If you are considering hiring an attorney, you may have seen brief information about “contingency fees” or the attorney working on a “contingency fee basis”. Most people are unsure of exactly what a contingency fee basis is, how it works, or why it really benefits them. Fortunately, the team at Daic Law is here to help. Read on to find answers to some of the most common questions clients ask us.
What is a Contingency Fee Basis?
What Does Contingent Mean?
The definition of contingent means “dependent on or conditioned by something else”. This includes a payment being contingent on fulfillment of particular conditions. So, when a law firm operates on a contingency fee basis, that means that the fees you owe (if any) will depend on the outcome of your case.
What is a Contingency Fee Structure?
The primary purpose of using contingency fee structures is the understanding that you have sustained a personal injury and likely do not have money to pay for an attorney upfront. When you hire an attorney on a contingency fee basis, you will not pay any fees upfront. In most cases, will owe nothing unless your case is resolved in your favor (i.e. “won”).
If you agree to the contingency fee structure, your attorney will then outline their fees, or you will agree upon a certain percentage of the amount sought in the claim. In most cases, contingency fee agreements award the attorney between 25-50% of the recovery amount. In the vast majority of personal injury cases, the standard percentage awarded to the attorney is one-third, or 33.33%.
It is important to note, however, that this percentage can vary greatly depending on the nature of the case and the limits to damages that can be pursued. Further, if your case settles outside of trial, such as through mediation, then the percentage awarded to the attorney may be less than if the case proceeds to trial.
How do Contingency Fee Structures Work?
You may be asking yourself how a legal case can proceed if you do not pay any fees upfront. When a contingency fee agreement is reached, your attorney will pay any fees related to the case, which may include:
- Filing a lawsuit
- Arranging deposition payments
- Cost of obtaining medical records
- Cost of serving documents to opposing parties
What Happens if I Lose my Case?
If you lose your case, there will be no recovery, and thus, you will not be responsible for attorney’s fees. In these cases, neither you nor your attorney will receive a financial award. Depending on the details of your case and your fee agreement, you may be responsible for some of the legal fees we mention above.
Helping You Stay Financially Secure
At Daic Law, we understand how difficult it is to recover from an unexpected legal matter. Whether it is a personal injury, business dispute, or a change in financial security – it’s challenging. Our goal is to help protect your rights and pursue justice with as little strain on your life and family as possible. Contact Daic Law today for a free evaluation of your case. Send us an email to info@daiclaw.com, or call our office at 877-893-6040 today to learn more.
Daic Law helps clients throughout Texas with legal matters involving business disputes, personal injury, and debt defense.