Accidental injuries due to someone else’s negligence can be life-altering. They can lead to permanent disfigurement, inability to work, chronic health issues, or long recovery periods. While dealing with these travesties is taxing enough on its own, dealing with the financial aspects can be just as tricky.
Not only will a CT personal injury lawyer help you navigate the tumultuous legal proceedings surrounding settlement claims, but they’ll also often get you more than you would have received on your own.
On top of that, personal injury lawyers are essentially risk-free when it comes to fees; it’s a win-win.
How To Get Started With a CT Personal Injury Lawyer
Most personal injury lawyers in Connecticut offer a free consultation session before you choose to use their services or not. What this amounts to is a chat with the lawyer to discuss your case, what you’re looking for in a settlement, the chances of success, and what the lawyer can do for you.
Consultations are vital for both the client and the lawyer as they can inform the client on issues they weren’t aware of, help them from getting short-changed in the settlement, and give them time to decide if they like and trust the lawyer’s skills. From the lawyer's perspective, the consultation allows them to get to know the client, their case, and who they’ll be up against.
How Much Does a CT Personal Injury Lawyer Cost?
Typically most CT personal injury lawyers cost $0 out of pocket. They work strictly through contingency fees; this means that their pay is dictated by the success and amount of the settlement. In the case of personal injury lawyers, their compensation comes from your settlement amount rather than from you.
If you choose to go with a lawyer after the consultation, they’ll develop and research your case and attempt to settle it out of court. If the settlement is successful, the lawyer takes a cut of your winnings.
While the percentage a lawyer has a claim to for fees differs greatly depending on if the case involves a minor, the size of the settlement, and so on, the Connecticut General Assembly showcases flat fees and statutory sliding scales.
For a settlement of $100,000, a client can expect to receive $66,667 or 66.67% while the lawyer's compensation is $33,333 or 33.33%. This amount may change based on costs incurred during the research phase such as travel to interview witnesses and other expenses. For a settlement of 1,000,000, the attorney fee is 25%, and the client receives 75%. A settlement of 5,000,000 has an attorney fee of 13.2% and a client percentage of 86.8%.
What Your Settlement Will Cover
As the plaintiff, your settlement is meant to cover the costs of:
- All medical expenses relating to injury past, present, and future
- Lost wages and benefits to date and expected in the future due to injury
- Property damage
- Set values for permanent injury and disfigurement
- Compensation for pain, suffering, and emotional distress
What the Lawyer Fees Are For
While it may seem that the lawyer takes an awfully large chunk of your settlement, just remember, they need it for:
- Court costs and filing fees
- Certifying and obtaining records
- Consultation fees to 3rd parties
- Travel expenses
- Shipping and mailing
- Time and expertise given
Lingering Questions
If you still feel like you have some unanswered questions about personal injury lawyers and the associated costs, here are some brief answers to some frequently asked questions.
Why do I need a personal injury lawyer?
There are many reasons a personal injury lawyer could be a great help to you. In times of distress, it’s easy to be taken advantage of by the responsible party. A lawyer can help you understand the scope of the situation, and the full range of settlement you’re entitled to, and smooth out the whole settlement process.
Chances are if you’ve been seriously injured the last thing you want to be doing is trying to gather medical records and witnesses to win a settlement. You need to be resting and recovering. A lawyer can do all the heavy lifting for you and prevent losses and scams.
What are disbursements in legal fees?
Disbursements are the costs a firm may incur during a case. They include the things you would have to pay out of pocket should you try to settle without a lawyer. They often include travel expenses, fees for acquiring documents, etc.
What percentage do most personal injury lawyers take?
A personal injury lawyer's average and most common contingency fee is 33.33%.
Brandon J. Broderick, CT Personal Injury Lawyers that Turn Setbacks into Comebacks
We get it. An unexpected accident caused by someone else's negligence or reckless actions can have an impact on your health, well-being, and finances which can cause worry, fear, and anxiety -- for you and your family. Wouldn’t it be a relief to know you could count on a trusted friend and advisor to passionately champion for you? Someone who’s got your best interests in mind?
At Brandon J. Broderick, Attorney at Law, we believe in exceptional client care, empathy, and results. With our long track record of success, you can count on us to take the best strategy and work tirelessly for your quality of life. Our CT personal injury attorneys have decades of experience representing victims in personal injury claims. We’ve helped people just like you move forward after sustaining an injury that was caused by another’s negligence. Contact us today for a free consultation.