Contingency Fees

Contingency fees typically range from 33% to 50% of the award, depending upon the type of case. For example, in automobile cases a 33% contingency fee is customary, while medical malpractice and personal injury cases necessitate a higher percentage to compensate for the extensive resources that are required to litigate these cases.

A lower percentage contingency fee may be charged if the case is settled before trial. Higher contingency fees are charged if a case concludes after the trial has begun or if an appeal is necessary.

Advantages

• Cost. No up-front cost to plaintiffs.
• Access. Equal access to an attorney, independent of the client’s financial resources.
• Confidence. Attorneys willing to work on contingency are confident of success.
• Motivation. Contingency agreements motivate attorneys to maximize clients’ awards.