Pre‑Settlement Funding Made Simple and Affordable

Can pre-settlement funding help me secure a larger settlement from my case? Getting pre-settlement funding can help you maximize your settlement and case outcome by providing the financial stability needed to pursue a fair resolution rather than accepting a quick, lowball settlement offer due to financial pressure.

It empowers both you and your attorney to hold out for a fair and potentially larger settlement, giving them time to build a strong case without the pressure to settle before it is most advantageous to you, their client.

Without this financial boost, you might feel forced to settle for less, as defendants often use delay tactics to exploit your financial difficulties, hoping you’ll accept a lower offer. This tactic allows corporations to keep more money in their bank accounts, potentially saving them millions—or even billions—in plaintiff settlement payouts each year.

Feel confident pursuing justice on your terms without the burden of extra costs. With Express Legal Funding, you can count on a trusted source for fast pre-settlement funding at lower rates, plus free, fast delivery every time. We provide funding for cases of all sizes, serving clients across the United States with unmatched transparency.

What does non-recourse legal funding mean? Non-recourse legal funding is a type of financial support provided to plaintiffs in ongoing legal cases, where repayment is only required if the case is successful. If you do not win or settle your case, you owe nothing back to the funding company.

Unlike traditional loans, non-recourse funding is risk-free for plaintiffs, as it doesn’t involve personal liability or credit checks, and it’s solely dependent on the outcome of your case. This funding option can help cover essential expenses during the legal process without adding financial risk.

Understanding legal and funding terminology can help you make informed decisions about pre-settlement funding. Here’s a breakdown of essential terms we’ve created to empower consumers:

Core Terms

• Pre-Settlement Funding: Also known as a lawsuit cash advance, this financial support provides plaintiffs with cash upfront to cover essential expenses while their case is ongoing.
• Post-Settlement Funding: This financial support provides plaintiffs with immediate cash after winning their case, helping them cover expenses while they wait for their settlement payout.
• Non-Recourse Funding: A type of funding where repayment is only required if you win or settle your case, making it low-risk for plaintiffs.
• Lawsuit Loan: Commonly used to describe pre-settlement funding, though it differs from traditional loans as it’s non-recourse, requiring repayment only upon case success.
• Settlement Loan Company: A term often used by consumers to describe a pre-settlement funding company, although technically inaccurate since the funding is non-recourse and not a loan.

Financial Terms

• Interest Rate: The cost of pre-settlement funding may include interest, which accrues over time. Lower rates can make funding more affordable.
• Funding Fee: Any additional costs associated with the advance, sometimes capped to limit growth over time.
• Credit Check: An assessment of an individual’s credit history. Most pre-settlement funding providers do not require a credit check, as funding approval is based solely on the case’s potential.
• Lien: A legal claim placed on a plaintiff’s settlement to ensure repayment of debts, such as medical bills or pre-settlement funding. Funding companies may place a lien on the future settlement to secure repayment of the cash advance.

Civil Legal Process Terms

• Plaintiff: The individual filing the lawsuit and potentially seeking pre-settlement funding.
• Defendant: The person, company, or entity being sued by the plaintiff. The defendant is typically responsible for compensating the plaintiff if the case is resolved in the plaintiff’s favor. In motor vehicle accident cases, this may include an auto insurance company representing the at-fault driver.
• Legal Claim: The formal request for compensation by the injured party due to damages is often the basis for determining funding eligibility.
• Contingency Fee: A payment structure where attorneys collect fees only if the case is won, meaning plaintiffs may rely on funding to cover living expenses in the meantime.
• Attorney: A legal professional who represents clients in their lawsuits. An attorney’s cooperation is essential for securing pre-settlement funding, as they work with funding companies to provide case information and facilitate the approval process.
• Complaint: The initial legal document filed by a plaintiff to start a lawsuit outlining the allegations against the defendant. The strength of the complaint may be considered in the pre-settlement funding underwriting process.
• Comparative Fault: A legal doctrine in which the plaintiff’s compensation may be reduced if they are partially at fault for their injury. Funding companies consider comparative fault in their evaluation since it can affect the potential settlement amount.
• Litigation: The legal proceedings of a case during which plaintiffs may seek pre-settlement funding to support their financial needs.

Case Compensation Terms

• Settlement: The agreed-upon amount awarded to resolve a case, often used to repay pre-settlement funding. It is usually provided as a lump sum payment.
• Damages: The compensation sought by the plaintiff, covering losses like medical expenses, lost wages, and more.
• Court Award: A sum of money granted by a judge or jury as compensation to the plaintiff at the conclusion of a trial. Unlike a settlement, which is negotiated between parties, a court award is a legally ordered payment by the defendant.
• Structured Settlement: A payout method where plaintiffs receive periodic payments instead of a lump sum, often compared with single settlements in funding decisions.

Insurance and Injury Terms

• Personal Injury: A type of legal case where an individual seeks compensation for physical or emotional harm caused by another party’s negligence, most commonly involving a car accident. Pre-settlement funding is commonly used by personal injury plaintiffs to cover expenses while awaiting their case outcome.
• Insurance: Financial protection provided by an insurance company that covers certain losses or damages. In personal injury cases, insurance companies may be responsible for paying the settlement, which can affect the case timeline.

Underwriting and Approval

• Underwriting: The process of evaluating a case’s strength and potential outcome to determine funding eligibility.
• Attorney Cooperation: The involvement of your attorney working with the funding provider to assess case details for eligibility.
• Approval Process: The steps required to assess and approve a plaintiff for pre-settlement funding may include reviewing case details and estimated settlement value.

Disbursement and Use of Funds

• Disbursement: The release of funds to plaintiffs after approval, often occurring within 24–48 hours.
• Champerty: An arrangement in which a third party provides financial assistance to a plaintiff to bring legal action in exchange for a share of the proceeds from the lawsuit. In the context of pre-settlement funding, champerty laws vary by state but should not directly influence the availability and terms of funding, as the non-recourse advance is not intended to cover the cost of litigation.