As Louisiana personal injury lawyers, our firm only collects a fee if WE WIN or SETTLE your case.
Our fees are contingent on us recovering MONEY for YOU – if we do not obtain a recovery for you, then you owe no fees. ZERO. Nothing.
What is a Contingency Fee?
A contingency fee is a sum of money that a lawyer receives only if the case is won.
It is usually a percentage of the settlement or verdict amount.
What Percentage Does a Personal Injury Lawyer Charge in Louisiana?
The standard percentage for a Louisiana car accident lawyer varies greatly, though 30% to 40% is a common range.
Some car accident attorneys charge a lower percentage at first, but then increase (sometimes greatly) the percentage they take if a personal injury lawsuit is filed rather than settling the insurance claim. Be sure to ask if the fee changes, and if so, to what? At LJBLegal, our fee percentage remains the same. We're not tempted to drag out the process and file suit, holding out for a higher fee percentage if it's in our client's best interest to settle.
Some firms ask you to pay an amount upfront as a retainer or set-up fee. At our law firm, you don't have to pay anything upfront, and you only pay us out of your settlement or verdict award.
In every case, our goal is to obtain enough money so our clients' damages are fully covered after our fees are paid.
You really have nothing to lose by hiring a car accident lawyer to represent you!
We are working-class, hard-working LSU fans. We never thought we'd have to sue people either, but no one should fight the insurance companies alone.
Are There Any Upfront Costs when Hiring an Injury Lawyer in Louisiana?
In cases where lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, there are generally no upfront costs. However, some personal injury lawyers will charge a fee to open your file.
At LJBLegal, we do not charge anything upfront. There might be costs associated with filing fees, obtaining records, or other necessary expenses that arise as the case progresses, but are usually deducted from your settlement or award at the end.
What are Costs and Expenses in a Personal Injury Case?
Costs in a personal injury case refer to the out-of-pocket expenses incurred during the legal process, such as filing fees, expert witness fees, and court reporter fees. Expenses are the broader category that includes both these costs and any other financial obligations like medical liens arising from the treatment of the injury.
Legal Fees vs. Costs: What’s the Difference?
It’s crucial to differentiate between legal fees and other costs.
Legal fees are payments made directly to attorneys for their services, which can vary depending on whether they charge hourly, a flat rate, or a contingency fee (as most personal injury lawyers do), where they receive a portion of the settlement.
Costs, on the other hand, do not go to the lawyer. These are expenses either advanced by the lawyer or covered by health insurance during the handling of your case, and they must be repaid from your settlement.
Many clients initially feel upset when they see the amount of fees and costs deducted from their settlement. We want to ensure this does not come as a surprise, and we clarify that these deductions are not additional money going to the attorneys.
Common Costs in Personal Injury Cases
On the other hand, various other expenses are crucial to support your case:
- Court-related costs: These include filing fees and court reporter charges. Every legal filing and court appearance may attract a fee.
- Expertise and Reporting: Costs may be incurred for obtaining necessary documentation such as medical records and police reports which prove critical in substantiating your claim. Expert witness fees also fall under this category, compensating specialists who may need to testify on your behalf.
- Investigative Expenses: Hiring investigators to better understand the accident or the extent of your injuries is essential. Similarly, during the pre-trial phase, depositions and acquiring transcripts are significant expenses.
- Additional Expenses: These include mundane yet necessary costs such as postage, travel expenses for legal purposes, and trial exhibits.
Billing and Settlements
Individual attorneys might bill these expenses differently. Some lawyers account for these costs as they are incurred, while others may total all expenses and deduct them from the final settlement received. It's typical in personal injury cases for settlements to be made out of court, which can significantly reduce these costs.
After a case resolution, your attorney will provide an itemized list called a settlement statement detailing all costs, fees, and expenses accrued in your case. This transparency helps you understand exactly where the settlement money goes. The final amount you receive will be the settlement minus these deductions.
Medical and Associated Costs
In many cases, if a settlement is reached, there will also be medical bills that must be cleared. These are often directly paid from the settlement amount before any remainder is passed on to you. These are often referred to as medical liens or subrogation.
In Louisiana, if a client seeks treatment after a crash, the hospital and other medical providers can place a lien on the settlement funds obtained for the amount of any treatment received as a result of the incident. However, if this is the case, we will work with the medical provider to reduce their bill and satisfy any valid lien.
Subrogation occurs when a health insurance company requests reimbursement for any claims they have paid relating to your injuries. However, not all subrogation claims are valid. We take the time to determine which subrogation claims are valid. If they are entitled to reimbursement, we work with the health insurance company to reduce their claim out of the settlement funds.
If you have Medicare or Medicaid, we must reimburse them for any payments made in relation to your injuries. As with regular health insurance, we negotiate with Medicare and Medicaid to lower the amount they are ultimately paid out of the settlement funds.
Personal injury lawsuits can be complex and costly, but understanding these potential expenses can prepare you for what to expect financially. Always discuss these costs in detail with your lawyer to ensure transparency and to strategize your case effectively.
Is it Worth Hiring a Personal Injury Attorney After An Accident in Louisiana?
The majority of consumers think that if they do get a lawyer, the lawyer will get a big portion of their money so they won’t end up with much.
However, a study by the Insurance Research Council found people who hired lawyers received THREE TIMES more than claimants without lawyers. And that's AFTER they took out the lawyer's fees.
The Insurance Research Council has also found that 85 percent of all insurance payouts for bodily injury claims went to people who had hired an attorney. This research shows that having an attorney can translate to your claim being approved and for more money.
Another study by Lawyers.com came to similar conclusions. Their study found that 91 percent of survey participants received a payout when they had a lawyer, compared to just 51 percent who did not have a lawyer. Results were also consistent with IRCs. Even after deducting the lawyer’s contingency fee, claimants who had a lawyer walked away with about three times more compensation than those who did not have legal representation for their claim.
And none of that accounts for the value of having this stress taken off of your shoulders.
- We will communicate with the insurance company for you.
- We will navigate the complex legal system.
- We will provide you with the resources you need.
- You do not have to go through this alone.
If you were hurt in a car accident, our personal injury team is here to help you at every stage of your claim. Call us now at 985-240-9773.
The LJB Guarantee
If you are dissatisfied with our services after 30 days, we'll give you your whole file and not charge you anything.
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