Guide

What Happens to Pre-Settlement Funding if Your Case Goes to Trial Instead of Settling?

What Happens to Pre-Settlement Funding if Your Case Goes to Trial Instead of Settling?

Dec 23, 2025

Dec 23, 2025

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Many plaintiffs assume their case will settle—but in reality, some lawsuits proceed all the way to trial. When that happens, it’s natural to worry about how pre-settlement funding is affected. Does funding expire? Do costs increase? Will you still be protected?

The good news is that pre-settlement funding remains in place even if your case goes to trial. In fact, funding can be especially valuable during this phase, when cases often take longer and financial pressure increases.

This article explains exactly what happens to your funding if your case doesn’t settle and goes before a judge or jury.

Pre-Settlement Funding Is Tied to the Case—Not the Outcome Path

Pre-settlement funding is a non-recourse advance tied to the resolution of your case, whether that resolution comes through:

  • A negotiated settlement

  • A jury verdict

  • A court judgment

It does not depend on how the case resolves—only if it resolves successfully.

That means:

  • Your funding agreement stays valid

  • Your repayment terms remain the same

  • No action is required simply because the case goes to trial

Does Going to Trial Change Your Repayment Obligations?

No.
Your repayment obligation does not change simply because the case goes to trial.

Key points:

  • You still only repay if you win or receive compensation

  • You owe nothing if the case is unsuccessful

  • There are no monthly payments while the case is ongoing

  • Instabridge does not require interim payments during trial

Your funding remains non-recourse throughout the entire process.

Why Cases That Go to Trial Take Longer

Trials often extend timelines significantly due to:

  • Court scheduling delays

  • Motions and pretrial hearings

  • Expert witness preparation

  • Jury selection

  • Trial proceedings themselves

  • Post-trial motions or appeals

This added time can increase financial strain—but that’s exactly why funding exists.

Can You Receive Additional Funding During Trial?

In many cases, yes—additional funding may be available if:

  • The case value still supports it

  • Your attorney confirms the trial posture

  • Existing funding does not over-leverage the settlement

Instabridge evaluates additional funding responsibly to ensure:

  • You retain meaningful compensation

  • The attorney’s strategy is not disrupted

  • The funding remains ethical and transparent

Why Pre-Settlement Funding Is Especially Helpful at Trial

When a case goes to trial, financial pressure often peaks. Funding helps plaintiffs:

  • Continue medical treatment

  • Cover rent, mortgage, and household bills

  • Avoid debt and collections

  • Stay patient during jury deliberations

  • Resist last-minute low settlement offers

  • Allow attorneys to fully litigate the case

Insurance companies often increase pressure just before trial—funding removes that leverage.

Does Trial Increase the Cost of Funding?

With Instabridge, costs are transparent and flat-rate, not compounding. That means:

  • Your repayment is predictable

  • You are not penalized for a longer case

  • There are no surprise increases due to trial delays

This is one of the key reasons plaintiffs prefer flat-rate funding over compounding-interest providers.

Why Attorneys Often Prefer Clients With Funding at Trial

From an attorney’s perspective, funded clients:

  • Are less stressed and more cooperative

  • Are less likely to panic-settle

  • Can withstand delays and aggressive defense tactics

  • Allow attorneys to pursue full case value

Funding helps level the playing field when insurers attempt to force unfavorable outcomes late in the process.

Why Plaintiffs Trust Instabridge When Cases Go to Trial

Instabridge supports plaintiffs through every phase of litigation, including trial. We offer:

  • Non-recourse funding that remains valid through verdict

  • Flat-rate pricing with no compounding interest

  • Responsible funding limits

  • Attorney coordination throughout the process

  • Fast support when additional funding is needed

We stand by plaintiffs for the long haul.

Conclusion: Going to Trial Doesn’t Change Your Protection

If your case goes to trial, your pre-settlement funding remains exactly what it was meant to be—a safety net. You are protected, supported, and not required to make any changes or payments while the case proceeds.

If you’re considering funding and worried about the possibility of trial, contact Instabridge today. We’ll explain your options clearly and help you move forward with confidence—no matter where your case leads.

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Instabridge Funding provides fast, risk-free legal funding.