For many people, one aspect of dealing with an injury is facing unexpected expenses. If you have sustained an injury because another party acted negligently, we understand that you might not want to risk losing money by working with personal injury lawyers who may or may not win your case. Our attorneys serve clients in Houston, TX on a contingency fee basis, making legal services accessible to people who are working through financial challenges.
Do I Still Have to Pay My Personal Injury Lawyers If They Lose the Case?
Depending on the firm you choose to work with, you may or may not be asked to pay for legal services regardless of the case outcome. Each law firm has a slightly different way of structuring its legal fees. The two basic models are the flat fee model and the contingency fee model.
The Flat Fee Model
According to the flat fee model, clients pay their personal injury attorneys for their time and expertise regardless of whether or not they win the case. Usually, some of the payments come due before the outcome is reached. Our firm chooses not to follow the flat fee model because we do not believe it is appropriate for personal injury cases.
The Contingency Fee Model
Contingency fees are charged as a percentage of the money that is recovered on behalf of the client. When a case is successful, the client either receives a settlement or a court-ordered payout. According to the contingency fee model, which our firm follows, you will not pay anything unless your lawyer wins compensation for your injuries.
Why Hire a Lawyer in Houston, TX on a Contingency Fee Basis?
The Focus Is on the Case First
There are several benefits to working with a lawyer on a contingency fee basis. First, deferring the legal fees until the case has been resolved allows both you and the lawyer to focus on gathering evidence, constructing convincing arguments, and ultimately securing a payout.
The Attorney Is Incentivized to Win
Second, the fact that a firm is willing to work on a contingency fee basis often shows that their lawyers are experienced professionals who are willing to risk their time on a case because they are confident that they can win. Since losing a case can have a negative impact on the attorney’s reputation, those who work on contingency are double-incentivized to win.
The Contingency Fee Model Is Fair to the Client
Many clients and attorneys hold the opinion that the contingency fee model is the fairest basis for the client-attorney relationship. When working on continency, the attorney takes on an appropriate share of the risk, and the client is not asked to contribute resources while recovering from an injury.
How Can I Find Personal Injury Lawyers Who Will Work on a Contingency Fee Basis?
Before you commit your case to a lawyer, you will want to look into the credibility of the law firm they work for and meet with them personally. A firm’s track record can tell you a lot about its standing within the community as well as its ability to win cases.
By scheduling a time to meet with a lawyer face-to-face, you will get the opportunity to vet their professionalism and communication skills. Most firms that work on a contingency fee basis will offer the initial consultation for free.
What Kinds of Cases Are Best-Suited to the Contingency Fee Model?
The contingency fee model is best used for civil cases that have the potential to yield a payout for the client. While lawyers who focus on other aspects of law, such as negotiating contracts or defending individuals on criminal charges, can’t usually offer a contingency fee, those who focus on personal injury cases often do.
If your case falls into any of the categories below, you will likely be able to enlist a board-certified attorney on a contingency fee basis:
Motor Vehicle Accidents
Motor vehicle accidents are a leading cause of personal injury in the United States. Whether your accident involved a car, a commercial truck, a motorcycle, or some combination of vehicles, you have the right to be compensated for losses that were not your fault.
Work-Related Injuries
While many work-related injuries can be handled via workers’ compensation, many of our clients have received larger payouts by submitting third-party personal injury claims. Additionally, if your employer does not subscribe to the workers’ compensation system, you have the right to sue them for your damages directly.
Premises Liability
Premises liability is the area of law that deals with any negligence exhibited by property owners or individuals who are responsible for maintaining the safety of a given space. All guests, clients, vendors, and other types of visitors are legally entitled to expect the properties they frequent to be kept reasonably free of hazards.
Product Liability
If you have been harmed by a product, you may have grounds for a product liability claim against the manufacturer. While almost any item has the potential to cause harm, the most common product-related injuries involve cars, electronics, perishable foods, and household items.
Schedule a Time to Discuss Our Fee Structure in Person
At our law firm, we believe in fair pricing and absolute transparency. We are happy to discuss our contingency fee model and any other aspects of the legal process you would like to know about. During your free consultation, you can tell us how your accident happened and how it has affected your life. To set up an appointment, you can reach us 24 hours per day at (713) 352-1271.
What to Bring to the First Meeting
When you come in for your consultation, it may be helpful for you to bring in some initial pieces of evidence, including photos, videos, and your medical records. In the case of a car accident, you should provide the other driver’s insurance information. If your case involves product liability and the object that harmed you is portable, we will be happy to take a look at it.
You don’t need to be concerned if you do not already have the evidence mentioned above. The first meeting is just a time to meet us and start discussing the accident. After we provide a case assessment, you will have the opportunity to decide whether or not you would like to go forward and move on to the strategy and claim preparation phase.
Top Quality Legal Services Within Reach
When you hire a lawyer on a contingency fee basis, you do not need to compromise on the quality of the legal services you receive. All of our partners are board-certified and highly experienced. Many of our recent cases have yielded between $20 million and $200 million in compensation for our clients. Whether you believe your case will be straightforward or complex, we have the drive and the resources needed to take on the most challenging claims.
Your health affects the quality of your life in countless ways, which is why a personal injury can be so costly. You deserve to receive a settlement that is large enough to address all of the tangible and intangible losses you sustained, including medical bills, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and lost wages. Our goal is to go beyond winning your case by fighting to optimize the value of your claim.
We have a team of attorneys in Houston, TX that are eager to help you win compensation, and until you do, you will owe us absolutely nothing. To contact our offices, call Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Agosto, Aziz & Stogner.