What is Structured settlement?
A '''Structured settlement''' is an insurance or financial arrangement that is negotiated to end a [[lawsuit]]. It is a legal agreement through which an [[insurance]] [[company]] agrees to make regular payments to a specific individual over a period of time. Structured settlements are a way for insurance companies to pay out settlements in installments as opposed to large lump sums.<ref>Structured Settlements and Periodic Payment Judgements. New York, NY: Law Journal Press. pp. 1–36.</ref> Structured settlements may benefit injured people whose settlements might result in their owing taxes, by allowing them to reduce or delay tax payments. They may also benefit younger people or disabled people by providing periodic payments of money over an extended period of time.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Shulman|first1=Ken|title=Considerations when Initiating or Settling a Personal Injury Action It|url=http://www.specialneedsalliance.org/the-voice/considerations-when-initiating-or-settling-a-personal-injury-action/|website=Special Needs Alliance|accessdate=1 June 2017|date=Jul 2014}}</ref> Structured settlements require the paper holder (a name for the person who receives payments from the settlement) to wait before they will get money, by spreading payments over a number of years. However there are companies offering to buy such a structured settlement for upfront money.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Larson|first1=Aaron|title=What is a Structured Settlement|url=https://www.expertlaw.com/library/personal_injury/structured_settlement.html|website=Expert Law|publisher=ExpertLaw.com|accessdate=1 June 2017|archive-date=9 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170709002808/https://www.expertlaw.com/library/personal_injury/structured_settlement.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> For example, a company might offer to buy a settlement that would be paid in 20 yearly payments for a one-time payment of lower value. Such financing may need to be approved by judge and the insurance company.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Anderson|first1=Ann|title=Revie