Lawsuit Loans: How Do They Work?
An attorney loan cash advance to pay for a settlement award or a judgment from a lawsuit.
You may have seen ads on the television. A well-dressed executive claims that you’ll get your money today if you cannot wait till your injury lawsuit is settled. Legal loan companies cater to those who are plaintiffs in personal injury lawsuits such as traffic accidents as well as slip and fall cases and medical malpractice. Some lenders will also lend money to heirs awaiting settlement of the deceased’s estate, or to plaintiffs in discrimination on the basis of employment or civil rights lawsuits. Visit ACFA — Florida for you lawsuit loans that you can apply in store or online.
If any of these scenarios could be applicable to you and require cash, you may be eligible to receive an “lawsuit loan”–an advance on any future settlement of a lawsuit (or award) amount. The advances are referred to by various names, such as:
- lawsuit loans
- Cash advances for lawsuits
- litigation financing
- the funding of lawsuits and
- settlement financing.
If you’re dealing with high medical expenses or loss of income following an injury, the prospect of receiving money from a lawsuit straight now can be appealing. However, is it really in your best interest to take out a loan against a future verdict or settlement? Take your time before jumping into lawsuit funding. The borrowing of funds against a settlement or judgment could assist you in overcoming immediate financial challenges, but could result in a large amount of cash in the end. Be sure to do your research and know the price of obtaining the loan for a lawsuit.
How Lawsuit Lending Works
The lawsuit funding product is that is offered to plaintiffs who hope to settle or get an award in a lawsuit. This is how it operates.
If you decide to start a personal injury lawsuit then you can request a loan from an organization that deals in lawsuit financing. The company will review your case to determine the amount you could be able to receive when you settle or win an agreement. (The majority of cases involving personal injuries settle prior to trial.) The lender will offer you an amount of money right away. In return you are required to repay the loaner the amount that is owed (the principal) along with the “funding fee” out of the settlement proceeds or judgment. In most cases, you do not have to pay anything until you settle the case or receive an award. The lender receives payment from the profits of the judgment or settlement.
The Cost of Borrowing Against Your Future Lawsuit Proceeds
“Funding fee” or “funding fee” can run from 2% to 4 percent per month. This may seem like a reasonable amount however, it’s equivalent to annual percentage rates of between 27% and 60 percent or more. If you consider that your case could take years to settle It’s possible you’ll have to pay back twice or triple the amount you’ve borrowed.
Repaying the Litigation Funding Lender
The loan is paid out of the judgment or settlement funds, after the other costs are paid. When you negotiate a settlement with the defendant or you win a judgement in the court, certain costs are paid out of the total. The expenses are:
- The attorneys’ fees for attorneys (in personal accident cases, usually between one-third and one-half of any settlement you receive)
- costs associated with litigation, including costs for process servers the cost of copying and copying court costs.
- medical lien for services you received from hospitals, doctors, or other medical professionals.
If all other costs are paid the lender of the lawsuit gets the money from the remaining.
