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In November 2011, we posted about a new filing against Pan American Life Insurance Company. The suit was filed on behalf of a policyholder who had been denied medical treatment for skin cancer. The medical evidence and the opinions of her doctors supported the claims, yet her insurer wrongfully denied care and treatment.

There have been updates to this case. Tragically, our client passed away in January from cancer. The wrongful denials by Pan American Life Insurance, and resulting lack of medical treatment, ultimately led to her death.

The case has recently been re-filed in Houston after a dismissal in New Orleans due to a venue argument. The policy was purchased by a couple living in Honduras but the parent company is based in New Orleans. All medical treatment and procedures were to be performed in Harris County causing jurisdiction to fall under Texas law.

In the original filing, the plaintiffs were attempting to reverse the wrongful denial in order to pursue medical treatment. In the subsequent filing in Harris County, the damages have shifted as the plaintiff has died as a result of the insurance company’s misconduct.

To add to the issues, and compounding the effect of the insurance company’s misconduct, health care providers whose services were sought by the plaintiff under the pretext Pan American Life Insurance would pay the cost, enlisted the services of Specialized Collections to begin harassing the plaintiffs for the debts owed. A grieving family is now faced with financial ruin, in addition to the tragic loss of a loved one. All of this could have been avoided had Pan American Life simply honored its responsibilities.

Pan American Life Insurance’s actions had dire consequences. Our client sought medical treatment in Houston, one of the best medical cities in the world, with the expectation of being cured. Instead, her insurance company created roadblocks and bars to her treatment, and abandoned her and her family. Doyle stands behind this family to see justice served against an insurance company who chose profit margins over fulfilling their duty to a policyholder.