Frequently Asked Questions

Possibly. Losing money on an investment is not, by itself, a claim. But if a structured product was unsuitable for your situation, if its risks were misrepresented or not explained, or if your account was over-concentrated in these products, you may have grounds to recover through FINRA arbitration. The only way to know is to have the facts reviewed — that review is free and confidential.

Yes. How a product was described to you is central to a securities claim. Many structured products are sold with reassuring language — 'safe,' 'income,' 'like a CD,' 'principal-protected' — that does not match how the product actually behaves. If you were told one thing and sold another, that gap is exactly what a claim examines.

Yes. In 2026, FINRA opened a review of how firms sell and supervise higher-risk structured products — singling out non-principal-protected 'worst-of' notes — and has reminded firms that a 'principal-protected' label does not make a product suitable for an older investor seeking safety. Separately, investors have won significant FINRA arbitration awards against major brokerage firms over how structured notes were sold. You don't have to wait for a regulator, though: an investor's right to pursue their own claim in FINRA arbitration is independent of any regulatory review.

When you opened your brokerage account, you almost certainly signed an agreement requiring disputes to be resolved through FINRA arbitration rather than the court system. FINRA arbitration is a private, binding process designed for exactly these securities disputes. It is generally faster than litigation and is the standard forum for investor claims against brokerage firms.

Most cases resolve in roughly 12 to 18 months from the filing of the Statement of Claim, though timelines vary with complexity, the amount in dispute, and whether the case settles before a hearing. Many matters settle along the way.

Depending on the facts, recoverable damages can include your out-of-pocket losses, 'well-managed account' damages (what a suitable, properly managed portfolio would have earned instead), interest, costs, and in some cases a portion of attorneys' fees or punitive damages. Every case is different, and no outcome can be guaranteed.

An initial case evaluation is free. Securities arbitration claims are frequently handled on a contingency-fee basis, meaning attorneys' fees are a percentage of any recovery and you generally owe no attorneys' fees unless there is a recovery. Specific fee arrangements are discussed and confirmed in writing before any engagement.

Preserve everything: account statements, the original sales materials, emails and texts with your advisor, and any notes you have. Do not sign anything new from the brokerage firm without understanding it. Then schedule a free, confidential consultation so the facts can be reviewed before any deadlines pass.