Litigation

Sorcery and "Risk craft" in Back Door Rescue to Single Claimant IRC 468B QSF?

Posted on January 07, 2010
Former structured settlement broker and Tulsa attorney Richard B. Risk, Jr. ("Dick Risk") of the Risk Law Firm, issued comments on proposed changes to regulations on the exclusion of physical injury or sickness damages from gross income. The proposed changes...

"Skincare Planner With National Presence"

Posted on January 06, 2010
I just discovered something new "about myself" in a Zoominfo search! Apparently one now defunct website they scraped had me pegged as a "skincare planner" with a national presence. For the record, I will NOT squeeze your pimples with that...

What Master Are You Working For You Insensitive Boor?

Posted on January 06, 2010
I received a call for a second opinion today and what I learned made it patently obvious that the plaintiff attorney's chosen structured settlement broker was looking out for an interest other than the party that he represents. And that's...

The "Mai Thai" NSSTA

Posted on January 05, 2010
In a stunning display of international intrigue, it has emerged that web traffic on the National Structured Settlement Trade Association (NSSTA) website has soared, in Thailand! One can only speculate that the NSSTA is trying to "curry" favor. According to...

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Improving the Unemployment Rate-How NOT to Apply For a Job in a Down Economy

Posted on January 05, 2010
So I receive this "email" from someone I don't know earlier today and felt compelled to respond. In a message dated 01/05/10 09:48:50 Eastern Standard Time, XYZZZZ writes: I am looking for a MSCC position...see resume My response: Dear Ms....

Getting "PSSI" in the Name of Financial Literacy and Attention to Detail

Posted on January 05, 2010
The new website of John Bat's Plaintiff Settlement Solutions Incorporated ("PSSI"-pronounced "PIssy") is not one of "life's moments that takes our breath away". As Will Smith might have paraphrased back in the day, let's "get pissy with it" PSSI: An....

New Year Financial Statistical Comparison Worth Noting

Posted on January 04, 2010
Yield on 30 Year Treasury Bond January 1, 2009 2.68% January 1, 2010 4.63% Difference: +1.95% Yield on 10 Year Treasury Bond January 1, 2009 2.21%% January 1, 2010 3.83% Difference: +1.62% S&P 500 Dividend Yield January 1, 2009 3.20%...

Structured Settlement Pitches to Plaintiff Attorneys-Separating the Wheat From The Chaff

Posted on January 04, 2010
There is no question of the value to a plaintiff or plaintiff attorney retaining their own structured settlement planner or settlement consultant. What is in question are the methods used by certain structured settlement planners to get the business. Otherwise...

Rockford Funding Group "Structured Settlement Funding" Ponzi Scheme Video News Podcast

Posted on January 04, 2010
Watch the video! Read the blog! SEC opens "The Rockford Files", Thwarts Another "Structured Settlement Funding" Ponzi Scheme.

Ward's 50® List includes 4 Structured Settlement Annuity Issuers

Posted on January 02, 2010
The following structured annuity issuers made the 2009 Life Health Ward's 50® Top Performing Insurance companies: Metropolitan Life Insurance Company New York LIfe Insurance Company Symetra Life Insurance Company USAA Life Insurance Company (writes structures for its own book) Each...

Does Relles Settlement Services Represent Plaintiff Exclusively OR NOT?

Posted on January 01, 2010
Here's something of interest to the Consumer Attorneys of California! On the one hand "trusted settlement advocates" Relles Setttlement Services states on its home page that it " is representing the plaintiff exclusively. Despite there being no mistake that the...

"Martindale Hubbard"... The EPS Nursery Rhyme?

Posted on December 31, 2009
Ole Martindale "Hubbard" EPS' link "in the cupboard", To give their poor clients a bone: When they came there, Instead "Hubbell" was there, Proof reading EPS they must hone. Inspired by the title of a link* on the EPS Settlements...

Stories Impacting the Structured Settlements Industry in 2009

Posted on December 30, 2009
The Doom and Gloom concerning structured settlement annuity issuers of late 2008 has abated somewhat. At this time last year our industry was in the throes of significant uncertainty created by the government bailout of AIG. the sudden withdrawal of....

"Structured Settlement Industry Seeking Distance From Rothstein"...Broward Palm Beach New Times

Posted on December 30, 2009
The New Times of Broward Palm Beach published "Structured Settlement Industry Seeking Distance From (Scott) Rothstein; Crackdown Coming For "Cash Now" Outfits? by Thomas Francis. The post title is self explanatory. Thomas Francis' post cites information and exhibit provided by...

123 Lump Sum's Dubious Claims that " Easy as 123 You Get Your Cash TODAY

Posted on December 28, 2009
In the opinion of this author, Structured Asset Funding is one of the worst false advertisers of companies that purchase structured settlement payment rights from accident victims. The company ought to be slammed by the Federal Trade Commission along with...

Are North Carolina Insurance Agents Violating The Law?

Posted on December 28, 2009
In an August 30, 2009 post I discussed a quote appearing in the North Carolina Lawyers Weekly's August 17, 2009 report concerning structured settlement annuities. In the August 17, 2009 article R. James Lore, a Cary, NC attorney is quoted...

News From The Batcave "Troglodytes Inherit Billions", Bentzen Buffaloed

Posted on December 27, 2009
"Troglodyte" pounds out the news Only weeks after "factoring broker to the structured settlement stars", Rhonda Bentzen, picked on troglodytes in a December 8, 2009 melt down post (about Blog Bullies), it has emerged that just days before her post...

Structured Settlement Industry 12 Days of Christmas Parody

Posted on December 24, 2009
We've all lived through a lot this year so in reflecting back over the past 12 months it's only fitting that we memorialize it in an irreverent song! Click the image below for background music! On the 1st day Xmas...

Amicus Settlement Planning SEO Effort Results in Stub Toe With New York Insurance Law

Posted on December 24, 2009
Nice "toe stubbage" from settlement planner Bill Tilley of Amicus Settlement Planning who solicits trial lawyers with the warning "The Most Serious Risks You Don't See Coming". Ironically in designing his website Tilley apparently hasn't "seen coming" an apparent violation...

Halpern Group Announces Executive Appointments, States Mission Will Continue Following Passing of Founder

Posted on December 22, 2009
Following through with its succession plan, The Halpern Group has appointed Risa H. Lower as President, following a long tenure as Executive Vice President during which time she oversaw all day-to-day operations in support of Richard Halpern and played an...

Understanding TARP in Relation to Structured Settlement Annuity Companies

Posted on December 21, 2009
I recently heard a comment from a plaintiff lawyer reviewing a structured settlement proposal from an industry colleague which comment was indicative that he was told something to the effect of "not to worry about the structured settlement annuity company's...

Settlement Professionals Got a "Big Ole BUT"... States Rebating As 2009 Fact Using 2002 Evidence

Posted on December 20, 2009
One of my industry colleagues, Settlement Professionals, has a "BIG OLE BUT". Check it out! "What?s in it for the Casualty Companies and Self-Insured Corporations? MONEY! Money in the form of direct rebates and kickbacks. Look here to read a...

Terminated Structured Settlement Brokerages Need to To Update Websites

Posted on December 20, 2009
We understand that, In December 2009, one of the structured settlement annuity insurance companies has terminated the appointments of 5 structured settlement general agencies. The purported reason for the terminations was to assure the continuation of a higher level of...

Hartford Financial Services Group Stable Says Moodys

Posted on December 17, 2009
Good news about The Hartford Moody's Investors Service changed its ratings outlook on The Hartford Financial Services Group Inc. (HIG) to stable from developing, saying the struggling life insurer's capitalization and financial flexibility has improved.

123 Lump Sum: False Advertising Exhibit #1 For the Federal Trade Commission?

Posted on December 16, 2009
An open letter to Jon Liebowitz, The Chairman of the Federal Trade Commission in Washington DC Please view this advertisement from 123 Lump Sum, the Florida company which solicits people nationally under the "cash now " scheme. The company claims...

Lesson We Can Learn From Rushmore and Morefar

Posted on December 16, 2009
Two natural treasures frame a "tongue in cheek" structured settlement versus cash now argument

Use of Life Insurance in the Settlement Planning-1

Posted on December 16, 2009
My latest video on Legal Broadcast Network begins to explore the use of life insurance in the settlement planning process for both plaintiffs and plaintiff attorney. For more information click Life Insurance in Settlement Planning

Musing Concerning Bentzen Funding and Structured Asset Funding Ownership And Other Ironies

Posted on December 15, 2009
It has emerged today that Bentzen Funding Solutions and Structured Asset Funding co-owner Michael Asseff has a 2005 felony listed on records with the 17th Judicial District of Florida Broward County. Download Asseff 2005 Felony Broward. The felony arises out...

Richard G. Halpern Tribute

Posted on December 15, 2009
"Today I lost a friend. Today I lost a mentor, a strategical thinker, a confidant and someone who shared a common philosophy for truly putting the injured party and their needs first and rest will work itself out later. I...

Richard G. Halpern (1945-2009)

Posted on December 14, 2009
Richard G. Halpern, a passionate and pioneering advocate for tort victims in the United States has passed away from cancer at age 64. Although I've known Rich Halpern for almost 20 years, I've only really got to know him well...

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