What Oasis Legal Finance Does
Oasis Legal Finance is a lawsuit funding company that lends money to people involved in pending civil lawsuits. You receive cash upfront while your case is still in progress, and repay the loan only if you win or settle. The company funds personal injury cases, employment disputes, medical malpractice claims, and other civil matters where a financial recovery is expected.
Unlike a traditional loan, you do not make monthly payments. Oasis holds the repayment until your case closes. If you lose, you owe nothing. This structure exists because the company takes on real risk—they fund cases that may never pay out, so they charge a fee (called a "factor rate" or "purchase price") that is higher than a bank loan would be.
The money comes from Oasis, not from your attorney or the court. Your lawyer does not have to approve the funding, though many firms work with Oasis regularly and can refer you. The process is separate from your lawsuit itself.
Key Takeaways
- Oasis lends money during a pending lawsuit and takes repayment from your settlement or judgment, so you pay nothing if you lose.
- The cost of borrowing is a percentage fee (typically 30 to 50 percent of the loan amount, depending on case type and timeline), not a monthly interest rate.
- Funding usually takes one to two weeks after you submit your case details and sign documents, though some urgent requests move faster.
- Your attorney's office can submit your case to Oasis, or you can contact Oasis directly with basic information about your lawsuit.
- The loan reduces the net amount you receive at settlement, so you should understand the total cost before accepting the money.
How Much You Can Borrow and What It Costs
Oasis does not lend a fixed amount. Instead, they assess your case and offer a loan amount based on what they believe the case is worth and how likely you are to win. A case with strong liability and clear damages might may have access to for more money than a case with disputed facts or lower damages.
The cost is a percentage of the loan, not a monthly interest rate. If you borrow $5,000 and the fee is 40 percent, you repay $7,000 when your case settles. The longer your case takes, the higher the fee can be—cases that drag on for years may carry fees of 50 percent or more. Oasis publishes ranges but does not post exact rates publicly, because each case is priced individually.
You should ask Oasis for the total repayment amount in writing before you accept the loan. Many people focus on the cash they receive today and underestimate what they will owe later. If your settlement is $20,000 and your loan was $5,000 with a 40 percent fee, you owe $7,000 back, leaving you $13,000 net. That math matters.
The process and Approval Process
You start by providing basic information about your lawsuit: the type of case, when it was filed, who the defendant is, and what damages you are seeking. Oasis asks for your attorney's contact information so they can verify the case details directly with your lawyer's office. This verification step usually takes a few days.
Once Oasis confirms the case exists and reviews the facts, they make an offer: a loan amount and a fee. You do not have to accept. If you do, you sign a contract and a lien agreement. The lien tells your attorney and the court that Oasis has a claim on your settlement proceeds. Your attorney's office will hold back the repayment amount from your check and send it to Oasis.
Funding typically arrives within one to two weeks of signing. Some companies offer expedited funding for an additional fee if you need the money faster. You should confirm the timeline with Oasis before you commit, especially if you are facing an urgent bill or eviction.
When Oasis Funding Makes Sense
Lawsuit funding is most useful when you are waiting for a settlement and facing a genuine financial hardship right now. If you cannot pay rent, medical bills, or living expenses while your case is pending, the cash can bridge that gap. It is also practical if your attorney has advised you that settlement is likely within a specific timeframe—say, six to twelve months—because the fee will be lower than if the case drags on.
Funding is less useful if your case is still in early discovery or if liability is unclear. Oasis will decline to fund weak cases, and even if they do, the fee will be steep because the risk to them is high. You should only borrow if you genuinely need the money now, not because the option exists.
Some people use lawsuit funding to avoid settling early for less than the case is worth. If you are under pressure to take a low settlement offer because you need money, a small loan from Oasis can give you breathing room to wait for a better offer. That is a legitimate use, but it only works if your attorney believes the case will settle for more than you would accept today.
Risks and Downsides to Consider
The primary risk is that you reduce your net recovery. If you borrow $10,000 at a 45 percent fee, you repay $14,500. That money comes directly from your settlement, so it is money you do not keep. Over time, if your case takes years to resolve, the fee compounds and can become very large.
A second risk is that you may feel pressure to settle quickly to repay the loan. If Oasis has funded you and your case is moving slowly, you might accept a settlement offer that is lower than what you could have gotten if you waited. This is a psychological pressure, not a legal one—Oasis cannot force you to settle—but it is real.
There is also a small risk that your case will be dismissed or you will lose at trial. If that happens, you owe Oasis nothing, but you also have no settlement to live on. You will have spent the borrowed money on living expenses and have no recovery to show for it. This is why you should only borrow what you truly need.
Alternatives to Lawsuit Funding
Before you approach Oasis, consider whether you can cover your expenses another way. A personal loan from a bank or credit union is cheaper if you can may have access to, because the interest rate is lower and you have a fixed repayment schedule. A credit card advance or line of credit is also cheaper than lawsuit funding, though it requires monthly payments.
Some attorneys offer case advances or attorney loans, where the law firm itself lends you money against your expected recovery. These are sometimes cheaper than third-party funding because the attorney has a direct stake in the case and may charge a lower fee. Ask your lawyer whether this is an option.
If you are facing eviction or a utility shutoff, contact your local legal aid office or housing authority. Many communities have emergency information programs that do not require repayment. These are slower than lawsuit funding but cost nothing if you may have access to. A 211 call (dial 2-1-1 in most areas) can connect you to local programs in your area.
How to Contact Oasis and What to Have Ready
You can reach Oasis directly through their website or by phone. You will need your case number, the name of your attorney or law firm, the court where the case is filed, and a brief description of what the lawsuit is about. Have this information ready before you call.
If your attorney has worked with Oasis before, ask them to submit your case. Many law firms have a relationship with Oasis and can move the process faster. If you are submitting on your own, be prepared to sign a release so Oasis can contact your attorney's office to verify the case details.
Do not feel rushed. Oasis will pressure you to decide quickly, but you have the right to take time, discuss the offer with your attorney, and think about whether you actually need the money. Read the contract carefully, especially the total repayment amount and the timeline for when you must repay.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if my case settles for less than Oasis expected?
You still owe Oasis the full repayment amount from your contract, even if the settlement is smaller than they predicted. This is why you should only borrow an amount you are confident your case will cover. If your settlement is $8,000 and you owe Oasis $7,000, you keep $1,000. Discuss worst-case scenarios with your attorney before you borrow.
Can I borrow from Oasis if my case is already settled but I am waiting for the check?
Some funding companies offer post-settlement loans, but Oasis primarily funds cases that are still pending. If your case is settled and you are straightforward waiting for the payout, a personal loan or credit card may be faster and cheaper. Contact Oasis directly to ask whether they fund settled cases.
Does borrowing from Oasis affect my credit score?
No. Oasis does not report to credit bureaus because the loan is not a traditional debt. You do not make monthly payments, and there is no credit check. The lien is recorded with your case, not with a credit agency. Your credit score is not affected.
What if my attorney will not work with Oasis?
Some attorneys decline to work with lawsuit funding companies because they believe it pressures clients to settle early or because they prefer other funding options. If your attorney objects, respect that. They may offer their own case advance, or you may need to explore other borrowing options. Oasis cannot fund your case without your attorney's cooperation.
How long does it take to get the money after I am approved?
Standard funding takes one to two weeks after you sign the contract. Oasis will wire the money directly to you or, in some cases, to your attorney's trust account. Expedited funding may be available for an additional fee and can move in a few days, but confirm the exact timeline before you commit.