of new insurance products. During this same time period, Mr. Grabhorn created one of the largest private continuing education programs for teaching insurance agents and brokers.

Practice Areas
Insurance Claims
Bad Faith Insurance, Disability Insurance, Life Insurance
Employment Law
Employee Benefits, ERISA
Fees
  • Free Consultation
  • Contingent Fees
Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice
Kentucky
Kentucky Bar Association
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1st Circuit
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2nd Circuit
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3rd Circuit
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4th Circuit
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5th Circuit
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6th Circuit
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7th Circuit
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8th Circuit
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9th Circuit
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10th Circuit
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11th Circuit
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U.S. Supreme Court
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Languages
  • English: Spoken, Written
  • Spanish
Professional Experience
Founding & Managing Attorney
Grabhorn Law | Insured Rights
- Current
Managing Insurance Consultant
Capital Resources Corp.
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Education
University of Louisville Louis D. Brandeis School of Law
J.D. | Law
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American College
CLU, ChFC | Insurance
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University of Louisville
B.S. (1991) | Finance
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Professional Associations
American Bar Foundation
Fellow
- Current
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Kentucky Bar Association
Member
- Current
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Kentucky Justice Association
Member
- Current
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American Bar Association
Member
- Current
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American College
Member
- Current
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Publications
Articles & Publications
Arbitration and Insurance Claims
The Advocate
No More Surprise Medical Bills
The Advocate
Legal Issues in Life Insurance Claims
The Advocate
Contractual Issues, Proof in Disability Insurance Claims
The Advocate
Litigating Individual Disability Insurance Claims
The Advocate
Valuing Long Term Disability Insurance Claims
The Advocate
ERISA Claims and Review Procedures
Employee Benefits Law (BNA)
Litigating Long Term Disability Insurance: ERISA Claims
The Advocate
Litigating Personal Disabliity Insurance Claims
The Advocate
Reasonable ERISA Claims Procedures
Employee Benefits Law (BNA)
Speaking Engagements
Bad Faith is Not Limited to Insurance Claim Practices, RMI Insurance Day
Long Term Disability Insurance and Subrogation, Subrogation Tactics
Litigating Long Term Disability Insurance - ERISA Claims, National Association of Trial Lawyer Executives
ERISA, It’s Not Just About Subrogation: Life and Accident Insurance Claims, Subrogation Update
Medical Providers Refusing to Bill Health Insurance, KJA Continuing Legal Education
Ethical Issues in Litigating Bad Faith Insurance Claims, Insurance Bad Faith
ERISA Long Term Disability: Overpayment Claims in the Wake of Montanile, National Association of Trial Lawyer Executives
Protecting Your Incone: Disability Insuranc, Neuroscience Expo
ERISA Long Term Disability Claims & Reimbursement, Pro Tips on Subrogation
Protecting Your Clients from ERISA Liens & Collections, National Association of Trial Lawyer Executives
Find a Format That Works--Don't Leave Mediation Empty Handed, Building Damages for Mediation
Certifications
Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU)
American College
Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC)
American College
Websites & Blogs
Website
Grabhorn Law | Insured Rights®
Legal Answers
1 Questions Answered
Q. In an ERISA STD claim - is it common practice for the claimants doctor to be listed as a paid vendor in the claim file?
A: It is very common for insurers and administrators for employer provided short-term disability to use 3rd party medical reviewers as part of the claim process. These 3rd party medical record reviewers generally do not have a direct relationship with the insured. They are hired and paid by the insurer or administrator. There are some instances where the insurer or administrator may contact a treating physician to obtain an opinion and, in turn, pay a fee.

In addition, an insurer or administrator may require the claimant to attend an independent medical exam (an IME) for which they pay the physician's fee. As with record reviews, this is also common. If this is an ERISA governed plan (benefits are paid from a trust or insurance policy and not the employer's general assets), the IME notes and opinion should be part of the claim file. ... Read More
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Contact & Map
2525 Nelson Miller Parkway
Suite 107
Louisville, KY 40223
Telephone: (502) 244-9331