Understanding Contingency Fees for a Personal Injury Lawyer
People who suffer personal injuries from an accident often wonder if it’s worth seeking help from a lawyer. They might be concerned about the cost, fearing that they’ll spend a lot of money on legal services with an uncertain outcome.
While some lawyers bill by the hour, that isn’t normal in personal injury law. Personal injury lawyers charge based on a contingency fee arrangement. Under a contingency fee agreement, the lawyer receives a percentage of the final award or court verdict in exchange for their services.
You don’t have to worry about paying for legal services upfront at Morgan and Morgan. Instead, we use a contingency fee agreement and collect our fees if we win your case. You can learn more about our cost structure by scheduling a free case evaluation with one of our skilled attorneys.
More answers to commonly asked questions
What Is a Contingency Fee Arrangement?
Under Morgan & Morgan’s contingency fee arrangement, our clients pay no upfront fees for our legal assistance. Instead, we collect a percentage of the court verdict or settlement if we win the case. If we don’t win your case, there’s no charge to you for our time. Instead, we accept the losses and move on.
What Is the Typical Percentage of a Contingency Fee Arrangement?
Each case is different, and the percentage granted to us in a contingency fee agreement will vary depending on the elements of the claim.
A lawsuit that will likely require less research, negotiation, and investigation may have a lower contingency fee percentage. Conversely, a claim requiring significant analysis, expert testimony, and footwork may have a higher contingency fee rate.
During our consultation with you, we’ll determine the appropriate contingency fee for your claim and give you the details of how your arrangement will work.
What If Your Case Goes to Trial?
If we don’t get a fair settlement for you during our negotiations, your case may go to trial. Your contingency fee arrangement structure does not change if the claim goes to court.
We will receive the same contingency fee percentage, regardless of whether the case requires additional work to prepare for trial or is resolved with a settlement.
What is An Example of a Contingency Fee Arrangement?
Suppose you visited a popular grocery store chain, and while shopping, you slipped and fell. You suffered a broken leg and a concussion. Your past and future medical costs are $150,000, and your lost past and future wages are $50,000. We’ve also asked for emotional suffering damages of $100,000.
The grocery store agrees to the full settlement of $300,000. Your contingency fee arrangement with us is 25% of the compensation, or $75,000. You take home a final amount of $225,000 after we deduct the $75,000 for our services.
How Long Does It Take to Collect Money After a Settlement or Court Verdict?
Several steps must happen before you receive your money following a successful court verdict or settlement.
First, you’ll need to sign a release form that declares you will not pursue further legal action against the defendant for the same claim. If you suffer a future accident with the same defendant, you can still sue, if necessary. However, your current claim against them ends once you sign the release form.
Next, your claim will go through internal processing procedures with the defendant. Internal processing involves cutting a check and ensuring that all relevant stakeholders sign off on the process. Internal processing times vary; many states allow up to 30 days before the defendant must send the check.
Finally, your attorney at Morgan & Morgan will receive your check and place it in escrow until it clears. Once the money clears the bank, we’ll deduct our fees and any other relevant expenses incurred since the beginning of the case.
Relevant expenses include payment for past medical bills associated with the accident and any court costs, like expert witness testimony or filing fees. After all of the costs settle, we’ll provide you with the balance of your settlement or court verdict.
From the date of the final settlement agreement or court verdict, it may take up to six weeks to receive your money.
Is It Worth Hiring a Lawyer?
In most personal injury claims, it is worth hiring an attorney. A personal injury lawyer will ensure that your rights are fully represented in the settlement or trial process. Without an attorney, you may unknowingly accept an unfair amount and walk away from the accident with less than you are due.
Morgan & Morgan has won countless cases where the defendant initially offered a meager settlement, and we were able to win much more through negotiations or in court. In fact, claims we take to trial may win as much as 20 times more than the pre-trial offer.
How Much Do We Charge?
Morgan and Morgan use a contingency fee structure for our services, which means that we receive a specific percentage of your settlement or court verdict. There is no charge for a consultation with us, and if we don’t win your case, you will not owe us any money for our services.
Get Help from Experienced Attorneys at Morgan & Morgan
Morgan and Morgan is the largest personal injury law firm in the U.S. We have over 800 attorneys practicing all types of personal injury law. If you’re suffering from injuries related to an accident, you’ll need legal representation from qualified, experienced lawyers.
Contact Morgan & Morgan to schedule a free case review today.