Many lawyers provide free initial consultations in areas such as bankruptcy and criminal defense. In the realm of personal injury law, free consultations are standard. A personal injury attorney in Gig Harbor normally provides this service in addition to charging contingency fees instead of retainer or hourly fees after being hired. So many people who have been seriously hurt due to someone else’s negligence otherwise would not be able to afford a lawyer.
Contingency Fees
Contingency fees are only paid based on the success of the outcome for the client. A personal injury attorney in Gig Harbor typically accepts a percentage of the court award or settlement paid to the client. Thus, no money is owed until the check from the insurance company, or another entity has arrived. This check is sent to the attorney’s office. The fees are deducted and the remainder provided to the client.
Reasons for Complimentary Consultations
For attorneys, complimentary consultations are both a method to find new clients and a way to help people who will benefit from a session where they can obtain legal advice. Someone may be trying to decide whether to accept a settlement or hire an attorney. A lawyer can help this person determine whether the settlement amount is reasonable, even if it is lower than had been hoped for.
Why Lawyers Don’t Accept Every Case
Injury lawyers cannot accept all cases presented to them. For example, someone who was injured after slipping and falling on a wet store may have about $1,500 in related medical expenses that the store and its insurer refuse to pay. A lawyer will probably not accept this case because the contingency fee is too low to make it worthwhile, and the client would only receive about $1,000 after legal fees.
Locations of Initial Consultations
The initial consultations can be done at the law office or over the phone. In some cases, a lawyer will visit the prospective client at home or even in the hospital if this person is unable to travel anywhere at the moment. To learn more, an injured person may visit us at the website of The Law Offices of Anthony C. Otto.
