When representing accident victims, lawyers are
often paid on a contingency fee basis. Under the contingency fee structure, the
client pays nothing up front. Connecticut
General Statute Section 52-251c allows the attorney
and the client to create a contract to condition the attorney’s fee based on a
percentage of the damages or the settlement amount that the client receives. That
statute also provides that the attorney may be paid 33 1/3% of the client’s
recovery. This percentage may decrease, depending upon the size of the
recovery.
Rule
1.5 of the Rules of Professional Conduct requires an attorney
to provide a client with a written fee agreement. This written fee agreement typically provides
that the attorney covers all costs related to bringing the case and is
reimbursed by the client only upon obtaining a successful outcome.
Contingency fees enable injured clients to secure
high quality representation without having to pay attorney’s fees out of pocket.
If you are a victim of an unfortunate accident, the personal injury
attorneys at Brown Paindiris & Scott can assist you with
understanding your legal rights and help you to achieve a favorable outcome in
your case.
