Is there any recourse for a denied STD insurance claim?

Whether there is any recourse at this point is a question of the facts surrounding this scenario. The first thing I would want to know is whether this policy if governed by ERISA, which stands for the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. This federal law is usually applicable when a benefit, such as health, life, or disability insurance, is provided through an employer. If ERISA applies then certain steps must be followed to make sure that the administrative remedy process is exhausted. This administrative remedy is very, very important, and you will want to at least speak with someone in more depth about what this is and its significance. Once this administrative remedy process is complete this person would have the right to file suit in federal court. If ERISA is not applicable, typically the person would have the right to file a breach of contract action for the insurance company failing to pay the benefits that it agreed to pay. You would need to check the laws of the particular state that would apply to this contract for details on deadlines for filing suit, damages to be recovered, and procedures to follow in seeking recourse. Please be aware that if ERISA does apply there are some relatively short time frames that apply, and missing these deadlines can have catastrophic consequences. It is a very good idea to at least speak with someone about this STD claim.