Mesothelioma Lawsuit Process in detail

If you decide to file a lawsuit, your attorney will assist you through the process. While everyone's case is different, there are a number of steps that apply to nearly everyone who files an asbestos-related lawsuit. Your attorney will handle each of these steps and explain the process as it goes along. For the most part, mesothelioma lawsuits follow these steps:

STEP 1
Preparation

Your attorney will gather information about your asbestos exposure and illness to determine who is responsible for your condition and in which court to file your lawsuit. You may be eligible to file your lawsuit in more than one court.

An asbestos and mesothelioma attorney will be able to use the information gathered earlier in the preparation stage to help you choose the most favorable court for your lawsuit.

STEP 2
Filing

Your lawyer must file a written complaint with a court to start the legal process. Your attorney will prepare and file this document. For your case to move forward, your complaint must follow different court rules on how the document is written and the details it provides about your claim. An experienced attorney will be familiar with these rules, the issues that often arise in asbestos lawsuits and use this knowledge to help present your claims to the court.

STEP 3
Responses

Each defendant in your lawsuit will also receive a copy of your complaint and have the chance to respond. Because many years likely have passed since you were exposed to asbestos, the responsible company could now be a different company or could be bankrupt. It may take some time to locate and provide the appropriate people with your complaint. Your attorney will oversee this process.

Once served with a copy of your complaint, each defendant will have a certain amount of time to respond, usually 30 days. Understand that defendants rarely admit fault. They most likely will deny your claims and defend themselves. They may argue that your complaint is not valid or that someone or something else is responsible for your asbestos exposure. They may even claim that your condition is not related to asbestos exposure. Don't worry. This is normal. Your attorney will reply to each defendant's responses.

STEP 4
Discovery

During discovery, lawyers on both sides gather information about your allegations. Both sides will ask the other side to answer written questions, produce documents and participate in depositions. Some of the information gathered will become the evidence used at trial. Discovery may take several months, but if you are very ill, your attorney can ask the court to speed the process along before your condition worsens.










 The defendant's lawyers will look for evidence that something or someone else caused your illness. As a result, they will demand very personal information about you like your medical history, work history and information about your personal habits. They will also seek information from your loved ones, doctors, co-workers and former co-workers.

You probably will need to participate in a videotaped deposition. If so, you will answer questions under oath from the defendant's lawyer. This process may take a few hours or several days, but can be performed from the comfort of your own home.

Your attorney will prepare your responses to any written questions and document requests. Your lawyer will also go over likely deposition questions with you in advance and be present to assist you during the deposition.

In addition to helping you respond to discovery requests, your lawyer will also make similar demands to the defendant for information supporting your claim that the defendant negligently exposed you to asbestos.

STEP 5
Settlement

Before a trial starts, a defendant may offer to resolve the case by offering you money. If you decline the settlement offer, it's possible the defendant will make another offer during trial. Your attorney will negotiate on your behalf. 

Visit our verdicts and settlements page for more information about factors that can influence your decision whether to go to trial.

STEP 6
Trial

The trial process varies depending on where you file a claim. In many cases, it is not necessary for you to appear in court. If you win and the defendant does not appeal, you will usually start receiving payments a few months after the trial.

STEP 7
Appeal

If you win the trial, the defendant may decide to file an appeal. There is a limited amount of time to file an appeal, usually between 30 and 180 days. 

This will delay any monetary award, but the defendant will need to post "bond" for the amount awarded while the appeal proceeds. If the defendant loses its appeal, you will start receiving payments. If the appeal is successful, the defendant may end up paying a smaller amount or nothing at all.

An appeals court generally accepts any facts the trial judge and jury found to be true. Usually the only thing an appeals court decides is whether the trial court correctly applied the law to the case.

If a mistake was made that affected the result of the trial, the appeals court may order a new trial. Sometimes the appeals court can just correct the mistake without a new trial, such as when the amount of the award was calculated incorrectly. If your case is appealed, your attorney will be available to explain the process to you.

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Detail Information about Mesothelioma Lawsuits in United States

HOW TO GET STARTED?

If you or someone close to you has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you have probably heard or read about the possibility of obtaining financial compensation by way of a mesothelioma lawsuit. It can be difficult to navigate the maze of television commercials and websites to figure out how to get the process started.

There are really three simple steps to get started with a mesothelioma lawsuit:

• Presenting proof of a mesothelioma diagnosis;
• Providing information about asbestos exposure; and
• Choosing a highly experienced mesothelioma law firm.

I. PRESENTING PROOF OF A MESOTHELIOMA DIAGNOSIS

When contacting a law firm experienced in handling mesothelioma lawsuits, you will first need to present some proof of a mesothelioma diagnosis. The following records can be used to get the process started:

• Pathology report that states “mesothelioma”;
• Oncology medical record that states “mesothelioma”;
• Death certificate that states “mesothelioma” (if person is deceased).

Even though exposure to asbestos increases a person’s risk of developing mesothelioma, a person cannot file a mesothelioma lawsuit unless the person already has proof of a mesothelioma diagnosis. Law firms experienced in handling mesothelioma lawsuits have expertise in ordering medical records that may provide evidence of a mesothelioma diagnosis.

II. PROVIDING INFORMATION ABOUT ASBESTOS EXPOSURE

In order to file a mesothelioma lawsuit, the person diagnosed with the disease must have some information that would demonstrate prior exposure to asbestos. Generally, the best source of information as to a person’s asbestos exposure is the memory of the person who was diagnosed with mesothelioma or the person who worked with or around asbestos-containing products. A person can be exposed to asbestos from directly working with asbestos products (direct asbestos exposure), from working in the same area as others working with asbestos products (bystander asbestos exposure) or by laundering contaminated work clothing or otherwise having contact with clothing that is soiled with asbestos dust (take-home exposure). Law firms experienced in handling mesothelioma lawsuit also have documents and other information relating to asbestos exposures that occurred at many work sites where asbestos exposure was common.

III. CHOOSING A HIGHLY EXPERIENCED MESOTHELIOMA LAW FIRM

A mesothelioma lawsuit is not a simple case. You must have a law firm that is highly experienced in handling these cases. The firm must be knowledgeable about many areas, including: the many different ways that people can be exposed to asbestos, the many different products that contained asbestos, and the medical and scientific issues relating to the diagnosis and causation of mesothelioma.

You should find out information about the firm, including how long they have been handling mesothelioma cases, how many jury verdicts and settlements they have obtained, and whether they have received awards and recognitions for their work in these cases. Once you choose a highly experienced mesothelioma law firm, the firm can take the necessary legal steps to get your lawsuit filed and move the case toward settlement or trial.

Levy Konigsberg LLP has been successfully handling mesothelioma lawsuits for thirty-plus years. The firm’s founder, Stanley Levy, was one of the first lawyers in the Northeastern United States to file cases on behalf of those suffering from mesothelioma. The firm has won landmark jury verdicts in mesothelioma cases including the highest mesothelioma jury verdict ever upheld on appeal in the United States. The firm was recognized in 2013 by the U.S. News & World Report as “Plaintiff’s Product Liability Law Firm of the Year”. The firm also contributes to the fight to cure mesothelioma and has contributed more than $1 million for this cause.

FOR A FREE LEGAL CONSULTATION OR TO DISCUSS YOUR PERSONAL SITUATION RELATING TO A MESOTHELIOMA DIAGNOSIS, PLEASE CALL THE FIRM AT 1-800-637-6529 OR SUBMIT AN EASY ELECTRONIC FORM AT THIS WEBSITE.

ATTENTION: Mesothelioma has no known cure and often causes severe pain, suffering, and other types of damage, such as loss of consortium, and loss of income. Additionally, due to the exceedingly high cost of mesothelioma treatments, many families exhaust savings and accumulate financial debt in order to pay for the medical expenses of their family member.

Under the law of most states, pain and suffering from mesothelioma may be compensated through the award of money damages, usually obtained with the help of experienced mesothelioma attorneys. In some states other types of damages may also be recovered.

Asbestos litigation affords mesothelioma victims the opportunity to receive financial compensation and hold accountable the companies that caused their asbestos exposure.

IMPORTANT: If you or your family member has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you should get in touch with a mesothelioma lawyer as early as possible to determine if you have a mesothelioma case and to:

• Preserve your rights to bring a legal action against the responsible parties within the limited time frame allowed by law, known as statute of limitations;
• Obtain maximum compensation in your case by being able to:

1. Preserve evidence and establish facts of the asbestos exposure while the claimant is still alive and able to provide information;
2. File and resolve a lawsuit against the responsible parties before they file for bankruptcy or, if they already have, to obtain compensation before their bankruptcy trust funds run out of money;

• Expedite your case, as courts tend to give higher priority to mesothelioma lawsuits where the claimant is still alive.

Find out whether you have a case by speaking to one of our experienced mesothelioma lawyers via our 24/7 toll-free hotline at 1-800-MESO-LAW (1-800-637-6529) or by submitting an email inquiry (see form above). Our attorneys will be quick to respond to you and happy to answer all of your questions.

NOTE: While our offices are located in the states of New York, New Jersey, and Georgia, many of our mesothelioma lawyers are licensed to practice law in a number of U.S. states and have the capability and extensive experience of representing mesothelioma clients throughout the United States.

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California Car Insurance

Auto Insurance Coverage In California
Residents of California will tell you the same thing: to survive here, you'll need a car. Whether it's the scenic drive along the coast on Route 1 or the long trip from LA to San Francisco on I-5, you'll need to make sure you have the right car insurance coverage. In fact, the Golden State has stiff penalties for failing to maintain auto insurance coverage, including a traffic citation and fine of $1,000 or more and the impounding of your vehicle. You may also be financially responsible for any costs if you cause an accident and don't have car insurance.


Luckily, maintaining California auto insurance coverage is easy. You can get a free car insurance quote with GEICO online in just a few minutes. California has some unique car insurance laws that make insuring a vehicle there different than other states.

What is the California safe driver discount?
Good drivers in California are often eligible for preferred rates with GEICO. When you insure with GEICO, we will give you the California Safe Driver Discount automatically if you meet the necessary criteria. A licensed GEICO auto insurance counselor will be happy to review this discount with you.


How does the California Deductible Waiver work?
If you carry collision coverage on your car, then you may be eligible for the California Deductible Waiver. With this waiver, your insurance company will pay the collision deductible on your car if an uninsured driver causes an accident. Speak to one of GEICO's expert auto insurance agents to discuss whether this coverage option is right for you.

What do I do if I get a California Intent to Suspend Registration letter?
If the state of California cannot confirm that you have insurance on your vehicle, you may receive a

letter stating that they plan to cancel your car's registration. This can happen if the state doesn't have the correct VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) on file, if your insurance coverage has lapsed, or if there's an error in the information that the state of California received. Call a GEICO agent to see how we can help.
California Minimum Car Insurance Coverage
California requires drivers to carry at least the following coverages:

Bodily Injury Liability Coverage: $15,000 per person / $30,000 per accident minimum
Property Damage Liability Coverage: $5,000 minimum
Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury Coverage: $15,000 per person / $30,000 per accident minimum
Uninsured Motorist Property Damage Coverage: $3,500 minimum
Note: Uninsured motorist coverages can be rejected by speaking with a GEICO representative. Speak to a licensed GEICO insurance agent to find the options that are right for you.

California Teen Driving Laws
If you're the parent of a teen, California allows your son or daughter to begin the licensing process at age 15½. Before becoming fully licensed, California teen drivers must complete driver training and get a provisional permit. Here's some of the information that the California DMV requires to get this permit:

Application form
Parental signatures
Social Security number
Application fee
Proof of driver education
Young drivers in California must have a provisional permit for at least six months before applying for a license. At that time, the DMV will administer a driving test before issuing a driver's license. For full California teen driver rules and laws, check with your local California DMV.

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Enrollment growth in Obamacare health insurance slower than expected

Reflecting slower than anticipated enrollment growth in health insurance purchased through the Affordable Care Act, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office has lowered its estimate of how many people will get coverage through the law in 2016.

In any given month this year, about 13 million people on average are now expected to be enrolled in a health plan purchased on a marketplace created by the law, often called Obamacare.


That is down from 21 million people previously estimated by the budget office, whose projections about the impact of legislation are closely watched by both parties in Washington.

The lower enrollment number brings the budget office closer in line with the Obama administration, which scaled back its own enrollment targets for 2016, citing the difficulty of reaching new consumers who have not so far taken advantage of the marketplaces.


The insurance marketplaces, a key pillar of the health law, allow people who do not get coverage through an employer to shop among plans that must meet basic standards and cannot turn away customers with preexisting medical conditions.

Those making less than four times the federal poverty level — about $47,000 for a single adult or about $97,000 for a family of four — qualify for federal aid to offset their insurance premiums.


The lower enrollment numbers have fueled some criticism from Republicans, who continue to argue that the heathcare law should be repealed.

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Benefits for Inpatient Hospital Confinement

Assistant Surgeon Benefit If, in connection with such operation, a Covered Person requires the services of an Assistant Surgeon, We will pay the Covered Expense incurred.
9. Emergency Room Benefit $250 per visit Co-Pay. We will pay if the Covered Person requires Emergency Room treatment due to a Covered Loss resulting directly and independently of all other causes from a Covered Accident or Sickness. Emergency Room means a trauma center or special area in a Hospital that is equipped and staffed to give people Emergency treatment on an Outpatient basis. An Emergency Room is not a clinic or Physician’s office.

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10. Pre-Admission Testing Benefit We will pay benefits for charges for Pre admission testing (inpatient confinement must occur within 3 days of the testing).
11. Anesthesia Benefit We will pay benefits for Anesthesia for pre-operative screening and administration of anesthesia during a surgical procedure whether on an Inpatient or Outpatient basis.

Diagnostic X-Ray and Laboratory Benefit We will pay if the Covered Person requires diagnostic x -ray and/or laboratory examinations and services due to a Covered Loss.

13. Physiotherapy/Chiropractic Expense Benefit We will pay benefits as described in the Schedule of Benefits for eligible Physiotherapy expenses incurred by the Covered Person. In no event will the Company’s Maximum liability exceed the Maximum stated in the Schedule of Benefits, as to Eligible Expenses during any Period of Insurance.

For the purpose of this section, Physiotherapy means charges for physiotherapy if recommended by a Physician for the treatment of a specific Disablement or following hospitalization and administered by a licensed physiotherapist as an Outpatient, up to the Maximum amount shown in the Schedule of Benefits for the Outpatient Physiotherapy benefit.

 Charges include treatment and office visits connected with such treatment when prescribed by a Physician, including diathermy, ultrasonic, whirlpool, heat treatments, microtherm, chiropractic, adjustments, manipulation, acupuncture, or any form of physical therapy.
14. Ambulance Benefit When, by reason of Injury or Sickness, a Covered Person requires the use of a community or Hospital Ambulance in a Medical Emergency, 

We will pay up to $350 for transportation, within the metropolitan area in which the Covered Person is located at that time the

service is used. Ambulance Service is transportation by a vehicle designed, equipped and used only to transport the sick and injured from home, the scene of the Accident or Medical Emergency to a Hospital or between Hospitals. 









Surface trips must be to the closest local facility that can provide the covered service appropriate to the condition. If there is no such facility available, coverage is for trips to the closest facility outside the local area. Air transportation is covered up to $350 when Medically Necessary because of a life threatening Injury or Sickness or if the Covered Person is in a rural area, then air ambulance transportation to the nearest metropolitan area will be considered an Eligible Expense.

 Air Ambulance is air transportation by a vehicle designed, equipped and used only to transport the sick and injured to and from a Hospital for inpatient care. Search and rescue charges are not covered.

15. Mental and Nervous Conditions Expense Benefit If a Covered Person requires treatment for a Mental or Nervous Condition, We will pay for such treatment as follows: 

 Benefits for Inpatient Hospital Confinement -When a Covered Person requires Hospital Confinement for treatment of a Mental or Nervous Condition, 

We will pay the Covered Percentage of the Eligible Expenses incurred for such Hospital Confinement. Such confinement must be in a licensed or certified facility, including Hospitals.

 Benefits for Outpatient Services - We will pay the Eligible Expenses incurred for the Outpatient treatment of Mental and Nervous Conditions as defined. 

The Mental and Nervous Condition must, in the professional judgment of healthcare providers, be treatable, and the treatment must be Medically Necessary. Outpatient treatment and Physician services include charges made by an Outpatient treatment department of a Hospital or community mental health facility, or charges for services rendered in a Physician’s office. Treatment may be provided by any properly licensed Physician, psychologist or other provider as required by law.

Biologically Based Mental Sickness means a mental, nervous, or emotional disorder caused by a biological disorder of the brain which results in a clinically significant, psychological syndrome or pattern that substantially limits the functioning of the person with the Sickness.

16. Alcohol and Drug Abuse Expense Benefit If a Covered Person requires treatment on account of alcoholism, Alcohol Abuse, Drug Abuse or drug dependency, We will pay for such treatment as follows:

 Benefits for Inpatient Hospital Confinement - When a Covered Person is confined as an inpatient in: (i) a Hospital; or (ii) a Detoxification Facility for the treatment of alcoholism, Alcohol Abuse, Drug Abuse or drug dependency, We will pay the Covered Percentage of the Eligible Expenses incurred for such Hospital Confinement.  Such Confinement must be in a licensed or certified facility, including Hospitals. 

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Iron And Hepcidin A Story Of Recycling And Balance

To avoid iron deficiency and overload, iron availability is tightly regulated at both the cellular and systemic levels. The liver peptide hepcidin controls iron flux to plasma from enterocytes and macrophages through degradation of the cellular iron exporter ferroportin.

The hepcidin-ferroportin axis is essential to maintaining iron homeostasis. Genetic inactivation of proteins of the hepcidin-activating pathway causes iron overload of varying severity in human and mice. Hepcidin insufficiency and increased iron absorption are also characteristic of anemia due to ineffective erythropoiesis in which, despite high total body iron, hepcidin is suppressed by the high erythropoietic activity, worsening both iron overload and anemia in a vicious cycle.

Hepcidin excess resulting from genetic inactivation of a hepcidin inhibitor, the transmembrane protease serine 6 (TMPRSS6) leads to a form of iron deficiency refractory to oral iron. Increased hepcidin explains the iron sequestration and iron-restricted erythropoiesis of anemia associated with chronic inflammatory diseases. In mice, deletion of TMPRSS6 in vivo has profound effects on the iron phenotype of hemochromatosis and beta-thalassemia.


Hepcidin manipulation to restrict iron is a successful strategy to improve erythropoiesis in thalassemia, as shown clearly in preclinical studies targeting TMPRSS6; attempts to control anemia of chronic diseases by antagonizing the hepcidin effect are ongoing. Finally, the metabolic pathways identified from iron disorders are now being explored in other human pathologic conditions, including cancer.Introduction Iron is essential for multiple cell functions, but is also potentially deleterious because of its ability to generate free oxygen radicals.

Due to the absence of an active excretory mechanism, iron balance in mammals is maintained by limiting its intestinal uptake and by continuously recycling and reusing cellular iron. Multiple safety mechanisms, such as binding to chaperone proteins, storage in ferritin, and export through ferroportin (FPN), protect cells from free iron toxicity. The mechanisms of cellular iron handling are summarized in Figure 1. Iron is used in mitochondria for heme synthesis and iron sulfur cluster biogenesis. There is increasing interest in the latter pathway because iron sulfur clusters are prosthetic groups for key enzymes of DNA duplication, repair, and epigenetics.

Iron-regulatory proteins (IRPs) and hepcidin exert iron homeostatic control at the cell and systemic levels, respectively.1 Disruption of iron control mechanisms leads to genetic iron disorders and may also contribute to the pathophysiology of common pathologic conditions including inflammation, neurodegeneration, metabolic disorders, and cancer. At the cellular level, IRP1 and IRP2 orchestrate the coordinated expression of iron importers (transferrin receptor 1 [TFR1] and divalent metal transporter 1 [DMT1]) and of storage (ferritin light and heavy chains) and export (FPN) proteins. IRPs regulate their targets posttranscriptionally by binding to special stem loop elements in the untranslated regions of mRNA-encoding proteins involved in iron metabolism; binding activity is high in iron deficiency and hypoxia and is suppressed by iron and oxygen (for review, see Hentze et al1).

Recently, differential target specificity of the 2 IRPs has been identified, with IRP1 specifically controlling the hypoxia mediator HIF2-alpha2 and IRP2 controlling ferritin.3 Control of HIF2-alpha by IRP is one of the multiple links between iron and hypoxia. Undoubtedly, conditional deletion of either IRP in animal models will clarify other tissue- and IRP-specific roles.
At the systemic level, the liver peptide hepcidin regulates iron homeostasis by binding and degrading the sole cellular iron exporter FPN, which is highly expressed at the basolateral surface of duodenal enterocytes and on the cell membrane of macrophages. In this way, hepcidin restricts the amount of iron delivered to its plasma carrier transferrin.4 The concentration of both circulating and tissue iron provides distinct signals that modulate hepcidin.

The result is low hepcidin and active iron delivery to plasma in iron deficiency and high hepcidin with reduced iron flux to plasma in iron overload (Figure 2). How IRP-based and systemic regulatory pathways interconnect and work together in general iron homeostasis is only partially understood and is a subject of intensive investigation. Hepcidin up-regulation Hepcidin transcription in hepatocytes is dependent on the bone morphogenic protein (BMP)-SMAD signaling cascade (Figure 3A).1 BMP6 is the iron-related BMP receptor (BMPR) ligand in vivo, as shown by Bmp6 / mice, which have severe iron overload and very low hepcidin.5 In the liver,

BMP6 is mainly expressed in nonparenchymal cells such as sinusoidal endothelial and Kupffer cells.6 Binding of the ligand to BMPR complex on the hepatocyte surface triggers phosphorylation of SMAD proteins, which translocate to the nucleus to activate target genes including hepcidin (Figure 3A). In mice, liver-specific disruption of the BMPR ALK2 and ALK-3 or of SMAD4 molecule results in iron overload with low hepcidin.7 Hemojuvelin (HJV), a protein mutated in juvenile hemochromatosis type A (Table 1), is the essential BMP coreceptor in this pathway. In humans, its inactivation causes severe, early onset iron overload indistinguishable from hemochromatosis caused by inactivation of the hepcidin gene itself.8

Hemochromatosis type 1, 2 and 3 (Table 1) and their corresponding murine models show defective BPM signaling that results in hepcidin insufficiency. Whereas the function of membrane-HJV 

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Enrollment and Filing a Claim | Students Insurance Plans

To be eligible for the StudentSecure Participants must meet all of the following requirements:

•  Must be a Full-time Student at a college or university, excluding online colleges and universities, or within 31 days of being a Full-time Student at a college or university; or must be a Full-time Scholar affi  liated with an educational institution and performing work or research for at least 30 hours per week; or must be a Full-time High School Student.

• T he Full-time Student/Scholar status requirement is waived for Participants within the US holding a valid F1 (including those students on OPT) or J1 visa. Full-time status requirements remain in force for individuals holding M-1 or other category visas.
Must be residing outside Home Country for the purpose of pursuing international educational activities.

•  Must not have obtained residency status in the Host Country.
Participants visiting the US must hold a valid education- related visa. A copy of the I-20 or DS-2019 may be requested.


Home Country Coverage
Incidental Home Country Coverage
StudentSecure will provide you 15 days of incidental coverage for trips to your home country for every 3 months of coverage purchased. Incidental visit time must be used within the three-month period earned, and you must continue your international trip in order to be eligible for this benefi t, which covers medical expenses only. Return to your home country must not be taken for the purpose of obtaining treatment of an illness or injury that began while traveling.
Benefi t Period Medical Coverage

While the certifi cate is in eff ect, the benefi t period does not apply. Upon termination of the certifi cate, Underwriters will pay eligible medical expenses, as defi ned herein, for up to 60 days beginning on the fi rst day of diagnosis or treatment of a covered injury or illness while the member is outside his or her home country and while the certifi cate was in eff ect. The benefi t period applies only to eligible medical expenses related to a condition for which the member was hospitalized as an inpatient on the termination date of the certifi cate.

Extending or Renewing Coverage
You may renew your coverage as long as you continue to meet the eligibility requirements.  Renewal may be completed within the last 6 months of a certifi cate period.  Deductible and coinsurance must be re-satisfi ed as of each renewal date.

After four years of continuous coverage or any break in coverage, a new plan must be purchased.  A

new application is required and you must re-satisfy your deductible, coinsurance, pre-existing condition provisions, and all other benefi t limits. Extensions and renewals must be made online with payment by credit card.

Cancellations and Refunds
To be eligible for a full refund, the request for cancellation must be received prior to the eff ective date.  Cancellation requests received after the eff ective date will be subject to the following conditions:
1) A $25 cancellation fee will apply
2) Only premium for unused whole-months of the plan will be refunded
3) Only members who have no claims are eligible for premium refund
4) After 60 days, no refunds are granted

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Graduate Student Loan

Graduate Student Loan Variable Rate (1):  The ANNUAL PERCENTAGE RATE (APR) is the highest Prime Rate as stated in the Wall Street Journal (index) plus a margin of 5.00% to the value of the index. The rate on new and existing balances will change on the 1st day of each year to reflect any change in the index.

We will use the index value available to us as of 10 days before the date of any APR adjustment. The maximum ANNUAL PERCENTAGE RATE will never be greater than the maximum rate allowed by state law in North Carolina which is currently 18.00%.  There is a minimum ANNUAL PERCENTAGE RATE of 5.00% (floor).  Any increase in APR will result in higher payments until what you owe has been repaid.
The maximum credit limit will be based on school certification and actual cost of attendance and your documented ability to repay, less any other financial assistance and aid received up to a maximum limit of $170,000.00.  The minimum loan amount will be $5,000.00. The Credit Union reserves the right to adjust your Limit at any time based on its discretion.
Draw period is the period during which you may request advances (subject to the limitations specified in advances) This period begins after the first advance is disbursed to the school and continues until:
(1) you graduate;
(2) you fail to maintain satisfactory progress according to the school’s standards ;

(3) you fail to ma
intain enrollment as at least a half-time student;

(4) you withdraw from the school, or

(5) you fail to sign a reaffirmation upon the credit union request. The Draw period may also be terminated if you fail to provide verification of information.  Termination of the Draw period places you into the Grace Period.


Advances: You may only use advances for educational expenses as outlined in the applicable program’s tuition fee schedule and all funds will be disbursed directly to your school.  During the Draw period the school must certify funds and provide proof of satisfactory progress and proof of enrollment as at least a half-time student status at intervals requested by the credit union.

After the initial advance, finance charges (interest) will begin to accrue immediately, calculated by taking the unpaid balance for each day since your last payment (or advance if you have not yet made a payment) and multiplying that by the applicable daily periodic rate.

Full Deferment: If you maintain the conditions set forth in the Draw period, you shall have the option of fully deferring principal and interest on the line of credit until graduation or the termination of the Draw period.  If you default on either condition or graduates, the Draw period ends and you will immediately enter the six month Grace period.Grace period: 

No payment of principal or interest shall be due during the six

(6) month period immediately following the Draw period.  If you leave school and return prior to entering repayment, you will receive the

Repayment of principal and interest will be deferred until after the Grace period.  Any unpaid accrued interest shall be capitalized at the end of the Grace Period.  The credit union will determine the payment amount that would be sufficient to repay the outstanding loan balance (including capitalized interest) and disclose this to you before the Repayment period begins.  

The minimum monthly payment amount will be $100.00.  You will be eligible for a rate reduction of 0.125% off your subsequent month’s payment if automated payments with a share account set up at Coastal Federal Credit Union are set up by the 25th of the previous month once repayment begins.  

Graduated Repayment: Students have the option of electing graduated repayment after the Grace period. 

This option temporarily lowers monthly payments by amortizing the first two repayment years over a 40 year period and then over either 18 or 23 years for the remaining balance.  This request must come in writing and no later than one month after the Grace period ends. 

full six (6) month grace period when you leave school again as long as you have maintained the conditions set forth in the Draw period.   

Late Charge: If you are more than fifteen (15) days late in making any payment, a late charge of $10.00 will be deducted from your payment for each late payment. 

Collection Costs: You agree to pay all costs of collecting the amount you owe under this agreement, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and court costs.

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