For more than 40 years, the personal injury lawyers at Timothy J. Ryan & Associates have been representing the rights of injured victims and their families. Over this period, we have successfully filed innumerable lawsuits and obtained compensation for our clients – many of whom were injured in auto accidents, pedestrian accidents, dog attacks, workplace injuries, or as a result of medical malpractice, etc. Our law firm also continues to fight for the rights of families that are grieving the loss of loved ones who died due to someone else’s negligence or wrongdoing.
At the outset of our practice we decided to institute a fee policy that will never additionally burden our client. We realize that when they come to us, they are injured, hurting and in a most vulnerable state. To assist them in their fight for justice and time of need, we handle all our cases on a contingency fee retainer agreement. Our guarantee to you is that – as our client, you will not incur any out-of-pocket fees or expenses unless you get compensated for your losses.
What are Contingency Fees?
A contingency fee essentially means that you do not pay fees or expenses associated with your personal injury case unless you win or settle your lawsuit. Under a retainer agreement, our lawyers agree to work on your case and pursue compensation for your losses in exchange for a portion – or percentage – of the recovery (amount that is won or settled).
How do contingency fees help? For one, they level the playing field. With this approach, each individual, regardless of race, religion, gender, age or economic status, is able to seek better legal representation without having to pay exorbitant fees out of pocket. Injury claims are often filed against wealthy property owners and/or property managers, and large corporations such as insurance companies, construction companies, or product manufacturers, etc.
There are a few types of attorneys that work on contingency. Some employment attorneys offer their services on contingency, and almost every personal injury lawyer does.
These individuals and/or organizations typically have a whole host of resources including, well-compensated and high-powered legal defense teams, at their disposal to tackle any lawsuits that may be filed against them. Most victims cannot afford to pay upfront the fee and remuneration that will be needed to secure the services of a matching legal team. The contingency fee system here permits injured victims to be able to have this type of a superior representation without the requirement of an immediate fee payment.
Costs Involved in a Personal Injury Case
Filing a personal injury lawsuit and taking a case through the civil court system involves a number of costs. Here are a few of those expenses:
- Expert witnesses: In personal injury cases, we often need expert witnesses to testify and help bolster our client’s case. Examples of expert witnesses include doctors, auto accident reconstruction experts, accountants, etc. The time and effort put in by these experts does not come cheap. Such individuals receive several thousand dollars for working on a single personal injury case. However, their testimony can have a huge impact on the outcome of the case and prove extremely valuable to the victim.
- Administrative fees: These include a number of costs such as those incurred for transcription, copying and delivery costs. These costs can add up very quickly.
- Court filing fees: When you file a lawsuit, there is a court filing fee and the cost of service of process. This might not be more than $100. However, over the course of a trial, the total court filing fees could add up to hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
- Other expenses: There are also several out-of-pocket expenses that must be factored in over the length of time usually taken to decide or settle a personal injury case such as travel costs for attorneys and witnesses.
In short, it’s not easy put a price tag on the process until it’s all over. Because each case is unique and rife with complexities, these kinds of costs can vary.
What Does “No Fee” Mean?
What exactly do we mean when we say “no fees?” It means you won’t be looking at any upfront charges. We front all of the costs in your case. We do get reimbursed for these costs later, from the money we recover for you. If the outcome of a case is not in our favor, then, we take the hit on the costs. In such a situation, we do not seek reimbursement from our client. In other words, if we collect nothing for our client, we are paid nothing. So, obviously the stakes on each and every case are pretty high for our personal injury attorneys.
Please be assured that our no-fee promise does not come with any hidden fees or costs. The terms of our contingency fee are clearly spelled out in our retainer agreement. We would like you to see and clearly understand how we are paid. In addition, we provide free initial consultations to our clients.
Free Initial Consultation
Accident victims can meet with our attorneys at absolutely no charge to discuss their case and legal options. During this meeting you could learn about a number of critical details including what your case may be worth, the potential outcomes, the time it can take to get resolved or compensated and what the process entails. We are absolutely flexible when it comes to meeting clients. If you are considering us and would like to discuss your injury case, we can meet you at your convenience. If you are unable to come to our office, we can meet you at your home or even at the hospital or any other location.
Our attorneys and staff will answer all your questions and address your concerns. We are committed to providing you with superior legal representation and will work diligently to ensure that you secure just compensation for your losses. We also take pride in the superior customer service we provide to our clients and their families. We treat our clients like members of our family. We return calls promptly and keep our clients apprised of the proceedings and case status.
Why You Should Contact Us
The no fee promise is a very good reason to call us if you or a loved one has been injured. You have nothing to lose when it comes to scheduling a consultation. You are under no obligation to retain us. Even if you do, you don’t pay anything unless we secure an award or settlement in your case.
