Jason Stephens | February 2, 2024 | Personal Injury
If you’re hurt due to someone else’s actions in Fort Worth, TX, and need help, it’s important to know what to do. The best first step is to talk to a local personal injury lawyer. They can tell you the best way to handle your case, like going to court or working with an insurance company.
If you’re worried about money, especially if you can’t work because of your injury, you might think you can’t afford a lawyer. But don’t worry; there are ways to get legal help without making your money problems worse.
How Do Lawyers Get Paid in a Contingency Fee Case?
The vast majority of personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. Paying a lawyer in a contingency fee case is simple. In this deal, your lawyer only gets paid if you win compensation for your case. They’ll take a part of the money you get.
Usually, this means the lawyer gets about one-third, or 33.33%, of your win. So, if you get $90,000 from your case, your lawyer would get $30,000.
What Does a Contingency Fee Cover?
In a contingency fee agreement, the fee comes out of the total money you get, whether it’s a settlement or a court win. This money might be for different things like:
- Medical bills
- Emotional stress
- Lost wages
- Physical pain and suffering
- Ongoing health problems
- Less enjoyment in daily life
- Lower quality of life
- Other economic and non-economic losses
In Texas, like in other parts, the lawyer’s fee is taken from the total amount you get. The fee is figured out and taken out before you get your share. Texas has strict rules about these fees. You and your lawyer have to agree on the fee percentage from the start, and it must be clearly written in your contract.
Do Contingency Fees Include Case Costs?
In a personal injury case in Fort Worth, you also need to think about other costs. Your lawyer might have to pay for things like:
- Court filing fees
- Costs for depositions and court reporters
- Travel expenses
- Copying and mailing costs
- Investigation fees
- Delivering legal papers
- Expert witness fees
- Getting medical records and police reports
Your lawyer in Fort Worth might pay these costs first, then take them out of your settlement along with their fee. Or, they might ask you to pay these costs as they happen during your case.
These costs are usually not part of the lawyer’s fee. If your lawyer spends $200 on these costs, and their fee is $20,000, you’d see $20,200 taken from your settlement – that’s the fee plus the extra costs. In Texas, your agreement with your lawyer must clearly say which costs you’ll pay back.
Getting Paid After Winning Your Case
When you win or settle your case in Fort Worth, the payment process is straightforward. The money you win is first put into a special account by your lawyer. This is to keep it safe and separate.
Then, your lawyer takes their agreed-upon share for their work and any other costs, like court fees or expenses that helped your case. Once they’ve done that, they give you the remaining money.
Your lawyer should also show you a detailed breakdown of the costs taken from your winnings. This way, you’ll know exactly how your money was used.
If you have any further questions about the contingency fee arrangement, we encourage you to reach out for a free consultation.
Contact Our Personal Injury Law Firm in Fort Worth, TX
If you’ve been injured in an accident in Fort Worth and need legal help, contact our Fort Worth personal injury lawyers at Stephens Law Personal Injury | Wrongful Death | Truck Accidents to schedule a free consultation.
Stephens Law Personal Injury | Wrongful Death | Truck Accidents
1300 S University Dr # 300
Fort Worth, TX 76107
(817) 420-7000