Structured settlements expert John Darer reviews the latest structured settlements and settlement planning information and news, and provides expert opinion and highly regarded commentary. that is spicy, Informative, irreverent and effective for over 20 years.
The STRUCTURED SETTLEMENTS 4REAL® Blog is a highly regarded source for structured settlement news, information, and commentary, led by structured settlement and settlement planning subect mater expert John Darer CLU ChFC MSSC CeFT RSP CLTC. With two decades of operation, the blog and 4structures.com are recognized as comprehensive resources, offering detailed guides and specialized insights. Established in 2005, the blog caters to a broad audience, including legal professionals, injured individuals, families, and various stakeholders, providing reviews and opinions on settlement planning. John Darer, President of 4structures.com LLC, is a seasoned structured settlement expert with over 40 years of financial services experience and 31 years specializing in structured settlements. Based in Stamford, CT, he is a Certified Financial Transitionist and Registered Settlement Planner, holding insurance licenses in 45 states and the District of Columbia. John Darer is dedicated to transparency and advocacy, he emphasizes the importance of engaging trained and licensed professionals for settlement planning, offering valuable insights through his investigative journalism and professional commentary.
Kathryn Sias was not an expert on structured settlements
Sias, a professional writer, eagerly “shilled” for David Springer and Sovereign Funding. Adding her “advice” on wrongful death claims in “Structured Settlements-A Lifesaver in Wrongful Death” seems to be just another entry in her collection of works showcasing either a complete lack of expertise or an impressive knack for treating consumers like gullible fools.
“Katty Litter”
“Losing a family member is always devastating. However, the loss can be made much worse by knowing that their life was shortened due to the recklessness or carelessness of another. The family simply wants someone to be held responsible for the tragedy that has happened to their loved one. In cases like these, however, there is often a lot of money involved, and the settlement, or structured settlement, is part of the case.
Although it may be difficult to think about finances at a time like this [i.e she’s talking in present tense], it is important to realize that funeral expenses, medical expenses, and related costs will simply not go away. In a majority of wrongful death cases, the recipient gets periodic payments over a certain period of time[if only that were the case] . In some cases, it could take over 20 years to be fully paid [remember the words “fully paid”]. These are the bulk of wrongful death settlements that take the form of traditional structured settlements [if only that were the case]
People choose to sell wrongful death settlements for different needs that they are facing. Like all, any structured settlement [the writer’s motive is exposed] , the periodic payments are often too low to have any great influence on their financial position [at the time of settlement the timing and amount of payments and amount to be structured is negotiated]. Selling some of the future installments can give a person the money they need in their time of difficulty”.-Posted on Ezine at time this blogw was published.
Comments
Sias’s typical approach to the subject usually involves a couple of fluffy, lazy opening paragraphs with little substance.
This is often followed by factually inaccurate information that reveals a lack of understanding on the topic, and then a pitch to sell structured settlements, specifically to Sovereign Funding Group.
In the “wrongful breath” settlement treatise, it’s notable that Ms. Sias writes in the present tense as if addressing the wrongful death victim before the settlement. She misleadingly suggests that funeral expenses, medical costs, and related fees are paid over time with a structured settlement. That “bollocks bolognaise” wouldn’t fly with lien holders, as such expenses are actually paid upfront at the time of settlement.
What is particularly absurd was Sias’ statement that “it could take over 20 years to get fully paid” with a structured settlement
The fact is that structured settlements are negotiated. That means that the settling parties negotiate the terms and come to an agreement that is memorialized in writing and is signed by the plaintiff, the guardian of a minor plaintiff or other person who is authorized to do so.
Selling a structured settlement to Kathryn Sias’ company, or any other “cash now” broker, is like tossing your wallet into a wishing well and hoping it comes back stuffed—you’ll be lucky if you get back pocket lint.
Selling your structured settlement payments is like trading a hot, fresh pizza for one cold slice—you end up with just a small piece of the value and a big serving of regret.
As I write time and time again, the beef is with the quality of the content and the factual inaccuracies presented by paid shills like Ms. Sias and others. I have no problem with someone trying to make a living at writing, but It doesn’t take much to research the subject and write something of real value. THAT, is the real issue. The companies that hire pay per posters and blindly slap up content are to blame for proliferating bad information.
As an aside, readers who enjoy Structured Settlement Social Media Road Kill (formerly Dumbest Things Said About Structured Settlements) may also enjoy Dumb As a Blog: A Daily Digest of the Dumbest Stuff People Do from Turner Entertainment, Inc.
Photo source: Desicomments
Postscript
Maybe it’s just bad timing, but shortly after this post went live on July 9, 2012, an army of spammy forum registrations and posts popped up, all under a fake name. These linked to a now-defunct overseas website that seemed to have nothing better to do than hurl personal insults at the author. To make it even juicier, the content appeared to involve players in the structured settlement secondary market. What a plot twist!
Sias Flips October 2013 “Glad that Someone Out There Making Others Accountable….”
On October 4, 2013, Kathryn Sias admitted to me, in writing, “you are highly educated and knowledgeable about this business whereby I admit I am not as educated nor anywhere near knowledgeable about the finance industry, and never really want to be”.
“David (Springer) of course misrepresented you to me and my “not knowing” or finding out for myself was my own fault. I’m actually glad there is someone out there making others accountable for their bad actions”.
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