Litigation

Pardon me for bastardizing a quote from Alexander Pope's appropriately titled An Essay on Criticism to launch into today's diatribe about Imperial Structured Settlements, LLC. If one can see past the sultry photograph and platitudes of the Farrah Fawcett locked Senior VP Deborah Benaim one can see much, from a structured settlement context, is technically incorrect:

Imperial Structured Settlements, LLC False Statement #1

Michael was severely burnt as a young adult during a work related injury and was awarded a very large structured settlement.

You can't be awarded a structured settlement. A structured settlement is a compromise not an award.

Imperial Structured Settlements, LLC False Statement #2

Several years ago, Julie suffered minor injuries in an auto accident. She was awarded a structured settlement.

You can't be awarded a structured settlement. A structured settlement is a compromise not an award.

Imperial Structured Settlements, LLC False Statement #3

We have pioneered the field, revolutionizing the way the structured settlement process takes place

Take my word for it, Imperial is NOT involved in "the structured settlement process".

Imperial Structured Settlements, LLC  Dubious Statement #1

We are members of the National Association of Settlement Purchasers (NASP), the trade association that determines best practices and provides strength and credibility to the industry.

With few exceptions the structured settlement factoring industry suffers a huge credibility problem from a truth in advertising standpoint and wonders why it is vilified.

Imperial Structured Settlements, LLC Dubious Statement #2

Imperial Says This

"We can convert your annuity payment streams into a lump sum within two to three weeks of receiving a completed contract."

BUT THEN SAYS THIS! 

FAQ about structured settlements

Marketing Hype #1

Get the money now that rightfully belongs to you.

When you accepted a structured settlement you agreed to release the defendant in exchange for the right to receive a series of payments over time (in lieu of receiving a lump sum of cash) the total of which may far exceed the lump sum payment being used to fund them. Some of those payments include interest that might otherwise be taxable if you had simply taken the lump sum and invested it. In order to get the tax exclusion you could not take possession of a the lump sum used to fund your structured settlement payments. Imperial gives you cash in exchange for all or part of the rights to receive the future payments. You have the right to receive the payments in the future. You don't have the right to receive money now.  You have the option to receive money IF you agree to the discounted amount of cash that Imperial is willing to give you  AND IF a court approves the transfer.

"Cash now pusher" Imperial leads you on because you can't even get money now.  Depending on which Imperial Statement you believe it could be 2-3 weeks or 45 days, or who knows?

Perhaps one of these days the majority of the members of the National Association of Settlement Purchasers (NASP), the trade association that determines best practices and provides strength and "credibility" to the industry will actually live up to what they promise.