Q: When you get a personal injury settlement do you get all the money at once?
A: Yes, unless you agreed to some other term. In addition, you should receive a settlement statement from your attorney detailing all of the attorney's costs and the agreed upon fees related to your case. You should review that settlement statement carefully to make sure it matches with your understanding of what the settlement was described to you to be.
A:
It depends. The answer is usually yes, but sometimes parties agree to other terms. Also, sometimes a lawyer might need to hold back part of your settlement to cover any liens from doctors and insurance companies while they finish attempting to negotiate reductions in your medical liens. In several cases, I've paid part of a settlement to clients while finishing lien negotiations, as it can be a slow process, but it is important as it can substantially increase the amount of money a client receives in the settlement.
Most attorneys will provide you with a settlement statement to show you were all the settlement proceeds were allocated. Review this document carefully and be sure to discuss any questions you might have with your attorney.
I hope your case worked out well for you.
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