Case Costs and Contingency Fees
If someone else’s negligence has caused you to suffer debilitating or painfulpersonal injuries, you may have already had the idea of filing a lawsuit against them to seek financial compensation. However, the idea of paying high attorney fees to do so might have understandably put hesitation into your mind. After all, there is never a guarantee that you will win a beneficial settlement, no matter how the evidence is stacked in your favor. Could hiring a personal injury lawyer simply be putting too much money on the line for what could be seen as a gamble? Or is there a better way to save your moneyand pursue justice?
The answer just may be contingency fees, sometimes called contingency fee agreements.
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What are contingency fees? When an attorney works for contingency fees, they are agreeing to represent you without the use of traditional attorney fees. They will only be paid if they win your case, and then they will only be rewarded from a percentage of your winnings. This also means that you never have to pay out of your own pocket, so you don’t have to worry about attorney fees being greater than your finances.
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What about initial fees? Contingency fees are particularly useful in the way that they can spare you from heavy financial burdens. If you are worried about initial fees typically associated with retaining a lawyer, finding an attorney who also offersfree case evaluations can be to your benefit.
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What other types of attorney fees are there? Some attorneys may work for flat-fees, meaning that they are always paid a particular amount no matter the outcome of the case; this is usually seen as disadvantageous to the client because it provides no motivation to the attorney to put extra effort into their work. Others still may utilize hourly fees; this can quickly make costs spiral out of control as lawyers slow their pace just to put more time on their “punch card.”
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Do contingency fees motivate the attorney? An attorney who works for contingency fees will be driven to earn you the maximum settlement possible for your case, as more money for you directly translates to more money for them. This added driving factor can make a massive and positive difference. It also nearly-guarantees that they will show up on your court dates, as those are essentially their pay dates.
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Are contingency fees negotiable? For the average personal injury case, contingency fees will range between 25% and 40% of any winnings. At the time you retain your attorney, you should ask what the rate will be, and if it is negotiable. Typically, you can expect a higher contingency percentage for cases that may be complicated, difficult to win, or demand a large period of time to handle. Remember: no matter the contingency fee rate, the attorney is never taking anything out from your own finances.
Offering Contingency Fees with a Record of Success
If you live in the greater Portland area and are looking for a personal injury attorney who offers contingency fee agreements, you cancontact me, Attorney Timothy Grabe. For more than 35 years, I have been proud to support my community by providing powerful representation at prices that do not drain my clients’ finances. Call971-645-7176 today and we can start discussing your legal options in acomplimentary initial consultation.