Lawsuit Finance Blog

The Third Party Funding of International Arbitration Claims: The Newest “New Thing” is being sponsored by the New York State Bar Association and the Fordham University School of Law, in collaboration with the American Bar Association Sections of Dispute Resolution and International Law.

The event will be held at:
Fordham University School of Law
113 West 60th Street, 12th floor Lounge, New York, NY
June 15, 2011
1:00PM-7:00PM

Learn how the industry and the case law is developing, what funders look for in making their investment decisions, what commercial, professional, and ethical considerations need to be reviewed, why international arbitration may be ripe for expanded use of such investments, and what empirical research reveals and predicts for the future.

Topics to be covered include:
*areas relating to professional and ethics issues
*the possible impact of funding on the attorney-client relationship
*attorney client privilege
*conflicts of interest among the participants
*how to find a funder, the role and responsibilities of the lawyer, the different structures available for funding, the various funder services provided, the returns to and risks of the funder, how “sacred” is the contract, and “hands-on” versus “hands-off” considerations.

Presentations, comments, and questions, will be presented by prominent experts in the field, including providers, users, academics, and the media.

Registration: Go to www.nysba.org/DRroundtable ; or call (518) 487-5600.

Information provided by: Stephanie H. Reckler of Fulbrook Management, LLC

Amusement parks are traditionally associated with summertime fun for children, adults, and families. The season typically kicks off with Memorial Day weekend. Amusement parks attract millions of people ever year, and although most will spend the day without incident, accidents do occur -- whether due to mechanical failure, consumer behavior or unforeseen health issue, or operator behavior such as in the case at a Colorado amusement park on August 11, 2010. Fifteen people were injured when a train ride derailed. The operator of the ride at Tiny Town Park was found to have been driving the train as much as five times the normal speed limit when it went off the tracks. This is a perfect illustration of how good times can go wrong at amusement parks.

No matter how an amusement park accident occurs, if you or a loved one were injured at an amusement park, carnival ride, or water park, you may be entitled to compensation for current and future expenses, and punitive damages. Three types of law may apply – negligence, premises liability, and product liability law. An experienced attorney can evaluate whether the injury occurred due to a product malfunction – design and/or maintenance negligence or a premises liability – the safety of the property.

These types of personal injury or wrongful death cases can take months or even years before a settlement is reached. Fortunately, for those people that have financial responsibilities and in some cases loss of income due to the accident, lawsuit funding is an option.

Lawsuit Financial, the pro-justice litigation funding company can provide a non-recourse lawsuit cash advance for amusement park accidents. We provide pre-settlement and post-settlement funding so regardless of where you are in the legal process, we can help. Once you apply online or via phone, we immediately evaluate your case. If approved for a lawsuit cash advance, we will wire the money to your account. If you lose your case, you owe us nothing, not even the cash advance. If you have questions regarding pre-settlement funding for your amusement park accident, contact Lawsuit Financial for a no-obligation consultation.

Girls had their prom dresses and the guys ordered tuxes. The school held an assembly for the seniors. They expected it to be just another one of those “don’t be a distracted driver” speeches. It was led by a teacher and mother of a former student, a student who never attended prom or graduation. Why, you ask? Because Shawna was killed one month before her own prom, as a result of distracted driving.

Shawna's mom displays her prom dress as she speaks to the assembled students. She wants students to stop and think about Shawna; she doesn’t want a single student or student’s family to feel the sadness she and her family feel every day. Distracted driving has become an epidemic. In Shawna's case, it was her own distraction. She was drinking coffee and texting while behind the wheel. Shawna lost control of her vehicle, it overturned, and she was thrown from the car. Fortunately, no one else was in the car with Shawna and no other vehicles were involved.

Shawna's mom says she speaks out as a parent, not as a teacher. She does not try to lecture; she does not tell the students what to do; she, simply and tenderly, shares a personal story of what can happen when you drive while distracted.

As the students left the assembly, conversations were robust. This presentation was powerful, it made an impact. For one girl, it rang to close to home. She recalls her own auto accident last year when she was using her iPod while driving. Fortunately, she was not injured and no other vehicle was involved. The teen says that the presentation helped her realize how her risky driving behavior could have affected herself and her family. She vows to change her driving habits and not ride with friends who are not attentive drivers.

Shawna’s fatal auto accident was five years ago, but the memories will never fade. Her mother says, “I couldn't save my own child, but if I can save someone else's by talking about Shawna, then it's all worth it."

Lawsuit Financial, the pro-justice lawsuit funding company, strongly supports restrictions on driver distractions of any kind. We actively promote driver safety and publicly address the many driving distractions that exist in our daily lives. As an expert in auto accident lawsuit funding, we see the devastating effects that driver distractions can cause. Please do not put yourself and others at risk. Save these tasks for another time. Multi-tasking is not meant for our roads. The more we educate the better chance we all have to improving our roadways.

For one family a simple medication error led to permanent injuries. Fifteen days after a child was born prematurely, she was given a heavy dose of nutrients; one hundred times the dosage prescribed by the doctor. The medical error led to cardiac arrest and severe complications. Now a little girl struggles every day. She is blind and has cerebral palsy. Now almost four-years-old, the child remains in a wheelchair, and can not feed herself or even go to the bathroom on her own. The same will be true in 20 years. This child will not have the same opportunities as other children; her parents will not witness all the milestones most parents experience. Full-time care will be required for the rest of her life – all because of a medical error.

Her family filed a medical malpractice lawsuit against Lee Memorial Health System (LMHS), which maintained that the child's medical problems were the result of her premature birth, despite acknowledging that it made a serious error in dispersing the nutrients. Although the family was awarded $19.2 million, under sovereign immunity the liability cap could limit the award to 10% or $200,000. That's $200,000 for past and future expenses – medical expenses and around-the-clock care for the rest of her life. Does that seem fair?

The hospital has never paid a claims bill through the court; the family hopes after an appeal this will be the first. To overcome Lee Memorial’s sovereign immunity protection, a specific bill would have to be passed by the Florida legislature, which could only happen after all appeals had been exhausted, and this could take years.

How has this family been able to pay medical expenses and ongoing care of their child? Lawsuit funding is available to parents of a disabled victim against litigation proceeds that are earmarked for the care and treatment of the victim. It is extremely expensive to care for someone in this situation and to have to do it without financial assistance is almost impossible. Lawsuit Financial offers legal financial assistance to families struggling financially during a medical malpractice lawsuit. Lawsuit funding is a means to assist with your financial burdens while your lawyer seeks appropriate justice.

Robert was waiting at a red traffic light. Moments later, the driver of a Ford F150 slammed into the back end of his Honda Accord pushing Robert through the intersection and into an oncoming vehicle. An investigation proved that the driver of the pick-up was answering a text when the accident occurred.

Robert suffered a neck and leg injuries, and a herniated disc in his lower back. He underwent surgery followed by months of physical therapy. To receive compensation for medical expenses and lost wages, Robert filed a lawsuit. His attorney told him that it could be months for the case to settle. The insurance company made Robert a low-ball offer. Robert didn't want to accept the offer, but he was facing mounting medical expenses and other bills. His attorney told him about lawsuit funding.

After researching several lawsuit funding companies, Robert signed a contract with Lawsuit Financial. Lawsuit Financial, a leader in the litigation funding industry. Robert felt comfortable with their rates and terms – no application fees, no monthly payments, and best of all, if he lost his case he owed them nothing.

Lawsuit Financial was there when he needed them most. The pre-settlement funding gave Charles financial relief to avoid settling too soon, for too little. And, it gave his attorney the time needed to render a fair settlement.

One day after Governor Nikki Haley of South Carolina signed a bill to create a child ATV safety law, a 16-year old girl was killed in an ATV accident. The teen was riding alone in a field behind her home when she lost control causing the ATV to roll over. She was thrown from the vehicle which then landed on top of her. The girl died from blunt force trauma to the head and chest. Her brother was riding in a separate ATV at the time of the accident. Neither teen was wearing a helmet or any safety equipment at the time of the accident.

There are thousands of ATV accidents each year resulting in serious injuries or death. Many of these are among teenagers. The Chandler Law, which goes into effect on July 1, 2011, is named after 16-year-old Chandler Saylor who died eight years ago in an ATV accident. Chandler had attended a swimming birthday party, but at some point the boys at the party were allowed to ride ATVs. Chandler had never driven an ATV before, and when he tried to avoid hitting another boy, Chandler lost control causing the ATV to roll over.

Operating and riding an ATV is dangerous and risky. Wearing a helmet while operating an ATV reduces the risk of fatal head injury by 42 percent, and the risk of non-fatal head injury by 64 percent. The Chandler Law will require helmets, eye protection and training for ATV riders younger than 16. Even if this law had been in effect prior to these fatal accidents, it would not have applied to these two teenagers since they were 16-years-old at the time of the accidents.

Although ATV accidents generally result in negligence or careless of the operator, they can also be caused by a poor design or inadequate warnings on the vehicle. When negligent supervision, defective design or another rider's recklessness causes severe injury or death, a family may seek justice through a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit.

If you or a loved one has been involved in an ATV accident as a result of another driver, defective product, or inadequate warnings on the vehicle you may able to seek fair compensation for your injuries. Going through a lawsuit can takes a long time. While your attorney is working to obtain full case value, you may be faced with substantial medical bills due to injuries or funeral expenses as a result of a loved ones death. As the leader in litigation funding, Lawsuit Financial provides pre-settlement funding to plaintiffs struggling financially while waiting for their case to settle. If you would like to learn how Lawsuit Financial can help you, contact us today.

Often times, when a plaintiff files a lawsuit he/she has suffered serious injuries or has lost a loved one. Such lawsuits can be the result of medical malpractice, an auto accident, defective product, or work-related injuries. Medical treatment may include surgery, medication, physical therapy, and the bills can reach thousands of dollars. These health care providers expect payment regardless of your financial situation.

Plaintiffs will want to instruct their attorney to settle for whatever amount they can, and as soon as they can. They see a quick settlement as the only light at the end of the tunnel. That is usually because they are in financial distress, cannot get a bank loan, and have nowhere else to turn. They have never heard of lawsuit funding.

Lawsuit funding companies help people “bridge” the gap between when an accident occurs and when a settlement is reached. The strategy behind lawsuit funding is to allow plaintiffs the time needed to wait for a just settlement, rather than settling early just to pay the bills.
Lawsuit Financial began in order to help victims just like you to pay bills and manage debt during a time when you need it most. We understand that you are up against a defendant with deep pockets who will deny, delay, and defend stretching your finances to the limits. They want you to become so desperate that you will accept a cheap offer. Alleviating the financial burden enables you to concentrate on what's really important - recuperating from your injuries and pursuing a fair and just settlement.

A plaintiff who has exhausted all financial resources and is considering accepting an unfair settlement offer may be able to apply for lawsuit funding. A cash advance from Lawsuit Financial enables you to recover from your injuries while allowing your attorney to negotiate a full case value settlement. There are no application fees, credit checks, or monthly payments. The only time Lawsuit Financial is paid is when you settle your case. Lawsuit funding is a non-recourse cash advances, meaning if you lose your lawsuit, the cash advance is yours to keep; you owe us nothing!

If you want to take back financial control of your life after a serious injury or devastating loss, you consider pre-settlement funding. Avoid feeling pressured to accept a settlement too early, for too little. Call or visit our website to learn how a cash advance from Lawsuit Financial can eliminate the stress of frantically searching for a way to pay your bills and see justice being served. You have nothing to lose, nothing to risk, and only the financial staying power while you wait for justice.

When we place a loved one in a nursing home or assisted living facility, we expect them to be cared for and protected. Alzheimer’s and dementia patients require extra care because they tend to wander, become disoriented, and lost. When we hear stories like the recent one at the Springfield Skilled Care Center, it makes us all wonder about the safety are aging loved ones.

It appears that an 81-year-old resident was trying to crawl through a window when she fell and suffered a fractured neck causing her death. A preliminary investigation revealed that part of the window screen and edging around the screen had been pushed out. The window was approximately four feet above the ground.

Nursing homes are required to train staff members, determine which residents have a high risk for wandering, and should install door alarms as well as cameras in order to monitor residents. Did this nursing home assess her risk of wandering and have a plan of care? A state document outlined safety code violations in the special care unit where she lived. The report identified fire doors that wouldn't open properly when fire alarms were tested. There was no mention of any issue with windows, and personnel refused to say whether the windows had locks or alarms.

This case highlights the importance of doing your due diligence when researching nursing homes and assisted living facilities. After you choose a facility, visit often, especially at shift changes. Make unannounced visits. Are there enough staff members and do they interact with the patients. Are there alarms on the doors and windows to alert staff members if a patient tries to leave?

When nursing homes fail to have proper procedures in place or fail to adhere to procedure they may be liable for the injuries or wrongful deaths. Obviously, no amount of money can compensate a family for the loss of a loved one, but if you believe that your loved one was the victim of nursing home neglect or abuse, you may be entitled to compensation. Due to the complexity of these types of cases, plaintiffs may face serious financial hardship as the bills keep coming. Often times, they do not have the financial resources to wait for their case to settle.

Lawsuit Financial offers a pre-settlement cash advance so plaintiffs have the staying power to await fair compensation for their loss rather than accepting a speedy, low-cost settlement. A lawsuit cash advance is a strategic tool to help your attorney maximum case value. Contact Lawsuit Financial to learn more about how lawsuit funding can help your case.

This post has been provided courtesy of Lior Levin, a marketing consultant who works for an E2 visa lawyer from New York.

The iPad 2 features a new, thinner design that reduces the weight. The addition of a dual-core processor is another new feature in the iPad 2 that promises to be twice as fast. Important documents can be stored on the iPad, such as the rules of procedure and rules of evidence manuals and reference books. The iPad 2 is also a great tool for reading files; apps allow you to make notations, sign documents, and present them to your clients for their signature – all right on the iPad. You can also connect the device to a projector and show exhibits to the judge or jury in court.

The addition of a HDMI adaptor means easily interfacing the iPad 2 with a HDMI display. Conference calls can be turned into face-to-face video conferences with the iPad 2’s camera. For many lawyers, this can be a better way to discuss a case with an expert witness. A second camera allows you to take still photos shoot 720p high-definition video. Since HDMI monitors are used more frequently in conferences, this means it will become much easier to share multi-media presentations using one simple cable to connect the iPad to the display. The iPad 2 can also be charged while presenting, so there’s no fear of your losing battery.

Even with the one possible drawback that some courts may not admit recording devices into session, the iPad 2’s additional features certainly make it a worthwhile upgrade for any lawyer.

Lawsuit Financial Corporation helps provide legal finance cash flow solutions and to plaintiffs involved in pending, personal injury litigation. Strategies are recommended so that timely funding will enhance ultimate case results by removing current financial pressure to settle a case early and inexpensively. That pressure may be caused by an inability to pay mortgage payments, medical bills, car payments, food or other necessities of life. Removing the financial pressure to settle can help the client and the attorney pursue the case to a full and fair settlement. Thus, strategic lawsuit funding will often enhance case revenues. Mark Bello is one of the recognized experts in this field, both as an underwriter of these transactions and as an advocate for appropriate treatment of plaintiffs/clients in this industry and in litigation.

Do you know where your vehicle owner's manual is? Did you read it thoroughly after purchasing the car or were you like most of us who felt there wasn't a need? Admit it – you have never read it have you? Let's face it, we all know how to drive a car and they are all the same, right? Wrong! Quite often when consumers buy a new vehicle, they merely glance at the owner's manual or never touch it.

With the arsenal of auto safety technology, it is more important now than ever to understand all the features of your vehicle. If you don’t know where the wipers, blinkers, emergency flashers, door locks, etc., are they really helping to keep you safe? What about new features you have never had in a car before? Do you know how to operate them? Every vehicle is different, even if the manufacturer may not be.

Here is an example of what I am talking about. An employee just replaced her year old Ford Focus sedan with a Focus hatchback. Now you would think that Ford would place at least the basic features in the same location on the same model vehicle, right? Well, on the first day driving her new vehicle, it rained. She went to turn on the windshield wipers, but turned on the blinkers instead. The windshield wiper stalk is on the right side in this car. The door locks in this car are not on the driver door, but on the center dash. When the driver gets opens the door, all doors unlock, but if a passenger gets out, they do not. The dashboard has a large display with the time, mileage, and average miles per gallon, but the gas gauge is half the size of the previous Ford Focus and difficult to see through the steering wheel. Today, she almost ran out of gas because this important gauge is almost hidden. Then there are all the warnings going off – almost out of gas in today’s situation.

The combination of visual and audible warnings might be confusing to drivers, especially teens and the elderly. With all the high-tech, some assume their car will automatically adjust for their errors – the car will automatically adjust its speed or brake to avoid a collision.

This makes me wonder how many accidents are caused from a driver’s negligence in knowing his/her vehicle before that first drive. Take the time to read the owner’s manual. Familiarize yourself with the recommended maintenance schedules and know the recommended tire pressure and read how all the controls work. Remember, there might be new buttons and gadgets your old vehicle did not have. After reading the manual, sit in the car and locate all the features. Little differences like the location of the windshield wipers can be a big difference if it suddenly starts raining. Driving is not the time to start looking around the car. They may seem like little annoyances now, but knowing your vehicle before you drive can maximize your protection, and others.

Sometimes, however, accidents happen, even to the most careful drivers. If you or a loved one is seriously injured in an automobile accident that was of no fault of your own, you may be able to recover damages for medical bills, loss wages, and pain and suffering. It is important to contact a personal injury attorney who specializes in handling similar cases. These cases can take months even years to settle, but it is important not to settle too soon. Sometimes injuries will last months, years, or a life time.

If you are worried about paying bills and other financial obligations, Lawsuit Financial has a solution. As one of the country's most experienced legal funding companies, we provide lawsuit funding so you don’t have to settle too early, for too little. Lawsuit Financial will evaluate your case, and if approved, can usually provide the funding you need within 24 – 48 hours. Best of all, there are no fees unless you win your case. Call us or visit our website to learn more about lawsuit funding services with Lawsuit Financial.

A 91-year-old Baltimore man was enjoying a warm spring day riding his mobility scooter when he was struck by a pick-up truck. According to initial police reports, the man was in the crosswalk when he was hit. He was transported to the hospital where he was pronounced dead. The investigation is ongoing, but police do not believe speed was a factor. Was the driver not paying attention?

Regardless of how the accident occurred, the family may decide to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the driver of the pick-up truck. An experienced attorney will file suit against the guilty party on behalf of the family and fight for fair compensation. Due to the long legal process, if the family is in need of financial help, they may also decide to secure lawsuit funding prior to their case settling. Lawsuit Financial is a litigation funding company that works with clients to help them secure pre-settlement funding and structured settlement payouts. Case funding can help level the playing field by easing immediate financial pressures. It helps a plaintiff's attorney fight for fair compensation instead of settling for less than case value.

With a lawsuit cash advance from Lawsuit Financial, plaintiffs can cover mounting medical bills, funeral expenses, and any basic, everyday living expenses. Lawsuit Financial has the resources to provide you with pre-settlement funding when you most need it. Best of all, if you suffer the misfortune of losing your case, you will owe Lawsuit Financial nothing. Take the time to contact us about your case and to learn more about your options with Lawsuit Financial.

A wrongful death results from the negligence or other unjust action on the part of another person, company, or entity. It is not only heartbreaking, but there will never be that chance to say goodbye. We know it is difficult to face reality head on and to file a wrongful death lawsuit; no compensation will replace the loss of a loved one. However, it can help replace the loss of income earned, pay medical bills, funeral costs, and just maybe, some emotional anguish.
There is a famous quote by Plato – Good people do not need laws to tell them to act with responsibility, while bad people will find a way around the laws.

One thing you will learn early on is that the big businesses and insurance companies care only about themselves. They have the deep pockets and will do everything in their power to deny, delay, and defend. They have the staying power to force an early settlement so they will drag out the process as long as possible. The plaintiff may feel pressure to accept a low-ball offer as substantial and unexpected financial problems take their toll. But, the plaintiff's attorney needs more time and is advising against an early settlement. Without some financial reprieve, the plaintiff is between a rock and a hard place.

The lawsuit funding expert knows justice will not be served if a plaintiff's financial situation prevented them from pursuing full compensation for the loss of their loved one. A lawsuit cash advance can help the plaintiff pay monthly bills, medical expenses, mortgage, rent, car and funeral expenses. With lawsuit funding, there are no monthly fees, no credit checks, not employment history verification. Best of all, it is a non-recourse cash advance, meaning that if you lose your case, you owe nothing; keep the advance free, with no obligation to the funding company.

If you have filed a wrongful death lawsuit and are considering accepting a low-ball settlement from a greedy insurance company, you may benefit from lawsuit funding. Don't settle for less; contact the lawsuit funding expert!

All too often someone can destroy the lives of others when he/she chooses to get behind the wheel while intoxicated. On May 1, the irresponsible actions of one man claimed the life of a young woman.

The impaired driver of a 2008 Dodge pick-up truck rear-ended the woman's 2008 Nissan. The driver of the Nissan was pinned in her vehicle; the fire department had to use the Jaws-of-Life to rescue her. Unfortunately, she died shortly after reaching the hospital.

The family of this young woman will likely may want to pursue a wrongful death claim in hopes of receiving compensation for funeral costs, medical expenses, emotional damages and other related losses. Due to the nature of a drunk driver accident, it is important that they contact an attorney to help preserve their legal rights and help them recover full compensation. While discussing the case with an attorney, they might also want to ask about lawsuit funding.

When they apply for a lawsuit cash advance, they only need to provide case details to the litigation funding company. Once approved, they receive their pre-settlement funding within 24-48 hours. They won’t have to pay upfront fees or make monthly payments, and once the lawsuit cash advance arrives, they may use it to pay for medical bills, funeral expenses, tuition, or other outstanding bills. The best thing about lawsuit financing is that it removes the financial desperation to accept any nonsense offers from the greedy insurance company, which deliberately drags the proceeding down to cause financial pain. Lawsuit funding is a strategic tool used by many plaintiffs who have lost a loved one due to an auto accident and need financial assistance while waiting fair compensation and justice.

A worker sustained a jaw fracture and spinal injuries when he was catapulted from a forklift. According to a personal injury lawsuit, the man was ordered to ride on the back of the forklift to counterbalance the heavy load.

The man was part of a crew building a pole barn at the time of the accident. He said that the supervisor on the job instructed him to sit on the back of the Bobcat which was loaded with 2,780 pounds of steel. After the steel was elevated, the load slammed to the ground which launched the man in the air and over the top of the Bobcat. He landed face-first onto the pile of steel. The worker lost most of his teeth, and suffered multiple herniated discs in his spine, multiple rib fractures, a collapsed lung, and a traumatic brain injury. He underwent seven surgeries.

After a nine day trial, a settlement of $1 million was reached, the full value of the defendants' insurance policy. The plaintiff declined to pursue compensation for economic damages resulting from his permanent injuries.

Lawsuit Financial understands that suffering from a personal injury is a devastating experience. Cases like this can be lengthy and complicated; this worker was injury in 2004 and the case just recently settled. Over the years, he may have struggled financially due to medical expenses and lost wages. Lawsuit funding may have been an option. A lawsuit cash advance is available to pay medical expenses, rent, mortgage, car payment, and any other important bill or expense, while waiting for your case to settle. Lawsuit funding is a non-recourse cash advance against your lawsuit; it is contingent upon the outcome of your case. If you lose, you do not repay your lawsuit cash advance. If you are involved in a lawsuit and are concerned how you will meet your financial obligations while the lawsuit is pending, contact Lawsuit Financial toll free at 877-377-SUIT (7848) or visit our website at www.lawsuitfinancial.com for a free consultation.