Why Many Plaintiffs Seek Lawsuit Funding Before Their First Court Date

Why Many Plaintiffs Seek Lawsuit Funding Before Their First Court Date

Lawsuits, particularly personal injury cases, often come with significant financial and emotional stress for the plaintiffs involved. Fast Funds, Inc. has seen firsthand how plaintiffs navigating these complex legal battles often face financial hardships before their first court date. This situation is especially true for those who are unable to work due to their injuries and need to wait for a settlement to resolve their case. This is where lawsuit funding—often referred to as pre-settlement funding—becomes crucial. It provides plaintiffs with financial relief during the lawsuit process, ensuring they can continue to live their lives without the overwhelming pressure of mounting expenses.

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In this piece, we will explore the common reasons why many plaintiffs opt for lawsuit funding before their first court date. We’ll look at how lawsuit funding works, why it’s so beneficial, and how it can be the financial lifeline needed to ensure justice is pursued effectively.

What Is Lawsuit Funding and Why Do Plaintiffs Need It? Why Many Plaintiffs Seek Lawsuit Funding Before Their First Court Date

Lawsuit funding is a financial product designed to help plaintiffs pay for living expenses and legal costs while they await the outcome of their lawsuit. Unlike traditional loans, lawsuit funding is a non-recourse form of financial assistance, meaning plaintiffs are only required to repay the funding if they win or settle their case. If the case is lost, there is no obligation to repay the funds.

Fast Funds, Inc. offers this service to plaintiffs across various legal sectors, but it’s particularly common in personal injury cases, including car accidents, slip-and-fall accidents, medical malpractice, and wrongful death claims. The goal of lawsuit funding is to help plaintiffs bridge the financial gap between the onset of the lawsuit and its eventual resolution, which could take months or even years.

The Process of Obtaining Lawsuit Funding

The process of obtaining lawsuit funding is straightforward, but it does require the involvement of both the plaintiff and their attorney. Here’s a general breakdown of the process:

  1. Application Submission: The first step is to submit an application for funding. This usually involves providing basic details about the case, including the nature of the lawsuit, the expected timeline, and the potential settlement amount. 
  2. Case Evaluation: Once the application is submitted, the funding company will assess the case’s merits. This evaluation is typically done by legal experts who review the strength of the case, the likelihood of success, and the projected settlement or verdict. In many cases, a simple consultation with the attorney handling the case can be sufficient for evaluation. 
  3. Approval and Funding Disbursement: If the case is deemed strong enough to warrant funding, the company will offer a lump sum advance to the plaintiff. This funding is usually provided quickly, often within a few days, so the plaintiff can immediately cover necessary expenses. 
  4. Repayment of Funding: Repayment is made once the case is settled or a verdict is reached. If the plaintiff wins the case or receives a settlement, the lawsuit funding company is paid back. If the case is lost, the plaintiff doesn’t owe anything.

The Financial Struggles Plaintiffs Face Before Their First Court Date

One of the key reasons plaintiffs seek funding before their first court date is the financial hardship they endure while waiting for their cases to resolve. Injuries sustained in accidents, especially catastrophic ones, often leave victims unable to work. With mounting medical bills, everyday expenses, and no income, it can become incredibly difficult to make ends meet.

Additionally, personal injury cases can take a long time to move through the legal system, and the financial pressure during this time can be overwhelming. Plaintiffs may have no choice but to take on high-interest loans or rack up credit card debt to survive during this waiting period. Lawsuit funding offers a better alternative by providing non-recourse funds to cover those expenses while plaintiffs await the outcome of their case.

- WHAT CLIENTS ARE SAYING -

In June, my wife and I asked our attorney about giving us a loan against any settlement proceeds from our case. He told us that the state bar does not
permit lawyers to participate in the financing of clients. The offer of settlement was very low so the case needed to be filed in court. I called Fast Funds. Within 24 hours, I had entered into an agreement with them, selling a very small portion of the anticipated proceeds to them in exchange for immediate financing. Now my suit is in court and I don't have to worry about money until it's outcome. Thank god for Fast Funds
B.G.
As a result of the advances you have made to our client, we were able to refuse an extremely low settlement offer and take the case to court. We settled the day of the trial for a very generous sum. Had there been no advances by Fast Funds, our client would have had no choice but to accept the inadequate offer since he was in severe debt due to his inability to work. Thank you for your helpful assistance in providing our client with the ability to persevere.
C.F.
I was involved in an accident which took my left leg. I was forced to live homeless for eleven months. Thanks to the Fast Funds people advancing money. I now live in an apartment,I am walking on a prosthetic and otherwise getting my life back together, even though my attorney has not yet settled my lawsuit. I don't know what I would have done for money because the insurance company has offered nothing so far.
A.R.S.
I was involved in an auto accident which caused me to suffer a herniated disc. Because of this injury, I was forced to miss many months of work. I had no income and no place or person to turn to for money. My attorney told me he was unable to help with any financing and the insurance company was refusing to settle the case. I turned to a company called Fast funds. They immediately reviewed my file and took the financial pressure off by providing me with interim financing. I am now able to wait for as long as it takes for my lawyer to achieve a successful result in my case. Without the financial involvement of Fast Funds, I don't know what I would have done.
K.P.
I wanted to thank you for your sensitivity in helping me cope through a very difficult time in my life. Without your help, I would have been unable to pay my rent , forcing my wife and children to be put on the street. I have not been able to return to work and I was tempted to accept the insurance company's very low offer to settle, even though I knew it was not fair or reasonable. You have given me the ability to withstand the financial pressures. Thanks for your help. I will never forget it
C.S.
I have in the past referred clients to Fast Funds Inc., a non-recourse company. The experience of my clients
and my firm were totally positive. Fast Funds was responsive to the clients financial and emotional needs, provided the necessary emergency money and did not interfere in any manner with my handling of the cases. The clients, without my input, negotiated the advance directly with the company. In each case, they were completely satisfied with the final result of the case, including the amount of profit earned by Fast Funds. Non-recourse funding is clearly a valuable tool to the plaintiff's attorney.
M.J.L.
"I am writing to recommend the valuable assistance of the Fast Funds Inc., a company that provided interim funding to financially needy clients. They help to insure that a case will be brought to a successful resolution. A good case in point is when I was offered $75,000.00 for a seriously injured client. Had she not been able to take advantage of the advance financing offered by Fast Funds, I would have been forced to take the money. As it turned out, because my client now had the financial ability to withstand the pressures of time, I tried the case to a jury and received a verdict of $315,000.00.
M.S.D.
It is my belief that non-recourse companies, such as Fast Funds, the company to whom I refer my needy clients, perform an invaluable service to both the client and the attorney. Simply put, it is common knowledge that one of the tools negotiation utilized by insurance companies is time. Offering
considerably less money than the actual case value to a client in desperate need of funds while the case is pending, gives the insurance companies a tremendous advantage. This advantage is minimized and the playing field is leveled when the client has the ability to obtain funds for a minimal portion of the anticipated proceeds. Many times, with no prospects of income, an injured party will settle the case for whatever offer is made.
R.J.F.

How Lawsuit Funding Provides Immediate Relief

Lawsuit funding can provide several forms of relief during a lawsuit, allowing plaintiffs to focus on their legal battle without the constant worry of financial instability. Here’s a closer look at the immediate benefits lawsuit funding provides:

  • Covering Medical Expenses: Injuries often result in costly medical bills, and plaintiffs may need surgery, rehabilitation, or long-term medical care. Lawsuit funding can help cover these costs upfront, ensuring that plaintiffs don’t have to delay their treatment due to a lack of funds. 
  • Paying for Living Expenses: Plaintiffs who are unable to work due to their injuries often struggle to pay for everyday expenses like rent, utilities, and groceries. By receiving lawsuit funding, plaintiffs can continue to meet their financial obligations without falling into debt. 
  • Accessing Legal Resources: Many plaintiffs may need additional financial resources to pay for their legal representation. Lawsuit funding can help cover attorney fees, expert witnesses, or other legal costs associated with building a strong case. 
  • Avoiding Predatory Lending: Without lawsuit funding, plaintiffs may feel forced to turn to payday loans or credit cards with high interest rates. Lawsuit funding provides a safer, non-recourse alternative, helping plaintiffs avoid falling into a cycle of debt that could make their situation worse.

Related Videos

Applying For Lawsuit Funding

Types of Cases We Fund

Mitigating the Risk of Financial Pressure Influencing Legal Decisions

One of the most critical aspects of lawsuit funding is that it allows plaintiffs to avoid making decisions based on financial pressure. Without access to lawsuit funding, plaintiffs might be tempted to settle their cases early for less than they deserve simply to relieve their financial burdens.

Lawsuit funding gives plaintiffs the freedom to wait for a fair settlement or verdict without the fear of running out of money. This ensures that plaintiffs are not coerced into making hasty decisions that could affect the outcome of their case. Instead, they can allow the legal process to unfold and focus on achieving the best possible result.

How Lawsuit Funding Ensures Access to Justice

In many cases, plaintiffs face a difficult decision: accept an early settlement for a small amount or risk waiting for a larger payout but without the financial resources to do so. Lawsuit funding levels the playing field by providing financial support to those who need it most, regardless of their current financial situation.

By securing lawsuit funding, plaintiffs can afford to wait for the full settlement or verdict they deserve. This allows them to pursue their claims more effectively, knowing they have the resources to cover their living expenses and legal costs throughout the process. In this way, lawsuit funding helps ensure that all plaintiffs—regardless of their financial situation—have access to the justice they deserve.

Why Lawsuit Funding is Growing in Popularity

The use of lawsuit funding has grown substantially over the past few years, with more and more plaintiffs seeking it before their first court date. Here are some key factors driving this growth:

  • Increased Legal Costs: As legal fees and expenses continue to rise, plaintiffs are seeking alternatives to manage these costs while they wait for a resolution. 
  • Longer Legal Timelines: Legal proceedings are taking longer than ever, and lawsuits, especially those involving personal injury, can drag on for years. Lawsuit funding allows plaintiffs to continue their cases without giving in to financial stress. 
  • Improved Awareness: As awareness of lawsuit funding grows, more plaintiffs are turning to it as a viable option to cover costs and protect their interests during litigation. 
  • Fewer Financial Risks: Traditional loans come with the risk of owing money regardless of the case outcome. Lawsuit funding, on the other hand, is non-recourse, meaning plaintiffs only have to repay if they win, reducing the financial risk.

The Benefits of Lawsuit Funding Before Your First Court Date

Lawsuit funding has become an invaluable tool for plaintiffs navigating the legal system. Fast Funds, Inc. recognizes the critical role lawsuit funding plays in providing plaintiffs with the financial resources they need to pursue justice. By offering financial support to cover living expenses, medical bills, and legal fees, lawsuit funding enables plaintiffs to focus on their case without the stress of financial hardship.

As more plaintiffs learn about the benefits of lawsuit funding, this financial solution is becoming increasingly common before the first court date. If you are considering lawsuit funding or need more information, Fast Funds, Inc. is here to guide you through the process and help ensure that you have the financial support needed to pursue your legal claims effectively.

To learn more about this subject click here: The Role of Lawsuit Funding in High-Value Personal Injury Cases