Contingent Fee
After an accident, you could face medical debt, lost pay, out-of-pocket expenses, and other costs due to your injuries. Even though you need legal help to file a personal injury claim, you might feel that you are unable to afford a lawyer. The good news is that most personal injury lawyers will work for clients on a contingent fee basis. This means their clients do not pay upfront attorney’s fees and only pay if their lawyer wins their case.
The goal is to make sure you have quality legal representation to seek compensation for your losses. At the same time, the attorney will work on a contingent fee basis, so you do not have to worry about legal fees while fighting to get paid for your own costs. Personal injury lawyers don’t get paid until you do, and they will use their skill and experience to seek what you deserve.
What Is a Contingent Fee Agreement?
A contingent fee agreement is an arrangement in which a lawyer collects attorney fees only if their client receives payment through a settlement or verdict. The lawyer would then receive a percentage of the money they recovered in a personal injury claim. The lawyer’s payment would factor in their time, and costs advanced during the case.
Before starting work on a contingent fee case, a personal injury lawyer will carefully review the facts of your case. An experienced personal injury lawyer will be able to estimate your claim’s worth based on what they’ve seen in similar cases.
If it seems likely that your personal injury claim has value, the personal injury law firm you retain can give time and resources to your case without the need for upfront legal fees. When a personal injury case ends, the firm would then typically collect about 30-35% of the monetary award.
Your lawyer will also have you review a contingent fee agreement at the start of your case. This agreement will explain the work expected to be done by the firm and what they might expect from you as your case proceeds.
What Does the Fee Agreement Cover?
The contingent fee agreement will explain the costs that are covered and those that are not. The exact terms of the agreement can vary based on your situation, as all personal injury claims are unique. However, some clients will face no out-of-pocket costs while the case proceeds.
In addition to the attorney’s fees, costs to be addressed in a fee agreement can include:
- Expert witnesses. Hiring an expert witness to analyze your case and testify can do a lot to boost your claim. Most experts require payment of their own fees, however.
- Court fees. Filing a lawsuit and taking it to trial will involve filing fees and other court costs. These may be advanced by the law firm.
- Costs for certified records. If your claim depends on documents from law enforcement, hospitals, insurers, and other authorities, costs are usually involved. However, these documents can be essential to your claim.
Typically, these costs are deducted from a settlement or verdict, so clients face no out-of-pocket expenses. A personal injury lawyer can work with you to create a contingent fee agreement that fits your needs and goals.
Why Use a Contingent Fee Agreement?
Your results in a personal injury case shouldn’t be limited by your financial resources. As you could face mounting medical bills and other expenses, attorney fees should not be an obstacle to the justice you deserve. Contingent fees work for attorneys and clients alike because their goals will be aligned throughout the case.
If a personal injury lawyer agrees to take on your case, it is because they believe your odds of success are good. For the attorney, the more money they can make for you, the more they can be paid themselves at the case’s end. This gives your lawyer a strong incentive to fight hard, while you don’t have to worry about fees until you are paid.
In many other fee arrangements between attorneys and clients, the lawyer works at an hourly rate. Typically, their hourly fees will be drawn from a large upfront payment known as a retainer. When a client’s retainer runs out, they must pay an additional retainer or keep up with fees through monthly invoices. In some cases, a lawyer will stop representing the client if they can no longer pay.
You don’t have to worry about your lawyer giving up on your case in a contingent fee agreement. Your skilled legal team will continue to push for a settlement or verdict in your favor. Another benefit of a contingent fee agreement is it allows access to skilled and knowledgeable Baton Rouge personal injury lawyers regardless of your financial situation.
How Much Does a Personal Injury Case Cost?
Personal injury cases in Louisiana can involve the following expenses in addition to attorney fees:
- Costs to collect evidence, such as medical records, police reports, and video footage;
- Costs to hire an expert witness, including their time and testimony at trial;
- Costs of materials and supplies needed to present your claim to insurance companies and in the courtroom;
- Filing fees and court costs.
Many of these costs would be impossible for an accident victim to pay for on their own. An experienced law firm supplies the resources to pay what’s needed to advance your case.
Contact a Baton Rouge Personal Injury Lawyer Today
Worried about the cost of hiring a lawyer for your personal injury case? Don’t let attorney fees keep you from seeking the financial recovery you deserve. With a contingent fee agreement, a personal injury lawyer can pursue your legal rights with no upfront costs to you. Learn more about contingent fee arrangements during a free consultation at (225) 344 3735.