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Lawyers: Insurer Won't Pay $10 Million to Heath Ledger's Daughter
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Lawyers: Insurer Won't Pay $10 Million to Heath Ledger's Daughter
A life insurance company is balking at making a $10 million payout to Heath Ledger's nearly 3-year-old daughter Matilda, lawyers for the child claim.
ReliaStar Life Insurance Co. first wants to investigate whether Ledger died by suicide, which would allow the insurer not to pay, says attorney John LaViolette, representing Matilda’s estate, who filed a lawsuit in July.
According to the coroner, the actor died at age 28 from an accidental overdose.
"There's no evidence out there we know of to remotely suggest the death was a suicide," says lawyer William Shernoff, who is working with LaViolette on the case. "We think it's more of stalling tactic than anything else."
Ledger, who had taken out the policy in June 2007, willed his estate to his parents and sisters, but family members decided that Matilda – Ledger's daughter with Michelle Williams – would get all the money.
ReliaStar spokesman Dana Ripley says, "We have not yet rendered a decision on this claim." Ripley declined further comment.
"Given the very private and personal nature of the life insurance business and our decision to protect the privacy of policyholder, it wouldn't be appropriate to discuss any specific detail on this process or the policy," says Ripley.
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Posted 10/1/08 7:08 AM  |
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Re: Lawyers: Insurer Won't Pay $10 Million to Heath Ledger's Daughter
I understand why they are looking into this....It's no different for anybody else. If it COULD be suicide they always do an investigation. I think people are reading to much into this......Just because he's Heath Ledger doesn't mean he is exempt
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| Posted 10/1/08 7:33 AM |
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smdl
I love Gary too..on a plate!
Member since 5/06 32461 total posts
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me
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Re: Lawyers: Insurer Won't Pay $10 Million to Heath Ledger's Daughter
I understand but it was ALREADY ruled out as an accidental overdose by a coroner. What investigation are they going to do that the police did not do already?
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| Posted 10/1/08 7:35 AM |
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Shelly
She's 7!!!
Member since 8/05 14624 total posts
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Re: Lawyers: Insurer Won't Pay $10 Million to Heath Ledger's Daughter
Posted by smdl
I understand but it was ALREADY ruled out as an accidental overdose by a coroner. What investigation are they going to do that the police did not do already?
Because most "accidental overdoses" are usually suicides. Look at Kurt Cobain's "accidental overdose" before his successful suicide attempt.
I think they would probably do this for any significant payout, celebrity or not.
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| Posted 10/1/08 9:11 AM |
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MarisaK
HELLO Manolo !!
Member since 5/06 14562 total posts
Name:
Marisa
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Re: Lawyers: Insurer Won't Pay $10 Million to Heath Ledger's Daughter
Posted by Shelly
Posted by smdl
I understand but it was ALREADY ruled out as an accidental overdose by a coroner. What investigation are they going to do that the police did not do already?
Because most "accidental overdoses" are usually suicides. Look at Kurt Cobain's "accidental overdose" before his successful suicide attempt.
I think they would probably do this for any significant payout, celebrity or not.
I work for a Life Ins co. and there are specific suicide clauses when you buy policies .........If he had taken the policy out or increased the face amount within the past year or 2, they are not required to payout if he commits suicide - and on a $10 million payout, I would think ANY ins. co. would do an investigation .........
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| Posted 10/1/08 10:49 AM |
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