When an individual files a lawsuit for personal injury, wrongful death, or any other type of legal claim, it can take months or even years for the case to settle. Meanwhile, plaintiffs may face financial difficulties due to mounting medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses related to their case. To alleviate this financial burden, plaintiffs may consider settlement funding.
Settlement funding, also known as litigation funding or legal funding, refers to the process of obtaining a cash advance against the expected settlement or verdict in a legal case. In other words, plaintiffs can receive a portion of their settlement or award upfront, rather than waiting for the case to conclude
Importance of Settlement Funding for Plaintiffs
The benefits of settlement funding for plaintiffs are numerous. It provides financial assistance to those who are struggling to make ends meet while waiting for their case to settle or go to trial. Without settlement funding, plaintiffs may be forced to accept a lowball settlement offer just to pay their bills and cover their living expenses. Additionally, settlement funding can help plaintiffs hire the best legal representation and expert witnesses, which can improve their chances of winning the case or receiving a higher settlement offer.
Types of Settlement Funding
There are two types of settlement funding: pre-settlement funding and post-settlement funding.
Pre-settlement funding:
There is always a risk that things won’t work out for the best. There are two possible outcomes if your case isn’t successfully resolved. The first is that you won’t get anything at all. The second is that your settlement or judgment falls short of the estimated case value, and less than you agreed to repay.
Post-settlement Funding
Post-settlement funding provides plaintiffs with a cash advance against their settlement or verdict after the case has been resolved. This type of funding is available to plaintiffs who have already received a settlement or verdict but have not yet received payment. The funding amount is usually a percentage of the settlement or verdict amount.
Benefits of Settlement Funding:
Access to immediate funds:
One of the most significant benefits of settlement funding is that it provides plaintiffs with immediate funds to cover their expenses. This can include medical bills, living expenses, and other costs related to their case.
Ability to cover living expenses:
Settlement funding can help plaintiffs cover their living expenses while they wait for their case to be resolved. This can include rent, utilities, groceries, and other necessities
Ability to hire a better lawyer or expert witness:
Settlement funding can also provide plaintiffs with the ability to hire the best legal representation and expert witnesses, which can improve their chances of winning the case or receiving a higher settlement offer.
Protection against settling for a lower amount:
Finally, settlement funding can protect plaintiffs from settling for a lower amount than they deserve just to pay their bills and cover their expenses. With settlement funding, plaintiffs can wait for a fair settlement or verdict without financial pressure.
Settlement funding is an excellent option for plaintiffs who are struggling financially while waiting for their case to settle. It provides them with immediate funds, allows them to cover their living expenses, and can help them hire the best legal representation and expert witnesses. Overall, settlement funding can provide plaintiffs with the financial stability they need to see their case through to a fair resolution.
Process For Obtaining Settlement Funding
Application
The first step in obtaining settlement funding is to apply for it. The application process involves filling out an application form with information about the case and the plaintiff's personal information. Alex Legal Funding may also request additional documentation such as medical records, police reports, or legal documentation related to the case.
Review
Once the application has been submitted, Apex Legal Funding will review the case to determine whether it is eligible for funding. This process is called underwriting. During underwriting, we will will consider various factors such as the strength of the case, the likelihood of a settlement or judgment, and the potential amount of the settlement or judgment. If the case meets our underwriting criteria, the funding will be approved
Payment
At Apex Legal Funding repayment of settlement funding is not required unless the plaintiff receives a settlement or judgment. Once the settlement or judgment is received, we will deduct the amount of the funding plus any fees and interest from the settlement or judgment amount. If the settlement or judgment is not enough to cover the funding and fees, the plaintiff is not responsible for any additional payment.
Eligibility for Settlement Funding:
A plaintiff must have a strong case with a high likelihood of success, must be represented by an attorney, and must not have any liens or prior funding on the settlement or judgment.
Types of Cases Eligible for Settlement Funding:
Settlement funding is typically available for personal injury cases such as car accidents, slip and fall accidents, medical malpractice, and wrongful death. It is also be available for employment disputes, product liability claims, and other types of civil litigation.
Cases that Apex Legal Funding Can Fund:
Apex Legal Funding provides settlement funding for a variety of cases, including personal injury, medical malpractice, product liability, and wrongful death claims. We also provide funding for employment disputes and civil rights cases. To determine whether a case is eligible for funding, plaintiffs can fill out an application form on the Apex Legal Funding website.
Settlement funding, also known as legal funding or lawsuit funding, is a way for plaintiffs to access funds while their legal case is ongoing. This type of funding can be particularly helpful for those who have suffered personal injury or other types of damages, as they may have significant medical bills or lost income as a result of their case. However, there are also risks associated with settlement funding that plaintiffs should be aware of.
One of the main risks of settlement funding is the high interest rates that may be charged. Because settlement funding companies take on a significant amount of risk by providing funds before a case is resolved, they may charge interest rates that are much higher than traditional loans. This can result in a significant amount of debt if the case does not settle quickly.
Another risk of settlement funding is the potential for hidden fees. Some settlement funding companies may charge additional fees that are not clearly disclosed to the plaintiff upfront. This can make it difficult for plaintiffs to understand the true cost of the funding they are receiving.
Finally, there is also a risk of limited funding. Some settlement funding companies may only be willing to provide a certain amount of funding, which may not be enough to cover all of the plaintiff's expenses. This can be particularly challenging for plaintiffs who have significant medical bills or other expenses related to their case.
Summary
When choosing a settlement funding company, there are several factors that plaintiffs should consider. One of the most important is the company's reputation. Plaintiffs should research the company thoroughly, looking for reviews and feedback from past clients.
It is also important to consider the terms of the funding agreement. Plaintiffs should look for a company that offers transparent and straightforward terms, with no hidden fees or charges. They should also look for a company that is willing to provide flexible funding options that meet their specific needs.
One settlement funding company that stands out for its reputation and commitment to transparency is Apex Legal Funding. Apex Legal Funding is known for its fair and honest approach to settlement funding, and for its willingness to work with clients to find funding solutions that meet their specific needs. Our company also offers flexible funding options, with no hidden fees or charges.
Settlement funding can be a helpful resource for plaintiffs who are struggling financially while their case is ongoing. However, it is important to be aware of the risks associated with this type of funding, including high interest rates, potential hidden fees, and limited funding. When choosing a settlement funding company, plaintiffs should consider factors such as reputation, transparency, and flexibility, and should consider working with a company like Apex Legal Funding that is known for its commitment to fair and honest practices
