Structured Settlement

A Structured Settlement occurs when a person has suffered some form of Injury, either physical or psychological, as the result of an accident or medical malpractice.

The most common type of Structured Injury claims are road traffic accidents, accidents at work, tripping accidents, assault claims, accidents in the home, defective product accidents and holiday accidents. Indeed, there are a multitude of types of accident and the term Structured Injury also incorporates medical and dental accidents (which lead to numerous medical and dental negligence claims every year) and conditions which are often classified as industrial disease cases. Industrial disease type cases include asbestosis and mesothelioma, chest diseases (e.g. emphysema, pneumoconiosis, silicosis, chronic bronchitis, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and chronic obstructive airways disease), vibration white finger, occupational deafness, occupational stress, contact dermititus, and repetitive strain Injury cases.

Where the accident was the fault of someone else, the injured party may be entitled to monetary compensation from the person whose negligent conduct caused the Injury. At least in the United States this system is complex and controversial with critics calling for various forms of tort reform. Attorneys often represent clients on a "contigency basis," in which the attorney does not charge for services until the case is resolved.

In England and Wales, under the limitation rules, where an individual is bringing a claim for compensation, court proceedings must be commenced within 3 years of the date of the accident, failing which the claimant will lose the right to bring their claim. However, if the injured party was under the age of 18 at the time of the accident, then they have up until the day prior to their 21st birthday to commence proceedings. Legal Aid for Structured Injury cases was largely abolished in the late 1990s and replaced with "no win, no fee" arrangements.

Structured Settlements in Injury Cases

Often, the use of a Structured Settlement is desired by the injury victim to help protect them financially after an Injury settlement.

Structured Settlements provide Injury victims with tax benefits and enable proper financial planning for future needs of the Injury victim as a result of the Settlement.