Pre-settlement funding lets an injured person request money while a personal injury case remains open. The decision involves more than whether cash is available: you need to understand the case review, the written cost and how repayment would affect a recovery.
Use this guide to work through those decisions in order. For a specific question, the linked blog articles go into that part of the process.
Chapter 1 / 6
What the funding agreement does
Cherokee reviews an existing legal claim and, if approved, provides money in exchange for a contractual right to receive an amount from the proceeds of that claim. You may see this described as pre-settlement funding, lawsuit funding or a plaintiff cash advance. The name alone does not explain the terms.
For non-recourse funding, repayment comes from a settlement or court award under the agreement. If the claim produces no recovery, you owe Cherokee nothing under that agreement. In South Carolina, the product is offered as a supervised consumer loan. Read the disclosures and agreement that apply to your state.
Funding is a separate decision from the legal case. Cherokee does not direct your claim or its settlement. You and your attorney continue to make the decisions about the case.
Chapter 2 / 6
Check the starting requirements
At Cherokee, you need an open personal injury case and an attorney representing you before you apply. Car accidents and slip-and-fall claims are examples of cases that may be reviewed; the type of accident alone does not establish an approval.
Check the current state availability list before planning around an advance. Availability depends on the state and the type and status of the claim. Selecting a state on a form does not establish eligibility.
Put three details together before requesting a review: the state where your case is pending, the name of your attorney and the amount you need. If no attorney represents you, arrange representation before applying. Cherokee does not select an attorney for you.
Chapter 3 / 6
Separate the steps from application to payment
A form starts a review. It is not an offer, an approval or confirmation that money will arrive by a certain date. Keeping those stages separate helps you ask the right question when following up.
Have your attorney's current office contact details ready. Explain the amount you need and any deadline for the expense. If information is still missing, ask what it is and who should supply it.
| Stage | What to establish |
|---|---|
| Application | The team has your basic contact and case information. |
| Case review | Cherokee confirms the claim with your attorney. |
| Written offer | You can review the funded amount, charges and payoff terms. |
| Agreement and funding | You review and sign; the required attorney acknowledgment is in place before money is issued. |
Chapter 4 / 6
Match the request to an actual need
Begin with the expense rather than the largest amount you hope to receive. Write down the amount due, its deadline and any payment arrangement already available. Separate the immediate shortfall from future expenses that are still uncertain.
The funding amount depends on the strength of the case. Your household need and the amount available may be different. Tell the team about a deadline, but do not treat a pending application as money available to pay a bill.
Cherokee explains timing on the first call. It depends on the case and how soon your attorney confirms it. A general article or another company's advertised turnaround does not establish your payment date.
Chapter 5 / 6
Evaluate an offer before accepting
There is no fee to submit the website application. That does not mean an advance is free: the written agreement states the funded amount, charges and payoff terms before signing.
Compare the cash you would receive with the total amount payable at several possible settlement dates. Ask what each charge means and when it applies. If an explanation differs from the document, ask for clarification in writing before proceeding.
Discuss the offer with your attorney. Ask how the payoff would fit alongside other amounts due when a recovery is distributed. You can read the costs and repayment guide for a structured way to review those figures.
Chapter 6 / 6
Keep the agreement and case information together
Keep a copy of the signed agreement and any written explanations. If you need payoff information later, use the actual agreement rather than estimating the balance from the amount you first received.
Cherokee allows you to apply for more on the same case, but each request is reviewed on the case as it stands then. The first approval does not guarantee another advance. Tell the team and your attorney about existing funding before considering an additional request.
