There are a number of different attorney fees structures. Some lawyers have fixed rates and bill their clients on an hourly basis. Others are paid a fixed or “flat” fee by clients for their work on a case. Still other lawyers receive a contingency fee that is paid by the client from the proceeds of a settlement or judgment.
In personal injury cases handled by The Reinartz Law Firm, we offer our clients the option of a contingency fee. Under this arrangement, clients do not pay out-of-pocket attorneys’ fees during a case, and only pay the firm when we obtain a settlement or judgment in their favor.
The Benefit of Contingency Fees in Personal Injury Cases
Wrongfully injured individuals usually have various out-of-pocket costs associated with their injury, in addition to lost wages, medical bills and other expenses. A contingency fee arrangement allows these individuals to retain an experienced personal injury lawyer to seek compensation for damages caused by a life-changing injury. In this regard, the injured person only pays the attorney a fee when a monetary award is obtained for the client at the end of the case.
The Attorney’s Fee
The attorney’s fee is typically approximately 1/3 of the recovery, after deducting the costs of suit from the gross amount of the settlement or judgment. Your attorney will spend numerous hours working on your case from the time of initial consultation, to pre-suit investigation, preparation of pleadings and written discovery, attending depositions, working with your experts and deposing your adversary’s experts, and preparing for trial and trying the case if necessary. A contingency fee arrangement avoids what could otherwise amount to thousands of dollars of attorneys’ fees under an alternative fee arrangement. The client only pays the attorney a fee if a monetary award is achieved at the end of the case.
If you have been the victim of negligence or wrongfully injured by another, The Reinartz Law Firm would be pleased to offer you a free consultation and answer any questions you may have.
