Thursday, October 8, 2009

10 Things To Consider Before Applying for Lawsuit Loan Avances



The facts that every person considering a lawsuit loan or advance should know about and consider before applying are important. Understanding how litigation funding works, helps to make the right decision about lawsuit funding.  Terms used for this type of funding are, pre settlement loan settlement loan, lawsuit loan, case loan, lawsuit cash advance, plaintiff cash advance, litigation funding or finance, lawsuit funding, legal finance, legal funding    lawsuit cash,  personal injury funding and so on. Lawsuit funding is available in many types of cases. 



1. Do not think of an advance to solve all cash flow problems, and  understand that an advance is not another way to get cash for a  settlement. It is an advance to enable the plaintiff to meet expenses until the case settles either in or out of court.


2. Litigation funding  is not really a "loan". It's a cash advance based on the strength of the case that an investor of a litigation case is willing to advance on the possible successful outcome of the case. Companies that do these types of advances, invest in the lawsuit itself, rather than advancing cash to plaintiffs in the form of a loan. These are non recourse advances, which mean that if there is no recovery in the case, the plaintiff is not reponsible to pay back the advance. Plaintiffs only pay back the advance if the case is successful. Attorneys take these cases on a contingency bases, and they too, only get paid if the recovery is successful.


3. Lawsuit loans do not require credit checks, employment, or bankruptcy status. They are  based strictly on the strength of the case. There are no risks for the plaintiff and no monthly payments to be made as with traditional loans.


4. Although similar in what they do, each company is different, and charge fees and interest differently. Because lawsuit finance companies take on a lot of risk on these cases, the interest rates will vary depending on the amount of risk involved in the case. Even good cases can sometimes be thrown out by the court, and called "frivolous." With this in mind, investors charge high rates on successful cases in order to make up for the cases that are not successful.


5. Fees  asocciated with lawsuit finance are different with each company. The fees include: underwriting, origination, and multiplier fees. Some also have documentation, closing, and premature pay-off fees. These fees are added to the amount of the payback, and are based on how long it takes for the case to settle. Be sure to check with each company for their terms before applying. As with traditional types of loans, certain fees apply.


6. Use alternative funding whenever possible, because lawsuit loans can be expensive. Traditonal funding sources, do however, require monthly payments which can also put a real  strain the budget.


7. Investors will advance up to 10% of what they feel the case is worth, and will talk with the attorney to help determine the viability and value of the case.


8. When cases are not approved for funding, it doesn't  mean that it isn't a good case. It just means that investors are not interested in the case. Sometimes the case is not worth what the plaintiff is asking for in an advance, or what the plaintiff feels the case is worth. Funders determine the amount they are willing to invest, sometimes less than what the plaintiff requests.


9. Other reasons for a denial are the unwillingness of the attorney to either supply the necessary information, or sign the agreement to put the lien on the recovery. Sometimes, in cases with previous advances, the investors are not willing to go any more on the case because they feel the case is maxed out.

10. When approved for funding, a written agreement is signed by the plaintiff and the attorney puts a lien on the successful outcome of the case. Cash is received in 24-48 hours of the investor receiving the executed agreement.


In conclusion, plaintiffs applying for a lawsuit advances, should understand the process and make the decision if that is the best for them.  This way, they won't be disappointed if it wasn't what was expected.


Author:

Linda Hughes is the founder and president of Freedom First Funding, and is a full service legal funding broker, experienced in helping plaintiffs thoughout the US, obtain advances on their pending lawsuits. Freedom First Funding is not a direct lawsuit lending company, but is an independent third party that works through a network of national companies. We cut the stress of applying to multiple companies for both the plaintiff and the attorney.


                                                360 892 6667 TF: 877 386 3374
http://www.freedomfirstfunding.com/


Posted by My Business Life lj at 7:34 AM


Labels: lawsuit cash advance, lawsuit loans, pre settlement funding



Monday, September 21, 2009

Consider Lawsuit Funding for Maritime Injury Cases

Were You Injured At Sea? If You have a Pending Lawsuit pertaining to a Maritime injury you may want to Consider Lawsuit Funding. These laws apply not only to injured workers, but, to any passengers as well. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_admiralty_law Passengers on cruise ships, ferries, riverboat casinos, recreational boats, or other vessels may qualify. When ships or boats, are not maintained properly, unsafe conditions occur and vessels become unseaworthy. Owners may be liable for on-board passengers' injuries caused or contributed to by unsafe conditions. Operating or maintaining a ship or boat in a negligent or careless manner also creates liability for injuries to passengers. Passengers injured in Maritime accidents may qualify for financial compensation.


Working on a commercial vessel fishing boat, ocean liner, cruise ship, oil rig, or different types of commercial vessels can result in injury, serious injury, or even death. Maritime laws were created for compensation of injured workers, or for the survivors of workers who are killed in the performance of their duties at sea or, while the ship or boat is docked. The most common injuries are slip and fall accidents, , falling cargo, and loading and unloading incidents, which usually result in back injuries. In most instances, the injured worker must show that he/she was injured as the result of the negligence of his/her employer. Negligence may be proven if the employee can show unsafe work conditions, negligent navigation (collision with another ship, the dock, and iceberg, or other sea object). There are also laws that protect dock workers, such as longshoremen and other maritime employees who are considered "land-based".


Maritime laws cover a wide variety of on-the-job injuries. Financial compensation may be available under maritime workers' compensation laws if the employee works on vessels on the Oceans, Intra-coastal waterways, wharfs, docks or piers, or terminals. Injuries occurring in adjoining areas used for loading, unloading, repair, building and/or dismantling also qualify for compensation. The two main laws that cover or insure most maritime accidents are the Jones Act (aka the Merchant Marine Act of 1920) and the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act. These laws provide for specific rights and protections to workers who are injured while at sea. Whether injured at sea, or injured on the dock, workers qualify for compensation for time off work, medical care, medication and/or physical therapy, living expenses, and, if necessary, job training for a new career if they are unable to return to their previous employment. Examples of qualifying occupations are employees on ships, offshore oil rigs and platforms, tugboats, barges, fishing and/or seafood boats, riverboats (including gambling boats), ferries, water taxis, coastguard vessels, and other ocean, intra-coastal or canal vessels.


"Employee" classes include crew members, captains, cooks, maintenance employees, and other vessel employees. The difference between on-land state workers compensation laws and Maritime laws is, that the employee can receive intangible damages for "pain and suffering" in Maritime cases, whereas in land based state workers compensation cases, only out of pocket medical, wage loss and retraining expenses are available. Under both systems, transportation costs for medical care are also available.


Whether you are injured as a passenger or an employee at sea, it is highly recommended that you retain the services of an experienced maritime attorney to pursue your Maritime case. If you already have an attorney and are pursuing a Maritime case, whether as a passenger or an employee, you are probably experiencing financial difficulties as the result of your injuries. Serious injuries usually cause long-term disability. Insurance companies often deny you the benefits you deserve so that you will be desperate to settle your case for their low-ball offer, when it finally comes. Freedom First Funding can help provide funding for your extraordinary medical expenses, mortgage or rent payments, car payments, food, utilities or other important expenses. Maritime legal funding can help between the insurance company's low first offer and a fair settlement at the end of the case. In addition to Maritime legal funding. we provide auto accident lawsuit funding medical malpractice legal funding, slip & fall lawsuit funding, airplane crash lawsuit funding, train crash lawsuit funding, and many other types of personal injury lawsuit funding. You don't have to accept first low offer because you need cash now. Legal funding from Freedom First Funding will help to pay your immediate bills and give you and your attorney the time needed to get the full value of your case. Use our money to get that larger case settlement. Contact us, toll free, at 1-877-Funder4 or, visit or website at: www.freedomfirstfunding.com

Friday, August 14, 2009

Getting Compensation for Motorcycle Accidents


Motorcycles and motorbikes are involved in only a small portion of road accidents. Statistics show that only about 1% of traffic on our highways are motorcycle and motor bike riders. Ridership has been increasing steadily though, because of high energy costs. It only takes a few gallons to fill the tank, and they get great gas mileage. Many drivers are abandoning larger vehicles for these types of vehicles.

Motorcycle accident claims are small in number, but they suffer 19% of deaths and serious injuries. Recent statistics reveal over 600 motorcyclists died in traffic accidents, in 2002, and 7000 suffered from serious injuries. Head injuries are the most common cause of death and serious injuries for motorcyclists, and are 45 times more likely to be killed than a driver of a car.

Motorcycle Accident Causes

The main reasons that accidents occur are other road users, poor highway maintenance of road surfaces, and the lack of any type of physical restraints or protection for the rider, and the lack of visibility to other highway users. There is only a 1/3 visibility of that of an automobile.


General Rules for Motorcycle Accident Victims


1. If the police are on the scene, make sure that a detailed report of the accident is taken, even if it seems unimportant. The smallest damage of the bike, personal injury, or anything carried on the bike can be important for a successful accident claim.
2. You can make a claim for compensation if the accident was not your fault or was only partially your fault. The speed at which you were traveling, along with whether you were wearing a protective helmet will be among the details that will be important when fault is being determined.
3. Accidents need to be reported as soon as possible because timeliness is very important. If the person responsible for the accident either doesn't stop or has no insurance, you can still make a claim. It is however, handled by the Motor Insurers Bureau. This is an organization that provides compensation for accident victims involving uninsured drivers, and hit and run cases.

It isn't easy... dealing with a motorcycle accident or injury can be complicated and needs to be taken care of quickly and with professional help. If you've been seriously injured and can't take care of it quickly, the best thing you can do, is to find a personal injury attorney to handle your claim details for things like injury assessment, accident reports, claim preparations, and so on.

Most importantly, you don't have to risk anything because of a "no win- no fee" arrangement, that means if your case wins, you keep the settlement, and if it loses, your attorney pays all the cost.

Be Safe. Don't Take Extra Risk

Even though motorcycle riding is a wonderful experience, it is very risky, and injuries can be very serious, sometimes fatal. Don't take another risk by trying to handle your claim by yourself after an accident, or employ a company that cares more about the money than about your well being and a successful claim. Use a personal injury attorney that will take your case on a "contingency" basis.(No win-No Pay)

When a cash advance is needed before the case settles, look for companies that advance cash on pending lawsuits that are only repaid when and if your case reaches a successful recovery. There are no risks, no monthly payments, no upfront fees, and no credit checks on lawsuit loans.


Freedom First Funding offers FREE NO OBLIGATION Consultations.

Contact us today @ 360 892 6667 TF: 877 386 3374 or apply online

www.FreedomFirstFunding.com


email: lhughes@freedomfirstfunding.com


Linda Hughes is the Chief Operations Officer, and founder of Freedom First Funding. Linda is an experienced lawsuit advance broker that cares about you and your case, and will work hard to get you the advance you need.


Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Legal Funding on Medical Mistake Lawsuits


Medical Mistakes are all too common in our nations hospitals and health care facilities today. Thousands of lives are lost each year because of medical mistakes. Many wrong diagnosis, treatments, and surgeries occur due to a number of reasons.

Medical staffs are often overworked and in stressful conditions. Medication dosageages are not always monitored and administered correctly. Files are often switched unknowingly. Surgeries are not properly marked and specified as to what needs to be done, and sometimes surgical equipment is left inside the body, causing serious damage and infection. When mistakes occur, often there is nothing a person can do but suffer the loss of a job, way of life, or a friend or loved one.

Most patients do receive quality care even in these conditions, and changes are being implemented to reduce these mistakes caused by human error. Many facilities are using computer monitoring and record keeping to keep better track of patients and conditions.

Ways You Can Help

1. Find "accredited high tech hospitals"

2. Ask if healthcare workers follow correct protocal and procedures.

3. Ask lots of questions so that you know what is being done, and what the
expected result will be.

4. Ask what medications you will be receiving and what medications you
already take, and what they are for.

5. Check the computerized wristband for accuracy.

6. Seek a second or third opinion if you feel the diagnosis may be wrong.

7. Listen to your body and pay attention to warning signs.

When mistakes do occur, and a lawsuit is filed, non recourse legal funding is often available before a case is settled, and provides injured parties with much needed cash until the case is finally settled either in or out of court.

Freedom First Funding cares about you and your situation and will do the very best we can to get you the desired funding in the least amount of time, and always keep you informed of the progress of your case.

Call us @ 877 386 3374 or visit us online: http://www.freedomfirstfunding.com/

Monday, June 15, 2009

Top Ways to Avoid Medical Mistakes



Thousands Lost Yearly from Medical Mistakes





In today's fast pace world, over 100,000 lives are lost yearly in the United States because of medical mistakes. We expect our care givers to know how to treat our illnesses and health problems. After all, didn't they go to shool to learn how to do these procedures and learn the problems? Millions however, do receive quality health care and healthcare workers should be appreciated and applauded for their work. There are however, many serious mistakes that could be avoided by changing the way we think about hospitals and health care. Along with things that you, the patient, can do to help avoid medical mistakes.





There are many wrongful diagnosis, treatments, and surgeries in medical facilities. There are close to 100 medical mistakes made daily in some hospitals. One medical mistake left two newborn twins fighting for their lives because of being injected with 1000 times the amount of blood thinner they should have received because of a dosing mistake. There are wrong site surgeries, sponges, and other surgical items left inside the body which cause problems. Wrongful diagnosis, surgeries, and switched files.





What's Being Done to Avoid Mistakes





In defense of health care workers though, they do give good care in general.They are often overworked and in stressful conditions. Many are required to work more hours than they should with little rest. Hospitals and clinics are now beginning to implement new policies and procedures that will help to eliminate some of these problems of human error.





Changes are being made that will computerize files and barcode systems for patients. Along with automatic medication dispensing machines to avoid overdosing a patient. Dosages are entered into computers and rechecked for accuracy with scanners. Most of the larger facilities are working on this problem at this time, and many more will be doing it soon. Health care workers are also
trying to avoid infections by frequent handwashing with hand sanitizers and disposable rubber gloves, avoiding chit chat, and by removing jewelry and ties, that can spread infection. When doing surgical procedures, they are marking more specific areas as to where and what surgeries are being performed.

Things You Can Do To Avoid Mistakes


  1. Find "high tech hospitals" that are accredited.

  2. Ask if doctors follow the correct protocal.

  3. Ask plenty of questions, like what is being done to you, and what the expected result will be.

  4. Check the wristband for accuracy.

  5. Know what medications you are taking and what they are for.


Be Your Own Advocate



There are times when you will also need to seek a second or third opinion of a diagnosis. Your body knows when something isn't right, so use surgery as a last resort. Early detection is the key, and remember that it takes a long time for what actually works, to get through the system so that doctors do know what works and doesn't work as a treatment.



Pre Settlement Lawsuit Funding is available for medical mistakes when circumstances arise that cause damage to former patients. Advances are made on the strength and viability of the lawsuit, and can help the plaintiff of such cases to get the full value of their case instead of settling it too soon.



To learn if your case qualifies for funding call for your Free Consultation!


877 386 3374 or apply online: http://www.freedomfirstfunding.com/

Monday, May 4, 2009

How to Eliminate Workplace Repeated Strain Injuries



Workplace Repeated Strain Injuries that happen on the job need to be eliminated at the source whenever possible, and should be the ulimate goal for occupational safety and health. The primary source of injury is continuous repeated and/or static flexion of the fingers and hands in a unidirectional (one way) motion ( i.e. mouse use, typing, writing, gripping work tools, etc.), repeating the same motions again and again, over an extended period of time. In cases of repeated strain injuries, there are other factors, such as applied force, fixed body position, and the pace of work requiring repeated or long-term static movements, and are contributing factors in becoming afflicted with a disabling repeated strain injury.

Therefore, the main effort to protect workers from repeated strain such as carpal tunnel syndrome, trigger finger, cubital tunnel syndrome, guyon's syndrome and other injuries should focus on limiting or “counteracting" activities that require constant overuse of the flexor muscles of the hand and forearm. If left unchecked, repeated or long-term static finger and wrist flexion eventually leads to muscle imbalance and the onset of one of the many debilitating repeated strain injuries listed above. Repetitive strain injuries can be achieved by implementing of workplace standards that involve:

* Job/task rotation
* Individual-specific ergonomic work stations
* Quick breaks
* Stretching program
* Exercise program

Putting the workplace standards listed above, into effect, are extremely important in maintaining structural integrity and muscle balance of the entire upper extremity ( i.e. Fingers, hands, wrists, forearms, elbows, upper arms, and shoulders).

Be sure to consult your workplace company employee health director for assistance if you are beginning to suffer from a repeated strain injury. The practices listed above need to be applied in order to keep the injury from getting any worse. Prevention is always cheaper than rehabilitation, both physically and financially!


When these types of injuries do occur, it is sometimes possible to get a cash advance on the pending lawsuit, depending on the severity and status of the case, and if your state allows funding on worker's comp. cases.


About the Author:

Linda Hughes of Freedom First Funding, is the Chief Operations Officer. Freedom First Funding is an experienced full service legal funding broker, that specializes in helping plaintiffs and attorneys that need advances on their pending and settled lawsuits, before their cases settle. You are invited to visit us on the web, or call Toll Free: 877 386 3374 for more information.

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Recently Funded Lawsuit Advances

Cases We Have Recently Funded
Today's blog will be a change of pace from our normal area of information articles, as to what types of cases we have recently had the opportunity obtain funding for plaintiffs seeking advances on their pending lawsuits.
We recently obtained funding for a client in Pennsylvania that had been rear-ended while waiting at a toll booth, causing neck and spinal problems, considerable pain, and eventual surgery.
Another was the Wrongful Death of of a lady in Ohio. Diagnosed with cancer in her remaining kidney that was working well , she was treated for that and put on dialysis, and continued to have problems. After the surgery, tests proved she did not have cancer after all.
A gentleman from Texas was badly injured in a fall resulting from a fall where he lived because there was no hand rail on the side of the stairs.
A lady from Pennsylvania was injured when a window crashed down on her head and neck that have caused traumatic brain injuries that she may possibly never recover from.
Still another was a slip and fall at a casino in California that resulted in serious injuries to her back and neck that required surgery.
One more was an insurance bad faith case that we were able to get an advance on while the client awaited settlement.
These are just a few of the cases that we have had the pleasure of helping clients awaiting settlements on their lawsuits. To find out if you have a case that could be considered for a pre settlement advance, please call us @ 877 386 3374
or visit our website: www.freedomfirstfunding.com