Understanding Contingency Fees in Personal Injury Cases

When a person is injured due to the negligence of another, their right to seek financial compensation rests on the foundation of personal injury law. Because legal representation can be expensive, many personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis.

What is a contingency fee? A contingency fee is an arrangement in which a lawyer represents a client in a legal case without charging a fee unless the case is won. This is a common arrangement in personal injury cases. When a client is represented by a lawyer on a contingency fee basis, the lawyer typically charges a percentage of the total amount recovered as a fee for their services. The exact percentage varies from lawyer to lawyer and is typically outlined in a written agreement between the lawyer and the client.

Contingency fees are beneficial for both the lawyer and the client. For the client, there is no up-front payment for legal services. The lawyer only receives a fee if the client is successful in the case—if the client loses the case, the lawyer does not receive a fee. This type of arrangement is beneficial for the lawyer because they are not risking their time and resources on a case unless there is a good chance that they will be compensated for their efforts.

It is important to understand how contingency fees work in personal injury cases. The exact fee charged by the lawyer is determined by the amount of the settlement or award. The lawyer’s fee will typically be a percentage of the total amount recovered. In some cases, the lawyer may also be entitled to a percentage of the future medical treatment costs or other expenses related to the case. The lawyer will explain all of the details of the fee arrangement prior to entering into a contract.

Contingency fees are an important part of personal injury cases and can be beneficial for both the lawyer and the client. Understanding how contingency fees work can help ensure that an injured person gets the legal representation they need.

• The exact percentage of the contingency fee varies from lawyer to lawyer.
• The lawyer’s fee will typically be a percentage of the total amount recovered.
• The lawyer may also be entitled to a percentage of the future medical treatment costs or other expenses related to the case.
• The lawyer will explain all of the details of the fee arrangement prior to entering into a contract.