How to Find Information About Your Structured Settlement

A structured settlement represents a series of periodic payments, often stemming from personal injury lawsuits or workers’ compensation claims, typically funded through an annuity purchased by the defendant or their insurer. Individuals may need to locate information about their structured settlement due to the passage of time, misplacement of original records, or changes in their personal contact details. Accessing this information is important for managing financial affairs and ensuring continuity of payments.

Checking Your Personal Records and Original Contacts

Start by reviewing your personal records for relevant documents. Look for settlement agreements, court orders, and any correspondence received from the attorneys or insurance companies involved in the original case. These documents contain details such as the original lawsuit’s case number, the name of the law firm or attorney who handled the case, and the names of any insurance companies mentioned in the settlement agreement. Identifying the original case number or the specific insurance company is a key step.

If you locate the name of the original attorney or law firm, contacting them directly is the next step. When reaching out, be prepared to provide your full name, the approximate date of the settlement, and the nature of your original claim. Legal professionals involved in the initial settlement often retain detailed records that can help you identify the annuity issuer or provide direct contact information for the entity responsible for your payments. Their records can help connect you to your settlement details.

If direct contact with the attorney is not feasible or yields no results, exploring public court records can provide information. You can contact the court clerk in the jurisdiction where your settlement originated to request access to records pertaining to your case. When making this inquiry, you will need to provide party names, the approximate date the settlement was finalized, and any known case numbers to facilitate their search. Court records can confirm the existence of the settlement and may list the responsible parties or the annuity issuer.

Reaching Out to the Annuity Issuer

Once you have gathered initial information, particularly identifying a potential annuity issuer, directly contact that insurance company. Contact their annuity or structured settlement department, as these specialized units handle inquiries regarding periodic payment obligations. Having the correct department ensures your query is routed efficiently.

When contacting the insurance company, be prepared to provide identifying information to verify your identity and help them locate your settlement. This includes your full name, date of birth, and Social Security Number. If you have an original policy number, the original case number from the lawsuit, or the approximate date of the settlement, providing these details will expedite the verification process. The more specific information you offer, the quicker the company can access your records and confirm your annuity details.

The insurance company will use this information to cross-reference their databases and confirm you are the rightful recipient of the structured settlement. They will then provide details regarding your payment schedule, any remaining balance, and how to update your contact information or banking details. This direct approach is the most efficient way to gain information about your structured settlement once a potential issuer has been identified.

Exploring Broader Search Avenues

If initial attempts to locate your structured settlement information through personal records or direct contact with potential annuity issuers are unsuccessful, explore broader search avenues. One resource is the state’s Department of Insurance in the state where the settlement originated. These departments regulate insurance companies and assist consumers in locating missing policies or annuities. You can inquire with them about procedures for searching for lost annuity policies, providing any details you have about the original claim or parties involved.

Another resource is the state’s unclaimed property database, also known as “missing money” websites. Structured settlement payments can become unclaimed if the recipient’s contact information changes and payments cannot be delivered. These state-run databases list financial assets that have been turned over to the state by companies that cannot locate the rightful owner. You can search these databases using your full name, maiden name, or the name of a deceased relative if the settlement was inherited.

If all other avenues have been exhausted, some specialized professional services or associations assist individuals in locating lost structured settlements. While these services may involve fees, they possess expertise in navigating complex financial records and can access databases or networks unavailable to the general public. Consider these options when direct and state-level searches have not yielded the necessary information, as a potential last resort.