Contingency Fees in Personal Injury Cases
Accidents are unexpected events. Victims are rarely in a position to cover medical and legal costs.
A significant number of individuals injured in accidents in Louisiana and Texas believe that they can’t afford to hire a lawyer and file a personal injury lawsuit.
They need to learn or realize that most personal injury lawyers are paid on a contingency fee basis.
A contingency fee arrangement allows clients to hire a lawyer relatively free of risk.
A Client isn’t responsible for any costs the lawyer incurs in handling their case. In a contingency fee arrangement, no hidden fees or costs are involved.
What Are Contingency Fees?
A contingency fee is a form of payment to an attorney for their legal services.
Before you agree to hire an attorney, you must understand their fee arrangement.
Contingency fees allow personal injury victims to pursue just and fair compensation.
In a contingent fee arrangement, attorneys receive a percentage of their client’s monetary amount when they win or settle the case. Payment for the attorney’s services is “contingent upon” the client receiving some compensation.
A predetermined portion of the settlement or verdict will go to the attorney at no additional charge. Under a contingency fee arrangement, the attorney can include any filing or other costs to pursue a claim.
An attorney invests a lot of time and resources into winning a case. A contingency fee arrangement can motivate a lawyer to get higher client compensation.
In Texas, contingency fees generally can be up to thirty-five percent.
Texas and Louisiana laws do not allow attorneys to accept contingency fees for criminal or divorce cases.
Louisiana lawyers must adhere to Model Rules of Professional Conduct 1.5(c) when agreeing to contingency fee arrangements with their clients. That includes providing written contracts that detail all aspects of the agreement, such as how much they’ll charge in percentage terms and whether they intend to take out a loan on the client’s behalf to cover legal expenses.
Model Rules of Professional Conduct 1.5(c) requires a contingency fee agreement to be in writing and signed by the client. The agreement should state the method of determining the fee and inform the client of any expenses for which they will be liable.
Contingency Fee Agreement
Clients should ensure all details of their contingency agreement are in writing. They may still have to cover certain costs, such as court filing fees, whether they win or lose your case. A contingency fee agreement can also include documentation fees and potential trial fees.
Usually, clients bear the costs of filing lawsuits and expert witnesses whether they recover any money or not.
If you are considering hiring a lawyer or law firm on a contingency fee basis in Louisiana or Texas, you should consider the following factors before signing an agreement:
· Legal experience
· Success rate
· Client reviews
· Time and commitment to your case
· Education, accreditations, and training
· Evaluation of resources and approach
After signing a contingency agreement for legal services, you should receive the services essential to resolve your case. These services may include:
· Accident investigation
· Identification of liable parties
· Determination of claim value
· Filing of case on time to meet the Statute of limitations
· Negotiations with opposition parties
· Trial preparation
Clients also have various duties and responsibilities in ensuring the success of their cases. They should be honest and cooperate with their lawyers, and they should not waste their lawyer’s time.
Bart Bernard Injury Lawyers: Navigating Personal Injury Law with Integrity And Honesty
At Bart Bernard Injury Lawyers, we help potential clients understand our fee structure, including any additional costs during the initial consultation. Such a transparent discussion about fees helps avoid any future misunderstandings.
Personal injury attorney Bart Bernard will clearly explain the fee structure to you upfront and stick to it.
If you or a loved one have suffered injuries due to someone else’s negligence in Louisiana or Texas, you may have grounds to sue those you believe are responsible.
The fastest way to bring your case to the best ending is to seek guidance from an experienced personal injury lawyer at Bart Bernard Injury Lawyers.
Our personal injury law firm serves accident and catastrophic injury victims throughout Louisiana and Texas. If you or a loved one needs legal assistance with your injury case, contact us today to schedule your free initial consultation.
