How Much Does a Personal Injury Lawyer Cost in Florida?

If you have been injured in a car accident, slip and fall, or another type of accident, you may be wondering whether you can afford a personal injury lawyer.

Medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and other expenses can add up quickly after an accident. The last thing you may want is another bill to worry about.

The good news is that many personal injury attorneys handle cases on a contingency fee basis. This means you generally do not pay an attorney fee upfront. Instead, the attorney receives an agreed-upon percentage of the recovery if your case is successfully resolved.

What Is a Contingency Fee?

With a contingency fee arrangement, your attorney's fee is tied to the outcome of your case. You and your attorney agree to the fee arrangement at the beginning of the representation, and the agreement must be in writing.

If your case results in a settlement or award, the attorney's fee is generally deducted from the recovery according to the terms of your agreement. The agreement should also explain what case expenses may be deducted and how those expenses are handled. (The Florida Bar)

This arrangement can make it possible for an injured person to seek legal representation without having to pay a large attorney fee at the beginning of the case.

What Are the Benefits?

A contingency fee arrangement may provide several benefits:

You may not have to pay an attorney fee upfront.Instead of paying hourly fees, the attorney's compensation is generally based on the recovery obtained in your case.

You can have legal representation while you focus on recovering.Your attorney can handle negotiations, communications, evidence gathering, and other legal matters while you focus on your health.

The fee arrangement is explained before you agree to representation.In Florida, contingency fee agreements must be in writing and explain the percentage of the recovery, as well as how other expenses will be handled. (The Florida Bar)

You can discuss case costs before moving forward.Attorney fees and case-related costs are not necessarily the same thing. Depending on your agreement, expenses such as filing fees, witness fees, or other litigation costs may be deducted from the recovery or may remain your responsibility. Make sure you understand these terms before signing your agreement. (The Florida Bar)

What Other Costs May Be Involved?

A personal injury case can involve expenses beyond the attorney's fee. Depending on the circumstances, these may include:

• Court filing fees

• Costs associated with obtaining medical records

• Expert witness fees

• Deposition or court reporter expenses

• Costs of obtaining evidence

• Investigation-related expenses

• Other necessary litigation expenses

Not every case will involve all of these costs. Your attorney should explain which expenses may apply to your particular case and how they will be handled.

Is There a Set Percentage for a Personal Injury Lawyer?

There is no single percentage that applies to every personal injury case. The permitted fee can depend on factors such as the stage of the case and the amount recovered. (The Florida Bar)

When Should You Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer?

You may want to speak with a personal injury attorney if you were injured because of someone else's negligence or wrongdoing.

This may include situations involving:

• Car accidents

• Truck accidents

• Motorcycle accidents

• Slip and fall accidents

• Pedestrian accidents

• Premises liability

• Wrongful death

• Other accidents caused by another party's negligence

Florida also has specific rules regarding fault in negligence cases. Under Florida's comparative fault statute, a person's recovery may be reduced based on their percentage of fault, and a claimant found to be more than 50% at fault for their own harm is generally barred from recovering damages in a negligence action.

Don't Let the Cost of a Lawyer Stop You From Asking for Help

After an accident, you may already be dealing with medical treatment, missed work, insurance companies, and uncertainty about what comes next. You should not assume that hiring a personal injury lawyer is financially out of reach.

A contingency fee arrangement may allow you to pursue your claim without paying an attorney fee upfront. Before hiring a lawyer, ask about the attorney's fee, case costs, how expenses are handled, and what you may owe if the case does not result in a recovery.

This is general legal information, not legal advice. The specific fees, costs, deadlines, and legal options in a personal injury case depend on the facts of the case and the applicable law.

For more information, contact our office at Askew & Associates, P.A. by calling 954-546-2699.

Disclaimer: this blog post is not intended to be legal advice. We highly recommend speaking to an attorney if you have any legal concerns.