You are entitled to know, to the extent that we can reasonably inform you at your first visit, what your fee will be. We encourage a frank, open discussion about our fees with each client at the time of the first interview.
Fee Arrangements
Lawyers are paid under various fee arrangements.
Hourly Fee
On an hourly fee basis, fees are based on an hourly rate for services rendered. A detailed, itemized bill will be given to you showing all work done on your case. This explanation may come monthly or at the end of your case, whichever way you choose to be billed. Unless otherwise agreed, the hourly fee basis will be the presumed fee arrangement.
Flat Fee
On a flat fee basis, your legal fee is a stated sum for agreed upon services. No accounting will be made.
Contingency Fee
On a contingency fee basis, your legal fees will be based on the amount of recovery we get for you; no recovery, no fee. You may have the option of choosing this plan in lieu of hourly charges. Not all cases qualify for the contingency basis; we will tell you if yours does. In either case, we will prepare for you an employment agreement setting forth the fee arrangement.
Other Potential Fees
A pre-payment will often be required in order to begin to process your matter and you will be kept advised as to how that pre-payment is being used. Bills will be sent to you periodically showing your charges and payments.
Certain cases may have a minimum fee. This means that no hourly accounting will be made unless excess time is expended.
We try to keep legal fees as reasonable as possible. The amount of services required, however, is not fully within our control. We discuss with our client options for services and the benefits of services. Sometimes, however, services are directly related to an opposing party’s action or inaction. Please feel free to discuss fees with your lawyer.
In addition to legal fees, there are various expenses that must be paid to others in order to prepare your legal matter. For example, payments must be made to obtain necessary reports or copies of necessary documents, to employ court reporters to take depositions, to obtain licenses or permits from governmental authorities, to file suits in courts of law, in addition to other outside entities that are necessary to help your cause. Generally, the amounts of these charges will be in direct proportion to the complexity of the matter involved. The easier your matter is to solve, the less these costs will ordinarily be.
At the start of your legal matter, we will try to estimate for you the amount of out-of-pocket expenses which may be incurred on your behalf. We will discuss with you whether or when you will be required to reimburse us for these expenditures which are made on your behalf to further your legal cause.
The primary contingency fee definition is a fee arrangement that allows you to avoid out-of-pocket costs entirely. It is a percentage of the settlement that you receive if you win your case. That’s right; your lawyer only gets paid if you win.
It might seem like a high risk for the lawyer, but the reward per case can be considerable. Contingency fees provide the lawyer with an incentive to get you the highest settlement possible as quickly as possible. Most personal injury lawyers charge 33 1/3 percent if the case settles without filing a lawsuit and 40% if a lawsuit is filed.
Yes, personal injury attorneys, in our firm usually work on a contingency basis. This type of fee arrangement ensures that personal injury lawyers fight to obtain reimbursement for all of our client’s harms and losses.
In most states, injury victims are entitled to be reimbursed for all of their accident related harms and losses. This includes past medical expenses, future medical expenses, lost wages, funeral expenses, loss of companionship, pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and others. Injuries affect everyone differently and each case presents its own unique set of circumstances. Our injury lawyers can help determine all of the financial which apply to your case.
It is best to file a personal injury lawsuit as quickly as possible, so please bring all medical records, medical bills, health information and any other relevant documents regarding your personal injury case to your initial consultation.
The average time it takes for a personal injury case to go to trial is one to two years from the time the lawsuit is filed; however, the time it takes to reach a settlement varies greatly from one case to the next. This is largely dependent on the injuries a person receives. Some cases are complete in 2-3 months, and others may take much longer depending on the circumstances.