One of the most common questions accident victims have is: “How much will it cost to hire a personal injury lawyer?” In Florida, most personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t pay anything upfront. Instead, your lawyer only gets paid if you win your case or receive a settlement.
Here’s what you should know about how legal fees work and what to expect when hiring a personal injury attorney in Florida.
What Is a Contingency Fee?
A contingency fee means that your attorney’s payment is contingent (dependent) on the outcome of your case. If your case is successful, the attorney receives a percentage of your settlement or court award. If you don’t win, you typically owe nothing for legal fees.
Typical Contingency Fee Percentages in Florida
- 33–40% of the total recovery is standard in personal injury cases.
- The percentage may vary based on whether the case settles before or after filing a lawsuit.
- If a case goes to trial, the percentage may increase slightly to reflect additional time and resources.
Always ask for the fee structure in writing so you know exactly what to expect.
What Does the Fee Include?
Contingency fees typically cover:
- Legal consultations and strategy development
- Investigation and evidence collection
- Communication with insurance companies
- Negotiation of settlements
- Court filings and legal representation in court
Additional Costs to Consider
While you won’t pay legal fees upfront, some costs related to your case may arise, such as:
- Court filing fees
- Expert witness fees
- Medical record retrieval costs
- Deposition or transcript costs
- Some law firms cover these expenses and deduct them from your final settlement. Others may require reimbursement regardless of the outcome, so it’s important to clarify this before signing an agreement.
Did You Know?
In Florida, attorneys must provide a written contingency fee agreement, clearly outlining their fees and how expenses are handled. You have the right to review this agreement and ask questions before proceeding.
Legal Advice
- Ask Questions: Don’t hesitate to ask how fees and costs are calculated and deducted.
- Compare Terms: If speaking with multiple law firms, compare their fee structures and what services are included.
- Read the Agreement Carefully: Make sure you understand when and how the attorney gets paid.
- Focus on Value: The right attorney can significantly increase your compensation, even after fees are deducted.
At Kemp Law Group, we work on a contingency fee basis, meaning there are no upfront costs and no fee unless we win your case. Our goal is to provide clear, transparent representation from day one.
📞 Call us at 727-847-4878 or visit https://kemplaw.com/ to schedule your free consultation and learn more about how we can help.
