Settling Physical Injury Cases: Keeping More of What They Pay

Jeremy Babener
Jeremy Babener | Structured Consulting

Jeremy has helped companies grow at every stage of the business life cycle. He educates and advises on legal and policy issues for the Society of Settlement Planners (SSP), a national organization of holistic financial planners dedicated to serving personal injury plaintiffs.

On-Demand: March 14, 2025

1 hour CLE

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Program Summary

This program provides a comprehensive guide to key tax considerations in personal injury settlements. We’ll cover the importance of clearly substantiating the tax treatment of settlement payments in the settlement agreement, particularly when it comes to damages for emotional distress. Babener also covers the impact of tax laws such as the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT), the Net Investment Income Tax (NIT), and the Kiddie Tax, explaining how structured settlements can help mitigate these tax burdens. Advisors are reminded to consider tax implications early in the settlement process, as even the initial stages of a lawsuit can significantly influence a claimant’s tax position.

Key topics to be discussed:

  • Tax treatment of settlement payments
  • Deductibility of medical and legal expenses
  • Tax implications of lump sums vs. structured settlements

This course is co-sponsored with myLawCLE.

Closed-captioning available

Speakers

Speaker_Jeremy BabenerJeremy Babener | Structured Consulting

Founder & Consultant at Structured Consulting, Jeremy has helped companies grow at every stage of the business life cycle. He educates and advises on legal and policy issues for the Society of Settlement Planners (SSP), a national organization of holistic financial planners dedicated to serving personal injury plaintiffs.

Beyond his work with SSP, Jeremy provides counsel on tax and business matters, specializing in investment funds, lawsuit settlements, and tax-advantaged arrangements.

His experience includes negotiating and drafting agreements related to investment products, vendor relationships, capital raises, credit facilities, and bank payment servicing. Additionally, he has marketed to investors and managed outside counsel.

Previously, Jeremy advised Lane Powell’s diverse practice groups—including business, employment, litigation, and bankruptcy—on a wide range of tax issues. He was also frequently requested by client companies to serve as outside general counsel.

Furthermore, he has contributed to the drafting of regulations concerning non-compensatory partnership options, exchanges of partnership debt for equity, and other complex partnership tax matters.

Earlier in his career, in 2008, he worked on defenses and settlements for personal injury claims against U.S. government entities, including the U.S. Army, FBI, and VA.

 

Agenda

I. Tax treatment of settlement payments | 2:00pm – 2:20pm

II. Deductibility of medical and legal expenses | 2:20pm – 2:40pm

III. Tax implications of lump sums vs. structured settlements | 2:40pm – 3:00pm

Preview
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