Personal Injury Lawyer

When someone you love has been killed by the negligence of another person, you may want to check with an attorney to determine whether you have a wrongful death claim. No amount of money can return your loved one to you, but you can be compensated for the added expenses you’ve incurred and will incur due to the loss of your family member. Most people get very concerned when they have to hire a lawyer. It can be expensive to hire a lawyer, but wrongful death lawyers usually work on a contingency basis.

What Is a Contingency Fee?

Many types of attorneys work on an hourly basis. For example, a criminal attorney or family law attorney bills their clients on how many hours are worked. Typically, with those types of attorneys, you pay a retainer when you hire them. The hours are billed against the retainer. When the retainer is depleted, you pay another chunk. Wrongful death lawyers work differently.

A contingency fee basis means that you don’t pay the attorney anything until a recovery is obtained. You agree to give the lawyer a percentage of the amount you receive, if any. This amount is usually between 33.33% and 40%, depending on the type of case and whether you have to go to court or not. This means that you don’t have to cover the burden of paying the lawyer by the hour. The lawyer shares the risk of the outcome, which gives the attorney an incentive to work hard to get you compensation.

What Will You Receive in a Settlement?

If you do receive a settlement, you should keep in mind that your lawyer will want to take out expenses from that settlement before you receive anything. Your lawyer should be up front with you about the types of expenses you should expect. You may need expert witnesses to prove your case. It costs money to get medical records and make copies of information. There are usually costs associated with filing and serving the lawsuit.

If your loved one had medical bills that need to be paid, the healthcare providers may place a lien on the settlement. This is quite normal. These liens would need to be paid before you receive any of your settlement. It’s okay to ask your attorney how the expenses and settlement will be handled.

If you’ve lost a loved one through negligence, don’t wait to talk to a wrongful death lawyer about your case. Get your questions answered to know the best steps you should take.