After you or a loved one suffers a catastrophic injury due to someone else’s negligence, the physical and emotional toll is often immediate. However, for many Florida residents, financial stress follows closely behind. When you are facing mounting medical bills, lost wages, and in some cases, property damage, the question shifts from Do I need a lawyer to Can I afford one?
At Brooks, LeBoeuf, Foster, Gwartney, & Hobbs, we understand that when you’re injured, there is often Too Much at Stake to let legal fees get in the way of pursuing justice. That’s why we operate on a contingency fee basis.
In this blog, we will go over how contingency fees work, the difference between legal fees and costs, and why a contingency-based model is designed to protect you.
What is a Contingency Fee?
Before we dive in further, what exactly is a contingency fee? A contingency fee is a type of payment structure in which the attorney’s fees are contingent upon winning the case. As such, if your attorney does not recover compensation for you either through a court verdict or settlement, you do not owe them any money.
In terms of the American legal system, a contingency fee structure is essentially the great equalizer. It lets an injured individual with limited resources go head-to-head against a multi-billion dollar insurance company. Instead of paying an hourly rate, you work as a partner with your lawyer; they take on the financial risk of the litigation and in return, receive a percentage of the final recovery.
What Does It Actually Cost? Breaking Down Attorney Fees vs. Case Expenses
It is crucial for clients to understand that attorney fees and litigation costs are two different things.
- Legal Fees: This is the payment for the lawyer's time and legal services. It is the agreed-upon percentage of your final settlement.
- Case Expenses: These are out-of-pocket costs required to build your case.
Building a high-stakes personal injury case is expensive. To prove negligence, a personal injury attorney often must spend money on:
- Accident Reconstruction Experts: To prove how a crash happened.
- Medical Experts: To testify about the extent of your injuries and future care needs.
- Filing Fees: The cost to file a lawsuit with the Florida court system.
- Court Reporters: Fees for recording and transcribing depositions.
- Medical Records: Hospitals charge fees to provide comprehensive billing and treatment history.
At Brooks, LeBoeuf, Foster, Gwartney, & Hobbs, we typically advance these costs for you. By doing so, we are investing our money into your case. This means we pay for the experts and the filing fees upfront so you don't have to. If we win your case, these costs are reimbursed from the settlement. If we don’t win, in most personal injury contracts, the client is not responsible for these advanced costs.
Why This Contingency Model Benefits You
The No Recovery, No Fee promise is more than just a marketing slogan; it aligns your lawyer’s interests perfectly with yours.
- No Upfront Risk: You don’t have to dig into your savings account to start your claim.
- Incentive for Results: Your lawyer is incentivized to get the highest possible settlement because their pay is tied to the result.
- High-Quality Representation: It allows you to hire a personal injury firm with over 100 years of combined experience, like ours, regardless of your current bank account balance.
- Screening of Cases: Because attorneys take on the financial risk, they will be honest with you about the merits of your case. At Brooks, LeBoeuf, Foster, Gwartney, & Hobbs, we take cases we believe have a strong chance of success, and we’ll be honest and candid with you in sharing our opinion of the merits of your claim.
How a Lawyer Adds Value
You might wonder if you would be better off settling with the insurance company on your own. However, insurance companies are focused on minimizing payouts, not protecting you at the time you need it most. In fact, many studies consistently show that people represented by a lawyer receive significantly higher settlements than those who represent themselves, even after the legal fee is deducted.
When there is Too Much at Stake, such as your ability to pay for future surgeries or support your family, having an experienced Tallahassee personal injury lawyer ensures that the insurance company treats your claim with the seriousness it deserves.
Why You Should Choose Brooks, LeBoeuf, Foster, Gwartney, & Hobbs
With decades of experience serving Tallahassee and beyond, our firm has seen how insurance companies try to take advantage of vulnerable victims. We believe in transparency. When you sit down with us for a free consultation, we explain the fee agreement in detail. There are no hidden charges, and we operate on a No Recovery, No Fee basis for all personal injury and accident cases.
Our firm has recovered millions of dollars for our clients in cases ranging from car accidents and slip-and-falls to complex medical malpractice and wrongful death claims. Our reputation is built on the fact that we treat every case as if it were going to trial.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to pay anything if we lose?
In most of our personal injury arrangements, if there is no recovery, you owe us nothing in attorney fees or advanced litigation costs.
Is the consultation really free?
Yes. We will review the facts of your accident, evaluate the liability, and discuss the potential value of your claim at no cost to you.
When is the fee paid?
The contingent fee is deducted directly from the settlement check issued by the insurance company at the end of the case. You never have to write us a check out of your own pocket.
Were You Injured? Contact a Tallahassee Personal Injury Lawyer From Brooks, LeBoeuf, Foster, Gwartney, & Hobbs Today
Why Hire Brooks, LeBoeuf, Foster, Gwartney, & Hobbs P.A.
- Battle Tested Personal Injury Trial Attorneys
- Extensive Knowledge of Florida’s Personal Injury Laws
- Relentless Pursuit of Maximum Compensation
- Outstanding Reputation & Client Reviews
- A Proven Track Record of Successful Results
If you’ve been injured in Tallahassee or beyond, don’t let the fear of legal fees stop you from seeking the compensation you need after an accident. The insurance companies have teams of lawyers on their side; you should, too.
Contact Brooks, LeBoeuf, Foster, Gwartney, & Hobbs today at 850-605-3555to speak with one of our experienced personal injury attorneys. Remember, there is too much at stake to go it alone.
Disclaimer: This blog is intended for informational purposes only and does not establish an attorney-client relationship. It should not be considered as legal advice. For personalized legal assistance, please consult our team directly.