Hiring a lawyer is expensive. Getting the expertise, insight, and experience of a well-trained lawyer will cost you more than you may be able to afford. However, your right to justice should not depend on your financial status. If you have been in an accident caused by recklessness, negligence, or incompetence of another, then you have the legal right to sue for damages. Your best option may be to hire a law firm that offers a no win no fee payment option.
7 Things You Should Know About No Win No Fee Law Firms
Before you sign a contract with a no win no fee law firm, there are certain facts you should be aware of. Here are 7 of them:
- The proper name
“No win no fee” is a catch phrase that is simple and easy to remember. It refers to what in legal parlance is called a Conditional Fee Agreement. You will see it referred to as such on the contract you sign.
- The most common CFA cases
Slip and falls, negligent car accidents, and other types of personal injury cases are most compatible with a CFA. These cases usually involve a small dollar amount and require little risk on the part of the attorney. More complicated cases may require the law firm you hire to invest large amounts of money and resources and are thus not as good for a CFA arrangement.
- A good case
To find a lawyer who will take your case on a no win no fee basis, they must be convinced that they can win it, or at least that the respondent will settle for a certain amount of money. The more experienced firms will know readily when the facts of a case support such an outcome. There are cases in which a certain amount of work is required to determine whether a claim is likely to succeed.
- Insurance policy
You should consider taking out an “after the event” insurance policy. This covers the payment of the respondent’s case should your case not succeed, and you are ordered to pay their fees. Indeed, your own lawyer may ask you to take out such insurance to cover their fees should the case not go as planned. You may be able to work with an insurer who will defer payment of the premium to the end of the case.
- Support services
Private investigators, forensic specialists, and other technical experts may not be willing to defer their fees. They may demand payment up front or soon after they have delivered their services. Some lawyers pass this expense on to their client. You should sort this out before you sign with a lawyer. You don’t want to be surprised by a huge bill well before the case is settled.
- Offers to settle
Under the terms of a CFA, the lawyer assumes all the risk. If the person you are suing makes a settlement offer, your lawyer may decide to accept it without consulting you. This can be done if it is stipulated in the contract you signed with them, and many no win no fee lawyers will put this condition in.
- What your lawyer can charge
Your lawyer can charge a success fee of up to 100% of their fees. This must be paid by you. If the court is aware of this charge, you may be able to claim a 10% increase in the damages awarded to you. You may also be awarded a judgment that includes your award plus attorney fees.
The Advantages of No Win No Fee Agreements
Working with a firm like No Win No Fee Foyle Legal may be your best hope of getting compensation for an injury. If you can prove that the accident owed to the recklessness or negligence of another person, then you should press your claim.
You should not have to exclusively shoulder an injury that has led to high medical bills, loss of wages, and prolonged pain and suffering. Hiring an attorney who will work under a CFA agreement will give you some flexibility in pursuing your suit. The important thing is to find a lawyer who is willing to offer clear and reasonable terms.