How Do I Cash in My Personal Injury Settlement Check?
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How Do I Cash in My Personal Injury Settlement Check?
After months or perhaps even years of battling out a personal injury case, you finally hold your settlement check in your hands. Settlements for a personal injury can involve large amounts, which might leave you wondering how to cash in your personal injury settlement check when it arrives. However, you have several options and could cash your check at your bank, a grocery store, or a check-cashing store.
Having an experienced personal injury attorney by your side, negotiating a fair settlement can be crucial. Once victims sign settlement papers, they are generally barred from further recovery even if their damages turn out higher than expected.
Morgan & Morgan doesn’t want you to leave money on the table that you might need for your injury in the future. Our committed attorneys work tirelessly to help the injured recover what they need and deserve. Contact us now for a free case review.
Who Is Entitled to a Settlement Check?
If you got injured in an accident or incident that was the responsibility of another individual, business, or another party, they generally have to make you “whole” again. Therefore, if you lost wages, incurred medical bills, suffered pain, or had other damages, the responsible party or their insurance company should compensate you. Injured individuals can file a personal injury lawsuit to seek justice and compensation.
Even if you file a lawsuit, your case will not necessarily go through the court system and end in a trial. According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS), most personal injury claims are resolved with an out-of-court settlement and before trial. Once an injured individual accepts a settlement offer from the responsible party, they are due to receive their settlement check in a reasonable timeframe.
If you suffered a personal injury in a car accident, slip and fall, workplace accident, or in another situation, you could receive a settlement check from the at-fault party. Make sure to seek medical advice for your injury as soon as possible and contact a personal injury lawyer to determine whether you have a case.
Cashing in Your Settlement Check With Your Bank
You can cash in your personal injury settlement check at your own bank. However, you may not be able to access the full amount immediately, especially if you received a large settlement check. Depending on your average balance and bank policy, your bank can place a hold on the funds, lasting for up to seven days or even longer. Generally, a bank can hold funds:
- For up to two business days for checks against an account at the same institution
- For up to five additional days for other banks (totaling seven days)
- For longer periods if reasonable
If you have a bank balance greater or equal to the check amount, the bank might cash your check immediately.
The Process of Cashing Your Check
The bank may ask you to bring two forms of ID when you are cashing a large check. The teller may also call the issuing bank to verify the check’s legitimacy and ask you some questions about the source of the check. This is a normal bank procedure and nothing to worry about. You should then receive your cash. Some banks charge a check cashing fee of around $5-$10.
Cashing in Your Check With the Issuing Bank
Cashing your check with the issuing institution can be a good idea as there is usually a shorter hold on the funds. Much like your own bank, the issuing bank typically requires two forms of ID, such as a passport and driver’s license. There could be a flat fee for cashing the check, or the bank might charge a percentage of the check amount. Some banks offer check cashing for free, so be sure to shop around for the best deal.
Cashing a Check Without a Bank Account
If you do not have a bank account or prefer to get your money immediately, you could have several options. Grocery stores, convenience stores, or check-cashing places could all cash in your check. However, many grocery or convenience stores only cash in checks of up to $5,000.
Check-cashing and payday loan stores can be a good option for those who do not possess a bank account or where the check is too large to be cashed in at a retailer. Photo ID will be required. Check-cashing stores can charge considerable fees, often based on a percentage of the amount cashed in. The advantage of using a check-cashing store is leaving with your cash in hand on the same day, while at a traditional bank, you may have to wait for more than a week.
How Long Does it Take to Get My Check?
The final wait for your settlement check can be agonizing. Medical bills and living expenses are waiting to be paid. It is understandable that you want to move on with your life sooner rather than later and put a stressful time behind you.
While most personal injury checks are distributed within a month or so, the process can take longer or shorter as all personal injury cases are unique. When a government agency such as Medicare or Medicaid pays for some of your healthcare bills and needs to be reimbursed, it can take several months to get your check. Occasionally, a settlement check can get “stuck” in the system or is simply lost in the mail.
However, you and your attorney could help speed things along. Make sure to complete all required paperwork promptly and contact the responsible insurance company if a check seems unreasonably delayed.
Steps Before You Can Receive the Settlement Check
Your settlement check will go through an entire process before it arrives at your doorstep.
1. The Release
Once all parties agree to a settlement, you will sign a release form that “releases” the defendant from any further legal claims regarding your injury. After you have signed the document, it will be forwarded to the relevant insurance company, and the first step in the process is completed.
2. The Insurer Issues the Settlement Check
When the insurance company has received all the required paperwork, including the signed release form, they must process, issue, and mail your check on time. However, this is where checks can get held up. Reasons for a check getting stuck at the insurance company can include incorrectly signed paperwork, employees off sick or on vacation, and others.
3. Your Attorney Deposits the Check
After your attorney has received the check, they will deposit it into an escrow or trust account until it clears. This can add more than a week to the timeframe for receiving your check since clearing can take up to seven business days.
4. Your Creditors and Lienholders Get Paid
Once your check clears, your attorney will start negotiating your liens and paying off what you owe. Payments will go towards medical bills, reimbursing your health insurance, or reimbursing Medicaid/Medicare. If you owe any past due child support, a portion of your settlement will be used to catch up on payments. While this process can take some time, it is vital that all your lienholders get paid.
5. Deducting Legal Fees From the Settlement
The final step before you can receive the check is deducting your lawyer’s fee and the amount spent on any legal expenses such as court filing fees and others. The attorney will then mail your check with the remaining settlement amount.
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Are There Different Types of Settlements?
There are two main types of personal injury settlements: structural and lump-sum settlements. A lump-sum settlement is a one-off payment of the entire settlement amount and is generally the preferred way to settle personal injury claims.
However, there are some advantages to structured settlements, which are paid out in smaller amounts over a certain period of time which could be one or several years. A structured settlement has tax advantages and can provide a steady stream of income for the recipient. In cases where a settlement is particularly high, setting up a structured settlement can be a good idea.
What Does My Settlement Check Include?
Your settlement amount compensated you for the damages you incurred in an accident that happened due to another’s carelessness or recklessness. Therefore, depending on your case, your check could include amounts for your medical bills, income losses, pain and suffering, and any other damages you suffered.
Recovering an adequate and fair settlement is important, so you do not end up paying your future medical costs and other expenses out of your own pocket. A personal injury lawyer from our firm can be by your side, work tirelessly on negotiating a fair settlement, and ensure an insurance company is not taking advantage of you.
Can I Speed Up the Process of Receiving My Check?
While the process for receiving your check depends on many factors that are out of your immediate control, you could potentially help to speed up the process. For example, ensure that you are available to respond promptly to any communication attempts from your attorney. If you have to take care of any paperwork, do so as soon as you can and make sure you fill in and sign all documents correctly.
What Are the Reasons My Check Is Delayed?
If you have been waiting for four to six weeks and there is no sign of a check, you should take action. Although receiving a settlement check is not instant, an insurance company should not unreasonably delay your payment. There can be legitimate reasons for delays, such as:
- The release form was signed incorrectly
- The check is awaiting bank clearance
- Your attorney is still negotiating with your lien holders and debtors
- The case involves a minor or an estate
If you are not sure why your check is delayed, get in touch with your attorney. If you did not work with an attorney, you can contact the issuing insurance company directly to determine why your check is delayed.
What About Income Loss and Medical Bills While Waiting for the Check?
Receiving the long-awaited settlement check can be a lifeline for many injured victims. Although another may be responsible for your damages and costs, they will not pay your bills until an agreement is reached and you receive the check. Getting paid could be months down the line from your accident and injury. What can you do in the meantime?
Income Loss
You could speak to your employer and try to use up any vacation or sick days that you might be entitled to. Depending on your accident, lost wages are sometimes covered by car insurers and other insurance companies. If your accident left you disabled, you might qualify for Social Security benefits.
Medical Bills
You are generally responsible for your medical bills even if another negligently caused your accident and injury. However, private health insurance should cover your medical bills until you receive a settlement. If you do not have insurance, you could negotiate a payment plan or deferred payments with your medical providers. They may agree to wait until your settlement check comes through.
Morgan & Morgan Can Fight for the Settlement You Deserve
Morgan & Morgan can handle your personal injury case from the beginning until you hold your settlement check in your hands. We understand that waiting for a settlement check is emotionally draining, especially when your injury caused a large dent in your finances. When your payout finally shows up, we are still here to offer advice on how you can cash in your personal injury settlement check.
Whichever type of accident you got hurt in, Morgan & Morgan’s dedicated and compassionate attorneys can fight for your rights and the best possible result for your case. We want to help you get what you deserve as soon as possible so you can get your life back on track. Contact us now to schedule a free consultation with our dedicated legal team.
How to Understand Mesothelioma?
In most instances, mesothelioma is the result of asbestos exposure. The small fibers that make asbestos a useful building material can be inhaled if the material is broken or fractured.
In past decades, asbestos was used in the following contexts and industries:
- Automotive
- Chemical refining
- The U.S. military
- Construction
- Firefighting
These are only a few examples of industries in which workers may have been exposed to this dangerous material. Asbestos exposure is not limited to employees in relevant industries and jobs.
In many cases, those close to employees may also be exposed to loose asbestos fibers. The person who was directly exposed may unknowingly be wearing clothes covered in these dangerous fibers.
Asbestos exposure does not immediately result in the development of an illness. Often, victims do not receive a mesothelioma diagnosis until years or decades after initial exposure.
This can make it difficult to determine the source of the asbestos exposure. However, mesothelioma victims deserve justice when their illness is the result of another party’s negligence.
How Can Mesothelioma Lawyers Help You Pursue Damages?
Mesothelioma attorneys handle cases involving victims who were unknowingly exposed to asbestos. In many instances, mesothelioma victims do not understand how to proceed with a civil legal claim.
It is vital to secure the services of a skilled tort lawyer to pursue justice in your claim. Victims of illnesses should be able to focus on their physical health and well-being.
Hiring one of the knowledgeable attorneys at Morgan & Morgan will ensure that you can prioritize your medical care. Our lawyers will handle every important element of your legal claim while providing you with regular updates.
In your mesothelioma case, your Morgan and Morgan attorney will:
- Determine which parties are legally liable for your asbestos exposure
- Gather important evidence to bolster your claim
- Speak with medical experts and specialists
- Complete and submit all required legal documents
- Calculate the total value of your mesothelioma case
- Negotiate aggressively to secure an adequate settlement
- File a lawsuit if negotiations fail
Do not just hire the first attorney you find through an internet search. It is important to secure legal representation from an attorney with plenty of experience in this type of case.
Fortunately, Morgan and Morgan boasts a roster of more than 800 trial-ready tort lawyers across the country. One of our legal professionals will review the facts of your case and help you decide the best course of action.
You should not be concerned that your attorney will settle for an inadequate amount to avoid a trial. The team at Morgan & Morgan has the experience and resources to fight as hard as necessary to get justice for you.
What Types of Damages Can You Pursue Through a Mesothelioma Lawsuit?
Victims of mesothelioma typically experience many losses as a result of their disease. Fortunately, a lawyer with Morgan and Morgan will file a claim for all the financial and personal damages that you sustained.
Some of the most common damages available to mesothelioma victims cover:
- Past and current medical bills
- Lost income and wages from the inability to work
- Loss of long-term income earning potential
- Expected future costs of ongoing medical care
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish, depression, and anxiety
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Loss of quality of life
Most people do not have experience accurately determining the value of their losses. The accomplished team at Morgan & Morgan will fight to ensure that the responsible party provides you with the money you deserve.
Does Morgan & Morgan Require Upfront Attorneys’ Fees?
No. Our lawyers are paid through a contingency fee structure. You will not pay a cent until we recover the money that you rightfully deserve. When you hire Morgan and Morgan, the fee is free unless we win for you!
Our Lawyers Are Ready to Fight for You
Speak with the compassionate team at Morgan and Morgan to begin the process of pursuing a mesothelioma claim. We will happily offer you a no-cost consultation to review the facts of your case.
Schedule your free legal evaluation by completing the simple contact form on the Morgan & Morgan website today.
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