The parents of an Iraq war veteran who died in his sleep in February while recovering from post-traumatic stress disorder have sued his insurance company after it refused to pay his life insurance.
In a lawsuit filed in Kanawha Circuit Court in July, Stan and Shirley White of Cross Lanes maintain that Houston-based American General Life Insurance Co. wrongly denied them the proceeds from their youngest son's life insurance policy.
Andrew White joined the Marine Corps Reserve in July 2003, and served as a combat engineer, disarming "improvised explosive devices" and patrolling areas near Iraq's border with Syria.
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In August 2007, White was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, and began treatment at the Veterans Affairs clinic in Kanawha City.
Although he was taking prescription medicines at the time of his death, a toxicology screen performed as a part of an autopsy indicated normal levels of his medication, the lawsuit maintains. The autopsy found no disease, organ damage or health problems, the lawsuit states.
The state Medical Examiner's Office determined that White's death was accidental, according to the lawsuit.
However, when his parents submitted his death certificate to AIG, the insurer denied their claim.
If Republicans had their way, the insurance industry would not be subjected to regulations and victims of corporations would have no recourse in the courts.
