{"id":2331,"date":"2026-10-31T07:53:00","date_gmt":"2026-10-31T07:53:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/elgringolaw.com\/resources\/catastrophic-injuries-new-mexico\/structured-settlement-catastrophic-injury-new-mexico\/"},"modified":"2026-11-06T08:43:01","modified_gmt":"2026-11-06T08:43:01","slug":"structured-settlement-catastrophic-injury-new-mexico","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/elgringolaw.com\/resources\/catastrophic-injuries-new-mexico\/structured-settlement-catastrophic-injury-new-mexico\/","title":{"rendered":"Catastrophic Injury Structured Settlements in New Mexico"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Catastrophic Injury Claims | New Mexico<\/p>

Planning for the Long Road After a Catastrophic Injury<\/h1>

A structured settlement can pay an injury recovery over time instead of all at once. El Gringo Law helps New Mexico families understand the options before they decide. Josh Wood is licensed in New Mexico and Arizona.<\/p>

Start your free, confidential consultation<\/a><\/div>
Start your free, confidential consultation<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n

By Josh Wood \u00b7 Published October 31, 2026<\/p>\n\n

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A structured settlement pays an injury settlement in scheduled payments over time, instead of all at once. After a catastrophic injury in New Mexico, that choice can shape how you cover care for years. This page explains how a structured settlement after a catastrophic injury works, what it is used to fund, and which questions to ask before you agree to one.<\/p>\n

This is general information. Every claim is different.<\/p>\n

What a Structured Settlement Is<\/h2>\n

A structured settlement is an agreement to pay a settlement through a set schedule of periodic payments. Sometimes part is paid as a lump sum, and the rest arrives over months or years.<\/p>\n

In most cases, the at-fault party or its insurer funds an annuity. An annuity is a contract, often issued by a life insurance company, that makes scheduled payments to the injured person. The injured person then receives each payment on the agreed dates.<\/p>\n

A lump sum works differently. The injured person gets one payment and handles the money alone. A structure sets the money on a timeline instead. Structures can be useful when the money has to last a long time.<\/p>\n

Ask to see the payment schedule in writing before you agree to anything. The schedule, amounts and start date should be clear on paper.<\/p>\n\n

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If you are weighing a lump sum against payments spread over years after a spinal cord injury, amputation or burn, you don't have to sort out that choice alone. Our team can talk it through with you. Talk it through with our team — the first consultation is free, confidential, and carries no obligation.<\/p>

Get a free consultation<\/a><\/div>
Get a free consultation<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Why Catastrophic Injuries Often Raise the Structure Question<\/h2>\n

Catastrophic injuries often bring costs that last for years. That is why a structure comes up so often in these cases.<\/p>\n

A spinal cord injury, an amputation or a severe burn can require ongoing medical care, medications, therapy, equipment and help at home. These needs may continue long after a case settles.<\/p>\n

Think beyond the next year. A spinal cord injury can change the care plan as the body changes over time. A lump sum can run short if costs last longer than expected. A structure can line up payments with needs that keep coming.<\/p>\n

One common mistake is to focus only on the total number in an offer. The total says little about when the money arrives. A structure is one tool, and its terms decide whether it fits your situation.<\/p>\n

Economic Damages a Structure May Be Used to Fund<\/h2>\n

Economic damages are measurable money losses. They are often the costs a structure is built to cover.<\/p>\n

In a New Mexico injury case, these losses can include past and future medical bills, lost wages, reduced ability to earn money and the cost of future care. Bills, pay records and cost estimates usually show these losses.<\/p>\n

Future costs recur. That is why a regular payment schedule can match them. A regular payment can help cover a recurring prescription, therapy visit or equipment bill.<\/p>\n

After a spinal cord injury or amputation, the home or vehicle may also need changes. A home may need ramps, wider doorways or a modified bathroom. A vehicle may need hand controls or a lift. Check whether the offer accounts for these costs.<\/p>\n

Non-Economic and Punitive Damages in a New Mexico Case<\/h2>\n

Non-economic damages pay for pain, suffering, emotional distress and loss of enjoyment of life. They are not calculated from bills.<\/p>\n

Punitive damages are a separate category. They are not part of every claim. New Mexico’s punitive damages instruction lets a jury consider them only in certain conditions. The jury must first find that the injured person should recover compensatory or nominal damages. It must also find the conduct was malicious, willful, reckless, wanton, fraudulent or in bad faith (UJI 13-1827 NMRA<\/a>).<\/p>\n

New Mexico courts also require evidence of a culpable mental state.<\/p>\n

How any category of damages is valued depends on the facts of each claim. Past results do not predict what another case will bring.<\/p>\n\n

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Questions to Review Before Accepting Any Settlement Offer<\/h2>\n

Before you accept, get the full terms in writing. Ask these questions:<\/p>\n