Litigation

There is an inconsistency in Forge Consulting advertising that is disturbing but not surprising. The Forge Consulting website boasts putative magic words of  "full market access" implying that it gives its clients access to all of the structured annuity markets. Unfortunately for Forge's clients that doesn't include John Hancock, or so it appears. Forge lists "the organizations we work with" and John Hancock Life is not there. This author happens to know that Forge Consulting DOES NOT have an agency agreement with John Hancock Life.

Why should members of the New York State Trial Lawyers, AAJ, PAJ, MATA, GTLA, SCTLA, TTLA etc etc care?

As we sit here today there are only 3 structured settlement annuity markets that have received an A.M. Best A++ (Superior) and John Hancock Life is one of them. There are only 2 companies that have a AAA rating from Standard and Poors and John Hancock Life is one of them! John Hancock is rated A++ by Best, Aa1 Moodys, AAA Standard and Poors and AA+ Fitch.

The only way Forge Consulting would be able to get access to John Hancock Life is by pipelining the business through another broker. Issues may arise for two reasons:

1. By pipelining the business your client's confidential medical information is handled by a third party that may or may not be know to you. Is there a Business Associate Agreement in place and have you seen it?

2. Forge statements on its website suggest that it actually limits it clients' choices. It doesn't work with John Hancock Life. Isn't this the same type of thing that Forge representatives are telling you that "the other guys" do?

• If you have a large non rated or low rated age minor's case where John Hancock Life is especially competitive are you committing malpractice by knowingly limiting your client's choices? 
• If you have a large structured settlement WHY would you not diversify with 3 instead of 2 A++XV rated annuity issuers.