Contingency fees are a common arrangement used by lawyers in Boston, MA for personal injury cases. Under this arrangement, the lawyer's fee is contingent upon the successful outcome of the case. This means that the lawyer only gets paid if they win the case or reach a favorable settlement on behalf of their client.
Typically, the lawyer and client will agree upon a specific percentage of the final settlement or verdict that will serve as the lawyer's fee. This percentage can vary depending on the complexity of the case, the potential risks involved, and the lawyer's experience and track record. It is important to note that contingency fees are only applicable to civil cases, such as personal injury claims, and not criminal cases.
Let's consider an example to better understand how contingency fees work. Suppose you were involved in a car accident in Boston, MA, and you decide to hire a personal injury lawyer to pursue a claim against the at-fault driver. You discuss the case with the lawyer, and they agree to represent you on a contingency fee basis with a 30% fee arrangement.
If the lawyer successfully negotiates a settlement of $100,000 with the insurance company, their fee would amount to $30,000 (30% of $100,000). The lawyer would receive this fee as compensation for their services, and the remaining $70,000 would be awarded to you as the client.
It is important to clarify with your lawyer how expenses, such as court filing fees, expert witness fees, and other costs, will be handled. In some cases, these expenses may be deducted from the final settlement or verdict before the contingency fee is calculated.
References:
Mass.gov - Contingency Fees in Personal Injury Cases
American Bar Association - Lawyer Fees: Contingent Fees