What Are Contingency Fees & How Do They Work?

If you’ve ever considered working with a lawyer, you may have seen some of them advertising something called contingency fees. Contingency fee agreements mean that a lawyer’s fee is contingent upon the outcome of the case, meaning they only get paid if they are able to make a recovery in the form of a settlement or verdict. Clients do not have to pay any up-front costs – instead, the attorney will front all expenses to begin your case, including filing fees, paying for depositions, paying for copies of medical records and reports, etc.

Contingency fee agreements are beneficial for the following reasons:

• Clients can still reap the benefits of legal representation even if they cannot afford to pay anything up front. As is often the case with injury victims, medical costs and other expenses related to an accident can hinder a person’s ability to pay for needed legal counsel. With contingency fees, you won’t be barred from the opportunity to pursue justice and protect your rights because of an inability to pay.
• There is no risk. If your attorney cannot make a recovery on your case, you don’t pay anything. This a great motivator for your attorney to obtain the best possible settlement on your behalf. Attorneys who do not work on a contingency fee basis may not have as much faith in the case or desire to fight for the client when they know they are guaranteed payment.

At Goodman Acker P.C., you won’t have to worry about paying any legal fees up front, which means there is nothing to lose in speaking with a Detroit attorney at our firm about your case. If you are wondering whether you have a case or if legal action is right for you, we encourage you to contact us today to begin reviewing your options. Case evaluations are free, so see what we can do for you by calling (248) 793-2010.