ERISA Law

What are Employment Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) Violations? 

If you work for an employer that offers benefits, you expect your retirement, disability, health, or welfare benefits to be protected. In the United States, many such benefits are governed by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA).

ERISA is a federal law that creates minimum standards for many types of benefit plans, including retirement (pension) and welfare benefits (health, disability, life, etc.). The purpose of ERISA is to protect the interests of plan participants and beneficiaries by requiring disclosure of plan information, establishing fiduciary duties, and providing legal remedies when plans are mismanaged or benefits are wrongfully denied. 

For workers in California, ERISA offers significant protections. Some benefit plans offered through your employer may be covered by ERISA, meaning federal rules apply, and your claim denials or plan abuses can be challenged in court. At DL Law Group, we specialize in representing individuals whose ERISA rights have been violated. We help ensure plan administrators and employers fulfill their legal duties, and we advocate for full restitution when those duties are breached. 

Common Types of ERISA Violations & Warning Signs 

ERISA violations can take many forms. Below are several examples from real cases, including how to spot them so you know when to reach out to our team. 

1. Improper Denial of Benefits 

One of the most common ERISA violations occurs when a plan administrator denies a claim for benefits such as disability, health care, long-term care, or life insurance without a valid reason or without following the proper procedures required under federal law. These denials often rely on vague or selectively interpreted policy terms, misuse definitions, disregard critical medical evidence, or fail to provide a clear explanation for the decision. If you’ve been denied benefits despite meeting the eligibility criteria, that’s a major red flag. Reaching out to DL Law Group early can make a significant difference. Our team knows how to spot procedural violations, build a strong administrative record, and take immediate steps to protect your rights before critical appeal deadlines pass. The sooner we’re involved, the more options we have to reverse a wrongful denial and hold the plan accountable. 

2. Mismanagement or Misuse of Plan Assets 

ERISA requires plan fiduciaries to manage plan assets prudently and solely in the interest of participants and beneficiaries. When a fiduciary misuses or mismanages these assets, such as using funds to benefit related parties, investing recklessly, or failing to monitor investment performance properly, it may constitute a serious violation. Common examples include retirement plans that charge excessive administrative fees or steer investments toward funds that benefit providers rather than participants. These actions can erode your retirement savings or reduce the value of your benefits. If you suspect any irregularities, contacting DL Law Group early can be crucial. Our attorneys are experienced in identifying fiduciary breaches and investigating mismanagement. We can take swift action to preserve your rights, initiate inquiries, and seek recovery for any losses caused by improper conduct before further damage is done. 

3. Failure to Provide Required Plan Information 

Under ERISA, plan administrators are legally required to provide key documents, such as the Summary Plan Description (SPD), annual reports, and benefit statements, when requested by a participant. If your request is denied, delayed, or ignored, that’s not just an administrative failure, but it’s a violation of federal law. Without access to these documents, you may be left in the dark about your rights, the terms of your benefits, and how to challenge a denial. We know exactly what information you’re entitled to and how to compel compliance. Our team can take immediate steps to demand the required disclosures, assess whether your rights have been violated, and begin building a strong case on your behalf if the plan administrator refuses to cooperate. 

4. Conflicts of Interest Among Fiduciaries 

ERISA mandates that plan fiduciaries act with undivided loyalty to participants and avoid any conflicts of interest. When administrators or trustees have personal or financial interests, such as contracts with third parties, undisclosed compensation arrangements, or fees tied to specific investments, it can compromise their duty and lead to decisions that benefit themselves rather than the plan’s participants. These conflicts can quietly erode the value of your benefits and violate federal fiduciary standards. If you suspect that a fiduciary is not acting in your best interest, it’s essential to act quickly. DL Law Group can step in early to investigate potential conflicts, uncover hidden arrangements, and hold fiduciaries accountable. Our experience enables us to identify warning signs that others may miss, allowing us to take timely action to safeguard your financial interests and legal rights. 

5. Failure to Follow Plan Terms 

Plans are required to be administered in strict accordance with their written terms, provided those terms do not conflict with ERISA regulations. When a plan disregards its own rules, misinterprets or misapplies its provisions, or provides benefits that are inconsistent with its stated terms, it constitutes a breach of the plan’s obligations. Such failures undermine the integrity and reliability of the plan’s administration. 

7. Excessive Fees or Not Acting in Best Interest 

Charging participants excessive administrative or investment fees is a clear violation of fiduciary duty, as plan fiduciaries are required to act in the best interests of the participants. When fiduciaries fail to properly monitor fees, benchmark investment performance, or remove underperforming options, participants can experience significant financial losses. We can help protect participants by holding fiduciaries accountable and advising on best practices to avoid costly breaches. 

8. Delays in Processing or Paying Claims 

Unreasonable delays in making claim decisions, communicating results, or paying benefits can violate ERISA’s procedural rules. Such delays may leave you without timely coverage or crucial financial support when you need it most. At DL Law Group, we will ensure your claim is addressed promptly, advocating for fair and efficient handling so you can secure the benefits you are entitled to without unnecessary delay. 

Example Case  

Suppose an employee with a long-term disability claim submits medical records, doctor opinions, and meets policy criteria. Still, the plan administrator ignores some records, fails to explain discrepancies, denies the claim, and then responds months later with a superficial explanation. Meanwhile, they withheld the required plan documents. This could involve multiple ERISA violations: improper denial, failure to provide plan information, and failure to act in the beneficiary’s best interest. 

Why ERISA Violations Matter and What They Mean for You 

When a plan violates ERISA, the harm can be profound: 

• You may lose benefits you relied upon (medical coverage, disability income, pension). 
• Delays or denials can lead to financial hardship. 
• You lose the right to understand your rights and hold decision‑makers accountable. 
• Fiduciary breaches often affect many participants over the years. 

Because ERISA has exclusive jurisdiction over many benefit claims, you often cannot pursue claims under state law; they must be handled under ERISA. Moreover, ERISA’s protections and remedies are federal and strict. That makes it essential to have a lawyer who specializes in the complexity of ERISA. 

Under ERISA, you may recover: 

• The benefits owed to you 
• Interest on unpaid amounts 
• Attorney’s fees and costs 
• Equitable relief (such as injunctive orders) 
• In some instances, other relief is required to correct plan abuses 

DL Law Group knows how to assert and enforce these rights. We will help you understand the full scope of your ERISA protections, ensure that administrators fulfill their obligations, and litigate when necessary. 

Your Rights Under ERISA & How DL Law Group Helps 

As a participant or beneficiary under ERISA, you have several statutory rights: 

• The right to receive plan documents, summaries, and disclosures 
• The right to know how benefits are calculated 
• The right to a full and fair appeal when a benefit is denied 
• The right not to be retaliated against for exercising these rights 
• The right to sue under ERISA § 502 to enforce benefits or correct violations 

In California, there is a unique rule. If a disability or life insurance policy is part of an ERISA group plan, a discretionary clause (granting the insurer unfettered decision authority) is void under Insurance Code § 10110.6. That means denials are reviewed de novo in court, without deference to the insurer’s judgment. 

At DL Law Group, our approach includes: 

• Conducting a full review of your plan, policy, and claim file 
• Identifying any violations or procedural defects 
• Preparing and filing administrative appeals or demands 
• Representing you before external reviewers or in federal court 
• Handling all legal procedures, discovery, expert witness work, and trial advocacy 

We strive to relieve you of the burden, fight for your rightful benefits, and hold plan fiduciaries accountable. 

When Should You Contact Us? 

You should strongly consider contacting us if: 

• Your claim has been denied or terminated 
• The plan refuses to provide the required documents 
• You notice excessive fees, unexplained reductions, or poor investments 
• You face retaliation for asserting your ERISA rights 
• You’ve encountered unexplained delays or procedural irregularities 
• You are unsure if your situation qualifies 

Even if you are uncertain, we offer a free case review. We can help you understand whether you may have an ERISA claim and determine applicable deadlines. 

ERISA claims are subject to statutes of limitations. In California, recent case law has applied a four-year limitation period for ERISA benefits claims (if the plan did not itself specify a shorter period). Because the time you have to act may vary based on your plan and the facts, contacting us as soon as possible is the best way to preserve your rights. 

ERISA Law Is Complex, and You Need Strong Advocacy 

ERISA is one of the most complex areas of federal law. Employers and plan administrators generally have teams of counsel and compliance staff on their side. Without knowledgeable representation, you risk losing your right to benefits, missing procedural steps, or undervaluing your claim. 

At DL Law Group, we combine deep ERISA experience, litigation skill, and a commitment to policyholders. We represent individuals across California and nationally in cases involving retirement plans, disability benefits, health plans, fiduciary breaches, and more. 

If you believe your ERISA rights may have been violated, or if a benefits claim was denied or delayed, don’t wait. Reach out to us today to schedule a free consultation. Let us review your case, explain your rights, identify potential ERISA claims, and map out your path forward. You deserve a firm on your side that knows ERISA inside and out and fights fiercely for what you’re owed.