If you have been injured in an accident, concerns about legal costs can prevent you from seeking help. Contingency fees are designed to remove that barrier by allowing injured individuals to pursue a claim without paying upfront attorney fees.
What Is a Contingency Fee?
A contingency fee is a payment arrangement where an attorney’s fee depends on the outcome of the case. Instead of billing hourly or requiring a retainer, the attorney receives a percentage of the financial recovery obtained through a settlement or verdict.
If there is no recovery, the client typically does not owe attorney fees. A clear contingency agreement ensures transparency and allows injured individuals to focus on recovery while their legal team pursues compensation.
How Contingency Fees Work
While specific terms can vary, most contingency fee agreements involve:
- No upfront attorney fees
- Payment only if compensation is recovered
- A percentage-based fee taken from the settlement or verdict
- Case costs handled separately depending on the agreement
Part of the fee will cover general case expenses like:
- Filing fees
- Expert witness fees
- Medical record retrieval costs
- Deposition expenses
- Investigation costs
These costs are usually advanced by the firm and reimbursed from the recovery, though the structure should always be clearly explained in the written agreement.
Why Hilda Sibrian Uses Contingency Fees
1. Access to Justice
Injury victims often face lost income, medical bills, and financial instability. Contingency fees allow individuals to pursue claims regardless of their financial situation.
2. Risk Sharing
Under a contingency structure, the attorney assumes financial risk by investing time and resources without guaranteed payment. This creates a shared incentive to achieve a successful outcome.
3. Incentive for Strong Case Development
Because compensation depends on recovery, attorneys are motivated to:
- Conduct thorough investigations
- Retain qualified experts
- Negotiate aggressively with insurers
- Prepare cases for trial when necessary
4. Claim Screening
Law firms typically evaluate cases carefully before accepting them on contingency. This screening helps ensure that our firm is devoted to claims that are best suited to our firm.
Ethical and Legal Framework
Contingency fees are governed by professional conduct rules and must be reasonable and documented in writing. In Texas, these agreements are regulated by the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct, which require transparency regarding fee percentages and expense handling.
When you sign with our firm, you receive a written contract explaining:
- The fee percentage
- How expenses are treated
- Whether the percentage changes if the case goes to trial or appeal
- The client’s responsibility for costs
We work hard to ensure that we strike out a fair deal and get you the recovery you need.
Benefits for Injury Victims
Contingency fee arrangements provide several practical advantages:
- No financial barrier to legal representation
- Ability to pursue claims against well-funded defendants
- Alignment of attorney and client interests
- Reduced stress during recovery
- Access to experienced litigation resources
Common Misconceptions
“Contingency fees mean the attorney takes most of the settlement.”
Fee percentages are negotiated and disclosed upfront, and ethical rules require that they be reasonable.
“Free consultation means free representation.”
A consultation is typically free, but representation is contingent on recovery under the agreed percentage.
“I will owe money if I lose.”
In most personal injury contingency arrangements, attorney fees are not owed if there is no recovery, though expense responsibility should be clarified in the agreement.
When Contingency Fees Are Used
Contingency fee arrangements are common for cases across the personal injury spectrum, including:
- Car and trucking accidents
- Workplace and industrial injuries
- Refinery and chemical exposure incidents
- Premises liability claims
- Wrongful death cases
Pay Nothing Out of Pocket with Hilda Sibrian
If you have been injured in Houston, you have enough to worry about without also dealing with massive legal fees. A contingency fee arrangement allows you to pursue justice without upfront costs, hourly billing, or financial risk during your recovery. You can focus on medical treatment and rebuilding your life while your legal team investigates the incident, gathers evidence, negotiates with insurers, and works to secure your full recovery.
Our firm works hard to determine the details of each injury. Attorney Hilda Sibrian has served the Houston workforce for over 20 years. Hilda Sibrian serves the Houston metropolitan area, including Sugar Land, Missouri City, La Porte, Beaumont, Pasadena, The Woodlands, The Heights, Bellaire, Kingwood, Baytown and of course Houston proper. Call our office today or fill out our online contact form for a free consultation.
