How Do Lawyer’s Fees Work in Wrongful Death Cases?

If you’re grieving the loss of a loved one who possibly died from negligence or carelessness, you might be thinking about a wrong death lawsuit. Just the mention of a legal action can bring up questions about paying a lawyer. A wrongful death case is very complex. The average person just can’t file a lawsuit and hope to get through the process successfully. Hiring a lawyer can seem as if it’s out of the question, but before you push aside the idea, learn more about how lawyer’s fees work in wrongful death cases.

Understanding Contingency Fees 

Most wrongful death lawyers work on a contingency basis. This means that you only pay attorney’s fees if the case is successfully resolved with a monetary judgment. You agree to pay the attorney a percentage of final settlement. Typically, this amount ranges from 33 to 40% of the settlement, depending on a few factors about the case.

A contingency fee means that the lawyer takes on part of the risk of the case. You, as the client, don’t have to bear the burden of hourly fees. The lawyer is incentivized to take steps to maximize the settlement. Although no amount of money can ever bring your loved one back, financial compensation can provide you with a better future and help to ensure that the negligence doesn’t go unnoticed. 

What to Discuss With Your Attorney 

Hiring a lawyer on a contingency fee basis can seem like a good thing, but it’s important to fully understand everything associated with your case. A wrongful death claim includes other expenses beyond attorney’s fees. Your attorney may have court costs, expert witness fees, private investigator’s fees and many other expenses before the case is settled. You need to discuss the expenses with your attorney to know how those fees will be handled.

You need to be able to talk to your attorney about your concerns and questions involved in the case. The process to resolve a wrongful death case may take time. You may want to discuss a timeline with your lawyer. Your lawyer should never guarantee an outcome but offer up their experience based on other cases.

Ask your lawyer what happens if you decide that you don’t want to proceed or want to cancel the arrangement. You may not need the information, but you should understand the entire process, just in case. Discuss your case with a personal injury lawyer in Bloomington, IL to find out what steps you can take to receive financial compensation for the wrongful death of a loved one.

Thanks to Pioletti, Pioletti & Nichols for their insight into personal injury claims and how lawyers fees work in wrongful death claims.