Typically, a wrongful death case is handled by a personal injury attorney on a “contingency” basis. This means that the lawyer receives a percentage of the proceeds at the end of the case, rather than having to pay the lawyer a “retainer” or hourly fee.
In addition to attorney fees, the costs of pursuing the case are typically paid upfront by the law firm, but repaid to the law firm upon the collection of proceeds at the end of the case. Costs to pursue wrongful death cases can be very expensive.
Depending on the facts of a particular case, an attorney’s fee and cost reimbursement may be handled differently, such as in cases where there is no insurance or limited insurance available to pay the claim, or where liability is questionable. In those cases, attorneys may require an hourly fee or the payment of an upfront retainer.
The terms and conditions of an attorney’s fees and cost reimbursement should be set out in writing in an attorney-client contract, at the beginning of a case. At Grady J. Flattmann, Attorneys at Law, we go over the terms of our written contracts with our clients at the outset of their case and make sure all of their questions are answered before asking them to sign anything.
When you hire us, rest assured that an attorney handles your case. Your
file won’t be handed over to a junior attorney or secretary. Communication is a cornerstone of our firm.
Our legal library is full of articles on a variety of topics related to personal injury claims in Louisiana. Learn about how accidents happen, what to do when you are a victim, and how an attorney can help you fight for the compensation you may deserve.
