When individuals take accident claims to personal injury lawyers, they accept the cases on a contingent fee basis. What does that mean? Below, the attorneys at Arndt Buswell & Thorn S.C. in Sparta and Bangor, WI, share a brief guide explaining these arrangements.

Personal Injury Lawyer Explains Contingent Fee Agreements

What Contingent Fee Means

Under a contingent fee agreement for legal representation, whether the attorney receives payment of a fee depends on whether the client receives a settlement or trial award. If the client does not receive any money from a settlement with an insurance company or the person at fault, or if the client does not win money damages at trial, the client does not have to pay the attorney. 

Structuring Contingent Fee Contracts

Most contingent fee agreements are structured on a sliding scale of percentages. As each stage of a case requires more time and effort, personal injury lawyers charge a higher percentage of the award. A fee agreement might provide for a 35% attorney fee if the case settles without filing a lawsuit, a 40% fee if the case settles after filing suit, and a 50% fee if the case goes to trial. Attorneys and clients discuss contingent fee contract terms and sign written agreements before work begins.

Benefits of Contingent Fee Agreements

Personal injury lawyers, not clients, bear the financial risk in contingent fee cases. Clients do not pay any money up front, and attorneys often advance costs, such as filing and document copying fees. Clients repay those costs out of their settlement amounts.

In Wisconsin, at Arndt Buswell & Thorn S.C., dedicated personal injury lawyers take cases on a contingent fee basis, and fight effectively for their injured clients. Backed by more than 25 years of business law and insurance claims experience, these wise attorneys bring skill, passion, and professionalism to each case. Put these qualities to work for you. For their Sparta office, call (608) 269-1200, or for their Bangor office, call (608) 486-2324. Visit them online to view their other practice areas.