If you have suffered a personal injury accident in Connecticut where the negligent action of another party could be at play, you have a right to compensation.
However, securing the compensation that you rightfully deserve will depend on how your case is being handled. Therefore, engaging a competent lawyer is crucial.
Most people avoid hiring a lawyer for fear of costs, but most of these fears are based on misconceptions. However, Connecticut attorney Russell Berkowitz of Berkowitz Hanna Malpractice & Injury Lawyers is your go-to if you feel you’re in a legal pinch. This guide sheds light on the costs of hiring a personal injury lawyer in Connecticut and can be an excellent guide in helping you decide whether to hire or not to hire.
You Do Not Have to Pay Anything Upfront
Lawyers have a reputation for being expensive, and they certainly can be. However, most personal injury lawyers’ approach to charging legal fees varies significantly from that of other lawyers. Under normal circumstances, you do not pay anything upfront. You only pay after they have done their work and you have recovered compensation for your damages.
This means you can pursue a claim even with nothing to your name. Where need be, a lawyer can even help you access financing using your case’s settlement as your collateral.
Also, you often do not have to pay for an initial consultation. Like most lawyers, initial consultation is typically free for personal injury lawyers. No strings are attached to the free consultation, so if you are not content with the first office you visit, you can always visit another at no cost.
Understanding Contingency Fee Payment
Contingency fee payment is an agreed-upon payment between you and your lawyer, who agrees to take your case with no upfront payment and promises to get a cut from your payout.
Most states have a wide leeway for lawyers when charging litigation fees. In Connecticut, the contingency fee is governed by law, with smaller lawsuits having higher percentages than larger ones, otherwise called sliding scales.
Connecticut Contingency Fee Limits
A lawyer will get 33 percent of the first $300,000 payout. For the next $300,000, they will get 25 percent. The rates will be reduced by 5 percent for every additional $300,000 and they will reach 10 percent for amounts exceeding $1.2 million.
The cut personal injury lawyers take from the payoff can seem like a lot at face value. But the value they add to claims by their process makes it worth it.
According to studies, personal injury claims that involve lawyers have five times better chances of recovering fair compensation than claims that do not, even when you factor in what a lawyer takes.
How a Lawyer Makes a Difference
A lawyer makes a difference in a personal injury case in many ways. First, they will command respect from the opposing side.
The opposing side will always try to exploit unrepresented claimants. A lawyer’s presence changes how they approach your case, which can help make a massive difference in the outcome.
Secondly, a lawyer will help you gather evidence, provide legal advice on the dos and don’ts, and help with evidence preservation and organization. They will also help with damage valuation, the first step in recovering what you deserve and an aspect of your case that may be out of your purview.
After valuation, they will help you negotiate a deal, and if your lawsuit goes to trial, they will properly represent you in court.
Conclusion
Hiring a Connecticut personal injury lawyer may seem costly, but most work on contingency—meaning no upfront fees and payment only if you win. The state’s sliding scale limits ensure fairness.
Lawyers add immense value by enhancing your case’s success rate, negotiating with insurers, and representing you in court. With expert guidance, your odds of recovering deserved compensation improve significantly, making legal representation a worthwhile investment.