Should I Accept a Structured Settlement?

When you are injured, the last thing you want to worry about is money. You need to focus on healing and getting back to your life. That is why some people choose to accept a structured settlement following an injury. A structured settlement is a series of payments that are made over time, usually as a result of a lawsuit. They can be an advantageous way to receive compensation, but there are also some disadvantages to consider before accepting one.

Continue reading to review some of the most referenced pros and cons of structured settlements in personal injury cases.

Call 317-881-2700 For Structured Settlement Legal Advice in Indianapolis IN.
Call 317-881-2700 For Structured Settlement Legal Advice in Indianapolis IN.

The Facts Surrounding Structured Settlements

Structured settlements are an option for people who have won lawsuits or received large sums of settlement money as a result of personal injury claims. A structured settlement is a financial arrangement in which the recipient receives payments over time, rather than in one lump sum. There are advantages to this type of arrangement, including the ability to receive larger total payments and the elimination of the need to invest or manage a large sum of money all at once. However, there are also some potential disadvantages to consider before agreeing to a structured settlement.

Personal Injury Structured Settlements: Advantages vs. Disadvantages

One of the biggest advantages of a structured settlement is that it can potentially provide greater financial security than a lump sum payment. This is because the payments are spread out over time, which can make it easier to budget and manage your finances. Additionally, the payments are often tax-free, which can further increase your overall financial security. However, one of the potential disadvantages of a structured settlement is that you may not have access to all of the money immediately. This can be particularly problematic if you have large medical bills or other expenses that need to be paid right away.

Another potential disadvantage of a structured settlement is that the terms of the agreement may be inflexible. For example, you may be required to receive payments over a certain period of time, and you may not be able to modify the agreement if your financial circumstances change. Additionally, if you pass away before the end of the structured settlement agreement, your beneficiaries may not receive the full amount of the money agreed to with the structured settlement.

Overall, structured settlements can be an option for many people, but it is important to weigh the pros and cons carefully before making a decision. If you have any questions about whether a structured settlement is right for you, be sure to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney at Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. as soon as possible.

Where to Get Trusted Advice Regarding Structured Settlements in Indiana

Structured settlements can provide advantages and benefits to those who are injured or disabled due to an accident or medical malpractice. However, a structured settlement is not suitable for every situation, so it is important to seek the advice of an experienced Indianapolis personal injury attorney when considering such an agreement. The Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. is experienced in structured settlements and can provide you with the legal advice to determine if this option is right for you.

Are you ready to learn more about your rights to collect compensation for your recent accident in Indiana? Contact the Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. today at 317-881-2700 and schedule a free case evaluation with an accident lawyer in Indianapolis. Our extremely knowledgeable team is standing by to help you with your legal needs. We understand that making the decision to hire an attorney can be difficult and we are here to assist you in any way possible. From the far corners of Indiana to beyond, we tirelessly advocate for injured Hoosiers – no matter where they may be.

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Information About Personal Injury Structured Settlements

When you are in the middle of a personal injury lawsuit, your mind is in constant motion with questions about all the possible outcomes of your case. Although you might have an experienced personal injury lawyer on your side who is fighting for your rights to compensation, it can be tough putting your mind at ease until the case is completely settled.

Many people are worried about their settlements and wonder how they will receive their payment in the end. Questions like, “Will I get all my money at once?” and “Is it possible that my compensation will be awarded as a structured payment?” are all common concerns by most personal injury plaintiffs.

Injury Lawyers Indianapolis Indiana 317-881-2700
Injury Lawyers Indianapolis Indiana 317-881-2700

The Benefits of Structured Accident Settlements

A structured settlement is an agreed periodic payment plan in which the recipient receives a set amount of money over a specified period. Structured payments are a fairly common method of dispersing personal injury settlements and verdicts. Whether a structured settlement is a good result or a bad one really hangs on the recipient. There are both advantages and disadvantages of structured payments, depending on personal perspective.

The number one benefit of a structured settlement is that you usually receive more money overall. In a lump sum payment, the amount is usually negotiated lower. Another major benefit is personal financial management. When a large sum of money is paid out overtime, it is typically easier to manage your finances, pay bills, save money, and maintain a positive financial portfolio. It may be especially beneficial in terms of tax liabilities as well.

Additional Advantages of Structured Payments:

☑ Simpler Tax Planning
☑ Possible Income Tax Advantages
☑ Additional Annual Income
☑ Broader Subsidy Opportunities
☑ Budget Protection

Disadvantages of Personal Injury Structured Settlements

One of the common downfalls to structure pay is limitation. For those consider themselves financially savvy, not receiving your full compensation can be a huge restriction since you cannot use the money to make any lucrative investments. In other cases, a personal injury victim has already paid all of their hospital bills, medical expenses, and other related expenses, out of pocket. They have also already incurred lost wages from work. So, by not receiving a full payment can be frustrating since victims in this type of situation is simply trying to put the money back where it was before their accident.

Timeline for Receiving a Structured Settlement

If you win your claim and an insurance company agrees to give you a structured settlement, you will not be given a paycheck right away. Instead, you will be paid a set amount over a set period of time. The terms of structured settlement agreements vary from case to case, and payment amounts, and schedules can be set in many different ways. These payments generally begin as soon as all the paperwork is processed; however, this time period can vary, and sometimes can take up to one year to begin receiving payments.

Lastly, a settlement can also be a portion paid out up front in cash and a portion in a structured settlement.

Are you looking for a seasoned personal injury law firm to obtain the maximum settlement for your Indiana accident claim? Contact the Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to schedule a free personal injury case evaluation. You can speak directly with a trusted and experienced Indianapolis personal injury lawyer over the phone, via online video, or in person at our office. We represent clients throughout the state of Indiana.

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Pros and Cons of Insurance Company Structured Settlements

When an insurance company agrees to pay someone a settlement, they may offer to make payments periodically rather than in one lump sum. This is called a structured settlement, and it does sometimes occur in insurance claims and lawsuits. At first thought, you might expect a structured settlement to be a bit of a disadvantage to the payee, however there may be more benefits to structured settlements that meets the eye. On the other hand, there are also a few disadvantages, or what some would consider cons to structured settlements.

Continue reading to learn some of the pros and cons of insurance Company structured settlements, and where to get the best legal advice regarding your potential accident claim.

Personal Injury Attorney Law Firm
Personal Injury Attorney Law Firm 317-881-2700

Potential ADVANTAGES of Structured Settlements 

If you were to ask a group of individuals who have received a structured settlement in the past from an insurance company, they would likely tell you that the primary benefit they experienced was secure financial management. By receiving their settlement in increments rather than one lump sum, they were able to better control their spending and savings, and therefore, practice improved financial management.

Here are some additional prospective benefits to receiving a structured settlement:

In many cases, a structured settlement usually winds up paying out more money than a lump sum payment.

Structured settlements can also make financial planning, namely tax planning, a lot easier when compared to the process following a lump sum payout.

Due to the added annual income a structured settlement provides, recipients may be eligible for certain tax benefits and advantages.

Many recipients of structured settlements enjoy adding to their annual income as an alternative to receiving a bulk payment from an insurance company settlement.

By receiving a structured settlement in periodic payments, recipients can better control their spending and savings over time.

Potential DISADVANTAGES of Structured Settlements

When it comes to the possible disadvantages of structured settlements, there may be a few. In fact, if you were to ask the same group of individuals in the last example, they would likely have a few complaints as well. One of the main disadvantages discussed among structured settlement recipients and legal advisors is the fact that it can hold you back from taking advantage of certain investment opportunities, such as investing in stocks, bonds, real estate, business, schooling, and more.

Here are some other possible cons to accepting a structured settlement:

In some scenarios, a structured settlement can turn out to be less money than a lump sum payment after you consider commissions, fees, and inflation.

Many are opposed to structured settlements from insurance companies because they don’t like the idea that a financial institution has control of their settlement.

There are several legal regulations restricting how you can sell your structured settlement, if you ever choose to do so.

Trusted Legal Advice About Insurance Settlements for Indiana Injury Claims

Call The Law office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to discuss your potential Indiana personal injury claim with a licensed accident attorney you can trust. Our law firm offers free initial consultations and never collects lawyer fees unless we recover a settlement or judgment for you. Get started on your path to financial and emotional recovery with a simple phone call to our Indianapolis accident injury lawyers, today.  We represent clients throughout the State of Indiana.

Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700
Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700