Personal Injury Lawyer Cost in Pennsylvania
Many Pennsylvania personal injury lawyers handle cases on a contingency fee basis. Instead of charging the client an hourly legal fee upfront, the lawyer receives an agreed percentage of the compensation recovered if the case succeeds. If there is no recovery, the agreement should explain whether any legal fee or other costs are owed.
There is no single percentage that applies to every Pennsylvania personal injury case. The fee can depend on the firm, the type and complexity of the claim, and the terms of the representation agreement. Some agreements may also address whether the percentage changes if a lawsuit is filed or the case proceeds further through litigation.
How Contingency Fees Work
Legal fees and case expenses are not necessarily the same thing. A personal injury claim can involve expenses for medical records, filing fees, expert witnesses, depositions, investigation and other work needed to develop the evidence. Ask whether the firm advances these expenses, how they are repaid and what happens to expenses if the case is unsuccessful.
Before hiring a lawyer, request a written fee agreement and read it carefully. Ask the attorney to show, using a simple example, how a hypothetical settlement would be divided between legal fees, case costs, medical liens or other obligations and the amount paid to you.
Personal Injury Case Expenses
Cost should be transparent from the beginning. A Pennsylvania personal injury lawyer should explain the fee structure clearly enough that you understand how the firm is paid and which expenses may ultimately come out of any settlement or verdict.