Pre-Settlement Funding in Pennsylvania: What You Need to Know Before You Apply
If you have been injured in an accident in Pennsylvania and you are waiting on a lawsuit to settle, you already know that the process does not move quickly. Between medical appointments, insurance company delays, and the sheer complexity of the legal system, months can pass before you see a dime — all while the bills keep coming.
For a lot of Pennsylvania plaintiffs, that waiting period is where things start to fall apart financially. And that is exactly the situation pre-settlement funding is designed to address.
How Pre-Settlement Funding Works in Pennsylvania
Pre-settlement funding — sometimes called lawsuit funding or a lawsuit cash advance — gives plaintiffs access to a portion of their expected settlement before their case is resolved. It is not a loan. It is a non-recourse cash advance, meaning repayment is tied entirely to the outcome of your case. If you win, the funding amount plus applicable fees is repaid from your settlement. If you lose, you owe nothing.
Here is how the process works:
You apply online. The application takes about five minutes and asks for basic information about you, your case, and your attorney.
Your case is reviewed. Our team evaluates the merits of your claim by coordinating with your attorney. There are no credit checks, no income requirements, and no employment verification. Approval is based solely on the strength of your case.
You receive your funds. If approved, money is typically deposited into your account within 24 to 48 hours. You can use it however you need — rent, mortgage, medical bills, groceries, car payments, utilities, or anything else.
Repayment comes from your settlement. When your case resolves, the funding amount is repaid directly from the settlement proceeds. If your case does not result in a recovery, you keep the money and owe nothing back.
Why Pennsylvania Plaintiffs Need Pre-Settlement Funding
Several features of Pennsylvania's legal and economic landscape make the wait for a settlement especially difficult.
Personal injury cases in Pennsylvania take time. On average, personal injury cases in the Commonwealth take anywhere from 12 to 24 months to resolve. Cases that go into litigation — including the discovery phase, depositions, expert evaluations, and potential trial — can stretch even longer. Complex cases like medical malpractice, mass torts, and multi-vehicle accidents routinely exceed two years.
The cost of living in the Philadelphia suburbs is significant. While Pennsylvania as a whole is near the national average for cost of living, the southeastern part of the state — where many of the plaintiffs we work with are located — is a different story. Chester County, Montgomery County, Bucks County, and Delaware County are among the most expensive areas in the Commonwealth. If your injury has taken you out of work and you live in this part of the state, falling behind financially can happen fast.
Pennsylvania's tort system adds a unique wrinkle. Pennsylvania is a "choice no-fault" state when it comes to auto insurance. That means drivers must choose between "full tort" and "limited tort" coverage when they purchase their auto policy. If you chose limited tort — which many drivers do because it costs less — your right to recover compensation for pain and suffering may be restricted unless your injuries meet the legal definition of "serious injury." This can add legal complexity to your case, create disputes with insurance companies, and extend the timeline to resolution. Even if you have full tort coverage, the insurance company may still use the tort system to slow things down and push for a lower settlement.
Insurance companies take advantage of the delay. This is not unique to Pennsylvania, but it is a very real part of how personal injury claims play out here. Insurers know that injured plaintiffs are under financial pressure. They use delay as a strategy — dragging out negotiations, disputing liability, and making lowball offers early in the process, hoping you will accept less than your case is worth just to make ends meet. Pre-settlement funding removes that leverage by giving you the financial stability to wait for a fair outcome.
Pennsylvania's two-year statute of limitations creates urgency — but not speed. In most personal injury cases, Pennsylvania law requires that a lawsuit be filed within two years of the date of injury. While that creates a deadline for your attorney to act, it does not speed up the resolution of the case. Many cases take the full two years or longer to reach a settlement or verdict, especially when insurance companies are being uncooperative.
What Types of Cases Qualify in Pennsylvania?
Pre-settlement funding is available for a wide range of personal injury case types in Pennsylvania, including:
Motor vehicle accidents. Pennsylvania's highways see heavy traffic and a high volume of accidents. The Pennsylvania Turnpike, Interstate 76, Interstate 95, Interstate 476, Route 1, and Route 30 are among the most heavily traveled — and most accident-prone — corridors in the state. Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, rideshare accidents, and pedestrian accidents are all eligible for funding.
Slip and fall and premises liability. Whether you were injured at a retail store, a restaurant, an apartment complex, or on public property, premises liability cases in Pennsylvania are commonly funded.
Medical malpractice. If you were harmed by a healthcare provider's negligence at a hospital, surgical center, or medical office anywhere in Pennsylvania, you may qualify for funding. Medical malpractice cases tend to be among the longest and most complex, making funding especially relevant.
Workers' compensation-related claims. If you were injured on the job and are pursuing a personal injury claim against a responsible third party — such as a subcontractor, property owner, or equipment manufacturer — funding may be available. Note that standard workers' compensation claims alone may have different eligibility considerations.
Employment disputes. Wrongful termination, workplace discrimination, sexual harassment, retaliation, and wage theft cases are all eligible for pre-settlement funding in Pennsylvania.
Mass tort and class action claims. If you are part of a mass tort or class action — such as cases involving defective products, toxic exposure, or pharmaceutical harm — you may qualify for funding to cover expenses during what is often a multi-year legal process.
Civil rights claims. Cases involving police misconduct, excessive force, false arrest, or other civil rights violations are eligible for funding consideration.
How Much Funding Can You Get in Pennsylvania?
The amount of pre-settlement funding available depends on the specifics of your case. Most funding companies advance between 10 and 20 percent of the estimated settlement value. The exact amount is determined by factors including the type of case, the severity of your injuries, the strength of the evidence, and how far along the case has progressed.
For example, if your Pennsylvania personal injury case is expected to settle for $100,000, you might qualify for $10,000 to $20,000 in pre-settlement funding. Both smaller and larger cases are considered — there is no minimum or maximum dollar threshold to apply.
Understanding Pennsylvania's Comparative Negligence Rule
Pennsylvania follows a modified comparative negligence standard. This means that your compensation can be reduced based on your share of fault in the accident — and if you are found to be 51 percent or more at fault, you may be barred from recovering anything at all.
What does this have to do with pre-settlement funding? When there is a dispute about fault — which is common in Pennsylvania personal injury cases — it can extend the timeline of the case significantly. Both sides may need to conduct extensive discovery, hire expert witnesses, and negotiate over liability percentages before a settlement can be reached. Pre-settlement funding helps bridge that gap so you are not forced to accept a bad deal just because the legal process is taking longer than expected.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need good credit to qualify?
No. Pre-settlement funding is not based on your credit score, employment status, or income. Approval depends entirely on the strength of your legal case.
Is pre-settlement funding legal in Pennsylvania?
Yes. Pre-settlement funding is legal and widely used in Pennsylvania. While the Commonwealth continues to monitor regulatory developments in the industry, there are no laws prohibiting plaintiffs from receiving non-recourse funding on their pending cases.
What happens if I lose my case?
You owe nothing. Pre-settlement funding is non-recourse, meaning repayment is contingent on a successful outcome. If your case does not result in a settlement or verdict, you keep the funds and have no obligation to repay.
Does my attorney need to be involved?
Yes. We work directly with your attorney to evaluate your case and confirm its status. Every funding agreement is reviewed and approved by your attorney before we move forward. We never go around your lawyer or make decisions without their involvement.
How quickly can I receive funding?
Most applications are reviewed and funded within 24 to 48 hours of receiving the necessary case documentation from your attorney. Our application takes about five minutes, and there is no cost, no credit check, and no obligation to proceed.
Get Started Today
If you have a pending personal injury case in Pennsylvania and you need financial support while you wait for your settlement, Iron Oak Funding can help. Applying takes five minutes, there is no cost or obligation, and you only repay if you win.
Or call us at (267) 554-2130
