Am I Responsible for All My Attorney’s Fees?

When someone else’s negligence has injured you, you understandably want to recover compensation owed to you by the responsible party. In many situations, hiring an attorney makes the most sense. However, you may be wondering how your attorney gets paid and what you might owe. Most Ohio personal injury lawyers work on a contingency basis. That means you do not pay anything upfront, nor will your attorney charge by the hour. To learn more about what fees you are responsible for in an Ohio personal injury claim, contact the experienced team at Lafferty, Gallagher & Scott, LLC to schedule a consultation.

Most Personal Injury Lawyers Allow for a Free Consultation

There is usually no harm in meeting with an Ohio personal injury lawyer as most allow for a free consultation, even if they typically charge by the hour for their services. When you are looking for attorneys to meet with, you can start by checking their website to see if it mentions free consultations. If you cannot find it, double-check when you call to schedule a meeting. Law firms are used to answering questions about rates and fees, so do not feel uncomfortable about bringing the topic up.

How do Contingency Fees Work?

Contingency fee cases mean your attorney will not get paid unless they successfully recover compensation for you, either through negotiations or at trial. That means if you lose your case, your attorney will not receive any income either. Because their compensation is directly tied to whether your case is successful, you can rest assured that your attorney will be fighting for the maximum compensation possible.

With this type of fee arrangement, your attorney will have agreed to take a particular percentage of your settlement. The amount will vary between firms, usually anywhere between 25% and 40%. Some lawyers take a smaller percentage if your case settles before litigation and raise the percentage if your case goes to court.

The contingency fee amount will include whatever court costs accumulated during your case. In claims that settle pre-litigation, there will not be any costs. However, costs can add up if your case goes to trial. It is best to speak with your prospective attorney on what court costs would be.

How Fees are Paid to Your Attorney

You will not need to worry about coming up with the fees yourself. Your attorney will receive your settlement and deposit it in their trust account. Before giving you the proceeds, they will ensure that all liens are paid, fees and court costs are covered.

Contact an Ohio Personal Injury Lawyer

To learn more about potential fees and costs for your individual case, contact the Ohio personal injury lawyers at Lafferty, Gallagher & Scott, LLC to schedule an initial consultation