Do Wrongful Death Attorneys Work on a Contingency Fee Basis?
It goes without saying that a wrongful death in the family is an emotionally traumatic experience. What many people fail to consider, however, is the profound financial impact of such an event. Funeral expenses alone can amount to thousands of dollars, and if the deceased was a primary income-earner for their family, surviving loved ones may have to find another way to make ends meet.
If the death was caused by someone else, it may be possible to recover monetary damages from the liable party. While you might be concerned that hiring a personal injury attorney in St. Petersburg would be unaffordable, the truth is that most wrongful death attorneys offer free case evaluations and accept claims on a contingency fee basis. This means you won’t have to pay anything upfront, and no attorneys’ fees will be due unless your legal team wins the case.
What Are the Pros & Cons of Contingency Fees?
The biggest reason to hire a wrongful death lawyer for a contingency fee is to ensure your legal team has a stake in the outcome of your case. Because your attorney won’t get paid unless you recover compensation, they will have the incentive to build the strongest case possible and pursue the maximum settlement or verdict.
On the other hand, law firms that handle cases for a flat fee may not be inclined to devote additional resources to a case if an unanticipated dispute arises. What’s more, they may want to avoid litigation even if the opposing party refuses to pay a fair settlement.
Of course, another benefit of hiring a lawyer on a contingency fee basis is that no attorneys’ fees will be owed unless you win.
The only real drawback of entering into a contingency fee arrangement is the fact that your attorney would be entitled to a percentage of the settlement or verdict. This percentage might be calculated before or after applicable court costs and other fees have been deducted.
While it’s important to consider the pros and cons of any financial arrangement before agreeing to it, the advantages of contingency fees tend to outweigh the drawbacks when it comes to hiring a wrongful death attorney. It prevents you and your family from having to pay upfront for representation in a claim that’s not guaranteed to yield compensation, and it gives your legal team incentive to provide the best possible representation.
Call (727) 821-1500 to Speak with a Wrongful Death Attorney in St. Petersburg
If your loved one recently passed away and you have reason to believe the death was caused by another party’s negligence or intentional wrongdoing, turn to Emerson Straw for guidance. Our team is proud to help accident victims and their families fight for the highest possible settlement or verdict.
We will devote the time and resources needed to provide exceptional representation through every stage of the proceedings. Call (727) 821-1500 today or fill out our Contact Form to arrange a free consultation with a St. Petersburg wrongful death lawyer.