How much do you charge?

A: Most injury cases are handled by attorneys on a “contingent fee” which means if you get a settlement or a jury verdict in your favor, the attorneys fees come out of that recovery. The purpose of a contingent fee is to allow people with limited financial means to hire a lawyer. It allows you to get the same high-quality legal representation that insurance companies have but without paying hourly attorney fees up front.  In most personal injury cases, lawyers don't charge by the hour. Instead, a contingent fee is calculated based on a percentage of your recovery amount (settlement or jury award).  The percentage is usually 1/3 before filing a lawsuit, and 40% if a lawsuit is required. If there is no recovery then you owe the attorney nothing.  That is how I handle cases also, but not all attorneys handle costs the same way. Costs are all the expenses of the case (Typical costs include charges for copying medical records, filing fees, investigation, expert witness fees, deposition fees, etc), and some attorneys expect you to pay those costs even if your case is lost! I have never practiced that way. For 22 years my contract has always stated that both my fees and costs are only paid out of a recovery. I have always felt better promising a client that no matter how the cases turns out, there is no way you will ever have to come out of pocket to me.

A contingent fee arrangement makes it possible for anyone who has a legitimate claim to hire a lawyer. This gives everyone access to the justice system and assures them that they will be able to protect their legal rights against the interests of powerful defendants like corporations and insurance companies.