The settlement of a casualty or workers’ compensation claim involving periodic annuity payments over an extended period of time, rather than in one up-front, lump sum cash payment. There may be certain advantages to a claimant under a structured settlement, including tax treatment of interest under the Internal Revenue Code, that are not present under a lump sum cash settlement. Structured settlements are designed to guard against the early dissipation of settlement proceeds by recipients, who are often minors or those in need of life-time care as a result of their injuries.