Feel free to use our interactive secured loan calculator. Before deciding to apply for a loan some homeowners find it useful to understand the approximate cost of borrowing in terms of the monthly cost and the interest which is being charged. This is especially useful for homeowners who work to a monthly budget by knowing what their outgoings are such as household bills and mortgage payments versus income received.
To use the loan calculator simply enter the amount you wish to borrow and select a repayment period using the drop down menu. Then enter the interest rate and press the calculate button. The results are calculated using the generic compound interest formulae and show the monthly repayment and the monthly interest charged by the lender. For comparison purposes, which some find useful, an alternative monthly repayment figure is displayed below assuming an interest rate of 5.5% is charged.
Remember, this online calculator tool should be used as a guide only and some lenders will often build in Payment Protection Insurance or (PPI) in addition to possible secured loan application fees. Therefore, the actual monthly repayment amount in reality could be higher.
Welcome to San Diego. Did you know that there are not many cities in the United States of America that can be compared to San Diego in terms of healthy living conditions? This is of course because San Diego enjoys great weather for most of the year, which in turn encourages people to spend more time outdoors in the clean, fresh air. Fortunately for the residents of this fine city, the region is located in close proximity to mountains, desserts, lakes, and many other natural resources, which when combined, help to keep the air in San Diego clean and fresh.
So, with that said, is there really a need for mesothelioma lawyers San Diego? Unfortunate as it may be, the simple answer is yes. In stark contrast to being such a healthy city to live in, San Diego has the misfortune of having one of the highest rates of mesothelioma in the country, and of course, mesothelioma is not only an extremely debilitating disease, but it's also fatal. With that in mind, mesothelioma lawyers San Diego are there for those who have been unfortunate enough to have been diagnosed with this dreadful illness. Let's go ahead and take a look at the various stages a person goes through with the disease.
Initial Exposure
First and foremost, no one single cause has been proven to trigger the condition. However, it has been noted that everyone who suffers from this debilitating disease has something in common, in that they have all been exposed to asbestos at some point in their lives. Asbestos has in the past been used in numerous applications such as for insulation purposes for example. In fact, asbestos was widely used in the ship building industry and also in the building industry because of its excellent fire retardant properties.
Unfortunately, it has not yet been established to what extent a person needs to be exposed to asbestos before developing mesothelioma. In fact, nobody can say for sure how long you need to be exposed to asbestos in order to even be considered as being at risk. Because of this lack of knowledge regarding asbestos, people are generally advised to avoid it altogether, rather than put themselves at risk of developing such a crippling disease. Development of Mesothelioma
In layman's terms, once the condition has begun developing, it is almost as if the body begins attacking itself. What we do know is that when asbestos fibers are inhaled by an individual they tend to become embedded in the lungs, or at least in the protective tissue which surrounds the lungs. As part of the body's natural defense mechanism, it tries to rid itself of these fibers but unfortunately it's not able to do so. At this point mucous membranes will begin forming around the fibers, and of course this means that the fibers end up getting locked even more securely into position. As these masses of mucous membranes or tumors continue to grow, so to do they begin to spread. Simply put, when the condition is at this stage, the person concerned could be considered to be suffering from a deadly form of cancer. In a Nutshell
There is no cure for mesothelioma, and it's estimated that there are more than 2,500 Americans dying every year because of the disease. Alarmingly enough, once you have been diagnosed with the disease, death usually occurs within two years. Conclusion
If you have been diagnosed with the disease, or if you know someone who has, then mesothelioma lawyers San Diego are there to help. After all, there's not much chance that you yourself were responsible for inhaling asbestos fibers, and contrary to what you may believe, employers have an obligation to provide their employees with a safe working environment. If they have failed you, then you may be entitled to compensation.
Pennsylvania Mesothelioma lawyers assist sufferers of Mesothelioma cancer in the Keystone State. They have helped many families that have been victimized by mesothelioma cancer and other asbestos related cancers. They have witnessed the terrible toll of these illnesses firsthand.
Asbestos Causes Mesothelioma Cancer
Asbestos is a harmful substance which was used in many products in the pass. When small asbestos particles are introduced into the human body through inhaling or ingesting, they trigger deadly diseases like mesothelioma cancer. Of the illnesses caused by asbestos exposure, mesothelioma cancer is the most deadly. It manifests itself in the thin membrane that lines the lungs, abdomen, or heart. Mesothelioma usually develops 20 to 40 years after the victim has been exposed to asbestos.
Pennsylvania Mesothelioma Lawyers Are Dedicated To Assisting Victims
Many Pennsylvania Mesothelioma lawyers are dedicated to helping their clients get compensation and medical treatment they deserve. Those who have or know someone that has mesothelioma cancer should know that they can assist you. Over many years,Pennsylvania Mesothelioma lawyers have represented countless citizens all over the state including all the major cities and small towns.
Pennsylvania Mesothelioma Lawyers Resources and Experience
Law firms in Pennsylvania have the resources and experience needed to help individuals and families face the largest corporation in this difficult area of law. These law firms have help people get billions of dollars in settlement and compensation. Many families that have dealt with mesothelioma have been helped.
Pennsylvania Mesothelioma Lawyers Understand Pennsylvania Law
Pennsylvania citizens should understand that this state has laws which set it apart from other states that could affect someone ability to make a claim. An example of this is Pennsylvania’s statute of limitation legislation which puts a limit of the time frame that mesothelioma cancer sufferer and their family members can file a suit.
Pennsylvania Mesothelioma Lawyers Help Victims
Pennsylvania mesothelioma lawyers are prepared to assist victims comprehend the issues related to filing a mesothelioma lawsuit and steer the victims through the maze like court system.
Contact Pennsylvania Mesothelioma Lawyers for Mesothelioma Lawsuits
These law firms pursue mesothelioma and asbestos lawsuit cases in the state of Pennsylvania. Those who have been or have dear ones that have been exposed to asbestos and have symptoms of mesothelioma or lung cancer should contact aPennsylvania mesothelioma lawyer. Many offer free, no obligation consultation. Many also handle cases on a contingency basis. So if you are in need call them today!
One significant advantage of a structured settlement is tax avoidance. With appropriate set-up, a structured settlement may significantly reduce the plaintiff's tax obligations as a result of the settlement, and may in some cases be tax-free.
A structured settlement can protect a plaintiff from having settlement funds dissipated, when they are necessary to pay for future care or needs. Sometimes a structured settlement can help protect a plaintiff from himself - some people simply aren't good with money, or can't say no to relatives who want to "share the wealth", and even a large settlement can be rapidly exhausted. Minors may benefit from a structured settlement as well, such as a settlement which provides for certain costs during their youth, an additional disbursement to pay for college or other educational expenses, and then one or more disbursements in adulthood. An injured person who has long-term special needs may benefit from having periodic lump sums with which to purchase medical equipment or modified vehicles.
In some situations, it will be better for a severely disabled plaintiff to set up a special needs trust, rather than entering into a lump sum or structured settlement. Any plaintiff who is receiving, or expects to receive, Medicaid or other public assistance, or the guardian or conservator entering into a settlement on behalf of a disabled ward, should consult with a disabilities financial planner about their situation before choosing any particular settlement option or structure.
Potential Disadvantages of Structured Settlements
Some people who enter into structured settlements feel trapped by the periodic payments. They may wish to purchase a new home, or other expensive item, yet be unable to muster the resources because they can't borrow against future payments under their settlement.
Some people will do better by accepting a lump sum settlement, and investing it themselves. Many standard investments will give a greater long-term return than the annuities used in structured settlements.
Selling a Structured Settlement
If you have a structured settlement, you may have been approached by a company interested in purchasing your settlement, or may be curious about selling your settlement in return for a lump sum buyout. About two thirds of states have enacted laws which restict the sale of structured settlements, and tax-free structured settlements are also subject to federal restrictions on their sale to a third party. Also, some insurance companies will not assign or transfer annuities to third parties, to discourage the sale of structured settlements. As a consequence, depending upon where you live and the terms of your annuities, it may not be possible for you to sell your settlement.
Keep in mind that companies which buy structured settlements intend to profit from their purchase, and sometimes their offers may seem quite low. You may benefit from approaching more than one company in relation to the sale of your settlement, to make sure that you obtain the highest payoff. You also want to be sure that the company which wants to buy your settlement is established, well-funded, and reputable - you don't want a fly-by-night outfit to obtain the rights to your annuities but to disappear or go bankrupt before paying you the buyout money. You may have to go to court to get a judge to approve the buyout. It is usually a good idea to consult with a lawyer before entering into an agreement to sell your settlement.
Any person entering into a structured settlement should be on guard for potential exploitation in relation to the settlement:
Excessive Commissions - Annuities can be highly profitable for insurance companies, and they often carry very large commissions. It is important to ensure that the commissions charged in setting up a structured settlement don't consume an inappropriate percentage of its principal.
Overstated Value - Sometimes, after negotiating a particular settlement figure, the defense will overstate the value of a structured settlement. As a result the plaintiff, in accepting the settlement, in fact obtains a significantly lower dollar value than was agreed upon. Some defendants have nominally paid the full amount of the settlement, knowing that they would later obtain significant rebates from the annuity companies they used. Plaintiffs should consider compariing the fees and commissions charged for similar settlement packages by a variety of insurance companies, to make sure that they are in fact getting full value. A plaintiff may wish to make it a condition of the settlement that the defendant will actually pay the full value of the settlement in setting up the structured settlement, and that any rebates received by the defendant for annuities included in the settlement be payable to the plaintiff.
Self-Dealing - There have been cases where the plaintiff's lawyer is also in the insurance business, and sets up a structured settlement on behalf of a client without disclosing that the attorney is purchasing the annuities from his own business, or is pocketing a large commission on the annuities. Similarly, there have been situations where the plaintiff's attorney has referred the client to a particular financial planner to set up a structured settlement, without disclosing that the financial planner will be paying the attorney a referral fee in relation to the client's account. Make sure that you know what financial interest, if any, your lawyer has in relation to any financial services sold or recommended by the lawyer.
Life Expectancy - It is unfortunate, but many people who receive large personal injury or workers' compensation settlements will have a shortened life expectancy as a result of their injuries. It is important to consider life expectancy in association with any structured settlement, and to consider whether it is appropriate to enter into an annuity where payments will cease upon death. Sometimes it will make sense to insist upon an annuity that pays a minimum number of payments, or one that will pay a balance into the plaintiff's estate, such that the value of the settlement is not lost to an insurance company upon the plaintiff's untimely death.
Using Multiple Insurance Companies - For larger settlements, it often makes sense to purchase annuities for a structured settlement from several different companies, dividing the settlement between those companies. This can provide you with protection in the event that a company that issued annuities for your settlement package goes into bankruptcy - even in the event that one of the companies defaults in part or in full on your settlement payments, you would still receive full payment from the other companies.