Learn How You Can Pay for a Personal Injury Lawyer

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  Louis DelSignore
  Lawyer

If you are injured as the result of the negligence of another person, you may consider bringing a lawsuit to compensate you for your injuries or damages. Many potential clients are worried that they cannot afford to pay for a lawyer and especially worried about losing money if the lawsuit is unsuccessful.

Contingency Fee Retainers

In order to minimize this financial burden on those who have suffered injuries, the Law Society of Ontario allows accident victims to retain personal injury lawyers by contingency fee retainer agreements. In a contingency fee retainer, the client agrees to pay the lawyer a percentage of the total amount recovered less disbursements and other fees associated with the litigation. This means that if the lawsuit is not successful in recovering compensation for your injuries, you do not pay our legal fees. If you are successful in receiving money for your claim, you pay the retainer percentage of the total amount recovered plus disbursements and HST.

Disbursements

Disbursements are out-of-pocket expenses that the law firm incurs while working on your case. Disbursements can include fees for photocopying, postage, couriers, court and government filings, court reporter services, private investigators, expert consultants, obtaining medical reports, computer assisted legal research, mileage and travel related expenses and other reasonable fees which are necessary to conduct your case. Usually, the disbursements are paid out of any settlement money.

There are risks involved in commencing a lawsuit. As your lawyer, we will act in your best interests and give you our best legal advice, however, no lawyer can guarantee a successful outcome. Contingency fee agreements help potential clients minimize these risks and enable you to take legal action to protect your rights. In order to properly advance your case, your lawyer should fully review all details and discuss the strengths and weaknesses of your case so you are fully apprised.

Do you or someone you know need legal representation? We are here to help. Please contact Louis DelSignore today.

This post was written by Lawyer Louis DelSignore and Articling Student Jonathan Bradford.