Most personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. That means that they recover their fees after they have managed to recover a settlement or verdict in favor of their client.
Most personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. That means that they recover their fees after they have managed to recover a settlement or verdict in favor of their client. Usually, the contingency fee amounts to a certain percentage of the money that has been recovered.
Contingency fee plans are very beneficial for persons who have suffered an injury, because you will have to pay the lawyer only if he settles your claim, or wins the case for you. If there is no settlement, there is no question of paying the attorney, and all legal expenses will be borne by the attorney.
There is no set percentage that has been defined for lawyer fees. These percentages may vary from region to region and from state to state. Broadly however, you may find that most personal injury attorneys in California work on the same percentage basis.
You can expect the contingency fee to be between 30% to 40% of the compensation that is awarded to you. Whatever the percentage, it is reasonable to expect that a personal injury attorney will explain the contingency fee percentage to you before he takes on your case. In fact, it is highly recommended that you are clear on the percentage that is owed to the attorney before you hire a lawyer for your case, or sign on any kind of documentation.
How Contingency Fees Change If Your Case Goes to Trial
Many clients wonder, “do personal injury lawyer fees increase if my case goes to court?” The answer is typically yes. Most personal injury attorneys in California use a sliding fee structure that adjusts based on case stage. A personal injury attorney works on a contingency fee basis, but the percentage often increases if settlement negotiations fail and formal litigation becomes necessary.
For example, an attorney might charge 33% if your case settles before filing a lawsuit, but 40% if the case proceeds to trial. This reflects the significant additional time, resources, and expertise required during litigation. The State Bar of California requires that all fee arrangements be clearly outlined in your written retainer agreement before representation begins.
During your initial case evaluation, ask your attorney to explain their complete fee schedule, including any adjustments for trial or appeals. Understanding these potential changes helps you make informed decisions about your client-attorney relationship and ensures there are no surprises if your case requires courtroom advocacy.
It is also recommended that you clarify with your personal injury lawyer whether the percentage will be calculated on the gross amount of compensation, which is the amount before removing attorney fees, legal expenses and other costs, or the net compensation which is the money that is left over after you remove all expenses and costs.
One of our Meeting Locations: The Reeves Law Group 43141 Business Center Pkwy, Suite 200A Lancaster, CA 93535 (661) 202-3142
