When you’re recovering from a personal injury, the last thing you want to worry about is how you’ll pay the bills. Medical expenses, lost wages, rent, and everyday costs can pile up fast. If you live in California and have a personal injury case in progress, pre-settlement funding can offer the financial breathing room you need while you wait for your case to resolve.
Find out how pre-settlement funding works, who qualifies, and how it can support plaintiffs navigating personal injury lawsuits in California.
What Is Pre-Settlement Funding?
Pre-settlement funding, sometimes incorrectly referred to as a lawsuit loan, provides injured plaintiffs with money before their case is settled. It’s often compared to a traditional loan, but there are some key differences worth noting:
- It is NOT a loan. It is a non-recourse funding so, if you lose your case, you owe nothing.
- Approval is based on the strength of your case, not your financial history.
- There are no monthly payments since you only repay the funding if and when your case settles or you win.
How Does Pre-Settlement Funding Work in California?
Before moving forward with legal funding in California, it’s always wise to talk to your attorney. They can explain how this type of funding may affect your case and whether it’s the right option for your specific situation, especially if your case outcome is uncertain.
Pre-settlement funding in California follows a straightforward, four-step process:
1. Applying for Pre-Settlement Funding
Applying typically begins with an online or phone-based intake form. There’s no need for a credit check or employment verification, but there are a few requirements to keep in mind:
- You must have an active personal injury lawsuit.
- You must be represented by an attorney.
- Your injury must be directly tied to qualified lawsuit types (e.g., a car accident, slip and fall, or medical malpractice).
To speed up the process, it helps to have some basic documents ready, such as:
- A copy of your police report or incident report
- Medical records or treatment notes
- Contact information for your attorney
Who Can Apply for Pre-Settlement Funding?
If you’re a plaintiff in a personal injury lawsuit, you may be eligible to apply for pre-settlement funding.
Funding is especially helpful for individuals facing financial stress due to:
- Lost income
- High medical bills
- Ongoing recovery that prevents returning to work
Have you been involved in a personal injury lawsuit in the state of California and need help with pre-settlement funding? Oasis is here to help!
2. Case Evaluation
After you apply, the funding company will begin evaluating your case. This step involves reviewing information provided by you and your attorney to determine the risk and potential value of your lawsuit.
Some key factors funding companies typically consider are:
- Liability – Is it clear who was at fault?
- Injury severity – More serious injuries often mean higher compensation.
- Insurance coverage – The defendant’s policy limits may impact your payout.
- Case timeline – How long is the case likely to take?
- Estimated settlement value – This is based on similar past cases.
This evaluation helps the funding company decide how much money to offer and on what terms.
3. Funding Approval
After your case is reviewed, you could receive an approval decision within 24 to 48 hours, sometimes even the same day.
Approval rates can vary, but most legal funding companies aim to help as many qualified applicants as possible. If your case is strong and well-documented, you stand a good chance of getting approved.
4. Pre-Settlement Funding Process
Once approved, the money can be sent via direct deposit, wire transfer, or check. In most cases, the entire approved amount is provided upfront as a single lump sum.
Personal Injury Lawsuit Funding in California
Pre-settlement funding is available for a wide range of injury-related cases in Los Angeles, Sacramento, and throughout California. The most common types of personal injuries we see in California are:
Auto Accidents
Car crashes, motorcycle accidents, and truck collisions are among the most common personal injury cases. If you’ve been in a car accident on the 405 in LA or the 101 in San Francisco, car accident lawsuit funding in California can help you manage costs while waiting for your settlement.
Slip & Fall (Premises Liability)
Slippery store floors, broken sidewalks, or unsafe property conditions can lead to serious injuries. Slip and fall cases in California, especially in densely populated areas like San Diego or Sacramento, can take months to resolve. Pre-settlement funding ensures you don’t have to choose between healing and financial stability.
Medical Malpractice
If you’ve been injured due to a healthcare provider’s negligence, the legal process can be lengthy and complex. Pre-settlement funding for medical malpractice in California can provide much-needed support while your legal team builds your case.
Common Questions About Car Accident Pre-Settlement Funding
Let’s answer some common questions you might have about pre-settlement funding in California.
What Does Pre-Settlement Funding Pay For?
Plaintiffs often use these funds to cover essential living expenses while they wait for their settlement, like:
- Rent or mortgage payments
- Utilities (electricity, gas, etc.)
- Groceries and household essentials
- Childcare or daycare expenses
- Auto repairs or transportation costs
- Phone and internet bills
- Credit card payments or loan installments
- Insurance premiums (auto, health, home)
- Medical bills not covered by insurance
- Mental health or therapy expenses
- Tuition or school supplies for children
- Unexpected emergencies
This type of funding is especially useful for individuals who are unable to work due to their injury and are facing a total or significant loss of income during their case.
Is There a Pre-Settlement Limit?
A limit on how much pre-settlement funding you can acquire in California varies depending on your specific case and circumstances. The maximum amount you can receive is generally determined by several variables, including:
- The estimated value of your lawsuit
- The type and severity of your injury
- Liability strength (how clear it is that the defendant was at fault)
- Available insurance coverage from the defendant
- Expected timeline for settlement or trial
- Medical documentation and treatment history
- The amount you’ve already received (if any) in previous funding
- State-specific regulations (California has its own consumer protection rules)
Let’s say you were seriously injured in a car accident in Los Angeles, and your attorney estimates your case could settle for $100,000. Based on the strength of your case and available insurance coverage, a funding company might offer you up to 10–20% of your expected settlement—around $10,000 to $20,000. If your medical documentation is strong and liability is clear, you may qualify for the higher end of that range.
Can I Take Out More Than One Pre-Settlement Funding?
Yes, in California, you can take out more than one pre-settlement funding, provided the total amount remains within the approved funding limit based on your case value.
Plaintiffs sometimes return for additional funding if:
- Their case is taking longer than expected to settle
- Their original funding amount wasn’t enough to cover ongoing expenses
- Medical costs or daily living expenses have increased
- They were unable to return to work as quickly as planned
Each new request typically requires an updated evaluation of your case, and your attorney’s cooperation is essential.
What Are the Risks of Pre-Settlement Funding?
Since pre-settlement funding is a non-recourse obligation, this structure removes the financial risk for the borrower.
Non-Recourse
Non-recourse means that if you don’t win or settle your case, you don’t have to repay the funding. The funding company has no claim to your personal assets, income, or credit.
For example, if you receive $15,000 in pre-settlement funding for a slip and fall case in San Diego and the case doesn’t settle, you owe nothing.
Why Choose Oasis Financial?
We know a personal injury lawsuit can turn your life upside down. Unlike lenders or impersonal pre-settlement funding companies in California, Oasis focuses on responsive, human-centered service. Our team takes the time to understand your situation and works closely with your attorney to ensure you get the support you need quickly, clearly, and without added stress.
Work With Oasis Financial
By working with Oasis Financial, you get a clear, straightforward experience that includes fast approvals, no hidden fees, and the confidence of knowing you’re supported every step of the way.
Want to know more? Explore our FAQs or start your quick online application today.
The information provided on this website does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available on this site are for general informational purposes only. No attorney-client or confidential relationship is or will be formed by use of the site. Readers of this website should contact their attorney to obtain advice with respect to any particular legal matter. No reader, user, or browser of this site should act or refrain from acting on the basis of information on this site without first seeking legal advice from counsel in the relevant jurisdiction.
Oasis provides pre-settlement funding, also known as consumer litigation funding, to its customers through different products depending on their state of residence or cause of action. Many consumers will be provided pre-settlement funding in the form of a purchase agreement, which assigns a portion of the pending proceeds from their legal claim. Other consumers, such as those in CO, CT and SC will be offered a funding in the form of a pre-settlement loan, sometimes referred to as a lawsuit loan. These transactions have important differences, therefore, consumers should carefully review and be aware of the type of transaction that is offered to them by any funding company.