Are structured judgments mandatory in Florida?

Structured judgments are generally not mandatory in Florida. However, structured settlements are commonly used in Florida, particularly in cases involving: catastrophic injuries; birth injuries; long-term medica needs; and wrongful death claims. A structured settlement is a way of receiving compensation over time instead of in a single lump sum. Instead of one check, payments are made in scheduled installments—monthly, annually, or at specific future dates. Florida law also provides protections for recipients through the Structured Settlement Protection Act, which governs transfers of future payments and requires court oversight.