Hiring an Attorney?

What are the fees?

Yes! Even if you are unable to afford to pay an attorney out of your pocket, you can hire an attorney to represent you who will be paid a fee out of the amount of money you receive from your claim.

In personal injury, workers' compensation and Social Security disability claims you can hire an attorney on a contingency fee basis. This means simply that you must be found eligible for benefits before your attorney can be paid. For personal injury cases, the fee is a percentage of the recovery, agreed upon by the client and attorney prior to representation. Your fee agreement or contract should always be in writing. The percentage charged may depend on how difficult the case is and whether litigation is required.

In workers' compensation and Social Security disability claims, you must be granted benefits before the attorney can be paid. For Social Security claims, attorneys’ fees are set by federal regulation at 25% of any past due benefits that are paid, up to a maximum of $6,000, whichever is less.

If you are awarded disability insurance benefits (Title II), the Social Security Administration will withhold 25% of the past due benefits and pay the attorney directly. In both types of cases, you are responsible for reimbursing your attorney any out-of-pocket expenses he may have incurred during the pendency of your case. (These are usually minimal expenses for postage, copy charges and sometimes doctor's reports.)

Most importantly, be sure that you ask as many questions as you need to understand exactly how the fees are paid. Remember! There is no fee unless there is a recovery. Call us at 1-800-375-3228 with any questions you may have.