FAQ: How Does My Lawyer Get Paid Out of a Settlement?

One of the most common questions we hear from clients is, “How does my lawyer get paid if we win my case?” It’s an important question—especially when you’re dealing with medical bills, missed time from work, and the stress that comes after an accident.

At Frank Shaw Law Firm PLLC, we keep things simple, transparent, and client-focused. Here’s a friendly breakdown of how attorney fees work in personal injury and workers’ compensation cases, along with answers to the questions we hear the most.

What Is a Contingency Fee?

Most personal injury lawyers and workers’ compensation attorneys work on what’s called a contingency fee. That means you don’t pay anything upfront. Instead, your lawyer only gets paid if your case results in a settlement or verdict. If there’s no recovery, you owe nothing in attorney fees.

How Does the Lawyer Get Paid From the Settlement?

When your case settles, the insurance company sends the settlement check to your attorney. From there, your lawyer:

• Deposits the check into a trust account
• Deducts the agreed-upon contingency fee percentage
• Deducts case expenses (like medical records, filing fees, expert reports, etc.)
• Provides you with an itemized breakdown
• Issues the remainder directly to you

Everything is fully documented so you know exactly where every dollar goes.

What Percentage Does a Personal Injury or Workers’ Comp Lawyer Take?

The percentage varies based on the type of case, complexity, and state regulations. In Mississippi, personal injury and workers’ compensation cases follow specific guidelines, and your attorney will discuss the percentage with you before any work begins—so there are no surprises.

Are Case Expenses Included in the Attorney Fee?

Attorney fees and case expenses are two separate things. Case expenses may include:

• Medical record requests
• Court filing fees
• Expert witnesses
• Accident investigations

These costs are usually reimbursed from the settlement. We cover these expenses upfront so you don’t have to take on that burden during your recovery.

Why Do Lawyers Use Contingency Fees?

Contingency fees help level the playing field. They allow injured people to hire an experienced Mississippi personal injury lawyer or workers’ compensation attorney without paying out of pocket.

This means you can focus on healing while your attorney focuses on handling the insurance company and building your case.

 

Still have questions about your settlement or how attorney fees work? We’re here to help every step of the way.

Give us a call today at (662) 289-4740 to speak to one of our attorneys about your claim.