A personal injury lawyer in Ontario can charge for their legal services in several ways. As a few examples, they may charge by the hour or accept a flat rate fee. However, most Hamilton personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, which works in the client’s best interests.
What Is a Contingency Fee for a Personal Injury Case in Hamilton, Ontario?
A contingency fee is a type of payment arrangement with a lawyer. The lawyer agrees to represent the client without charging the client an upfront retainer fee to hire the law firm. Instead, the lawyer agrees to accept a percentage of the funds the lawyer recovers for the injury claim.
The lawyer does not get paid until they win the case. If the lawyer does not win the case, they do not receive any money for their legal services. Therefore, lawyers do not take cases in which they do not believe they can win. It would not make sense for them to work diligently on a case if they don’t believe they will be paid.
What Types of Cases Do Lawyers Take for a Contingency Fee in Canada?
Most personal injury lawyers work for a contingency fee. You can hire a lawyer to represent you based on a contingency fee for most types of personal injury cases, including:
- Car accidents
- Dog bites and animal attacks
- Slip and fall accidents and other premises liability claims
- Truck accidents
- Construction accidents
- Wrongful death
- Medical malpractice
- Bicycle accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Pedestrian and bicycle accidents
A lawyer can represent you on a contingency fee basis for just about every type of personal injury case.
Why Do Personal Injury Lawyers in Ontario Work for a Contingency Fee?
When someone is injured in an accident or because of another party’s negligence, they may be out of work for weeks or months. During their recovery, they may not receive income or full income. This situation can create a financial crisis, making it challenging to pay a large retainer fee to hire a Hamilton personal injury lawyer.
Our law firm believes injured victims deserve sound legal advice and representation. Therefore, we work for a contingency fee. It allows our clients to have the representation, advice, and support they need as they seek to recover compensation for their medical bills, pain, suffering, lost wages, and other damages.
We believe we can win the personal injury cases we accept. We know we will earn our fees when we recover the compensation you deserve for your case.
How Much Does a Hamilton Personal Injury Lawyer Charge for a Contingency Fee?
The average contingency fee for a personal injury case in Ontario is about one-third of the recovery or 33 percent. However, that is merely an average. The contingency fee amount could be higher or lower depending on the case.
Factors that impact a contingency fee include, but are not limited to:
- The lawyer’s track record, experience, skills, and education
- The time and resources the lawyer believes they must devote to win the case
- The type and complexity of the personal injury case
- The parties involved in the case
- Whether the personal injury case is resolved through settlement negotiations, formal mediation, or trial
Discuss the fees with the lawyer before hiring a law firm in Hamilton, Ontario. Ensure that the contingency fee agreement and retainer agreement are in writing. Read the entire agreement, including the fine print.
If you have questions about the fee agreement, ask the lawyer before signing the agreement. Never sign a retainer agreement or contingency agreement that you do not understand or that has blanks that are not complete.
Who Pays for the Costs of Pursuing a Personal Injury Case in Ontario, Canada?
The costs of pursuing a personal injury case vary. They depend on the facts and circumstances of the case and how the case proceeds. Examples of the costs of the case include, but are not limited to:
- Charges and fees for copies, postage, and mileage
- Fees for obtaining medical records, accident reports, and other documents
- Deposition fees and costs
- The costs and fees charged by expert witnesses
- Filing fees for court documents
- Investigation fees
- Trial preparation
In most cases, the personal injury law firm pays the costs as they are incurred. When the case is settled or a judgment is received, the law firm reimburses itself for the proceeds recovered from the case.
Discussing fees and costs with your lawyer before hiring them to represent you in a personal injury case is essential. Ask who is responsible for the fees and costs should you lose the case.
Get Help With a Personal Injury Case in Ontario, Canada
Were you injured in an accident or because of another person’s wrongful acts? If so, you could be entitled to pecuniary and non-pecuniary damages for your injuries. Schedule a free consultation with Findlay Personal Injury Lawyers to discuss your case, or contact us at (905) 522 9799.