How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Nursing Home Abuse Attorney in Florida?
If your loved one was neglected or abused at a long-term care facility, your family deserves justice. While bringing a claim against the nursing home won’t erase the trauma your relative endured, it could yield the funds needed to pay for the associated medical bills and other damages.
A nursing home abuse attorney can help you make strategic decisions and fight for the highest settlement or verdict possible. Nursing home facilities and their insurance providers have the resources to challenge every claim that comes their way, so you should not attempt to navigate the legal system on your own.
When hiring an attorney, it is natural to be concerned about the cost. Thankfully, most personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. That means you won’t have to pay anything upfront, and no attorneys’ fees will be due unless the case is resolved in your favor.
How Much Is the Typical Contingency Fee?
Different practices charge different contingency fees. Factors that can influence a law firm’s rates include their resources, experience, and track record.
The total fee can also vary from case to case. For example, if the circumstances surrounding the abuse are especially complicated or the claim will likely end up in court, the practice may be inclined to charge a higher fee.
While it’s tempting to hire the attorney who charges the lowest contingency fee, doing so could end up costing you in the long run. If he or she doesn’t have access to qualified medical experts or hasn’t handled many nursing home abuse cases, the firm may not be able to provide effective representation.
Instead of shopping by price, you should look for a lawyer who:
- Is well-versed in relevant case law and statutes,
- Has access to experts who can provide deposition on various aspects of the case,
- Has plenty of positive online reviews from past clients,
- Has trial experience, and
- Has a history of securing sizable settlements and trial verdicts.
In Florida, contingency fees are usually capped at 33.3 percent of the total settlement. Should the case go to trial, the contingency fee may increase to up to 40 percent of the final verdict. In either scenario, additional caps apply to payouts that exceed $1 million.
For cases that settle, firms can accept 30 percent of the recovery between $1 million and $2 million, and 20 percent of the portion of funds that exceeds $2 million. For cases where the defendant accepts liability but requests a trial on damages, the firm may accept 20 percent of the funds between $1 million and $2 million, and 15 percent of the portion that exceeds $2 million.
Call (727) 821-1500 to Speak with a Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer in St. Petersburg
If your loved one was the victim of nursing home abuse, contact Emerson Straw. Our resourceful team will conduct a thorough investigation into the incident and help you navigate every stage of the proceedings. Call (727) 821-1500 or fill out our Contact Form to schedule a free consultation with a nursing home abuse attorney.