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Personal Injury Lawyer – Choosing the Best Attorney
By LaMesaDuiLawyer | February 20, 2010
If you have been injured in a work related accident, but are not sure whether you want to speak to an lawyer because you fear paying for a lawsuit, you may be surprised to find out that most personal injury attorneys will review your case without any, or minimal upfront fees.
No Charge First Meeting
Almost all personal injury lawyers charge no fees for the first meeting, or consultation. This will give you an opportunity to meet with the lawyer, explain the situation, and find out his opinion as to whether or not you have a legitimate claim. Although you may want to determine what your claim is "worth", most attorneys will not put a value on the matter, due to the fact that so many things are extremely unpredictable.
What is a Contingent Fee?
Many personal injury lawyers will usually take a valid claim on a contingent fee arrangement. What is meant by this, is that you do not need to pay the attorney any money up front. The lawyer will collect his or her fees from the party at fault, or their insurance carrier, only if he gains an award for the client. If you do not prevail with your matter, you won't owe any legal fees. If you do agree to a settlement or are granted a court ordered award, the attorney then charges an agreed percentage amount of your total settlement for legal fees. The exact percentage you will pay may generally differ among attorneys, and can be regulated in many jurisdictions, but likely you will be charged anything from 1/3 (33.3%) to 40% for legal fees, should you win any settlement.
Legal Fees
Under the law, as well as the ethical regulations, all lawyers are required to charge you for any costs spent while handling your matter. These expenses may include: law enforcement reports, doctors notes, court stenographer expenses, and much more. Once again, lawyers have different procedures as to how they recover these costs. Some may pay them as they incur, and then deduct them from your settlement. Others could bill these expenses monthly as the case proceeds.
Each attorney must have a client - attorney agreement which must spell out both parties obligation. Please make sure that you carefully review the agreement prior to retaining any lawyer.
Harry S. Bernstein has been representing personal injury victims and workers compensation clients as an experienced Cleveland, Ohio attorney for several years. Please visit our Cleveland, Ohio attorney site to find out more information regarding your legal rights.
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