Among museum professionals, Monday's settlement was more an occasion of relief than of jubilation.
But at a conclave of settlement professionals here this week, the mood was more of crisis than celebration.
The National Hockey League has named four agencies to help revive interest in professional hockey after the settlement of the lockout that led to the cancellation of the 2004-5 season.
People who suddenly fall into extreme wealth — whether because of an insurance settlement, a professional sports contract, or a lottery win — rarely know how to handle their new circumstances.
Among the officials appearing before MPs will be Edward Troup, HMRC's senior tax professional, responsible for overseeing settlements in sensitive tax disputes.
Thomas A. Bowman, president of the Association for Investment Management and Research, a nonprofit organization of financial analysts, portfolio managers and other investment professionals, lauded the Merrill settlement and said firms must do even more to foster unbiased research.
The professionals at the structured settlement transfer company will make sure the right documentation is submitted at the right time.
He qualified for California Workers Compensation, yielding $1,750 social security disability a month, but missed out on the NFL settlement because his professional career lasted less than four years.
Diana Levine, a professional guitarist, secured a handsome settlement from her treating physician for her gangrene, which caused amputation.
