William Shernoff

The new lawsuits build on 10 similar lawsuits filed against Blue Cross and WellPoint three weeks ago by attorney William Shernoff of the Claremont-based firm of Shernoff Bidart & Darras. The lawsuits bring to light a grave threat to patients by companies trying to avoid paying legitimate claims, according to the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights (FTCR).

"If all Americans will have to prove they own insurance policies, the government must also make insurance companies stick to their promises. That means not letting insurers cancel coverage or dump sick patients into low benefit policies that effectively block access to the care patients need," said William Shernoff of the law firm Shernoff, Bidart, Darras and Echeverria representing Ms. Horton.

The insurance company did not consider his doctor's opinion and acted in bad faith when it denied the claim, according to Nickerson's attorney, William Shernoff.

The company delayed his claims for months and then paid 20 percent of what it owed, said William Shernoff, an attorney representing Hall.