Pre-Settlement Funding FAQs

Pre-settlement funding is when a company gives you money right away in exchange for the right to receive a portion of your financial settlement in the future. You get money immediately to pay bills and pay nothing back until you get money from the settlement of your claims. If you never get money from your claims, you never have to pay anything back to the legal funding company (the official term for this is “non-recourse”).

Pre-settlement funding is sometimes called consumer legal funding, This type of legal funding is not a loan; there is no debt, no monthly payments, and no risk of collections calls or wage garnishments. Any money paid to the legal funding company comes only out of the proceeds of the settlement, never out of your pocket.

Oasis works with a network of attorneys, and can help connect you to one. Learn more.

Funding that is non-recourse means it doesn’t have to be paid back if you lose your case. When you work with Oasis, we offer to buy part of the proceeds you could receive from your settlement for money now, to help you get by until the rest of your settlement comes in. It’s not a loan — it’s a purchase. Because it’s a purchase, qualifying for funding isn’t based on your credit score (like loans are), and it can never put you into collections (like loans can). Because it’s a purchase, if you lose your case, you owe us nothing. Non-recourse pre-settlement funding can be a safe, stable alternative to taking out a loan while you wait, and can help you get back on your feet after an accident.

There are four easy steps to receive your pre-settlement funding.

1. Apply — Make sure you have your case information and attorney’s contact information. It’s also important to tell your attorney you are applying for funding on your legal claim so they can expect a call from Oasis; we contact them to verify your case details.
2. Approval — Oasis reviews the information provided, and if you are qualified you’ll receive an approval notice and the contract to sign. Make sure you review and fully complete your contract before signing, and ask any questions you may have. Your attorney will also receive an acknowledgement to sign.
3. Follow Up — After Oasis receives your signed contract and your attorney’s acknowledgement, we’ll process the request. You’ll receive a timeline and instructions about calling back if you don’t receive confirmation by the end of the timeline.
4. Receive Funds — Oasis sends money the same day if possible using your selected method (Western Union, check or bank transfer) or the next day if it’s past the deadline (4PM CST).

Many different kinds of personal injury cases qualify. Learn more.

No, the only parties aware of your transaction are you as the plaintiff, your attorney, and Oasis Financial.

Once you’ve applied, there are three easy things you should do.

1. Call your attorney. It’s important to notify your attorney of your application, as Oasis will contact them to confirm case details, sign the contract, and complete the process.
2. Check your texts and email. Oasis will send you updates on your application status.
3. Make sure your phone is on. Oasis will contact you when your application is approved to discuss how to transfer your funds.

Simply let them know you applied for financing with Oasis and that we will be contacting them. We ask your attorney to provide additional case details needed in the review process.

Yes. If you have already received funding from Oasis and need more, you can apply for additional funding by completing a free application online or by phone. The additional funding process is as simple and easy as the first funding.

Oasis will review any case updates or changes with you or your attorney. Oasis may reach out to you and your attorney for additional information, so make sure to provide current attorney information, phone number, and email address when applying for additional funding.

If you are approved for additional funding, Oasis will notify you of the approval. You will then sign the Oasis Financial contract and your attorney will sign our acknowledgment form for the funding.

There are some common reasons why Oasis cannot provide funding on a case. Refer to these tips which may help.

1. Your paperwork is incomplete. Make sure to properly complete all required portions of your contract. In order to provide you with funding, we need to receive signed and complete copies of paperwork from you. Make sure to check your email and phone if Oasis needs to reach you for questions or updates.
2. We didn’t hear from your attorney. Make sure to let your attorney know that you have applied for funding and that we will be contacting them. In order to provide funding on your case, Oasis needs to hear from your attorney before providing you the funding.
3. It’s not a case we can fund. Oasis provides funding on many different types of cases. Learn more about the types of cases Oasis can fund here.
4. Other reasons. There may be other reasons or circumstances why Oasis has not been able to provide you with funding. Our team will provide as much information as possible and let you know when you can re-apply for funding with Oasis.

Once your case resolves, Oasis makes the process efficient and simple. We have a dedicated team of service representatives to answer questions from you or your attorney.

If there is no recovery on your case, you get to keep the funds you received from Oasis. There is no risk for you. Please have your attorney contact Oasis if there is no recovery or settlement on your case.

If at any time you or your attorney need a payoff, email payoffs@oasisfinancial.com or call (888) 529-1253. Your attorney will submit payment directly to Oasis.

People who experience an injury that wasn’t their fault — people like you — often face the added insult of mounting financial problems, from lost income or costly medical bills to falling behind on rent. To make matters worse, the defendant, who may take advantage of your financial situation, is usually in no hurry to settle for fair value. Without Oasis Financial, plaintiffs might have to settle too soon for too little just to avoid bankruptcy. A cash lifeline from Oasis Financial “levels the playing field” by giving you and your attorney the time needed to negotiate a fair settlement.

We know that people who are applying with Oasis have an urgent need for funding and are looking for help, quickly. We genuinely wish we could help all our applicants, but sometimes we cannot. Here are some of the most common reasons we have to decline an application.

1. We do not fund in your state: In certain states, some regulations make funding difficult. As a result, we don’t currently provide funding in Arkansas, Connecticut, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, or West Virginia. We continue to work with state legislators to try and make funding fast, fair and available in all states. In fact, we are founding members of ARC, the Alliance for Responsible Consumer Legal Funding, an association dedicated to preserving consumer legal funding through advocacy at the state and federal levels.
2. Your case is too new – While every case is different, in general it is helpful to our underwriting process to review the case at least 30 days after the accident date. We need enough information about the accident to make a funding decision. This may include information about the defendant and their carriers, information about the damages sustained, an acceptance of liability, etc., all of which take some time after an accident to be established.
3. You don’t have an attorney – We will not process a funding request unless you have an active case with a licensed attorney, and we are able to work with that attorney to determine your eligibility. Be very cautious if the funding company you are working with does not require the participation of your legal counsel. No one knows your case and will advocate for your best possible outcome like your attorney. If you don’t have an attorney – but would like one – Oasis may be able to help. Find out more.
4. We want you to be satisfied at settlement – One of our goals in providing pre-settlement funding is to not only help you get money now to cover immediate needs, but to try and make sure you’re satisfied with your settlement check. Sometimes the amount you are requesting (either with a first request or based on additional requests) may mean that when your case ultimately settles, there are fewer dollars left for you to have a satisfactory outcome. Be cautious of funding companies willing to overextend funding.
5. We are unable to obtain necessary information – Often applicants, in their rush for help, don’t provide accurate contact information for themselves or for their attorney. Please make sure we have your accurate information, and be on the lookout for calls, texts or emails (depending on your selected contact preferences) from us to answer any questions we may have. It’s equally important for you to you contact your attorney and tell them of your desire for funding and to give them permission to speak to us. If we don’t have the information we need, we’ll make several attempts to contact you and/or your attorney, but if we can’t gather the necessary information, we will have to decline the case.
6. Your case doesn’t meet our guidelines – While your credit score is never a factor in our funding decision, other financial liabilities including bankruptcies and liens such as child support can disqualify you from funding. Once any liens are satisfied, you are welcome to reapply for funding.

Ranging from fender benders to t-bone collisions, auto accidents are commonly the result of negligent driving. Motorists who are distracted, aggressive, or under the influence can cause major damage, and may be held responsible for a plaintiff’s medical bills, prescription drug costs, and compensation for lost wages. These cases involve everything from small passenger cars to large semi-trucks, and can include both injured drivers and passengers.  

Workers’ Compensation laws were created to protect injured workers by providing for medical care, compensation for lost wages related to the injury, and rehabilitation and/or retraining if necessary. Almost half of all workplace injuries are serious enough to cause the employee to miss work or require ongoing medical care.

Because paying these claims can be costly, employers don’t always believe they are legitimate, creating undue delays in resolving them. Plaintiffs are responsible for proving the employer was “at fault” in order to receive a settlement.

Civil rights claims can result from a wide variety of discriminatory misconduct, including misconduct regarding age, disability, pregnancy, race, and religious discrimination — as well as different types of harassment charges. While the actions prompting these claims may not leave a person with a physical injury, they can cause significant stress and psychological damage for the claimant, making it difficult to perform at one’s fullest potential, resulting in a lack of career momentum and missed financial gain.

Construction negligence claims stem from accidents caused by unsafe construction sites, improper equipment and/or training, faulty machinery, and other dangerous work conditions. For construction workers injured on the job, employers may be held responsible for a plaintiff’s medical bills, prescription drug costs, and compensation for lost wages.

Similar to Workers’ Compensation, the Federal Employer’s Liability Act (FELA) provides compensation for railroad workers injured on the job. Almost any worker employed by a railroad company, even those whose primary responsibilities are not performed in or around trains, is protected under the FELA.

The degree of negligence the plaintiff must show under FELA (usually due to the railroad, its employees, or an equipment manufacturer) is actually less than “no fault” Workers’ Comp. However, FELA requires a higher burden of proof by the courts than Workers’ Comp, so FELA litigation can last much longer.

When a plaintiff becomes injured due to improper care of property and/or possessions, they can pursue a General Negligence lawsuit. These claims cover a broad range of specific complaints including animal bites, amusement park injuries, bicycle and pedestrian accidents, plus homeowner and nursing home negligence.

The Jones Act protects maritime workers involved in accidents while at work. Sailors can receive damages due to vessel, captain, or crew negligence. Claimants must prove that their employers were negligent or “at fault,” similar to Workers’ Comp cases.  

However, “comparative fault” is involved here. If the employer can prove that the plaintiff’s actions contributed to or caused the accident, the amount of the award can be reduced accordingly.

Pedestrian injury is very common, and can occur due to unsafe conditions or collisions with motor vehicles, motorcycles, bicycles, scooters, or skateboards. Injuries caused through another party’s negligence can result in compensation for a plaintiff’s medical bills, prescription drug costs, and lost wages.

If you were injured on another’s property and the property owner failed to warn you of the possible hazard, the owner may be found negligent and liable. Premise liability lawsuits encompass a wide range of accidents, but “slip and fall” cases are the most common.

This type of injury can occur on private or public property and can be caused by uneven or cracked sidewalks, poorly lit pathways, slippery or unbalanced floors, potholes, ripped carpet or rugs, and even bad weather.

A job-related injury is typically covered by Workers’ Comp insurance. However, if the injury involved negligence on the part of the employer, a fellow employee or a product, tool or machine produced by a third party, a workplace negligence lawsuit may be filed. These are often handled outside of the state-specific Workers’ Comp “no-fault” claims process.

Since these cases are not considered “no fault,” it is the claimant’s burden to prove that the other party is liable.

The loss of a loved one caused by the actions or negligence of someone else can result in a Wrongful Death suit. These claims most commonly entail medical malpractice, fatal car accidents, or when a victim is intentionally killed, and are filed by representatives of the victim’s estate.

In many personal injury cases, a plaintiff must be able to prove that the defendant was “at fault” or responsible for the accident or negligence causing the injury. The burden of proof is typically placed on the plaintiff in order to receive damages.