When you consult a personal injury lawyer for your case in Connecticut, you both need to discuss some important things. One of those things is the attorney’s fee structure, including the percentage and whether they work on contingencies. The majority of personal injury lawyers in Connecticut work on a contingency basis, meaning they take a percentage of your winnings.

Clients tend to ignore the topic of legal fees or push it off until they can no longer negotiate. Before you sign the contract with the attorney, you have to agree on this all-important subject. Someone like Attorney Russell Berkowitz of Berkowitz Hanna Malpractice & Injury Lawyers can shed more light on the different payment methods and fee structures that lawyers use. In any case, here is a guide to help you know what exactly to ask a Connecticut personal injury attorney regarding their fees:

Their Fee Structure

The fee structure outlines the percentage of your awarded compensation that legal counsel will retain upon a successful case resolution. Note that different law firms have different quotes; therefore, you need to know your lawyer’s particular structure. If your lawyer works on a contingency basis, that means you only pay them if you win. More specifically, it means their fee will be a certain percentage or cut from the settlement or compensation award. 

The exact percentage will depend on the law firm and whether or not there are additional costs. Some factors that could increase the percentage the lawyer takes include expenses like expert witnesses and filing fees.

It is important that you do not assume or use another firm’s quote to ascertain how much your lawyer will collect. Ask them specifically and let them explain their fee structure in detail; this will prevent confusion later on.

Out-of-Pocket Expenses

Attorney fees are not the only thing to consider when it comes to the cost of injury claims in Connecticut. There are other expenses, such as court fees, expert witness fees, and the cost of getting your records. Make sure to confirm with your lawyer who will be responsible for those expenses.

Some personal injury lawyers in Connecticut will shoulder these costs and deduct them later from your settlement. However, for some lawyers, every expense made throughout your case will be your responsibility. Therefore, ask your lawyer how they intend to manage these expenses and how they will deduct them from your settlement.

Be Honest about Your Financial Situation

Legal fee structures are negotiable, meaning you can ask your lawyer to reduce their percentage if you cannot afford it. However, that would require you to be honest about your financial constraints so that they can help you. Your lawyer might be able to revise their fee structure and come up with a more affordable option for everyone involved.

More so, lawyers understand that financial capabilities are different from client to client and can propose more flexible arrangements. Being transparent about your financial strength helps to promote a trusting, understanding, and more supportive client-attorney relationship.

Have It on Paper

Once you have negotiated and agreed on the legal fees for your case, request that a written contract be drawn up. This part is important because an agreement, once written and signed, is binding on all the parties involved. Therefore, having the agreement written helps to protect the interests of both you and your lawyer.

Furthermore, if any dispute arises in the course of your professional relationship, you can refer to this document. Meanwhile, the contract should be detailed and should outline the contingency fee percentage and how your attorney will handle the expenses. Once the contract has been drawn up, go through it carefully and ask questions about anything you do not understand.

Conclusion

Even if you have worked with several personal injury attorneys in Connecticut and have different quotes, if you are working with an entirely different firm this time around, you need to discuss their fees ahead of signing a contract.

It is inaccurate to assume that all personal injury lawyers utilize a contingency fee structure or apply a uniform percentage deduction. Once you have agreed on the fee structure and everything else, be sure to get it on paper for reference purposes.