Thursday, October 22, 2009

Settlement Funding - How Much Does it Cost?

Although customarily not the first question asked, it is a question on most, if not all, applicants' minds. Much to the applicant's consternation, there is no single answer to this question!

Costs incurred with settlement funding vary with the amount funded, complexity of the case, where the case is in the litigation process, the risks involved with the likelihood of a plaintiff's verdict, and length of each case. Once your application is submitted, you and your attorney will be contacted to discuss your case in an effort to ascertain the foregoing.

As with any situation in monies are advanced, efforts will be expended to minimize risks involved prior to funding your case. Many applicants fail to disclose previous funding obtained. Previous funding in a specific case is another factor taken under consideration to assess the cost inherent in providing settlement funding.

It is not infrequent that both applicants and attorneys are curious to know in what manner settlement funding will affect an recovery realized. Once again, there is no single answer, and many possibilities come to mind, a few of which we will discuss here.

It is possible that your case will settle for more than anticipated once the settlement funding is provided. The plaintiff, in this scenario, obtains a greater judgment and the attorney, in most cases, receives a higher fee.

In cases in which settlement funding is provided and the case settles for what you expected, the award is not affected and the attorney's fee remains unchanged. The advantage of obtaining settlement loans is that they allow you to pursue a larger settlement than may have otherwise been obtained if limited finances force you to settle prematurely.

If you have obtained a lawsuit loan and you recover less than anticipated, you, as well as all involved parties, will likely receive less than you may have otherwise. It is important to realize, however, that it is unlikely that the defendant would have offered as much as you ultimately recovered.

In the scenario in which you lose the case and there is no recovery, if you've obtained a lawsuit loan, you win! As a non-recourse instrument, settlement funding is only repaid if you obtain a recovery.

Learn more about settlement funding. Stop by our site where you can find out all about lawsuit loans and what they can do for you.

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Settlement Funding and Your Options in Employment Discrimination Cases (Part II)

In order to obtain settlement funding for an employment discrimination case, one must first be an employee. What constitutes an employee under the law?

To be an employee, one must under the direction and control of an employer. It is immaterial whether the contractual agreement is either oral or written - an employment relationship may accrue in either instance. You must first satisfy this criterion if you intend to pursue a claim for which settlement funding is obtained.

Although the company for which services are performed may identify you as an independent contractor, if that company exerts sufficient control over the work performed, you may in fact be an employee. Company's are not permitted to engage in discriminatory practices, irrespective of whether you are either an employee or independent contractor. Pre-settlement loans are often awarded to claimant aggrieved in this manner in both classifications.

Certain states require an employee to work for an employer who regularly employs 5 or more people prior to that employee being protected by Discrimination Law. The minimum number of employees-requirement is customarily not applicable in harassment claims.

The vast majority of jurisdictions permit a claim against an employer for harassment even though the plaintiff is the only employee. Lawsuit loans are often provided to individuals filing claims for harassment although the employer has no other employees. It is also significant to note that, if the employer retaliates against the employee for filing a harassment cause of action, the employee may then sue the employer for this retaliation and obtain settlement funding for this separate complaint.

Many aggrieved employees want to know whether mediation works? The simple answer is, "Yes." Key to a successful resolution, however, is selecting the right mediator!

The right mediator is often someone who has either been a lawyer or a judge who has handled numerous cases similar to the case under consideration. The mediator should not be an individual who relies principally on a certain industry (e.g., Insurance defense) for most of the cases with which they have experience.

Yes, mediation may prove very useful, assuming both parties are reasonable, willing to proceed with confidence in the proceeding. An unreasonable party, however, whether it's you or the employer, often mandates a resolution through the courts. Whether you pursue mediation or the courts, settlement funding is often readily available!

Learn more about settlement funding. Stop by our site where you can find out all about lawsuit loans and what they can do for you.

Monday, October 19, 2009

Settlement Funding: Does Your Case Have What it Takes to Qualify? Part I

Why do we even refer to it as a lawsuit loan? It is clearly not a loan in any sense of the word! To be precise, we should refer to it as settlement funding, a form of funding provided in advance of settling your claim. One may even go so far as to refer to it as venture-capital.

An important aspect of this form of funding is the fact that the applicant bears no risk in this transaction, a benefit of having a non-recourse loan.

The process begins when the lender and applicant strike an agreement. According to the terms of your agreement, if you lose your case, you do not have to repay the loan. Many consider this form of funding, correctly so, as a no-risk type of financial assistance to which you have access while you are awaiting settlement.

Settlement funding may be provided for numerous types of cases. It is often instructive to understand not only the types of cases for which settlement loans may be obtained, but also some of the quirks involved with the specific type of case.

Personal injury suits very frequently occur as a result of motor vehicle collisions: Personal injuries of many types occur as result of incidents out of which this type of claim arises. On top of damage to the vehicle you occupied, there are, on many occasions, hospital bills, ambulance bills, and other medical expenses to pay. Due to the stakes involved in such cases, they are often not settled for years.


Cases involving injuries to children: Pre-settlement loans are often difficult to procure in these cases. As a result of many guardians attempting to settle these claims to satisfy their own interests, often at the expense of the injured child, the Court will occasionally appoint an attorney ad litem. The attorney ad litem is charged with representing the child’s interests, even when those interests are out-of-synch with the guardian’s.

Cases involving slip-and-fall: This is the most common mechanism that results in personal injury, many times requiring settlement funding. Many retailers will challenge every aspect of such claims, principally due to both their prevalence and cost.

If video-surveillance is available, as is true in many instances, a copy must be procured. In these cases, it is very important to clarify how the incident occurred, such as the surface on which the slip occurred, anything that may serve as an obstacle in your path and that resulted in your fall, etc.

In such cases, witness testimony can prove very useful and should be elicited if both possible and it will support your claim. One should never leave to chance details regarding the manner in which the incident occurred. Your chances of obtaining settlement funding are increased when you provide a complete description of the incident.

Want to find out more about settlement funding, then visit Dr. Tom Rhudy's site to find out if you qualify for asettlement funding for your needs.

Sunday, October 18, 2009

Lawsuit Loans are Readily Available in Employment Discrimination Cases (Part I)

Some of the circumstances in which claims arise as a result of alleged employment discrimination will be discussed in this article. In Part II, we will identify some of the common scenarios observed in such cases.

Most of us would like to imagine that such discriminatory practices do not occur in our society today. However, if you have had that rumination shattered due to such a practice, you may gain some comfort in realizing lawsuit loans are available and in many situations awarded in such cases.

This form of discrimination is protean in nature, taking many forms, and occurring in all kinds of work settings. A company's reputation is often adversely affected by employment discrimination. It also frequently negatively impacts the business's bottom-line. Settlement funding may be critical to your ability to pursue an action to address this harm.

Discrimination Law is a branch of the Law that serves as an ally in efforts to stop unfair employment practices. There are certain characteristics protected by federal and/or state nondiscrimination laws that fall under the branch's ambit, e.g., age, disability, national origin, sex, religious beliefs, race, or color. Left in its wake, very often, is a traumatic experience for individuals so-affected that results in a negative impact on their economic security, retirement, and self-esteem.

Lawsuit loans are customarily provided to those victimized by this form of discrimination occurring in situations ranging from hiring and promotions, distribution of benefits, e.g., training and vacation, and the ability to work overtime. Settlement funding is essential principally because, in these cases, the ability to work has been improperly severed.

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII), prohibits employment discrimination that has as its predicate race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. Men and women who perform substantially equal work in the same establishment are legally protected from sex-based wage discrimination by the Equal Pay Act of 1963 (EPA).

The Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA) protects individuals 40 years-of-age or older from employment discrimination. Qualified individuals employed in the private sector, as well as those employed in local and state government agencies, are protected from discrimination under Titles I and V of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1967 (ADA).

Discrimination against qualified individuals with disabilities employed in federal government agencies is prohibited under Sections 501 and 505 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

Employers are often forced to modify such discriminatory practices once a case is filed. Awards arising out of this particular category of claims, if the plaintiff prevails, are often for millions of dollars. Those who file claims in this category must prepare for a long and protracted battle. Settlement funding is often required to maintain such an action while the former employer challenges the allegations on which the claim is based.

Lawsuit loans are ideally suited for this type of litigation. Due to their protracted nature, and likelihood of appeal if the plaintiff does prevail, those aggrieved may benefit greatly from this form of settlement funding!

Want to find out more about your lawsuit loan, then visit Dr. Tom Rhudy's site on how to choose the best settlement funding for your needs.

Sunday, October 4, 2009

Lawsuit Loans - A beneficial or detrimental?

rapidsLawsuit Loans – What are the Benefits?

When you are involved in litigation and your financial condition becomes serious and banks, friends, and family can't help you, to whom do you turn? There are support services that may offer support, specifically designed to meet your needs.

The team of legal, medical and financial experts dealing in lawsuit loans may provide the assistance needed to create a dependable budget to meet your needs and secure your future. Lawsuit loans may be sufficient to support you and your family.

Also known as non-recourse loans or pre-settlement funding, it offers financial support as well as other support services to the plaintiff.

The need for a lawsuit loan often arises when the daily expenses suddenly increase, placing a strain on your personal finances.

Obtaining one may be a great help when you are suffering with pain or injuries, which can decrease your work capacity. In such cases, they may provide the cash you desperately need.

Lawsuit loans often help you in both pre- and post-settlement litigation, offering a wide array of funding options. This may be just what you and your attorney need to preclude accepting a ridiculously-low settlement offer.

BENEFITS OF LAWSUIT LOANS

• A Plaintiff gains assistance in financing the everyday needs during the course of litigation.

• They provide support pending settlement.
• They provide your attorney with resources to retain witnesses needed to support your case.
• They assist in keeping your attorney’s focus on your case, maintaining the cash-flow for the law office while you are awaiting settlement.
• The team of legal, medical and financial experts dealing in lawsuit loans assists both you and your attorney in preventing over-funding.

Lawsuit Loans support you when you are injured due to the carelessness or irresponsibility of others. You are legally entitled to take legal action against those who cause the injuries, and to recover just-compensation.

Let’s face it, if the tortfeasor (i.e., the one causing your injuries) offered to justly compensate you for the harm they produced, litigation wouldn’t be on your plate!

Plaintiffs often must engage in expensive litigation to recover for losses incurred due to the carelessness or irresponsibility of others. Don't allow your insufficient resources cheat you out of the settlement you deserve!

Legal Settlement Loans is the premier settlement lawsuit loan educational resource. We provide all the needed information to someone looking to get a lawsuit loan during their pending lawsuit.

Visit us today to educate yourself further on settlement loans and how to find the proper settlement loan provider. Lawsuit loan apply now!

Friday, October 2, 2009

When is obtaining Lawsuit Loans a terrible idea?

gavel

Reports of Convictions From the Coalition Against Insurance Fraud –
may be found here.

* Jorge Moreno wanted to help a friend dump his 2002 Cadillac Escalade for insurance money. But the Reno-area con wasn’t very friendly; it was fatal. His buddy Oscar Zavala-Gallegos couldn’t afford the $620 monthly payments and owed more than the Caddy was worth. So he decided to fake a theft. Zavala-Gallegos
parked the car at a mall, leaving the keys inside. Moreno and Fabian Cedeno took the car and broke out its windows. The pair then drove the car at a high speed, intending to hit a guardrail and damage the Caddy.

Cedeno was driving. He jumped out before the crash and was killed by a head injury. Moreno drove Cedeno to a hospital, claiming Cedeno was beaten in a bar fight. That story didn’t wash, and cell phone records helped expose the con.

Moreno pleaded guilty, and faces up to four years when sentenced in September.

No word on the fate of Zavala-Gallegos.

* The public-spirited handyman wasn’t very handy to a would-be arsonist. Susan Washington wanted to burn down her Ocala, Ga. home to collect $100,000 in insurance money. She told her handyman that tenants had made a mess of the place, and she wanted to torch it. Washington offered him $5,000 to do the deed.
But instead of taking the windfall, he told Ocala police about the plot. “Go and get it done and if you can call me from a pay phone from now on, cuz I’m not going to ring your number after this goes down, because I don’t want them to think that I’m talking to you after it’s been done because that might raise suspicion,” Washington said in a taped conversation with the handyman. She
pleaded guilty yesterday, and faces up to 20 years in federal prison when sentenced.

* Larry Butler filed the same injury claims against several razor manufacturers for the same injury, stealing $9,500 from the companies. The scam cost him 14 years and four months in California state prison, the insurance department said yesterday. The Palmdale man said razors made by Phillips, Proctor & Gamble,
Eveready/Energizer and Panasonic caused him to have ingrown facial hairs that scarred his face. Butler submitted the same photos of the claimed injury plus the same receipt and price quote for skin treatment to all the companies, which are self-insured. Coalition member GlobalOptions SIU investigated on behalf of one of its third-party administrator clients, and referred the case to the California insurance department for further investigation.

* Needing a good high, David Van Dunk Jr. used his father’s prescription plan to scam painkillers oxydodone, Percocet, morphine sulphate and other drugs. The Hewitt, Conn. man claimed the drugs were for his father. Junior bilked Connecticut General Life out of $12,140. Van Dunk received probation Monday, and must go into rehab.

* A strip-mall owner hired a mother-son team to burn down the place for insurance money. Dan Thornton had borrowed nearly $400,000 to launch the Stockton, Calif. mall, but fell behind on payments. He allegedly offered Dina Larson and her 19-year-old son Jacob Smith a cut of the insurance money to torch the place. They did the deed, then Thornton said it was a hate crime by someone who disliked Thornton because he was gay, prosecutors charge. But Smith confessed the next day, implicating his mother. Officials also discovered containers of kerosene at the site. They traced the containers back to a nearby Wal-Mart. Store security cameras showed Larson purchasing Coleman fuel, gloves,
black shirts and hats, nylons and other items. Larson and Smith have pleaded guilty. Each faces at least five years in federal prison when sentenced, but could receive up to 20 years. Thornton still faces charges.

* A pipe burst and damaged Kenneth and Charlene Frye’s house in Orlando. The couple made an insurance claim to re-pipe their home, and Travelers of Florida paid out $8,827.50. Four months later, Charlene said they’d incurred more expenses and handed Travelers a $21,610 proposal from Absolute Affordable by Anthony’s.

Travelers re-inspected their home and found that many items on the proposal weren’t completed. The insurer met with Antonio Fiol, owner of the repair company. He said he’d done work and was paid $4,965. But Fiol denied preparing or signing the larger proposal. Travelers referred the case to the Florida Department of Financial Services. Charlene recently received probation and must repay Travelers $4,275. Kenneth apparently wasn’t implicated.

* Jesus Quiroz told Infinity Insurance that someone stole his 2002 GMC Denali on August 9. Except that Infinity learned the Oxnard, Calif. man’s vehicle had been impounded in Mexico on August 8. Quiroz finally admitted he had financial problems and couldn’t afford the payments, so he abandoned the Denali in Mexico to collect an insurance payout. He received 90 days in county jail in September.

* An agent who also was a prominent volunteer education official stole more than $22,000 in client premiums and used the loot for personal expenses. Al Perry once chaired the North Andover (Mass.) school committee. The head of the Internet Insurance Agency, Perry used the premiums to pay personal gas, phone
and credit card bills. His clients began complaining when they discovered they didn’t have workers comp or other coverage for which they thought they paid.

Perry’s agent-sons turned him in when they discovered the scheme. He received two years of probation, and has begun repaying his clients. The con was triggered by unspecified medical problems Perry said he suffered.

* The largest workers comp fraud case in California history closed a major chapter yesterday when the state workers comp board dismissed $70 million in bogus medical bills allegedly submitted for payment by a giant medical mill called Premier Medical Management Systems. Premier allegedly submitted several thousand bills to comp insurers, paying lawyers kickbacks for referring patients. Premier targeted Hispanic claimants with minor injuries and tried to
ring up thousand of dollars in medical bills for each claim by providing worthless treatment then inflating the bills, officials say. It was a complex “pay to play” cross-referral network involving physicians and lawyers, officials charge. The dismissal this week culminates seven years of investigation and litigation by Travelers Insurance and other carriers. A multi-agency task force launched a criminal probe, and courts threw out Premier’s retaliatory lawsuits.

The September deal was part of a plea bargain that will keep Premier’s operators out of prison, says Al MacKenzie, Los Angeles County Deputy DA. MacKenzie says he still plans to file criminal charges.

For information on obtaining Lawsuit Loans for legitimate, viz., "legal," purposes, check us out.

Obtain more information on the types of cases we accept today!

Thursday, October 1, 2009

What are the requirements for obtaining lawsuit loans?

rapidsWhat are the requirements to apply for a Lawsuit Loan?

We have provided a list of information we require to assist you in finding the right lawsuit loan lender.

The lenders with whom we associate may need to contact you for additional information. However, in most instances, your attorney will provide the needed information.

To get started (i.e., your application cannot be processed without this information), you’ll need to provide the following:

•Plaintiff’s (i.e., the individual who filed the lawsuit) Name

•Plaintiff’s Address (include street address, city, state, and zip code)

•Plaintiff’s Contact Numbers (you must provide a telephone number)

•Plaintiff’s E-mail Address

•Attorney’s Full Name (ensure that you spell the last name correctly)

•Attorney’s Firm Name (if you need to, research this on the Internet)

•Attorney’s Firm Address (include street address, city, state, and zip code)

•Attorney’s Contact Numbers (you must provide the attorney’s fax number)

•Date of Incident, Accident or Injury (be as accurate as possible)

•Detailed Description of the Incident (do not leave this blank)

•Detailed Description of Injuries, Losses or Damages (if you’re uncertain, discuss this with your attorney – this is crucial)

•Requested Loan Amount (if the lender determines that your case is worth more than the requested amount reflects, you will be offered a greater amount)

Plaintiff’s Full Name

The lender must know who will be responsible for repaying the loan if the case is resolved in the plaintiff’s favor. (Remember, if you lose, you pay nothing.)

Plaintiff’s Address

You must include your street address, city, state, and zip code. You may also wish to identify why, if applicable, why your attorney is located in a state other than that in which you reside.

Plaintiff’s Contact Numbers

If you fail to provide a telephone number, your application is dead-in-the-water. The lender will not commence prior to contacting you.

Plaintiff’s E-mail Address

Provide an email address that you may check frequently to enable you to monitor the progress of your lawsuit loan.

Attorney’s Full Name

Rest assured, your attorney will be contacted. Simply stated, no attorney, no lawsuit loan. (One of the most frequent questions we receive is, “May I obtain a loan without an attorney?”)

Attorney’s Firm Name

Research this on the Internet if you have to. Spell it correctly!

Attorney’s Firm Address

You must include the attorney’s street address, city, state, and zip code. Once again, you may also wish to identify why, if applicable, why your attorney is located in a state other than that in which you reside.

Attorney’s Contact Numbers

Remember, you must provide your attorney’s fax number. No fax number, no lawsuit loan!

Date of Incident, Accident or Injury

Be as accurate as possible. Documentation must be consistent with respect to this issue. You may be confident in knowing that the defendant, the party against whom this claim is made, will not pay for injuries sustained on a date other than that for which the defendant is potentially liable.

Detailed Description of the Incident

This section is frequently left blank on applications. It’s like asking the lender to fund a pig-in-a-poke. It ain’t going to happen! Tell the lender how you sustained the loss/injury, in detail.

Detailed Description of Injuries, Losses or Damages

It’s a fool’s-errand to think that the lender will speculate as to this issue. Don’t be shy! Tell the lender what it is that serves as the basis for your claim.

Requested Loan Amount

It is axiomatic that you can only receive up to 10% of what your lawsuit is actually worth. This is one of the real strengths of a lawsuit loan lender. Their vast experience in reviewing cases enables them to quickly analyze, with your attorney’s assistance, the value of your claim, as well as the likelihood of success. Of course, there are no guarantees!

How do you get started in applying for a lawsuit loan?

Reputable lenders and brokers will most frequently permit you to complete a simple, one-page application online. If you provide the foregoing information, all of which should be obtained via the online application, you should find smooth-sailing in obtaining your lawsuit loan.

Legal Settlement Loans is the premier settlement lawsuit loan educational resource. We provide all the needed information to someone looking to get a lawsuit loan during their pending lawsuit.

Visit us today to educate yourself further on settlement loans. Find out if you can meet the requirements for a lawsuit loan. Lawsuit loan requirements!

Is it time that you looked into "Legal Settlement Advances"?

Legal Settlement Advances

Legal settlement advances are non-recourse (i.e., if you don’t win, you pay nothing back for the loan) cash advances. They are available to individuals who sustain losses (e.g., personal injury, wrongful termination, etc.), and who agree to repay the advance once the claim has been resolved in their favor.

There are inherent risks for lenders with such loans. Therefore, most lenders analyze such requests diligently.

Numerous authorized, principled, and realistic issues must be taken into consideration prior to obtaining legal settlement advances.

How Do They Work?

Individuals who sustain losses contact either a lender or broker who offers legal settlement advances. The lender stays in close touch with the lawyer, and obtains requisite information about the case.

Relying on the information gathered, the lender predicts the cost of settlement and offers advances to the plaintiff (i.e., the one who files the claim).

Once the case is settled, and if it goes to court, the defendant (i.e., the party against whom the claim is filed) frequently has to pay fees related thereto. (Any fees associated with obtaining the advance may be assessed against the defendant.)

Once again, with non recourse loans, you do not have the obligation to repay if you lose the case.

Costs related to the advance are contingent on numerous factors, not the least of which is the nature of the case and the lender involved. Many lenders offer legal settlement advances ranging from $500 - $200,000.

When is a Legal Settlement Advance Appropriate?

Litigation processes can take years to settle. An injured person customarily must pay all of the officially authorized expenses connected with the litigation while the case is pending. If you are unable to work, will you be able to wait till the case is settled?

In many such cases, legal settlement advances mean the difference between paying your bills or destroying your credit.

Legal settlement advances should be considered carefully. If other funding-alternatives are available, they may prove to be your solution.

Costs are obviously involved with this funding. Therefore, when you are opting for legal settlement advances, choose wisely!

Legal Settlement Loans is the premier settlement lawsuit loan educational resource. We provide all the needed information to someone looking to get a lawsuit loan during their pending lawsuit.

Visit us today to educate yourself further on settlement loans and how to find the proper settlement loan provider. Lawsuit loan apply now!