Contingency Fee Overview

Jun 21

If someone else’s negligence leaves you injured, obtaining just compensation can play a critical role in your overall recovery. If you can’t afford to have professional legal counsel in your corner, however, your ability to obtain the compensation that covers your full range of physical, financial, and emotional losses can be jeopardized. 

Working closely with a dedicated personal injury attorney can make a significant difference in the outcome of your case, and to help ensure you can afford this legal guidance, most reputable personal injury attorneys charge contingency fees. These fees apply to claims stemming from car accidents, falls, and more. 

Understanding Contingency Fees

You’ve been injured and are likely at your most vulnerable, which can make even the thought of taking on a new expense – in the form of legal fees – terrifying. When you work with a personal injury attorney on a contingency fee basis, however, you don’t have to worry about the expense of attorney fees. Your attorney’s pay will be based upon – or contingent upon – the outcome of your case. 

If you settle your claim with the insurance company – or your case goes to court, and you obtain a judgment in your favor – your personal injury attorney will receive a prearranged percentage of that amount. If your claim is not successful, however, you will not owe your attorney any fees. Eliminating this financial concern can help claimants like you move forward with claims that support their legal rights. 

The Related Rules

Contingency fees charged by personal injury attorneys are guided by the Model Rules of Professional Conduct (MRPC) set forth by the American Bar Association (ABA), which the State of Indiana reflects in its own Rules of Professional Conduct. The primary rules involved include:

  • The contingency fee agreement must be in writing and must be signed by the client.
  • The contingency fee agreement must clearly state the method by which the contingency fees will be calculated. 
  • The contingency fee agreement must notify the client of any fees that he or she will be responsible for paying (examples can include the cost of hiring an expert witness or filing costs).
  • Upon completion of the claim, the attorney must provide the client with a written statement that explains the outcome.

 

A Shift in Financial Risk

When contingency fees are employed, there is a shift in financial risk from the claimant to the attorney. This allows you, as the claimant, to focus on regaining your health and well-being while your attorney focuses on building the strongest claim in support of your legal rights. When you work with a personal injury attorney on a contingency fee basis, it allows you the peace of mind that comes from knowing an experienced legal professional recognizes the strengths of your claim and is prepared to skillfully advocate for your best possible resolution – with no financial risk to you. 

Look to an Experienced Indiana Personal Injury Attorney

Skilled Legal Guidance

The accomplished Indiana personal injury attorneys at Blackburn Romey understand your financial concerns when it comes to legal fees, and we’re here to help. We work on a simple contingency fee basis – with no hidden costs to our clients. Your recovery is important, so please don’t wait to reach out and contact or call us for more information today. 

Tom Blackburn

Blackburn Romey founding partner Tom Blackburn graduated with honors receiving a degree from Indiana University at the Robert H. McKinney School of Law. Initiating his legal career in 1977, he has been active in practicing law and currently serves as a member of the Indiana State Bar Association on the Ethics and Advertising Committees, the American Bar Association, the American Association for Justice, as a board member at the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association, and as an appointed member of the Executive Committee for the State of Indiana for the National Trial Lawyers Association.

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