Blog

Wrongfully Incarcerated Individuals

The number of exonerations for wrongfully incarcerated individuals has increased for the third year in a row, according to The National Registry of Exonerations, with an average of over three exonerations per week across the United States. Experts attribute this leap to a growing trend of accountability in prosecutorial offices around the country. How might this influx...

Settlement Nation Episode 4: Megan Hottman

This episode of Settlement Nation we chat with with Megan Hottman, a powerhouse health and wellness advocate, cycling enthusiast, podcast host, and attorney out of Golden, Colorado. Megan shares her insights on running a successful practice while maintaining balance. We cover how she became “The Cyclist Lawyer“, tips to increase your personal energy levels and presentation in and out...

Book Review: The Art of Settlement

Although the personal injury settlement planning profession now offers plaintiff attorneys, and its own members, an increasing variety of educational resources, few guides to regulatory compliance currently exist – and those that do tend to be specialized. Robert Wood has authored definitive legal textbooks about “Taxation of Damage Awards and Settlement Payments” as well as “Qualified...

Case Study: Catastrophic Injury

Catastrophic Injury A mother and her five-year-old son were in a car accident in 2018 and both suffered extensive injuries. The mother sustained multiple broken bones, including several ribs. The child was in critical condition with injuries that required him to be placed into a medically-induced coma. Ultimately the five-year-old needed multiple surgeries to correct...

Comparing the Advantages: ABLE Accounts vs. Special Needs Trusts

The COVID-19 pandemic and near zero long term Treasury rates have required both structured settlement professionals and settlement planners to re-think how they market and how they sell structured settlement annuities. Serena Fitchard, nicely summarized a more expansive structured settlement sales approach during a recent National Structured Settlement Trade Association (NSSTA) webinar: “structured settlements serve a greater...

Celebrating $250M with a Giveaway!

For so many people starting a business and watching it succeed through hard work, courage, and a little bit of luck is the American dream. This certainly embodies the journey our team at Independent Life has experienced.  As a result of those factors and the growing support of settlement professionals and attorneys across the country,...