ℹ️ No Win, No Fee: Contingency fees allow injured victims to access quality legal representation without upfront costs. You only pay if you win your case.
Understanding Contingency Fees in Personal Injury Cases
Contingency fee arrangements are governed by state bar rules. The American Bar Association provides ethical guidelines. Nolo explains typical fee structures of 33-40% of recovery.
Contingency fee arrangements make legal representation accessible to injury victims who could not otherwise afford an attorney. Under this arrangement, the attorney receives a percentage of your recovery only if you win. Understanding how these fees work helps you make informed decisions about legal representation.
How Contingency Fees Work
In a contingency fee arrangement, the attorney agrees to represent you in exchange for a percentage of any settlement or verdict. If you recover nothing, you owe no attorney fees. This aligns the attorney incentive with your interests.
Typical Fee Percentages
- Pre-litigation settlement: 33% (one-third) is standard
- After filing lawsuit: 40% is common due to increased work
- Through trial: Some agreements increase to 45% if case goes to verdict
- Appeals: May increase further for appellate work
- Negotiable: Fees can be negotiated, especially for clear liability cases
Case Costs vs. Attorney Fees
Case costs are separate from attorney fees and include expenses incurred during your case:
- Filing fees: Court costs to file lawsuit ($200-$500)
- Medical records: Fees for obtaining treatment records ($25-$100 per provider)
- Expert witnesses: Accident reconstructionists, medical experts ($2,000-$20,000+)
- Depositions: Court reporter fees, transcript costs
- Investigation: Private investigators, scene documentation
- Service of process: Fees to serve defendants
How Your Recovery is Calculated
Example: $100,000 settlement with 33% contingency fee and $5,000 in costs:
- Total settlement: $100,000
- Attorney fee (33%): $33,000
- Case costs: $5,000
- Your recovery: $62,000
Questions to Ask About Fees
- What is your contingency percentage?
- Does the percentage change if we go to trial?
- Are costs deducted before or after the attorney fee is calculated?
- What costs should I expect in my type of case?
- Do I owe anything if we lose?
- How are liens and subrogation handled?
ℹ️ Free Consultation: Quick Claim partner attorneys offer free case evaluations and explain their fee structures clearly. No hidden costs. Call (773) 839-6086.