When it comes to the question of how much attorneys get from settlement cases, the answer varies widely. In most cases, attorneys get a fixed percentage of the settlement, whereas in other cases, their fee may be a flat percentage of the total. This is referred to as contingency fees, which are payments made by a client only after the settlement has been won. If a settlement is reached quickly, attorneys may collect only 25 percent of the settlement. If negotiations continue, attorneys may collect around thirty-three percent of the total. On the other hand, if a lawsuit proceeds to trial, attorneys may receive a much higher percentage of the total, up to 40 percent. This is because lawsuits often take months to get to trial and require more hours of attorney work. However, attorneys have an ethical obligation to protect their clients' interests, so if the case goes

When a settlement is reached, a check is sent to the plaintiff's lawyer. Once this check arrives, the court will deduct the attorney's fees from the settlement amount. Once this is complete, the settlement is final. Generally, attorneys get a 40 percent to 50 percent contingency fee on settlement cases, so they're getting a good deal. If the settlement amount is high, attorneys usually make a profit by avoiding the court altogether.

The fees lawyers charge for personal injury cases also vary. In one law firm, Allison charges a twenty-five percent fee for a case after a free case review. Another firm charged a forty-five percent fee after a demand letter and trial. While most lawyers charge on a contingency fee basis, some lawyers prefer to charge per case. In these situations, attorneys often avoid settling at-fault cases because they're less likely to be paid by the insurance company.

Choosing to accept a settlement is a major decision for victims of personal injury. Although it may seem tempting to accept the first offer you get, consider the length of time you'll have to wait for compensation. A prolonged time may cause you to miss work or pay medical bills. Also, fighting for a settlement can put your case in jeopardy before a judge. Additionally, some insurance companies play dirty in order to avoid paying claims.

The fee for a lawsuit depends on how serious the injury is. A slip-and-fall or dog bite case, for example, is often settled out of court with the insurance company. There may be additional expenses, such as obtaining police reports, copying them, and using certified mail. These costs can quickly add up to hundreds of dollars. Other expenses might include expert witness fees, medical conferences, and a final medical report.

Personal injury attorneys often deduct their costs from a settlement. This allows them to avoid charging clients for these expenses as they occur. In close cases, however, these expenses can add up. In the end, the attorney may get between forty and sixty percent of the settlement. This means that a slip and fall case will cost less than a complex auto accident or medical malpractice case. But the percentage may be much lower.