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Litigation Funding Blog

Toyota Works Toward Settlement for Sudden Acceleration Deaths

February 28, 2014

Years after the controversy began, Toyota is still dealing with defective e-throttle system issues. Toyota is now gathering its legal advisors and working towards a global settlement to deal with a second group of sudden acceleration death and injury cases.

In 2005, a jury found that the company acted with “reckless disregard” in taking action to deal with reported acceleration issues in their Camrys. In 2013, Toyota massed its resources to finance a major settlement a mere 60 days after an Oklahoma jury found the e-throttle system in Toyota’s Camry to be defective.

The cars involved in the claims suddenly accelerated without warning or apparent cause. Many of their drivers, unable to control the runaway vehicles, crashed, suffered serious injuries or died. A number of lawsuits were pending in California until a judge put them on hold (as the company and its lawyers made attempts to settle them).

The first of more than 200 lawsuits was slated for court in March 2014. The suits remained in place in spite of the fact that first three cases were resolved in favor of the defendant (Toyota).

However, when the company lost its 2013 Oklahoma case, circumstances changed. Toyota could lose a substantial amount of money if the remainder of the 200 cases proceeded to trial losses, so the company recently decided to negotiate settlements.

These settlement developments represent good news for the hundreds of plaintiffs involved in talks and lawsuits with Toyota, but those plaintiffs are still struggling to keep current with their overwhelming medical bills. How are those individuals going to pay bills on time as they wait for a resolution? Many of them may find that litigation funding offers the perfect option. A lawsuit loan is often a major benefit to plaintiffs who, once approved, find virtually instant funds that allow them to stay out of debt.

Plaintiffs are not required to go through a credit check, do not need to be working when they apply, do not make any payments up front/monthly and do not have to take any settlements from insurance companies. Should their cases lose in court, they are also eligible to keep any lawsuit loan monies advanced to them. There are no strings attached. While pre-settlement funding is not for everyone, it appeals to many caught between a rock and a hard place. Often, the emergency lawsuit loan is a perfect solution for a cash-poor plaintiff facing regular bills and unexpected medical expenses.

Outpatient Surgery Center Sued for Medical Negligence

February 26, 2014

Several years ago, Charles Belvins filed a medical malpractice lawsuit against a local surgical group after his arthroscopic knee surgery went awry.

Blevins, a banker, needed knee surgery and undewent the necessary procedures at Coastal Surgical Institute in San Luis Obispo. He was assured that the needed repairs would not take long and that he would be home in no time. The arthroscopic surgery went well, but a few days later, he began to experience severe pain in his right knee and to run a fever. The local hospital determined that he had a serious deep tissue infection, and the attending physician prescribed antibiotics.

In October 2010, a month after his knee operation, the surgical center tendered Belvin a check. Later, in court, Belvins stated that the money was in partial payment of his extra costs as a result of the negligence in his treatment. Coastal Surgical, the defendant, stated that the money represented a complete settlement of any claims Blevins may have had against it.

In December 2012, a judge found that the medical center’s negligence was a determining factor in the plaintiff’s severe infection and awarded him $543,034 for lost wages, past and future medical bills and past and future pain and suffering. The finding was based on trial evidence that the equipment used during the plaintiff’s surgery was contaminated with bacteria. The defendant stated that a disinfecting sponge was to blame for the infection, and that they had stopped using that product immediately.

It took more than three years to resolve Belvins’ case in court. Though he remained gainfully employed during that time, Blevins may have struggled to pay the large medical bills for his extended, painful recovery after further, numerous operations, including a full knee replacement. Based on his circumstances, he may have been able to use litigation funding to subsidize his expenses while he waited for his case to go to court.

Pre-settlement funding is an excellent resource for those facing long legal battles for justice. A plaintiff only has to hire an attorney and file an application online (or call a litigation funding company and speak to one of its representatives) to qualify for a lawsuit loan. Once an application has been reviewed and approved, the fast cash lawsuit loan is sent to the plaintiff’s bank account. Plaintiffs may use the money for any need, although most pay medical bills and retain what cash they can to ensure they are financially secure during the wait for their case resolution. Litigation funding offers a major support for cash-strapped plaintiffs, and many find the benefits very appealing.

Live Comfortably Until a Settlement is Reached with Pre-Settlement Funding

February 24, 2014

Those who need emergency cash for their auto accident case may want to contact a legal funding company to apply for a lawsuit cash advance.

An Ohio man filed an auto accident lawsuit against a driver he claimed was responsible for a multi-vehicle accident that allegedly left his wife, a passenger in his vehicle, permanently impaired. According to the lawsuit, “As the man entered the intersection, the defendant ran a red light, lost control, and struck the plaintiffs vehicle on the passenger side.” An investigation determined that the defendant was not only speeding, but talking on his cell phone at the time of the accident.

The plaintiff claimed that because of the accident his wife is physically impaired, experiences ongoing physical pain and mental anguish, and the couple has incurred exorbitant medical costs. Due to her injuries, he has lost a significant amount of work to care for her. The insurance company made a settlement offer, but the plaintiff’s attorney said it was significantly less than what the couple deserved. He believed if they waited, the case would settle within 8 – 10 months for a much higher settlement. Unfortunately, the medical bills alone were a struggle for this couple. Pre-settlement lawsuit funding was just what they needed.

Rather than letting the bills pile and risking bad credit or home foreclosure, pre-settlement funding can work as a cash advance that does not have to be repaid until the case settles. Applying for funding requires a simple online application. Approval is based solely on the strength of the case. If approved, the client and his attorney will sign a contract detailing the funding agreement. There is no need to worry about confusing text; the terms and conditions are clearly defined, but Litigation Funding Corp. will go over everything first. We also advise our clients to only take a cash advance for the amount absolutely necessary; a request for additional funding can be made later, if needed. The best part of pre-settlement funding is that if you lose your case, the repayment is waived.

From mortgage and auto payments to utility bills and daily living expenses, pre-settlement funding will allow you to live comfortably until the settlement check arrives in the mail. Call us for a free, no-obligation consultation.

A Lawsuit is Stressful Enough; Let Lawsuit Funding Ease the Financial Challenges

February 11, 2014

Filing a personal injury lawsuit can be emotionally, physically, and financially stressful, but what happens when the negligence leads to serious injury, loss of income, or other damages? A lawsuit is intended to compensate innocent victims, but the lawsuit can take months, even years to work its way through the legal process. In the meantime, a plaintiff may be faced with mounting bills – medical expenses, mortgage or rent payments, auto payments, tuition, or daily household expenses especially one who has suffered an injury and cannot return to work. For some, even putting food on the table can be a challenge.

Lawsuit funding is not a familiar term to many people involved in a lawsuit, yet it can make the difference in a plaintiff’s financial well-being. Plaintiffs have fewer resources than the large corporations and insurance companies putting the plaintiff in a vulnerable position, especially when a case drags on for years. When a deep-pocket defendant delays proceedings or drags out a case, it makes a financially strapped plaintiff vulnerable, and one who will consider accepting a less than favorable settlement. Lawsuit funding provides the much needed cash when the plaintiff needs it most. With a lawsuit cash advance, the victim can focus on seeking treatment and healing from injuries, rather than worrying about how to pay the mortgage or feed the family.

Plaintiffs may be eligible for a lawsuit cash advance at any point between when s/he filed a lawsuit and the time the case is settled. Obtaining funding is quick and easy with no credit checks or employment verification. Additionally, there are no monthly fees or other out-of-pocket expenses. With the cooperation of the plaintiff’s attorney, an application can be reviewed and approved in as little as 24 hours. Best of all, lawsuit funding is provided on a non-recourse basis meaning repayment is only made once the case successfully settles; if the plaintiff loses the case, repayment is waived.

If you are in the midst of a personal injury lawsuit and need financial assistance, lawsuit funding may be the right choice for you. For more information, call Litigation Funding Corp. at 1-866-548-3863 or visit us online.

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