"After years of their compassionate work, Tim called and told me his firm wanted to make a donation to ALRP in Ken’s name. After all that had happened…it was really beautiful." Dennis Knebel, ALRP Client
Dennis Knebel met Ken Burgess on New Year’s Eve 1988. Ken was a vibrant, self-employed architect in Dallas; Dennis worked in San Francisco. They fell in love and despite their long-distance relationship, celebrated life together for many years. They traveled together frequently both internationally and on domestic road trips -- and visited each other’s homes monthly.
Tragedy began to unfold when Ken, after visibly losing weight, learned he was HIV+. Eventually moving in with Dennis, Ken struggled to complete his AIA degree and finish architectural projects. As committed partners, Dennis and Ken finalized their wills and healthcare directives, working with an attorney referred by ALRP. They also continued to enjoy being together, rejoicing with a memorable trip to Greece in the summer of 2002. Dennis still leafs tenderly through the photo album he created for Ken right after the trip.
In 2003, Ken and Dennis decided it was time to take one last short voyage. Ken’s health was deteriorating, and they considered purchasing travel insurance with Trip Assured, Inc., which advertised that it accepted such pre-existing conditions if the individual had a doctor’s okay to travel. Dennis and Ken produced the required paperwork for the insurance and paid the premiums—just in case. Sadly, the “just in case” turned out to be the reality. Prior to the cruise date, Ken’s health took an extreme downturn, and they reluctantly canceled their reservation. A few days later, Ken died.
Dennis filed a claim for the non-refundable cost of the cruise. Trip Assured’s reply was surprisingly hurtful, rejecting the claim. Dennis, still grieving, was about to “let it go.” But Ken’s father insisted on taking the issue to an attorney. The first attorney they met with declined the case. Then Dennis contacted ALRP for help and was referred to Panel attorney Tim Halloran, a partner at Murphy, Pearson, Bradley & Feeney.
Mr. Halloran attempted to resolve the dispute informally, but because of Trip Assured’s continual delay tactics, he and his team filed suit in 2004. For years, Mr. Halloran, Peter Weber and Suzanne Babb aggressively litigated the case. Finally, in early 2007, Trip Assured agreed to a settlement, which awarded Dennis monetary compensation, and also required Trip Assured to stop its false advertising, and to stop doing business in California. The suit influenced the California Department of Insurance to issue its own cease and desist order to Trip Assured, and six other states have taken similar actions against the firm. There is currently a class action suit pending in Federal Court.
Dennis’ heartfelt hope is that no one else will have to go through the difficulties he experienced because of similar bad business practices, particularly during a time of grief. Dennis remembers this difficult time made easier by the legal team he found through ALRP, thanks to their genuine caring and commitment to seeing justice served.
Story by Nancy Coleman Consulting. Photography by Mark Rogers Photography. | 
