Most callers want a straight answer to one thing: what will this cost me. We work on a contingency basis: zero upfront fees; zero bills unless we win. You don’t pay hourly and you don’t post a retainer. The firm advances time and case expenses and gets paid from the recovery only if money comes in for you. As one of our attorneys puts it, “They’re hiring us, they’re getting our time and whatever expenses, and if it goes south, they’re not on the hook for any of that.”
What a contingency fee is
A contingency fee ties the attorney’s payment to the outcome. No win, no attorney’s fee. If there is a settlement or judgment, the fee is a percentage of the recovery. Clients choose this model because it removes the barrier of upfront cost and it lets a case move forward while treatment and investigation happen in parallel. “This is what has allowed clients to get their day in court… they don’t have to worry about paying the attorney’s bill each month.”
Common percentage brackets and why they change
You will see familiar brackets in personal injury:
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Pre-suit resolution: about one third
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After suit is filed or as trial nears: a higher bracket
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If an appeal becomes necessary: a further step up
Risk and workload rise when a case moves from claims to litigation to appeals. The firm is investing more time, advancing more hard costs, and taking on more exposure that may never be recouped. “We’re investing in this case… paying for experts, general costs of the file, our time… sometimes it doesn’t always work out that way.”
Exact percentages and triggers are set in your written contingency fee agreement.
What the firm fronts during the case
Most of the quiet work is invisible to clients but essential to value:
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Medical records and imaging requests
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Expert reviews and consultations
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Depositions and transcripts
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Court filing and service fees
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Accident reports, scene work, and background research
These are case costs, separate from the attorney’s fee. The firm advances them so care and proof do not stall. If there is a recovery, advanced costs are reimbursed from the settlement proceeds. If the case ends with no recovery, the transcript quote above captures the policy: “If it goes south… they’re not on the hook for any of that.”
Why “risk” is the key that explains everything
Contingency practice is risk transfer. The client’s financial risk moves to the firm. The firm accepts that risk because strong cases resolve, but there are landmines:
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Fault disputes that surface once records and witness statements arrive
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Coverage problems, including excluded drivers or lapsed policies that looked valid at the scene
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Clients who stop treating or disappear, which breaks the medical narrative needed to prove injury
“Sometimes we find out… the driver was an excluded driver or their insurance had lapsed even though they presented an insurance card at the scene.” That is coverage risk. “We find out that maybe the client was partially at fault.” That is liability risk. Either one can shrink or eliminate the available recovery.
Who decides whether a case goes forward
Good intake is a two-way conversation. The lawyer evaluates proof, treatment, and coverage. The client weighs time, medical effort, and personal bandwidth. Expect candid advice at every step. “At any time during the process, if we’re learning more information that’s not great, we will talk to you about that and together we will make a decision whether or not to go forward.”
The “sticker shock” problem and what the numbers really mean
Many people see the percentage and worry about paying a fee on money they need for bills and recovery. The comparison point matters. If you had to fund this case out of pocket, you would pay for records, experts, filings, and months of lawyer time without knowing the outcome. On contingency you are not paying while the case is built. The fee comes out only if the process succeeds. That is why clients are urged to call early and ask questions. “Call me up. I’m not going to charge you for anything for talking to you… our fee comes out of whatever we’re able to get for you.”
What you get during the case
We help you find great care so treatment stays on track while we handle the insurer and the paperwork. Day to day, the legal team:
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Coordinates with providers so treatment stays on track
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Gathers and organizes medical proof
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Deals with insurers so you are not fielding pressure calls
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Builds the demand or prepares the suit when the file is ready
The goal is steady care and a clean record. Treatment documents injury, connects it to the crash, and anchors value. Gaps weaken both health and claim.
How the money is distributed at the end
When your case resolves, you’ll get a detailed closing statement that shows the gross recovery, the agreed attorney’s fee, any advanced case costs, provider balances, and your net.
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Gross settlement or judgment
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Attorney’s fee per the contingency agreement
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Case costs advanced by the firm
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Medical liens and provider balances
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Net payment to you
The firm works through each provider balance so old invoices do not ambush you after the check arrives. You receive a copy of the accounting with records to support each line.
Examples of risk that change the path
Coverage hole after intake. A crash looks straightforward. Days later, the carrier denies coverage because the driver was excluded or the policy lapsed. The firm pivots to other sources like uninsured motorist coverage, a resident relative’s policy, or a third party. If no source exists, the case may not be viable. That outcome is rare, but it is part of the risk the firm absorbs while investigating.
Comparative fault and slim limits. The records show the client shares some blame. Recovery is still possible in Louisiana because fault reduces damages rather than wiping them out, but thin liability limits can cap payment even when injuries are real. The team explains the trade-offs so you can decide whether to keep pushing or close the file on a smaller number.
Client life happens. People move, change numbers, or get discouraged by pain and scheduling. Missed care breaks the medical story. The firm can manage paperwork and insurers, but only you can attend treatment. Staying consistent keeps the case on track and protects your health. “We’re hopeful that we get a recovery… but sometimes it doesn’t always work out that way.”
How to read a proposed fee agreement
Ask for a written agreement that spells out:
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Percentage at each stage, and when a bracket shifts
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How case costs are advanced and accounted for
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What happens if there is no recovery
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Your right to a closing statement with all numbers at the end
You should finish that read-through with no mysteries. If any clause feels unclear, ask for plain language.
What you should do right now if money is tight
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Keep appointments and follow doctor advice
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Save every bill and receipt that ties to the crash
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Let the firm know when new statements arrive
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Do not post about injuries or the crash on social media
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Call early to preserve evidence and deadlines
This steady routine protects health first. It also builds the record that supports value.
FAQs
Why are the percentages higher once a lawsuit is filed or on appeal.
More risk, more time, and more cost. Filing brings experts, depositions, and court work. Appeals add briefing and delay. The brackets reflect that the firm is putting in more with no guarantee of recovery. “We are paying for experts… general costs of the file… we’re investing in the case.”
Will I get a bill if my case turns out not to be viable.
No attorney’s fee if there is no recovery. On policy, our transcript quote captures it: you are “not on the hook” for the time and case expenses the firm advanced while investigating.
Why can’t you tell me the value on day one.
Value rests on medical proof, not guesses. The file has to mature. Records, imaging, and doctor opinions tell the story. When the picture is clear, a demand goes out. If the carrier will not pay fair value, suit keeps the file moving.
Need a clear plan and an honest read on risk. Call Inzina Law for a Free Case Evaluation. We will review treatment to date, provider balances, and coverage and then map next steps.
Disclaimer:
General information only. Not legal advice. Reading this site or contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. Do not send confidential information until we confirm representation. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome.