The attorney fee
The office handles injury cases on a contingency basis. That means there is no attorney fee unless we recover compensation for you. If the case does not result in a recovery, you do not owe an attorney fee.
Ask the office how the attorney fee would be calculated, when it would be payable, and how it relates to any case costs. Do not assume a percentage from something you read online. The proposed written agreement should explain the arrangement before you decide whether to proceed.
Case costs are separate
Case costs are different from the attorney fee. They are the out-of-pocket expenses of moving a case forward, such as fees for medical records, filing fees if a lawsuit is filed, expert reviews, depositions, and copies.
How costs are advanced, and how they are handled at the end of a case, is addressed in the written agreement. A fee agreement that says no attorney fee unless we recover is not the same as a promise that a case has no costs. Read that section carefully.
Questions to ask before you sign
A written agreement should answer your questions, not raise new ones. It is reasonable to ask any of the following, and to take the agreement home before signing.
- What share of a recovery is the attorney fee, and does it change if a lawsuit is filed?
- Which costs are typical in a case like mine, and who pays them along the way?
- If there is no recovery, do I owe anything for costs?
- How are medical bills and liens handled out of a settlement?
- Can I see an example of how a settlement would be divided?
The consultation is free
Talking with the office about your situation costs nothing, whether or not you decide to go forward. Call (907) 569-6633, Monday through Friday, 9 to 5 Alaska time, or send a short note through the site. The office is in Anchorage and works with clients statewide.