My friend is thinking about getting a divorce. Her question is, her husband got hurt at work and is in the process of getting a settlement. It could take up to 3 or 4 years before it is settled. If she divorce him before that time... would she receive any of that money when received?

Probably not. If he doesn't receive the money until after the divorce is finalized then she wouldn't have any legitimate claim to it.

You can have it written in the Decree that she gets X number of dollars. Most likely they would have to agree that she could have it, I can't see a Judge saying that she can have half of something that not in their hands now, but crazier things have happened. The big thing is would he be willing to give her part of it or will it be a messy thing?