Structured Settlements 4Real®Blog 2026

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.

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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.

Category: Privity and Structured Settlements

A central concept of Lyons vs. Medical Malpractice Insurance Association, one of the cases often cited in regard to legal malpractice in respect to structured settlements. In Lyons v MMIA. The case weighed the issues of who has the duty of privity in its deciison. In the Lyons case (286 A.D.2d 711 (2001), the plaintiff lawyers were sued. The complaint against the lawyers was settled. The courts DID NOT “find the plaintiff lawyers liable”, a falsehood pushed by a West Coast settlement planning firm. Further to Lyons, while the Defendants’ argument that they owed no duty of privity to to the plaintiffs was persuasive to the trial court, the issue was overturned by the New York Appellate Division in the 2nd Department in September 2001. John Darer addressed the misinformation in several posts.