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Contingency fee calculator
Most injury lawyers are paid a percentage of the recovery. Costs and medical liens come out too. See how a settlement is typically divided before you sign a fee agreement.
- Attorney fee
- $19,998
- Case costs
- $2,500
- Medical liens / bills
- $8,000
- You receive
- $29,502
By Serdar Arslan, editor · Last reviewed · How we research
Terms to look for in a fee agreement
- The percentage, and whether it changes. Many agreements charge one rate if the case settles before a lawsuit and a higher rate if it goes to litigation or trial.
- Fee before or after costs. A fee calculated on the gross recovery costs you more than one calculated after case costs are repaid. Toggle the checkbox above to see the difference.
- Who pays costs if you lose. Filing fees, records, experts and depositions can add up; some firms absorb them if the case is lost, others do not.
- Liens. Health insurers, Medicare, Medicaid and hospitals may have a legal right to be repaid from the settlement. Ask whether the lawyer will try to negotiate them down.
Lawyer ethics rules generally require contingency fee agreements to be in writing and to explain how the fee and expenses are calculated. Some states also cap contingency percentages in certain cases. Read contingency fees explained and medical bills and liens before you sign.
Assumptions
The default 33.33% is a commonly quoted pre-litigation rate, not a recommendation or a legal standard. Numbers you type stay in your browser; we do not store them.
Frequently asked questions
›What is a contingency fee?
A fee that is a percentage of what you recover. If there is no recovery, there is usually no fee, though you should check who pays case costs.
›Example: $60,000 settlement at 33.33%?
The fee would be about $20,000. After $2,500 in costs and $8,000 in medical liens, about $29,500 would remain for you.
›Is the percentage negotiable?
Often. Ask whether the rate changes if the case settles early or goes to trial, and get everything in writing.
›What are case costs?
Out-of-pocket expenses such as filing fees, medical records, expert witnesses and depositions. They are separate from the fee.
›Can medical liens be reduced?
Sometimes. Health insurers, hospitals and government programs may accept less, and lawyers often negotiate these amounts.