One of the first concerns of those hiring an attorney is the cost involved. With some law firms, special arrangements can be made so that payment is collected at the end of a lawsuit, as opposed to upfront. Contingency fees, also known as conditional fees, are paid to a lawyer only if the case is successful. In these types of agreements, your attorney receives a predetermined amount of your settlement if the lawsuit is successful. This offers a two-sided benefit: your legal representative has the incentive to win your case and you can pay with funds won from the suit.
These types of financial agreements are most common for personal injury cases, and sometimes workers’ compensation claims.
Most experienced personal injury attorneys offer a free consultation and will discuss legal fees up front. If your lawyer avoids talking about costs, it may be time to find a new one.