How does a contingency fee work?
Contingency fees are an arrangement between lawyers and clients wherein the lawyer agrees to wait to get paid for legal services until the case is won. The lawyer agrees to waive any legal fees if the case is not won. Contingency-fee arrangements are fairly common in personal injury cases.
Without contingency-fee arrangements, most people would not be able to afford legal representation to pursue personal injury claims, regardless of the strength of their cases. In exchange for the attorneys’ risk of getting no payment at all if they lose, clients agree to give the attorneys a percentage of the eventual recovery if their claims are successful. Contingency-fee arrangements are one of few true win-win situations.
What about the medical bills my health insurance pays?
All your medical expenses are included in your personal injury damages calculation, even if the bills have already been paid by your health insurance. In the event that your claim is successful and part of your damages award includes prior medical expenses, your health insurance company is not left out.
Health insurance companies don’t usually argue about who has to pay their clients’ medical bills. Normally, the medical bills get paid in the normal manner, just as though you had not been injured in an accident. Nonetheless, your health insurer has a right to subrogation, meaning that the insurance company has a right to be reimbursed for your medical bills from the proceeds of your personal injury case if you win.
To secure its right to subrogation, your health insurer usually sends a letter to that effect to your personal injury attorney. If you win your case, your lawyer may be able to negotiate with your health insurer to accept a smaller amount of money so that you end up with a greater payout. Be sure to discuss this matter with your attorney if you have questions about your insurer’s right to subrogation.
What are the other costs of litigation?
Depending on the circumstances of your injury, your attorney may decide to secure any of the following experts to testify on your behalf:
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In addition to expert witness fees, costs of litigation include filing fees paid to the court on your behalf. Filing fees can range from $200 to several thousand dollars.
Contact our Boston, Mass. personal injury and wrongful death attorneys for a free consultation
Thornton Law Firm LLP provides quality legal representation to pursue full and fair compensation for your personal injury claim. Our dedicated attorneys offer free consultations and provide legal representation on a contingency-fee basis. You don’t pay if we don’t win your case. Call 1-888-491-9726 or contact us online to arrange a free consultation. Thornton Law Firm LLP is here when you need us most.
