Pre-settlement funding is an important financial service that provides necessary resources and peace of mind for many individuals when they need it most. Life doesn’t stop just because you’re waiting for your settlement or award money. You still have bills and obligations, and maybe even a family to take care of.
So, we’ve taken a moment to answer the questions that people ask most frequently when considering pre-settlement funding. We hope you find this information helpful, and please don’t hesitate to call or contact us with any further questions you might have.
How long will it take before I’m approved for funding?
Our free online application simply takes three minutes, and our applications are typically reviewed for same-day approval. If a circumstance should arise that extends your approval process, one of our pre-settlement professionals will personally get in touch to notify you.
What kinds of clients does Oasis accept?
Oasis provides funding to individuals with a variety of case types, subject to applicable law, including:
- Auto and motor vehicle accidents
- Workers’ compensation
- Civil rights
- Construction negligence
- FELA (Railroad)
- General negligence
- Jones Act (Maritime)
- Pedestrian injury
- Premises liability (slip and fall)
- Workplace negligence
- Wrongful death cases
As always, please feel free to contact us with any remaining questions about case eligibility or any other matter.
Is legal funding a loan?
This is an important question for many people awaiting a settlement, as resources may be somewhat stretched, leaving individuals even more wary of incurring debt.
As it applies to most cases, pre-settlement funding is not provided as a loan. A pre-settlement funding agency is essentially purchasing a portion of your settlement. There is no technical creation of debt in this transaction if it is considered an advance, as it typically is.
However, there are certain states in which legal funding is provided as a loan consistent with applicable state law. Make sure to specify with your lawyer what type of funding is being offered to you.
Should I avoid litigation funding because it eats into my settlement payout?
Litigation funding is not necessary or advisable in every individual’s case. However, it can and does provide individuals with peace of mind and additional capital in unbelievably stressful times. This necessary “breathing room” (knowing the rent and bills will be paid) allows plaintiffs to get back to their life. Every individual should consider for themselves whether seeking litigation funding is right for them.
How much information do I need to provide Oasis with?
You will typically need to provide the following information when applying for funding:
- Your first and last name
- The amount of funding you need
- The date of your accident
- The state your case is in
- How you heard about Oasis
- Your email address
- Your phone number
- Your preferred contact method
- Your lawyer’s contact information
Will I have anything left to take home at the end of my settlement?
To make sure you take home as much of your settlement as possible, we make every effort not to over fund based on the amount of an expected settlement.
What happens if the settlement or award is less than expected?
Oasis makes provisions for this circumstance from the outset by not over funding its clients. We also have a long and respected reputation for our willingness to collaborate with clients and lawyers over the long-haul to arrive at the best conclusion for all parties.
What happens if my case drags on for longer than expected?
We’re here to help you in your time of need. So, in the event your case takes an unusually long time to get resolved, we’ll flexibly work with you to meet your unique needs. It’s that simple.
Why are the necessary contracts so complicated?
We understand that your time is valuable, which is why we make every attempt to simplify and streamline our contracts. We use simple language, and we’re completely transparent with our disclosure of fees, if any, and repayment schedules.
What will I be charged on my pre-settlement funds?
At Oasis, we pride ourselves on having some of the most competitive rates in the industry (because we’re focused on you, not our bottom line). Our charges can change periodically, so please make sure to ask for current figures when applying.
What’s your process for working with my attorney?
We’ll contact your attorney before we provide any funding for your case.
What are installment contracts?
If you live in a state where litigation funding is provided as a purchase agreement and you’ve been involved in a catastrophic accident that will take a much longer time to recover from, subject to applicable law, we’ll set up an “installment contract” with you. An installment contract is a type of purchase agreement that, rather than giving you a lump-sum pre-settlement funding upfront, we’ll give you money on a “rolling” monthly basis to cover your personal expenses as you recuperate.
Because of the “slow and steady” structure of rolling contracts, you’ll save up to 75% on fees if you happen to fall in this category.
When will I receive my pre-settlement funds?
We know that times are tough for our clients, which is why we make it a priority to get your money to you without unnecessary delays. More often than not, you’ll have your cash within 24 hours of being approved.Occasionally, however, there may be unanticipated circumstances in which it takes a little bit longer than usual to collect all of the information we need for approval. In these cases, we will still do everything we can to approve and issue funding as soon as possible.
What exact information will Oasis need to evaluate my case?
We’ll need your completed funding application, which you can conveniently find here. Beyond that, all we need is some preliminary case information that your attorney will be able to supply us with. That’s all there is to it.
What are your eligibility criteria when examining potential clients’ cases?
We choose to underwrite or pass on various potential clients based on the facts of their case. If our team decides there is a good chance of a positive result in your case, then we may provide funding to you as our client.
Is it legal to provide litigation fundings?
Pre-settlement funding is an established and respected sector in the legal industry. The movement for pre-settlement funding began when lawyers started to realize that plaintiffs were struggling with bills and life obligations while awaiting their settlements.
Ever since then, pre-settlement funding companies like Oasis have been committed to providing peace of mind and necessary resources to individuals awaiting legal settlements.
Will I have to sign any documents that contractually obligate repayment?
If your funding is provided via a Purchase Agreement, the answer is no. Repayment of the funding is contingent on the outcome of your case and is not contractually obligated like a loan.
If you funding is provided via a loan, the answer is Yes, repayment is mandated. However, we are always willing to work with you if your settlement is less than expected.
Will my attorney be required to sign any documents?
Yes. We require your attorney to acknowledge our agreement.
Will I need to make monthly repayments?
Not at all. If you receive a funding that is provided as a loan to you, you can choose to make periodic payments, but you can also elect to defer those payments for a fee.
If your funding is provided in the form of a purchase agreement, where the funding agency is essentially purchasing a portion of your settlement, repayment of the funded amount, charges and fees will be made if and after your case settles and you receive your settlement funds.
Will I be charged any out of pocket fees?
No. Any and all costs associated with your pre-settlement advance will come from your settlement funds if and when you receive
What’s the difference between a purchase agreement and a loan?
If you receive a loan, it must be repaid like any other loan. However, if you are offered a funding in the form of a purchase or other non-loan agreement, repayment is only required if your settlement case goes through successfully.
Summing Up
Since 1996, Oasis has passionately pursued the goal of providing people just like you with peace of mind in some of their darkest times, and the ability to continue providing for themselves and their loved ones.
Call or contact us today, to learn why we stand alone in our industry.
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 SC and CO 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.