How are medical malpractice attorneys compensated?

There are several types of attorney fee arrangements: (1) contingent fee; (2) hourly fee; and (3) fixed fee. Although the vast majority of medical malpractice cases are handled on a contingent fee basis, a client should be aware of other options. Under a contingent fee agreement, the plaintiff's attorney is compensated by a specified percentage of the recovery which has been negotiated or won on the client's behalf. If no recovery is obtained, no fee is owed to the attorney. Percentage fees vary from state to state and law firm to law firm, and depend on the circumstances of each case. Our firm usually does not charge fees for preliminary evaluation of malpractice cases, and we routinely represent clients on a contingent fee basis when asked to do so. In addition to attorney's fees, any contingent fee agreement should address payment of out-of-pocket expenses. Please read the information in the next section. ... more