Latest news and information in The Structured Settlement Industry - brought to you by the Experts at Ringler Associates!
Employees deemed ‘essential’ are still heading into work during the coronavirus pandemic, often risking their lives. On Ringler Radio, host Larry Cohen talks with workers compensation attorney Alan S. Pierce, from Pierce, Pierce & Napolitano, about possible litigation stemming from the pandemic and what employment safety standards should be in place. Visit Ringler to contact a consultant in your area about structured settlements.
A jury awarded an $80 million verdict to Edwin Hardeman, ruling he developed non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, stemming from his use of Roundup on his property, however, a federal judge slashed the damages award to $25.27 million. Ringler Radio host Larry Cohen and co-host Cindy Chanley talk with attorney Jennifer A. Moore, founder of Moore Law Group, PLLC, about the verdict, the damages reduction and the potential mediation of future cases involving Roundup. Visit Ringler to contact a consultant in your area about structured settlements.
In recent years there has been a rise in lawsuits against the increasingly popular ridesharing companies, like Lyft and Uber. Ringler Radio host Larry Cohen along with co-host, Manny J. Valdez, Jr. and guest, attorney Laurel L. Simes, founding partner of Levin Simes Abrams LLP, talk about this growing legal topic, the rideshare companies’ response to allegations and litigation, and what needs to be done to guarantee the safety of the passenger. Visit Ringler to contact a consultant in your area about structured settlements.
When a legal settlement involves an injured child, the parent or guardian is responsible to ensure the child is taken care of financially and physically long-term. How do structured settlements for minors differ from those for adults? Ringler Radio host, Larry Cohen and Ringler colleague, Ryan Christen Oliphant, discuss details of structured settlements for minors so the interests of the child are the priority and the funds are not dissipated. Visit Ringler to contact a consultant in your area about structured settlements.
If you think cases of foodborne illness and litigation are on the rise, you’re right. The CDC estimates 48-Million Americans a year suffer from foodborne illnesses, some more serious than others. On Ringler Radio, host Larry Cohen and Timothy D. Lytton, Associate Dean for Research & Faculty Development at Georgia State University College of Law, take a look at foodborne illness litigation, legislation, and food safety. Visit Ringler to contact a consultant in your area about structured settlements.
When it comes to selling property or a business, buyers and sellers are always looking for an easy transaction, on top of saving money. On this episode of Ringler Radio, host, Larry Cohen and guest and Ringler colleague, Phillip Krause discuss structured installment sales. Larry and Phil discuss the benefits and advantages of going with a structured installment sale, and the reasons to go with a structured installment sale, especially in our current economy.
Two years after the shootings at the 91 Harvest Music Festival when a gunman opened fire from the Mandalay Bay Hotel in Las Vegas, MGM Resorts International agreed on a settlement valued between $735 million and $800 million. On Ringler Radio, host Larry Cohen and co‑host, Robert P. Caples, Jr. , joined by attorney Mo Aziz of Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Sorrels, Agosto & Aziz, discuss this settlement, the liability and negligence of MGM, and how this human tragedy led to a relatively quick settlement.
Technology has changed just about every aspect of the practice of law, and the use of technology has increased dramatically even in the courtroom. Host Larry Cohen and co-host Cindy Chanley talk with the Honorable Elizabeth Bonina, a retired Justice of the Supreme Court, Kings County, New York, and a neutral for NAM (National Arbitration and Mediation), as they take a look at the use of technology in the Alternative Dispute Resolution arena and discuss how technology is improving the process.
Twenty-four states and thousands of local governments agreed to a multibillion-dollar proposed settlement by Oxycontin maker, Purdue Pharmaceuticals LP, and its owners, the Sackler family, while a number of Attorney Generals in 25 states have refused. On Ringler Radio, host Larry Cohen and co‑host, Robert P. Caples, Jr. are joined by attorney Jonathan Novak from the Fears Nachawati Law Firm, as they discuss this proposed settlement, Purdue Pharma’s bankruptcy filing, and whether the remaining 25 states will agree to a settlement or take their fight to the courts.
The workers’ compensation industry has an extremely rich history dating back to biblical times, but the workers’ compensation arena has changed and is changing as the current workplace changes. On this Ringler Radio podcast, host Larry Cohen is joined by attorney Alan S. Pierce, from Pierce, Pierce & Napolitano, as they look at the history of workers’ comp and discuss technology’s impact on the workplace, how workers’ comp is keeping up with the millennial generation and protecting them, and what all of this mean for workers’ comp litigation and structured settlements for workers. Visit Ringler to contact a consultant in your area about structured settlements.
With the threat of a ban on flavored e-cigarettes and teenagers hospitalized after vaping, the popular e-cigarette, JUUL, is facing litigation across the country. On Ringler Radio, host Larry Cohen along with co-host Ford Swift, talks with attorney Joseph VanZandt from the Beasley Allen law firm, as they discuss the claims of false and deceptive sales, marketing, and labeling against JUUL, and the failure to warn of the products’ highly addictive levels of nicotine, all targeting young people.
Technology impacts every aspect of our lives, professionally and personally today. It is imperative that we are up to date and in-the-know when it comes to the latest in technology that can benefit our clients and hopefully make it easier to navigate the legal landscape. On Ringler Radio, host Larry Cohen is joined by Dennis Kennedy, a well-known and award-winning legal tech and innovation advisor, as they discuss the importance of legal technology to our industry, reducing costs, and use of video and tech for dispute resolution and mediation.
Recently, a 9.1 million dollar settlement was reached in litigation surrounding a defective earplug (3M Earplugs) that was touted to prevent hearing damage, but instead caused it among members of the armed services on active duty. On this edition of Ringler Radio, host Larry Cohen talks with cohost, Bryan Goff and attorney Neil F. Nazareth, a principal at Martzell, Bickford & Centola, as they take a look at the 2016 whistleblower lawsuit that started it all, how these earplugs have impaired its users, and future litigation.
When designing a structured settlement for an injured person, we spend a lot of time pre-determining how much money should be set aside for medical costs. On Ringler Radio, host Larry Cohen and Ringler colleague, “Jack” McGintee are joined by Johnny Meyer, Director of Strategic Partnerships for Ametros, to discuss the benefits of combining a structured settlement with professional administration and managing the injured party’s medical settlement funds or Medicare Set Aside (MSA) post-settlement. Visit Ringler to contact a consultant in your area about structured settlements.
The jury in Pilliod, et al. v. Monsanto determined that Roundup exposure caused Alva and Alberta Pilliod’s non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and in a historic verdict awarded the couple with a record $2 billion in punitive damages. In this podcast, Ringler Radio host Larry Cohen along with co-host, Manny J. Valdez, Jr. and guest, attorney Pedram Esfandiary of Baum, Hedlund, Aristei & Goldman, PC., discuss this verdict, the legal strategy in the case, and the current status on recalling Roundup.
On this edition of Ringler Radio, host Larry Cohen is joined by guest host and Ringler colleague Phillip Krause and guest Denise A. Lettau, VP of Advancement for Secured Futures, to explore the benefits of pooled trusts. Denise discusses the advantages of working with a non-profit organization that prioritizes the physical and mental health needs of clients, all while providing trustee and trust administration services to the disabled, the elderly and minor children. Visit Ringler to contact a consultant in your area about structured settlements.
Michelle Caine, J.D.,the Director of Relationship Management at Prudential Financial, and the new President of the National Structured Settlements Trade Association (NSSTA) talks with Ringler Radiohost, Larry Cohen and Ringler President and CEO, Geoff Hunt about the advocate for the financial security of injured people in legal settlements, the life companies’ role in the structured settlement planning process, and raising awareness about the benefits of structured settlements.
A jury recently awarded a $151-Million dollar verdict to Travaris “Tre” Smith who was left paralyzed after a 1998 Ford Explorer crashed and rolled over. The case is being structured to help with his long-term care. On Ringler Radio, host Larry Cohen and co-host, Keith Christie talk with attorney LaBarron Boone from the Beasley Allen law firm, as they discuss this case. Visit Ringler to contact a consultant in your area about structured settlements.
On this edition of Ringler Radio, we’re talking about preventing concussions in youth sports. Host Larry Cohen is joined by co-host, Nolan Robinson and returning guest, David Kracke, the Brain Injury Advocate-Coordinator for the Center on Brain Injury Research and Training (CBIRT), to tell us about CBIRT’s great work in concussion prevention management, and what is being done to make sports safer with smart technology. Visit Ringler to contact a consultant in your area about structured settlements.
On Ringler Radio, host, Larry Cohen and co‑host, Robert P. Caples, Jr. talk about a recent settlement in litigation brought by former hockey players against the National Hockey League surrounding concussions and CTE (chronic traumatic encephalopathy) with attorney Mike Andrews from the Beasley Allen law firm. Is the NHL doing enough to prevent CTE? And what does this mean for concussion protocol in youth sports as well? Visit Ringler to contact a consultant in your area about structured settlements.
Prescription opioids kill more Americans than car accidents. According to the CDC, six out of 1-thousand babies are born with opiate withdrawal resulting in longterm health problems. On Ringler Radio, host Larry Cohen and co-host, Heather Anderson talk with attorney Celeste Brustowicz, a member of Opioid Justice Team, about the legal work underway among a group of highly skilled attorneys, doctors and civil leaders on behalf of the babies in the opioid crisis. Visit Ringler to contact a consultant in your area about structured settlements.
In Part 2 of Inside Structuring Attorney Fees & the JurisPrudent Deferral Program, Ringler Radio, host, Larry Cohen and guest and Ringler colleague, Phillip Krause discuss how plaintiff attorneys can achieve better control over the timing of their income. Visit Ringler to contact a consultant in your area about structured settlements.
When it comes to structuring attorneys’ fees, reducing tax burdens with deferred payments is just one of the benefits for law firms and attorneys. Today on Ringler Radio, host, Larry Cohen joins guest and Ringler colleague, Phillip Krause to discuss the JurisPrudent Deferral Program, common complaints or financial obstacles for attorneys that this program addresses. Visit Ringler to contact a consultant in your area about structured settlements.
In part two of Ringler Radio‘s podcast on non-qualified structured settlements, host Larry Cohen and co-host Cindy Chanley talk with returning guest, tax attorney Robert Woodfrom Wood LLP, about the tax implications of structuring a settlement in a non-qualified case such as divorce, disability or environmental, versus taking a cash lump sum. Visit Ringler to contact a consultant in your area about structured settlements.
The Non-Qualified Assignment, also known as (NQA) is designed to generally resolve claims in non-physical injury case settlements. On this edition of Ringler Radio host, Larry Cohen and co-host, Bill Wright, are joined by Paul Marshall, Sales Director of Structured Settlements for MetLife, to discuss MetLife’s NQA product, the types of cases that are included under NQA eligibility, the potential advantages of the NQA for the claimant and defendant, and taking care of the long-term needs of the client. Visit Ringler to contact a consultant in your area about structured settlements.
In September 2018, the Merrimack Valley area of Massachusetts, a series of explosions and fires destroyed and damaged homes and businesses due to excessive pressure in natural gas lines owned by Columbia Gas company and its parent company NiSource. On this edition of Ringler Radio, host Larry Cohen and co-host, Joan Pagnano discuss pending litigation and next steps for the victims of this disaster with guest Patrick Haines, the managing attorney for Napoli Shkolnik PLLC.
Hurricane Florence left devastation in its path for North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia residents. The American Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Division alongside the FEMA responded quickly to provide immediate legal assistance at no charge. Hear about it with Ringler Radio host Larry Cohen and co-host Kevin Caple discussing details with attorney Dan Wade, coordinator of the Disaster Legal Services Program, and Alia S. Graham, program specialist for the ABA's Young Lawyers Division.
Unlike physical injury cases which receive tax-free status in a structured settlement, cases such as age and race discrimination, sexual harassment, wrongful termination and divorce do not. Yet claimants can still structure these non-qualified cases and do so with an advantageous tax outcome. On this first part of a 2-part edition of Ringler Radio, host Larry Cohen welcomes co-host Cindy Chanley and returning guest, tax attorney Robert Wood from Wood LLP, to explore the arena of non-qualified settlements and how the recent tax reform act is having an impact. Visit Ringler to contact a consultant in your area about structured settlements.
A San Francisco federal judge gave the green light for hundreds of lawsuits to go forward claiming Monsanto's popular glyphosate weed killer, Roundup, causes cancer. Monsanto challenges all the evidence proving linkage between glyphosate and cancer. Ringler Radio host Larry Cohen and co-host Manny J. Valdez talk about this litigation with attorney Brent Wisner, partner at Baum, Hedlund, Aristei & Goldman, PC, taking a look at how many people may have been adversely affected, and whether or not we will see settlements in these cases.
Elder abuse often is a silent and unreported but growing problem. On Ringler Radio, host Larry Cohen with co-host, Heather Anderson and the Beasley Allen law firm’s attorney Chris Boutwell, take a look at the rising rate of nursing home abuse complaints, arbitration agreements, and what can be done to protect the safety of our seniors.
How many people are wrongfully convicted of a crime in America? The answer is a record number of people were exonerated in 2015 for crimes they did not commit. Some were on death row, and the average time served was 14.5 years. On Ringler Radio, host Larry Cohen joins co-host, Herb Spencer and special guest, criminal defense attorney David Raybin from the law firm Raybin & Weissman, PC, as they take a look at wrongful incarceration cases, the benefit of a structured settlement in these cases after compensation, and the impact on the client and their family.
Two-thirds of the deaths from drug overdoses in the U.S. involve opioids. This has been declared a crisis in America. On this Ringler Radio podcast, host Larry Cohen and co-host, Heather Anderson discuss how the Beasley Allen law firm’s attorney Rhon Jones is joining forces with the Attorney General of Alabama in litigation to put a halt to this devastating crisis that touches so many lives today.
The post-settlement process can be complex, especially when it comes to medical care for injured parties and their families. Finding a reliable team of people to make the process seamless is key. RinglerRadio host, Larry Cohen with Porter Leslie, President of Ametros, and Attorney Paolo Longo, Jr., a partner in the Orlando office of Bichler, Oliver, Longo & Fox, discuss how to simplify ongoing medical expenses and ease the hassle of the healthcare system.
The House of Representatives has passed the ADA Education and Reform Act of 2017, better known as HR 620, that some say would restrict the rights of disabled Americans due to what some call the need to curtail ‘frivolous’ lawsuits. RinglerRadio host, Larry Cohen and co-host, Peter Early join Robyn Powell, attorney, writer, and scholar whose work focuses on disability law and policy, to discuss the controversial change to the ADA, and the potential impact this could have for disabled people.
Class action lawsuits have been filed against Facebook, and UK firm Cambridge Analytica on behalf of 85 million users and individual shareholders in response to allegedly obtaining user information without permission. Ringler Radio host Larry Cohen and colleague, Ryan Christen Oliphant talk with Attorney Zachary Heck, about the litigation against Facebook and Cambridge Analytica, data mining, privacy laws, and the impact this will have on the social media giant, Facebook and you.
Buried in the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018, signed by President Trump, is one standout change pertaining to cases with a Medicaid lien that repeals Medicaid’s expanded third-party recovery rights. On Ringler Radio, host Larry Cohen joins co-host Cindy Chanley and returning guest, Eric Vaughn, Executive Director of National Structured Settlements Trade Association, (NSSTA) to discuss this huge development and what it means for Medicaid recipients in a structured settlement, plaintiff and defense attorneys, and settlement consultants.
Protecting the futures of injured parties while offering win-win solutions is Ringler’s core mission. Like Ringler, Adva-Net is leading the cause. In this Ringler Radio podcast, host Larry Cohen and co-host, Duke Wolpert talk to Bernie McCabe, Chief Sales Officer at Adva-Net about the mission of Adva-Net, their unique approach to chronic pain management, and assisting injured people who are struggling with opioid use.
DRI, the Voice of the Defense Bar is the leading organization of civil defense attorneys and in-house counsel. On Ringler Radio, host Larry Cohen and colleague, Gayle S. Christen, welcome President-elect of DRI, Attorney Toyja Kelley, as they discuss the mission of DRI, the challenges in the civil defense attorney/in-house counsel community heading into 2018, and settlement planning from the defense perspective.
What was to be a normal baby's delivery for Josephine Grillo Sullivan turned into an emergency c-section, leaving daughter Christina severely brain damaged, eventually leading to a medical malpractice lawsuit. On this special edition of Ringler Radio, host Larry Cohen and co-host Anne Lawter speak to Josephine Grillo Sullivan, Executive Director of The Christina Grillo Sullivan Foundation, about honoring Christina’s life by assisting families living with brain injuries, and advocating for the long-term benefits of going with a structured settlement.
From pet food contamination cases to animal cruelty, to claims involving wildlife preservation, animal law covers a wide range of legal issues. Ringler Radio host Larry Cohen chats with attorney Randy Turner, and a volunteer attorney with the Animal Legal Defense Fund, to discuss some common legal issues surrounding animals in a field of animal law that is on the rise in a big way.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that an alarming number of Americans now die from opioid overdoses - 145 every day. Litigation across the U.S. is claiming pharmaceutical companies are to blame, alleging deceptive marketing resulting in over-prescribing of opioid drugs. RinglerRadio host, Larry Cohen and Peter Early from Ringler discuss this crisis and litigation in New Hampshire with special guest, James T. Boffetti, Senior Assistant Attorney General in New Hampshire, including litigation against Purdue Pharma, the maker of OxyContin, and the fight against the opioid epidemic.
This year, a measure was signed into law nullifying the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) rule regarding an employer's obligation to keep accurate injury and illness records, known as the Volks Rule. On this Ringler Radio podcast, host Larry Cohen and co‑host, Robert P. Caples, Jr. discuss this controversy with Alan S. Pierce, from Pierce, Pierce & Napolitano, to find out what impact this could potentially have on the health and safety of workers.
Benzene is a chemical widely used in a number of industries and products. Exposure to the chemical has been linked to Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS), lymphomas and aplastic anemia. Many of these cases involving benzene exposure link back to the workplace. Ringler Radio host Larry Cohen and co-host, Keith Christie talk with attorney John Tomlinson, from the Beasley Allen law firm, about benzene exposure, litigation, and how exposure to benzene can be controlled, reduced or prevented.
The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) is “a convener, connector, and catalyst for change,” when it comes to people with disabilities. And Ringler is a major supporter of AAPD initiatives nationwide. Ringler Radio host, Larry Cohen and co-host and Ringler Associate, Cindy Chanley, talk the President and CEO of the AAPD, Helena Berger, as they discuss Helena’s thoughts on the recent healthcare repeal effort, the importance of the disability vote, and making strides in the fight for the disabled.
Hurricane Harvey devastated the city of Houston, Texas and surrounding areas. FEMA claims, lost legal documents, the complexities of flood insurance, are just a few of the legal issues facing the people of Houston now. On Ringler Radio, host Larry Cohen and co‑host and Ringler colleague, Robert P. Caples, Jr. welcome attorney Paul Skrabanek from the firm, Pierce/Skrabanek PLLC in Houston, to discuss how the legal community can alleviate the loss left by the storm and guide some through the complexities of litigation.
The workers’ compensation and disability management process can be complicated for both employers and their workers. In this Ringler Radio podcast, host Larry Cohen and co-host, Duke Wolpert talk about creating a seamless process with founder and President of Risk Acuity, LLC, Barry Thompson, a leader in workers compensation program improvement and cost containment. Visit Ringler to contact a consultant in your area about structured settlements.
The Claims and Litigation Management Alliance (CLM), the largest professional association in the insurance industry, recently announced a new initiative, the Universal Claims Certification (UCC), which is a certification program with a goal of maintaining a “uniform, high level of professionalism, consistency and protect the public’s interests.”. On Ringler Radio host, Larry Cohen and Ringler colleague, Erin Muller and hear from AdamPotter, the CEO and Founder of the Claims andLitigation Management Alliance (CLM), about the new UCC program, benefits, recent legislation and nationwide implementation.
Professional athletes in the NFL and other professional sports have concussions on the field, leading to questions about the long-time impact on a player’s health and workers compensation litigation cases. Today on Ringler Radio, host, Larry Cohen along with co-host, Phillip Krause talk to Kenneth Kutner, PhD., neuropsychological consultant to the NFL, as they discuss cases like Mike Webster, Harry Carson and even Aaron Hernandez, plus research and protocols.
On the 1960’s television show, The Jetsons, we saw a future world where people traveled in flying cars. Sound far-fetched? Maybe not – now we have driverless cars. And with all the advantages also come liability and litigation. On Ringler Radio, host Larry Cohen and co-host Nicole Swift from Ringler's Austin, Texas office join attorney Gary L. Wickert, an insurance trial lawyer and partner with the law firm of Matthiesen, Wickert & Lehrer, S.C. in Wisconsin, as they discuss driverless car litigation, liability, and how claims professionals and attorneys should become familiar with the latest in driverless car technology.
The Workers' Injury Law & Advocacy Group also known as WILG, is the national non-profit membership organization dedicated to representing the interests of millions of workers and their families who, each year, suffer the consequences of work-related injuries or occupational illnesses. In this podcast, Ringler Radio host Larry Cohen and co-host, Duke Wolpert talk to attorney Michael K. Gruber, President of WILG, about his mission for 2017 and what to watch for in legislation that might impact workers.
An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), commonly known as a drone, is an aircraft without a human pilot aboard. Drones were originally associated by the military, but are now used for other purposes, with estimates of over a million sold by 2015! On Ringler Radio, host Larry Cohen and co-host Janet Rosie, talk to Attorneys Bill Bulfer and Bryan Simpson from Teague Campbell Dennis & Gorham LLP, about drone liability, litigation and regulation.