Lawsuit Funding Helps Plaintiffs Pursue The Full Value Of Their Lawsuit

2006 Air Crash Results In $48M Award

Wed, 04 May 2011 16:50:00 GMT

A jury awarded $20M to five families that lost loved ones in a 2006 plane crash near St. Louis, MO, along with $48M in punitive damages to an airplane parts manufacturer. Six people died in the crash right after takeoff when an engine failed due to a defective turbine blade that reportedly has caused 8 other engine failures.

The plaintiffs involved had to wait five years for the case to come to a conclusion after a court case. It is these lengthy time frames that make litigation financing a valuable resource for plaintiffs. Litigation financing companies like P & T Financial provide funds to plaintiffs up-front when they need it. The legal loans are not paid back until funds are received when the case is settled.

In many personal injury lawsuits, plaintiffs are in financial distress due to the loss of a loved one and wage earner or due to high medical bills following injuries. Litigation financing enables the plaintiff to pay bills and continue to work for a full and fair settlement to their case. Without such financial aid, plaintiffs often settle for early, sub-standard offers just to get some needed cash. With the staying power provided by legal loans, the final settlement amount can be 3-5 times higher than early settlement offers, which is a great benefit to plaintiffs and their attorneys.

P & T Financial is one of America's leading pre-settlement litigation financing companies. We partner with many attorneys and work with many plaintiffs to provide needed legal loans while personal injury lawsuits are pending. Please contact us at any time with any questions or to receive a quote.

Is a Lawsuit Loan Really A Loan?

Tue, 25 Jan 2011 22:40:00 GMT

When a plaintiff in a lawsuit receives pre-settlement funding to help cover medical and living expenses, it is often referred to as a lawsuit loan, or legal loan. However, this lawsuit funding is really not a loan. There are no regular payments made on the funding. There is no credit check performed or creditworthiness associated with receiving the pre-settlement funding.

This type of lawsuit funding is non-recourse. This means it is only paid back if, and when, the plaintiff's case is successfully settled. The plaintiff is really receiving a portion of the final settlement up-front, when the cash is needed.

The lawsuit funding company works with the plaintiff's attorney to build a case profile. If the case qualifies for a "lawsuit loan" then the lawsuit funding company will provide the requested funds. When the case settles the lawsuit funding is paid back out of the proceeds of the settlement, including a fair return on the funding for the risk taken.

The greatest benefit of lawsuit funding is that it gives the plaintiff and their attorney "staying power." It removes the short-term need for cash, which means there is no need to settle the case prematurely due to financial pressure. This very often results in a significantly larger final settlement for the plaintiff.

P&T Financial is a leading lawsuit funding company with an easy application process and competitive rates.

How Lawsuit Funding Can Help Injured Construction Workers

Tue, 04 Jan 2011 17:55:00 GMT

In the largest verdict in Marin County history, a construction worker injured in 2007 was awarded $11.7 million. The worker hit his head in unsafe work conditions and sustained injuries that will last a lifetime.

Lawsuit funding helps construction workers on cases like this due to the excessive medical bills the worker must pay to try to restore his health. In this case, spine surgery and extensive rehabilitation after near paralysis. The lawsuit loan provides the plaintiff cash up-front to help pay medical bills and replace lost income. The loan is actually a pre-settlement payment on the final award and is paid back only when the case is settled.

A case like this, which required over three years to reach a settlement, puts substantial financial pressure on the plaintiff to settle the case in order to get needed cash. The lawsuit funding removes that financial pressure and enables the plaintiff to continue to pursue a full and fair settlement.

P & T Financial provides pre-settlement litigation financing for construction injuries, along with many other types of personal injury cases.

Lawsuit Funding Example In DUI Case Settlement

Wed, 15 Dec 2010 18:05:00 GMT

An intoxicated truck driver killed 4 people in 2005 and finally, 5 years later, the family of one victim has received a $15 million award on the case. This is a classic example of a case where lawsuit funding can make a big difference for the plaintiff.

As the primary breadwinner for the family, the loss of the deceased's income put financial pressure on his spouse and family. This type of pressure in cases like these very often forces the plaintiff to settle the case early in order to get needed cash to pay living expenses.

But pre-settlement lawsuit funding provides a portion of the settlement today, when it's needed, and allows the plaintiff and their attorney to continue to fight for a full and fair settlement. It is not unusual for final settlements to be 3-5 times larger than early settlement offers.

For this family, they had to wait 5 years for their case to settle and a pre-settlement legal advance very often plays a vital role for the plaintiff in these types of cases. P & T Financial provides litigation financing forvictims in all types of accident cases, including DUI cases.

Oakland Victim of Police Action Wins $1.2 Million Settlement

Tue, 16 Nov 2010 19:34:00 GMT

It took almost two years. but a seriously burned plaintiff in Oakland, CA finally won a $1.2 million settlement against the city. The victim was burned when Oakland police fired a flash-bang grenade into the home where she was sleeping.

In the two years since the event, the victim piled up more than $400,000 in medical bills. In these types of cases, the plaintiff is most often under extreme duress to settle their case quickly to get funds needed to pay these bills.

Lawsuit funding, also known as pre-settlement financing, can make an important difference for plaintiffs on these types of cases. Lawsuit funding provides cash to plaintiffs today, when it's needed to pay bills, but is only paid back if and when the case is successfully settled. If the plaintiff does not win the case, the legal loan does not have to be repaid.

Pre-settlement legal funding enables plaintiffs and their attorneys to pursue their case for a full and fair settlement instead of settling prematurely for a fraction of the case's true value. P & T Financial is one of California's leading lawsuit funding companies and provides a no-cost, no obligation case review and quote.

Medical Malpractice Award of $3.9M For Paralyzed Woman

Mon, 08 Nov 2010 19:01:00 GMT

Pre-settlement legal loans are very often valuable for plaintiffs in medical malpractice cases. The injured plaintiff often incurs extremely high medical bills coupled with an inability to work. While well-funded defense lawyers can hold out indefinitely while the case works its way through the court system, the victim needs cash now in order to pay bills. Without the lawsuit funding, plaintiffs often settle the case early for a fraction of what the case is worth.

A recent case in Toledo, OH demonstrates the point. A jury awarded a woman $3.8M when she was left paralyzed following a surgical treatment. The case took over 2 years to reach a settlement, and you can only imagine the costs of care incurred by the victim during the time between the injury and the settlement.

Pre-settlement litigation funding levels the playing field, giving plaintiffs needed cash so they and their attorneys can pursue a full and fair settlement of the case.

Sex Harrassment Suit Shows Need For Pre-Settlement Funding

Tue, 19 Oct 2010 17:32:00 GMT

A recent sexual harrassment case settled in Los Angeles is a good case to demonstrate how pre-settlement lawsuit funding can level the playing field for plaintiffs.

The case, filed back in 2007, claimed that 21 female janitors for ABM Industries, Inc. were sexually harrassed or assaulted by 14 male supervisors as far back as 2001. One of the plaintiffs was fired after being harassed by her supervisor and reporting it.

Plaintiffs in these types of cases are competing against deep-pocketed corporate lawyers who work to exploit the financial hardship experienced by the plaintiffs due to loss of work. Their goal is to force a significantly sub-standard settlement of the case early in the process because plaintiffs need the cash to pay living expenses.

Pre-settlement litigation funding, also known as a legal advance, provides needed cash to plaintiffs today that enables them to continue to pursue a full and fair settlement of their case. This cash advance is only paid back out of the final settlement of the case--if the plaintiff fails to win the case, the money does not need to be repaid.

In this case, it took over 3 years for the case to come to a settlemnet of $5.8 million. Lawsuit funding often plays an important role for plaintiffs in these type of extended sexual harassment lawsuits.

Two Settle In Buffalo Air Crash Negligence Suit

Fri, 01 Oct 2010 21:18:00 GMT

Two of the families that lost loved ones in the Colgan Air crash outside of Buffalo, NY in February 2009 have settled their case out of court.

The remainder of the plaintiffs plan to go to court because the pre-settlement offers have been too low. The NTSB has found that pilot error was the cause of the crash.

Final settlements in all of the cases will likely take years in order to get a full and fair settlement for the victims' families. In the meantime, the victims' families must continue to cover living costs even after the loss of the primary breadwinner.

Pre-settlement legal advances for the plaintiffs can provide needed cash today to help them pursue the case to completion. With this type of litigation funding, which is "non-recourse" funding, the lawsuit funding is paid back only when the case is settled. If the plaintiff does not win the case, then the funding does not have to be repaid.

Air crashes are very often quite complicated with many plaintiffs and many defendants. As a result the length of the settlement period can be quite long and can create hardship on the survivors. These are the precise circumstances for which lawsuit funding has been created, P & T settlement provides pre-settlement funding to plaintiffs forairplane crashes and negligence lawsuits.

$11M Libel Judgment Against Gossip Website

Mon, 20 Sep 2010 21:06:00 GMT

In a story reported by cincinnati.com, anybody in the public eye, or anybody who has been falsely accused online, will welcome the recent $11M judgment against www.TheDirty.com.

A Kentucky teacher who sidelines as a Cincinnati Bengals cheerleader was awarded $1M in compensatory damages plus $10M in punitive damages by a U.S. District Court Judge. The website posted pictures of the plaintiff along with allegations she had sex with Bengal football players and had two venereal diseases.

The plaintiff only filed suit after the site refused repeated requests to take down the information from the website. The defendant failed to respond to the lawsuit.

Libel and defamation cases are one of the many types of cases for which lawsuit funding can be helpful. Pre-settlement litigation funding for plaintiffs provides cash today, when it is needed to pay living expenses. The funding is only paid back out of the final settlement of the case. If the plaintiff does not win the case, the legal advance does not have to be repaid.

Lawsuit Funding For Medical Malpractice Case Example

Tue, 14 Sep 2010 16:24:00 GMT

It was December of 2006 when a woman was taken to the hospital with a sudden headache and numbness on her right side. She died days later.

It's taken nearly four years for the victim's husband to finally earn a settlement on his medical malpractice lawsuit, earning a $5.3 million settlement against the radiologist, lead doctor and hospital.

This case demonstrates the value that litigation financing can provide the plaintiff. During the 4 years it took to get a settlement, lawsuit funding can provide the cash needed to continue to pursue a full and fair settlement. Insurance companies have well-funded staffs of attorneys and they routinely force plaintiffs to settle cases prematurely for a fraction of their value because the plaintiff needs the cash. This legal loan advance levels the playing field for the plaintiff.

A Good Example of How Lawsuit Funding Helps

Tue, 14 Sep 2010 16:25:00 GMT

A pre-settlement legal loan would very likely have helped a high school student and his family following a tragic 2006 fistfight at school.

The student suffered permanent brain damage during a lunchtime fight and was awarded a total of $5 million, plus interest, However, it took almost 4 years for the final settlement and the boy and his family have had constant medical bills during this time.

In cases like these, a lawsuit loan would have provided the family needed cash to cover the medical and care expenses while the legal process was winding its way forward. This type of litigation funding is non-recourse, which means the plaintiff does not have to repay the lawsuit loan if the case is lost. The lawsuit funding is paid only out of the ultimate settlement.

Lawsuit funding helps even out the playing field for plaintiffs facing well-funded insurance company legal teams.

$19.9 Million Verdict in Boy Scouts Sexual Abuse Suit

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 17:29:00 GMT

The sexual abuse took place in the 1980's in Oregon and the lawsuit was initiated over three years ago. When the jury awarded one plaintiff $19.8 million, the judge sought both sides to mediate a settlement in a total of six cases.

Pre-settlement lawsuit funding in a long-lasting case like this could be a valuable asset. Victims of sexual abuse often suffer from a range of emotional issues requiring expensive long-term care. A legal advance can provide the victim the cash needed today to get the necessary treatment while settlement of the case is pending.

Cases involving sexual harrassment and sexual abuse are one of the many types of cases for which litigation financing is available to plaintiffs. Use of lawsuit funding levels the playing field for the victim against well-funded corporate defense attorneys. By removing the pressing need for cash, the plaintiff and their attorney can pursue the case for a full and fair settlement.

State Dept. of Corrections Settles Supervision Case for $4.25M

Mon, 23 Aug 2010 23:05:00 GMT

Here's a great example of a case where it takes over 2 years for a settlement to be reached and pre-settlement legal funding can be a valuable asset for the plaintiff and their attorney.

Substantial medical bills need to be paid and often plaintiffs are forced to settle for a fraction of the justified amount by well-funded corporate or government legal teams in order to get needed cash now. Legal funding can supply needed cash today and give the plaintiff and their attorney the time needed to earn a full and fair settlement of the case. Here's the scoop:

In June of 2008, a felon under the supervision and control of the Washington Dept. of Corrections struck a pedestrian in a crosswalk while driving. The victim was in the hospital for six months and suffered traumatic brain injuries. She continues under care today.

The driver fled the scene in the stolen car she was driving. The lawsuit claimed the driver was under supervision because:

“…Gillespie was being supervised by the DOC after her release from prison on a third-degree assault conviction for deliberately striking a truck with her vehicle in South Tacoma…in that September 2006 incident, she tried to run down an unknown man who was in the street and ended up striking three cars. Nobody was seriously hurt.”

Further, the lawsuit indicated:

“In the seventeen months in which the DOC was responsible for the supervision and control of Ms. Gillespie, she violated the conditions of her release many times, committed additional crimes and her mental health severely deteriorated to the point at which she posed an unreasonable danger to the community.”

A spokesperson for the DOC denied that the supervision was mishandled. They agreed to the settlement for fear of a sympathetic jury awarding an even higher amount.

$65M Auto Accident Award Demonstrates Need For Lawsuit Funding

Mon, 23 Aug 2010 21:12:00 GMT

A Florida Court of Appeals has upheld a $65 million verdict resulting from a 2007 automobile crash. The victim was driving her car when a truck driven by an employee of Bynum Transport Inc., made a left turn into the driver’s side of the victim’s car.

The victim received severe injuries and, even with long-term therapy, is unlikely to make a complete recovery. She requires 24/7 care and needs assistance with all of the basic activities of life.

It took three years for the victim in this case to finally settle in a robustly defended action. During this time, the victim accrued major medical bills and was unable to work.

This is a perfect example of what lawsuit funding can do for the plaintiff. During the three years of litigation, pre-settlement legal funding can provide the victim the cash needed to pay for medical and living expenses. Without this advance legal funding, the victim likely would have to settle for a fraction of the amount just to get needed cash to pay bills.

As is often the case with lawsuit funding, the higher case settlement provides both the victim and the attorney with greater cash settlements than would be achieved without the pre-settlement funding.

Fired Coach Files Job Discrimination Lawsuit

Mon, 09 Aug 2010 17:45:00 GMT

Mary S. Phillips, formerly a softball coach for Acton-Boxborough Regional High, isn’t giving up. In 2007, the school failed to renew her contract. Phillips believes the reasons were obvious: she is female and a lesbian. She has brought a complaint to the Middlesex Superior Court alleging job-discrimination. This case is an excellent example of how lawsuit funding can level the playing field for a plaintiff suing defendants with deep pockets.

Phillips, who was hired as an assistant coach in 2003, was open about her sexuality. With her partner she is raising five children, three of whom were students at Acton-Boxborough. In 2004 she was promoted to head coach of the softball team. Phillips believes that her recent dismissal is an indication of the school stance on not only her sexuality but also her gender.

The school sites hostile behavior, parental complaints and swearing among the reasons her contract was not renewed. Parents of some of the athletes under Phillips guidance have complained about her abilities as a coach. They cited lack of playing time and a poor win/loss record. Phillips later discussed these issues with the Acton-Boxborough athletic director, Steve Desy, claiming they were unfounded.

According to the suit brought by Phillips, she was praised for her performance during the 2007 season by Desy, stating he told her she has done ‘a great job.’

Shortly after the end of the 2007 school year, several parents brought new complaints to the school district. Notis notes that these complaints are not described in the lawsuit nor has he received official copies of the complaints. The lawsuit asserts that when questioned, Desy would not provide further details to Phillips regarding the complaints.

Phillips further alleges that, while discussing the new complaints, she was asked by Desy if she wished to keep her job. Apparently referencing her desire to have another child, Desy allegedly asserted that her ‘young family’ and desire to ‘get younger’ might be more important to Phillips than her job.

The lawsuit, brought by Notis on Phillips behalf, alleges gender discrimination as well. It details several cases where male colleagues in similar situations were not disciplined or not treated as harshly as Phillips, citing several cases in which complaints that male coaches swore or were abusive were left unanswered. Another male heterosexual coach was sent to anger management classes after losing his temper. He did not lose his job.

Phillips filed a suit with the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination soon after her contract was not renewed. The commission found her claims baseless and cited several meetings between athletic director Desy and the softball team or their parents. Many of the team members expressed dissatisfaction with their experiences with Coach Phillips, specifically citing her use of foul language. As many as eight parents expressed plans to remove their daughters from the team if Phillips returned for the 2008 season.

The MCAD also notes a conversation between Desy and Phillips during which the athletic director brought forth examples of complaints and attempted to discuss changing the behavior. Desy cites the reason her contract was not renewed was her failure to work towards addressing the complaints and concerns made by both parents and students.

The state commission went on to note that Phillips sexuality was known, even before she received her job.

The school district stands behind the decision, stating that the do not tolerate ‘bad’ behavior from their coaches or staff. Superintendent Steven Mills couldn’t comment on the case, other to say it was without merit.

Phillips remains strong in her belief that she was fired because of her sexuality and not because of poor performance or questionable behavior. Her attorney, Notis, states that athletic director Desy appeared to radically change his position in regards to Phillips stating that the allegations brought against his client were categorically false.

This case is likely to spend many months or years in court proceedings before a settlement is reached. The plaintiff is without a job and financial resources during this time, so pre-settlement lawsuit funding can provide the cash needed by the plaintiff to give her the time needed to achieve a full and fair settlement.