Personal Injury Settlement Planning in California

Full-Service Settlement Consulting for California Plaintiff Attorneys & Their Clients

Sage Settlement Consulting is a full-service settlement planning firm, not a litigation law firm. We work alongside plaintiff attorneys across California to structure and protect their clients’ recoveries after liability is resolved. From the first assessment of a claimant’s needs through preparing for post-settlement life, our settlement consultants design individualized plans that address each claimant’s immediate financial needs and long-term security.

California personal injury cases involving car accidents, wrongful death, product liability, and premises liability often result in substantial settlements. How those proceeds are received and protected matters as much as the amount. We engage early in the settlement process, before the agreement is finalized, so every option is available to the claimant.

Settlement Planning Services for California Personal Injury Cases

We offer a broad range of solutions designed to fit the financial circumstances of individual claimants and the case types California plaintiff attorneys handle most.

Structured Settlement Annuities
Our annuity options include Fixed-Indexed Annuities, Single Premium Immediate Annuities, Deferred Income Annuities, and Multiple-Year Guarantee Agreements. For physical injury and wrongful death cases, structured settlement payments are 100% income-tax-free under IRC Section 104(a)(2), including growth.

Market-Based Structured Settlements
For claimants and attorneys seeking market-linked growth potential, we offer Settlements Plus™, Fee Structure Plus®, and Treasury Funded Structured Settlement™ (TFSS).

Attorney Fee Deferral Strategies
Plaintiff attorneys can invest contingency fees in a market-based investment portfolio on a tax-deferred basis, deferring income recognition to future years.

Non-Qualified Structured Settlements
For claimants who don’t qualify for the IRC Section 104(a)(2) income tax exclusion, Non-Qualified Structured Settlements provide a tax-deferred alternative.

Additional services relevant to California personal injury cases include:

• Qualified Settlement Funds (468B Trusts) for mass tort litigation and multi-claimant cases
• Lien Resolution to address medical provider, insurer, and Medicare interests against settlement proceeds
• Medicare Set-Asides (MSA) for cases where future Medicare-covered medical costs must be allocated
• Government Benefit Preservation to help protect claimants who rely on Medi-Cal or SSI/SSDI from losing eligibility upon receiving a settlement
• Mass Tort Settlement Resolution for high-volume litigation involving multiple claimants
• Trust Services and Probate Coordination for cases with complex estate considerations
• Law Firm Financing to support plaintiff law firms managing cash flow across active dockets

Why California Plaintiff Attorneys Work with Sage

California is one of the most active personal injury litigation markets in the country, and plaintiff attorneys here manage high caseloads across diverse case types. A settlement consultant who can quarterback the planning process, keep all parties informed, and help support IRS compliance can take significant complexity off the attorney’s plate.

Brian Panish of Panish, Shea & Boyle, LLP in Los Angeles has stated that Sage is “an integral part of our team” and described Sage as “ardent supporters of the plaintiff bar community.” We maintain a national network of local consultants and strategic partnerships, and our team culture includes ongoing training and support that directly improves service quality for every case we touch.

For Spanish-speaking claimants, we provide three dedicated resources: Spanish-language informational materials, a Spanish-speaking case manager, and a Spanish assistance hotline. In a state as linguistically diverse as California, that depth of support matters.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is the Difference Between a Personal Injury Attorney & a Settlement Consultant?

A plaintiff attorney handles litigation and negotiates liability and damages. A settlement consultant like Sage enters after liability is resolved to plan and structure how settlement proceeds are received and protected financially. The two roles are complementary, not overlapping.

Are Personal Injury Settlement Payments Taxable in California?

Physical injury and wrongful death structured settlement payments may qualify as income-tax-free under IRC Section 104(a)(2), including growth. Payments that don’t qualify for that exclusion, such as those arising from non-physical claims, may be structured on a tax-deferred basis through a Non-Qualified Structured Settlement. Punitive damages and emotional distress damages not tied to physical injury are generally taxable. Tax treatment depends on the specific nature of the damages involved, so claimants should consult their tax advisor.

When Should a Plaintiff Attorney Bring in a Settlement Consultant?

Early engagement is important. A settlement consultant should be brought in before the settlement agreement is finalized so that structured payment options can be designed and presented before the claimant is locked into a lump-sum resolution. The earlier we’re involved, the more planning tools may be available.

Does Sage Serve Spanish-Speaking Claimants in California?

Yes. We provide Spanish-language informational materials, a Spanish-speaking case manager, and a Spanish assistance hotline to help Spanish-speaking claimants fully understand their settlement options.

Connect with a Settlement Consultant for Your California Case

Whether you’re a plaintiff attorney managing a complex California personal injury case or a claimant trying to understand your options, we’re here to help you make informed decisions about your recovery. Our settlement consultants work to ensure each plan fits the claimant’s specific financial, physical, and personal circumstances.

We don’t handle litigation. We handle what comes next, and we handle it with the full depth of our planning resources behind every case. Call (855) 288-7243 or contact Sage Settlement Consulting today to speak with a settlement consultant about your California case.