If you’ve been injured and you are considering hiring an attorney to represent you in a personal injury lawsuit, you may be wondering how you will pay them for their time and effort. You know that you’ll need an attorney’s help to seek rightful compensation, but what if you don’t have the funds to pay them up front? Given that you’ve recently been injured, chances are that you’re grappling with medical bills and the impacts of taking time away from work. If you can’t afford retainer fees right now, can you still hire an experienced personal injury attorney?
The good news is that many personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis. Embracing a contingency fee model means that your attorney will only get paid if you’re awarded compensation. The lawyers at Dozier Law work on a contingency basis when handling injury cases. We can assist you with navigating your personal injury case regardless of your financial situation. Call 888-239-2129 or contact us online today to schedule a free initial consultation with a distinguished member of our legal team.
What Is A Contingency Fee?
A contingency fee is a fee charged to a client for services provided by attorneys and their staff only if the attorney has obtained a favorable outcome for the client. In other words, your attorney gets paid if you are awarded compensation. Your attorney will cover the upfront costs of putting the case together, negotiating with interested parties, and (if necessary) bringing it to trial. A portion of any settlement or judgment that you’re awarded (the amount of money you recover) will be paid to the attorney to cover those costs.
When Is A Contingency Fee Paid?
Per the terms of a contingency fee arrangement, you will not have to worry about paying hourly fees or finding a way to make payments while your case is being negotiated or litigated. Contingency fees are only paid if you are awarded compensation. Only after a settlement is agreed to or after the conclusion of a successful trial will a contingency fee need to be paid.
The funds will initially be given to your attorney. At that point, they will prepare a settlement disbursement sheet that will lay out each expense incurred with bringing your case. Your attorney will review this document with you. After you confirm that the distribution matches the terms of your pre-approved contingency fee arrangement, the funds from your lawsuit will be disbursed to you and your attorney accordingly.
Types Of Costs Associated With Filing A Lawsuit
Depending on the type of case you are bringing and the injuries you have suffered, your attorney will incur many different types of expenses when constructing your case and advocating on your behalf. These expenses will vary in value depending upon a number of factors. Below are some of the costs your attorney may encounter while preparing and pursuing your case:
- Doctor visits
- Police report retrieval expenses
- Medical treatments
- Medical report retrieval expenses
- Interviewing witnesses
- Expert witness fees
- Filing fees
- Postage fees
- Attorney time
- Paralegal/Legal assistant hourly reimbursement
Personal injury cases can take more than a year to fully resolve, so many of these expenses could arise multiple times. Your personal injury attorney will log and keep track of expenses they incur. You may be required to reimburse them out of your settlement for these expenses. You should be made aware of how fees will be billed before you agree to the terms of a contingency fee arrangement.
Benefit Of Contingency Fee Arrangements
For many injury victims, the benefits of contingency fee arrangements are numerous. Freeing you from the worry of trying to figure out how you will be able to pay an attorney and all of the fees associated with bringing your case can help you to focus your energy on recovering from your injuries. You can take the time to take care of yourself and heal.
By having your attorney front the cost of your lawsuit, they will make sure the best experts are retained and no expense is spared to achieve a favorable result. After all, if you’re not awarded compensation, they won’t get paid.
Contact A Georgia Personal Injury Attorney At Our Firm Today
If you or someone you know has suffered injury as a result of another’s negligence, recklessness, or intentionally harmful conduct in Georgia, the attorneys at Dozier Law can help. Call 888-239-2129 or contact us online today to schedule a risk-free, confidential consultation. We can help you determine the best way forward and further explain how a contingency fee works and how a contingency fee arrangement can potentially help to better ensure that you’re awarded the compensation you deserve.
