Plaintiff-Focused Settlement Planning Expertise

Dedicated settlement guidance built around plaintiff needs, supporting clear decisions and long-term financial stability through Settlement Financial Planning.

Are you Retaining Your own Plaintiff Settlement Planning Expert?

When it comes to settlement, each side should engage their experts. The claimant is entitled to representation by a plaintiff-loyal settlement professional, rather than relying solely on a defense broker engaged by the liability insurer or self-insured defendant. Most defense brokers have alliances with the liability insurer, meaning they have a conflict of interest in working on behalf of your client.

What is the Defense Broker’s Responsibility?

When the defense brings in their settlement expert, that individual has a fiduciary responsibility only to the defendant. The defense broker is under no obligation to present options that are in the best interest of the claimant. Moreover, the defense broker will be released from all future liability when your client releases the defendant, the liability insurer, and their agents. Who will you turn to if the defense broker made an error or omission? Rather than risking a legal malpractice claim, it is wise to engage your own expert.

Working with a Plaintiff Settlement Consultant

Using a settlement planner to represent the claimant is the best way to ensure that a detailed, comprehensive plan is designed to maximize the value of their settlement proceeds. The plaintiff settlement consultant is your expert and will quarterback the process, performing several duties that include:

Presenting all settlement options: Instead of simply presenting the claimant with a cash lump sum, a settlement consultant will analyze life care plans, Medicare Set-Aside Reports, and medical records to determine the present value of future needs. Depending on the specific needs of the claimant, a structured settlement or special needs trust may provide better long-term financial stability.

Maximizing the payout: A settlement consultant will consider potential pricing breaks on structured settlements such as daily rates and substandard age ratings that leverage benefits.

Recommending an appropriate amount to structure: If the claimant elects to utilize a structured settlement, the settlement consultant can help determine immediate vs. future cash needs and will recommend the most appropriate amount to structure.

Competent guidance: The settlement consultant can provide guidance on the potential consequences of accepting cash settlement proceeds, including tax implications, changes to government benefit eligibility, and the impact of disbursement on any existing liens or probate issues.

Finalizing the settlement process: The settlement consultant can ensure that all proper

protocol is followed, such as:

Preparing settlement documents that include the structured settlement language, and reviewing any changes with the attorney;
Coordinating documents with the defense’s structured settlement broker, if needed;
Finalizing the structured settlement plan and locking in the quote with the life insurance company;
Collecting copies of the fully executed settlement documents to submit to the life insurance company for policy issuance;
Requesting the check for the annuity premium from the defense; and
Collecting and sending out the annuity policies (please note: it can take 45-60 days for the life insurance company to issue a policy after they receive and review the final documents).

The plaintiff settlement consultant is also the gateway to a variety of experts, including estate planning attorneys, corporate trustees, government benefit experts, and more. Competent direction and guidance with all aspects of the settlement plan can save the plaintiff attorney valuable time.

What’s the Right Time to Involve a Plaintiff Settlement Consultant?

Having a plaintiff settlement consultant work with the plaintiff early in the case can provide valuable benefits to you and your client. The ideal time to contact Gleason Settlements is during negotiations and before mediation. A settlement is often the biggest financial transaction of your client’s life, and financial planning decisions are unique to each claimant. Early engagement of the settlement consultant allows them the opportunity to assess the claimant’s current and future needs, to present all available settlement options, and to help resolve any issues that may delay the claimant’s receipt of the settlement proceeds. In addition to initial meetings, the settlement consultant can also attend mediation or, at the very least, be on standby during the mediation to help answer any questions. Many decisions, such as electing to use a structured settlement, must be made before finalizing the settlement agreement. The yellow highlights represent new or changed information.

For more information, contact us today at gleasonteam@sagesettlements.com.

Are You Retaining Your Own Plaintiff Settlement Planning Expert? (Settlement Planning Services)

In any settlement case, each side should have its own experts. Claimants should be supported by a Settlement Consultant who works in their best interest, not rely only on a defense-appointed advisor. This helps ensure fair and balanced Settlement Financial Planning.

Many defense-side consultants work closely with insurers, which can create a conflict of interest when advising claimants.

What Is the Defense Broker’s Role? (Settlement Risk Management)

A defense broker represents the defendant or insurance company, not the claimant. Their responsibility is limited to the defense side, and they are not required to prioritize the claimant’s long-term financial needs.

Once the case is closed, they are no longer involved, which can leave gaps in guidance if issues arise later. This is why proper Settlement Risk Management matters for claimants.

When should I start working with a settlement consultant (Settlement Planning Services)

Settlement Planning for Minors (Trust and Minor Settlement Planning)

Working With a Plaintiff Settlement Consultant (Structured Settlement Options)

A plaintiff-focused settlement consultant helps design a clear plan for managing settlement funds and improving long-term outcomes.

Key roles include:

Presenting settlement options such as lump sum, structured payments, or trusts after reviewing medical and financial needs
Improving payout value through structured pricing tools and settlement design strategies
Recommending structuring amounts based on short-term needs and future financial goals
Providing guidance on tax impact, benefits eligibility, liens, and long-term financial effects
Coordinating settlement documents and working with attorneys and insurance carriers until completion

This process supports better Structured Settlement Options for claimants.

What Does a Settlement Consultant Help With? (Settlement Planning Services)

A settlement consultant also connects clients with other professionals when needed, including:

Estate planning advisors
Trustees
Government benefit specialists
Medical and financial planning experts

This support helps create a complete Settlement Planning Services approach for long-term stability.

Why not take a lump sum and invest it (Long Term Settlement Planning)

When Should a Plaintiff Settlement Consultant Be Involved? (Settlement Planning for Minors)

The best time to involve a settlement consultant is early in the case, ideally during negotiations or before mediation.

Early involvement allows:

Full review of current and future needs
Better planning of settlement structure
Fewer delays in finalizing the agreement
Clear understanding of all settlement options

Many decisions, including structured settlement elections, must be made before the final agreement is signed. Early planning improves outcomes in Settlement Planning for Minors and adult injury cases alike.