When facing a legal issue, having a lawyer can make all the difference in the success of your case. This is especially true in personal injury and wrongful death cases, where a lawyer’s expertise can help you get the maximum possible compensation that you deserve.
But when you’re dealing with the fallout from a car accident or a serious injury, paying for a lawyer is probably the last thing on your mind. If you’re facing medical bills or having to take time off from work, legal fees are probably not in your budget, either.
That’s where a contingency fee structure comes in – to get you the legal help you need without having to break the bank. Instead of paying your lawyer’s fees upfront, a contingency fee gets paid only after you’ve won your case. And if you don’t win, you don’t pay.
If contingency fees didn’t exist, then insurance companies with deep pockets could use delay tactics to bury victims in legal fees until they give up on their cases. But contingency fees allow you to get the justice and compensation you deserve without the financial burden.
When you work with Sepulveda Sanchez Law on a contingency fee basis, we only get paid if you win. We take on the risk upfront so that you can focus on your recovery and your family. We’re just as invested in the success of your case as you are.
What Are Contingency Fees and How Do They Work?
Personal injury and wrongful death cases can get complicated because there’s so much at stake. Victims who file civil lawsuits could get tens of thousands of dollars in damages. A good lawyer can significantly affect the amount of compensation you get by presenting the evidence in the strongest possible light and negotiating a proper settlement agreement.
But because the stakes are so high, these types of cases can go on for months before they resolve or settle. As a victim who’s already dealing with the impact of an injury or loss on your life, it might be impossible to actually afford a lawyer upfront.
As a client, contingency fees offer many advantages:
- You don’t have to take on the risk yourself. Lawyers who take cases on a contingency basis pay upfront for everything necessary to resolve your case. Your lawyer pays for expert witnesses and other legal expenses, not you. You can focus on your health and recovery instead of worrying about legal fees.
- You only pay legal fees if you win your case and get compensation. You don’t have to go into debt or empty your savings to get the legal help you need. And if your case isn’t successful for whatever reason, you’re off the hook.
- Your legal team is just as invested in your case as you are. If your lawyer doesn’t get paid unless you win your case, they’re going to do everything in their power to make sure that you win. When you hire an attorney on a contingency fee basis, they’re essentially investing in your case – they believe it’s worth fighting for and you have a chance to win. Plus, contingency fees are usually based on percentages, so your lawyer gets paid more the more you recover in a judgment or settlement. So your attorney is incentivized to make sure you get the maximum possible compensation for your losses.
Essentially, contingency fees put the responsibility of paying for your legal fees onto the party who harmed you. Your lawyer’s fees get taken out of the final judgment or settlement that you receive, paid by whoever is responsible for your damages.
What Is a Standard Contingency Fee Agreement?
Just like attorney’s fees, contingency fees can vary significantly between lawyers and law firms. Usually, contingency fees are based on a percentage of the total recovery in your case.
Your lawyer’s contingency fee percentage may vary between 33.3 to 50% depending on the type of case, whether there are any additional complications involved, and the attorney’s level of experience and expertise. Your lawyer should fully explain the details of your contingency fee to you so that you fully understand what to expect from the arrangement.
Your lawyer may also offer a mixed hourly fee or contingency hourly fee arrangement.
- In a mixed hourly fee arrangement, you pay a lower percentage of your lawyer’s fees upfront and the rest comes out of the compensation you get after your case resolves.
- In a contingency hourly fee arrangement, your lawyer will record the total number of hours they’ve worked on your case. After your case resolves, they will take out the cost of their hourly work from the judgment or settlement your receive.
In a pure contingency fee agreement, you may have to pay some minor administrative expenses up front but your lawyer will be paid entirely from your case recovery. After your case finalizes, your attorney will take out their fees from your total compensation.
Do Contingency Fees Include Expenses?
You should go over the details of your contingency fee agreement with your attorney. But in general, contingency fees cover expenses related to your case as well as attorney’s fees.
When your attorney takes your case on a contingency fee basis, they’ll pay any expenses related to your case from their own pocket upfront. They may pay expert witnesses to testify on your behalf or order tests to find the evidence you need to win. Once your case resolves, your attorney will be reimbursed from the funds you receive as compensation.
Why Do Lawyers Take Cases on Contingency?
At Sepulveda Sanchez Law, the reason we take cases on a contingency fee basis is simple – to help our clients when they need our counsel the most.
Everyone deserves justice, not just people who can afford to pay expensive lawyers upfront. We step up to bat for you so that you don’t have to worry about how you’ll pay for legal representation. Fighting for your rights shouldn’t wreck your finances, especially not when you’re already dealing with injuries or the death of a loved one.
With a contingency fee structure, you get the legal help you deserve and our law firm takes on the risk for you. Click here to get discuss your case with our talented legal team now.