There have been numerous instances of workers in a factory being maimed and seriously injured in the course of duty. One wonders whether Structured Settlements could help them. There was a case of a worker who was working on a building site. He had taken all necessary precautions, such as wearing a helmet and a safety harness. He had been assigned the job of working atop a makeshift landing or platform that kept moving up and down. In the course of doing so, there was a problem with the apparatus that helped in the movement of the platform. The cord that supported it broke, bringing the workman crashing to the hard stone floor, nearly hundred feet below.

Nothing much could be done for the man, when they brought him into the hospital. He was put into an intensive care unit after emergency operations were done. The doctors were of the opinion that only a miracle could save him. The man’s lawyer, who was able to present a very strong case, ensured that the man was awarded a Structured Settlements package that would take care of his medical expenses. Now, in this kind of situation, one wonders whether this kind of package was just and equitable in all respects.

There were quite a few people who opined that this kind of a settlement would help him to a very small extent because of one major issue: life expectancy. The doctors looking after the man, in consultation with many other experts in the field gave a very candid opinion. They did not think that he would survive more than six months to one year. What could Structured Settlements do for a person who had a ceiling on his existence here on earth?

In the light of this revelation, a further appeal was made to the courts. The lawyer argued that the money should be given in not more than three installments and that there should be a nominee to whom the money could go to in case the man expired before getting well. The doctors were of the firm view that recovery was not more than 2 to 3 %. Considering all these evidences, the judge passed a very fair judgment and asked the firm in question to arrange for the Structured Settlements package to be reworked.

Today, nearly a year after the accident, the widow of the man who met with the tragic accident, is able to supplement her meager income with the interest from the lump sum payment that was made. In a situation like this, what is really heartening is the fact that, the person was able to get medical aid that was completely paid for. His family did not have to go through the trauma of finding ways and means of making vital payments. The Structured Settlements package was fortunately altered only because the issue of life expectancy was factored in, in a very fair and reasonable manner by the court of law.