Most personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis. The client pays nothing upfront to hire an attorney in a contingency fee arrangement. Instead, the attorney receives a legal fee only if they obtain compensation for the client through a settlement or a trial verdict. The fee will be an agreed-upon share of the total amount recovered for the client.
At the beginning of the case, the attorney and the client will agree upon the percentage the attorney will earn. An attorney may receive a higher percentage in a case that progresses to a lawsuit or trial, reflecting the additional work the attorney puts into the case.
In addition, the attorney may have the right to reimbursement for expenses the lawyer incurred in preparing and pursuing the case, such as court filing costs, deposition expenses, or expert witness fees.