Legal Question in Personal Injury in California

We have hired a lawyer on 33% contingency plan(personal injury case)

After we settled the case for 2 milions he wants now 40% because of litigation fee +we must pay all medical fees and deposition fees and all experts he hired

case never went to trial

Is he allowe to that after the fact

Plz help

andrew


Asked on 2/25/10, 11:03 pm

4 Answers from Attorneys

Arkady Itkin Law Office of Arkady Itkin

Hi, Andrew. You should review the contract and the fee provisions and see exactly what % of the fee it provides for depending upon the stage. Litigation is not the same as "trial." Generally, litigation stage starts as soon as the lawsuit is filed.

% of attorney's fee is taken off the top and not after the medical bills are deducted.

Thanks,

Arkady Itkin

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Answered on 3/02/10, 11:56 pm
Steven Kuhn Steven Kuhn

The previous attorney is correct. Review your attorney client agreement carefully and see if the fee goes to 40% at some point in the representation. You are usually responsible for all costs and medical bills from your portion of the settlement.

The response given is not intended to create, nor does it create an ongoing duty to respond to questions. The response does not form an attorney-client relationship, nor is it intended to be anything other than the educated opinion of the author. It should not be relied upon as legal advice. The response given is based upon the limited facts provided by the person asking the question. To the extent additional or different facts exist, the response might possibly change.

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Answered on 3/03/10, 7:41 am
Bryan C. Becker Your Lawyer for Life.

As previously stated, your represenation agreement with dictate hoiw much the attorney is allowed to recieve. keep in mind though that everything is negoiatable even after the fact. If thought it was 33% and the agreement says 40% why don't you see if there can be a compromise at 36%?

Best,

Bryan Becker

Becker Attorneys

www.becker-attorneys.com

[email protected]

877.201.8728

Our Free Guide: Top Ten Mistakes California Small Business Owners Make

http://www.bbeckerlaw.com/Top-Ten-Mistakes-California-Small-Business-Owners-Make/

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Answered on 3/03/10, 11:59 am
Edward Hoffman Law Offices of Edward A. Hoffman

You and your lawyer should have a written contract which specifies when and if his fee will increase. The contract probably also says that all costs are your responsibility.

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Answered on 3/03/10, 12:52 pm


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