The typical contingency fee for a personal injury attorney in Massachusetts is approximately 33% or one-third of the settlement amount.
After being injured in an accident, you face many challenges, like healing and handling the bills for treatments or repairs. If you’re unable to work due to the injury, your lost wages only add to your financial stress. Amidst all this, you seek justice, which takes precious energy and time you might not have.
That’s why hiring a personal injury lawyer is a wise choice. However, a new concern arises: how much does a personal injury lawyer cost? The short answer is nothing upfront if you cooperate on contingency fees. Let’s explore how this pricing model works and discover additional payment arrangements your lawyer may offer you.
Key Takeaways
- Personal injury attorneys often charge contingency fees, meaning you pay only if you win.
- In Massachusetts, contingency fees range between 33% and 40% of the settlement. Some lawyers may charge as low as 25% for simpler cases.
- The complexity of the personal injury case influences the fee; cases that go to trial usually have higher fees than those settled through negotiations.
- Apart from the contingency fee arrangement, your Boston personal injury lawyer may also follow other pricing structures, like retainer fees, hourly rates, flat fees, or hybrid payment arrangements.
- There are additional costs beyond attorney fees, such as medical record fees, investigation costs, expert witness charges, and court filing expenses.
- Even after contingency fees, clients with representation often secure higher settlements compared to those who represent themselves.
- When determining settlements, lawyers take into account not only current medical bills but also potential future medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering, which helps maximize compensation.
- Most personal injury law firms provide free consultations to assess your personal injury case and discuss contingency fees.
How Does a Contingency Fee Agreement Work in Massachusetts?
When looking for a personal injury attorney, you might come across the term “contingency fees.” This is a common pricing model in personal injury law. But what does it imply?
A contingency fee agreement means you don’t pay your personal injury lawyer upfront; they’re paid only if they help you win. In this scenario, the percentage will be taken from your settlement or court award.
Keep in mind that while you don’t pay your lawyer upfront, your personal injury case may involve other expenses separate from your lawyer’s fee, such as medical record retrieval fees and expert witness costs. Therefore, it’s important to review your contingency fee agreement carefully, as, along with the percentage of contingency fees, it should also outline how these case-related costs will be managed.
Typically, such expenses are deducted from the settlement before calculating the lawyer’s contingency fees, but some firms may ask you to pay some amounts upfront based on incurred expenses.
What Contingency Fee Percentage Do Massachusetts Injury Lawyers Take?
When it comes to the contingency fee agreement, most personal injury lawyers in the state charge between 33% and 40% of the final settlement or court award, depending on your case’s complexity. Yet, some firms may claim even 25% of the settlement amount. Cases that involve multiple parties, serious injuries, or disputed liability often incur higher contingency fees.
The standard percentage of contingency fees is 33.33%, or one-third of your settlement, which applies to many simple cases that settle without going to trial. However, if your case does go to trial, the personal injury lawyer’s cost may be raised to 40% due to the increased work and resources needed.
The No-Win, No-Fee Approach to Legal Cases
The term “no-win, no-fee principle” is a more marketing-friendly way to describe a contingency fee agreement. So, both mean the same thing.
People may hesitate to contact a Boston personal injury lawyer because they worry about costs, but this principle removes this barrier. They can focus on recovery without worrying about legal fees.
Contingency fees benefit both parties. Your attorney is motivated to achieve the best result and maximize your settlement since their payment relies on your success. This encourages them to invest more effort and resources into your personal injury case. However, they will likely be selective about the cases they take on.
If a personal injury lawyer agrees to contingency fees, that’s a good sign! They believe in the strength of your case.
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An Example of Personal Injury Attorney Costs in Boston, Massachusetts
Let’s look closely at a typical car accident case in Boston to see how settlement money is divided if you decide to work on a contingency fee basis. When you hire a personal injury lawyer, they should first assess your entire situation.
They start by calculating your total losses. Damages in personal injury claims include medical bills, lost wages during recovery, vehicle repairs, as well as pain and suffering, which you also have the right to claim in some situations.
After this assessment, they will inform you of the percentage of contingency fees you’ll pay in case of success. For instance, if your Boston car accident settlement is $100,000, and the usual contingency fee is 33.33%, your personal injury lawyer will take $33,330, and you’ll have $66,670 for your accident-related expenses.
How Else Do Lawyers Charge for Their Services?
While most personal injury cases are handled with contingency fees, lawyers have various payment options depending on the case type and services required. Here are some other personal injury lawyer cost structures:
This model works like a down payment for legal services. You pay money upfront into a special account, and the personal injury lawyer draws from it as they work on your case. Usually, when the retainer gets low, you’ll need to replenish it. Lawyers may charge between $150 and $500 or more per hour, based on their experience and location and the complexity of your claim. You’ll receive detailed bills showing the work performed. This method is suitable for cases with unclear work scopes. Some lawyers charge a set price for specific tasks, like drafting a claim appeal. You know the total cost upfront, which makes it easier to plan your budget. This structure is ideal for straightforward legal tasks, but additional fees may still apply should any complications arise. This is the combination of different fee structures into one agreement. One of the examples is a retainer plus hourly billing. This system provides flexibility and aligns the lawyer’s interests with yours. However, you should clearly understand when each fee component applies.
Other Costs That Can Be Involved in Your Personal Injury Case
Regardless of how you agree to pay your personal injury lawyer, you should expect some additional expenses beyond the main legal fees. Here are some other costs you might need to pay:
- Medical record costs: Copies of your medical records are needed to document your injuries, and doctors often charge for them. In complex cases with multiple healthcare providers, these costs can accumulate quickly.
- Investigation costs: Investigators gather evidence about your accident: they may take photos, search for traffic camera footage, and interview witnesses. Their time costs money, too.
- Expert witness fees: Your personal injury case may require additional specialists. For instance, medical experts clarify how the accident led to your injuries and what future care is necessary, while accident reconstruction experts examine evidence like skid marks and vehicle damage to establish fault. Their involvement requires further investments.
- Police reports: These documents provide an official account of events. While the cost of these reports is minimal compared to expert witness fees, even small expenses can accumulate over time, so take them into account, too.
- Court filing fees: If you choose to file a personal injury lawsuit, you must pay a fee to the court for processing your paperwork.
- Deposition costs: You’ll need a court reporter to accurately record witness statements, which also comes with expenses.
- Delivery fees: Certain legal documents require professional delivery, and each delivery incurs a cost.
Is Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer Worth the Cost?
Handling your personal injury claim by yourself may seem like a way to save money. However, the reality shows that usually working with Boston personal injury lawyers results in much better outcomes.
Even after contingency fees, people with lawyers typically secure much higher compensation compared to those who choose to manage their claims on their own. For instance, during years of our practice, our legal team has already secured over $150 million in personal injury settlements.
Why is there a difference? Insurance companies tend to prioritize their profits and employ legal teams to limit payouts to injury victims. It can be difficult to handle their pressure without experience and expertise. A lawyer can help balance the scales. They know the real worth of your insurance claim and are familiar with the strategies that insurance firms use to lower payments.
Your personal injury lawyer can identify damages you may claim beyond just current medical bills and lost wages. They consider future medical expenses, pain and suffering, and other losses that may not be immediately apparent.
Hiring a personal injury lawyer makes even more sense if you work with a reputable firm, like Michael Kelly Injury Lawyers. We start our cooperation with a free consultation and case review and offer our clients a transparent contingency fee arrangement. This means there’s little financial risk for you.
The Bottom Line
Hiring a personal injury lawyer might feel like an added expense, but it can actually help you overcome financial struggles caused by an injury. Many Boston law firms follow a contingency fee structure and allow you to pursue your rights without any upfront fees. This way, you can delegate all legal tasks, such as paperwork and insurance negotiations, to professionals and get peace of mind — exactly what you need during recovery.
Before you hire a lawyer, take the time to understand their fee structure and how they address additional expenses. A reliable personal injury attorney will gladly clarify all costs.
That’s what our legal firm does during our free legal consultation. Contact Michael Kelly Injury Lawyers today, and we’ll assess your personal injury case and discuss fees so you know what to expect from our cooperation!
FAQ
Can I Save Money by Handling the Settlement Myself?
People who handle Massachusetts personal injury cases without legal assistance tend to accept far less than what their claim is truly worth. Insurance companies employ skilled negotiators focused on reducing payouts. They often aim to make quick, low offers, hoping you’ll agree before you understand the total value of your claim.
On the other hand, your personal injury lawyer can secure settlements that factor in all your losses, both current and future. This results in significantly higher compensation. Moreover, if your cooperation is based on contingency fees, you won’t even have to pay money upfront.
Will I Be Charged If My Case Doesn’t Succeed?
The answer depends on your agreement with the law firm. Some personal injury lawyers, like Michael Kelly Injury Lawyers, work on contingency fees, meaning you won’t owe any attorney fees if they don’t win your personal injury case. Hence the “no win, no fee” principle. However, there may be additional expenses to consider, such as expert witness costs and court filing fees, separate from attorney fees.
If you choose a different pricing model, like a retainer or hourly rate, you’ll need to pay upfront. When you’re already dealing with medical bills and lost wages, it’s always better to opt for law firms that offer contingency fees. The last thing you need during recovery is more bills to pay.
What Percentage Do Personal Injury Layers Take From Settlements?
Typically, contingency fees range from 33% to 40% of your settlement, though some lawyers may charge as little as 25% for simpler cases. Generally, cases resolved through negotiation are less expensive than those that go to trial. This makes sense since trials demand more time, expertise, and resources. Always obtain the percentage of contingency fees in writing and ensure you understand how personal injury case costs will affect the final amount you receive.
