If you are dealing with a wrongful death claim, you will need a lawyer. Some people are driven away from lawyers due to the high cost, but in the case of wrongful death and personal injury, you should think twice. Odds are you won’t have to pay right away. Most wrongful death lawyers accept contingency fees.
What Are Contingency Fees?
Your contingency fee agreement is the payment arrangement between you and your lawyer. This arrangement does not require you to pay any fees at the start. Instead, you will only pay when you receive your award. You and your lawyer will come up with a percentage and then the lawyer will take his or her cut out of the final reward. Most states determine the percentage of the fee. You should probably expect that the attorney will want around 30 percent of the final reward.
When Should You Expect Contingency Fees?
Almost all personal injury law lawyers require a contingency fee. You may be more familiar with criminal attorneys who tend to charge hourly for their services. When you deal with personal injury law or wrongful death claims, then you are likely going to be dealing with contingency fees.
If you need to file a lawsuit, then odds are you are in a financial bind. You lost finances due to the loss of another person. When your loved one dies, you could lose part of your income, companionship, and more. You have to spend money on funeral costs, medical bills, and other expenses associated with a person’s passing. In these cases, you may not have upfront cash to hire a lawyer. This is why a lot of lawyers offer their services for contingency fees. In addition to not having to worry about payment right away, you also have a lawyer who is going to advocate for you. After all, if you do not win, then he or she will not receive payment.
What Is in a Contingency Agreement?
Once you figure out the agreement, the attorney will pay all of the fees that are associated with the claim. These may be payments for medical records, filing fees, and payment of depositions. In some instances, he or she may even pay for an expert witness. If your lawyer is successful, the contract will state how much he or she receives.
When it comes to wrongful death, most people can afford to hire an attorney. After all, a contingency fee makes it easy to have a lawyer when you need one. For more information on wrongful death suits, sit down with a wrongful death lawyer, as soon as possible.