Introduction

In the world of claims, structured settlements have become a priority. From formal programs to office and personal goals, companies have made it clear that they consider structures a "best practice" for handling personal injury claims and they want to see them used more often in appropriate cases.

But in order for these programs to succeed, it is not "the company" or "management" who must support the goal, it is the front-line claimspeople who must decide it makes sense. If more structures are going to be done, it is the claimspeople who are going to do them.

However, claimspeople are extremely busy. The average claimsperson today handles more claims in less time with fewer resources than ever before. Adding structures to this workload can produce real frustration if it is attmpted without a sound understanding of the basics and without proper support. That is why we developed this guide: to provide front-line claims professionals with the knowledge they need to do structures easily, efficiently and effectively.

This guide provides basic knowledge on what structures are, how they work, advantages and disadvantages, and practical tips. While not meant to be a definitive work on structures, it is a primer for those who haven't had time to focus on them previously and a reference for those who may feel a little rusty.

A few pointers can make all the difference. While structures do involve extra steps, there's no reason they need to be a major time drain. You have more help available to you than you may think. With proper support, you'll settle claims sooner, for less money and easily meet every goal management sets for you.

We hope this guide will make it easier for you to use structured settlements with confidence, for the benefit of both your company and your career.