Key Takeaways

• Most personal injury lawyers in Louisiana work on a contingency fee basis.
• Clients typically pay no upfront legal fees.
• Attorney fees are usually around one-third of the settlement or verdict.
• Law firms often advance case costs so clients do not pay out of pocket during the case.
• You generally only pay attorney fees if compensation is recovered.

After an accident, many people hesitate to contact a lawyer because they worry about the cost. Medical bills, lost wages, and vehicle repairs can quickly create financial stress. Hiring a lawyer may seem like another expense you simply cannot afford.

The good news is that most personal injury lawyers in Louisiana work on a contingency fee basis, which means you can pursue compensation without paying legal fees upfront.

At Brandt & Sherman, we represent victims in many types of injury cases, including car accidents, truck accidents, slip and fall accidents, and other serious injury claims. This fee structure allows injured individuals to access experienced legal representation even when they are facing financial hardship.

What Is a Contingency Fee?

A contingency fee means your lawyer’s payment depends on the outcome of your case.

Instead of charging hourly rates, your attorney receives a percentage of the compensation recovered through a settlement or court verdict.

Under a contingency fee agreement:

• You do not pay anything upfront
• The lawyer only gets paid if you recover compensation
• Attorney fees are taken from the final settlement or judgment

This structure allows accident victims to pursue legal claims without worrying about paying ongoing legal bills while their case is in progress.

Personal injury claims can arise from many types of incidents, including workplace accidents covered by workers’ compensation, dangerous property conditions related to premises liability, or collisions caused by intoxicated drivers in drunk driving accidents.

How Much Does a Personal Injury Lawyer Cost in Louisiana?

Most contingency fee agreements in Louisiana are around 33.3% (one-third) of the final settlement or court award.

However, the percentage may increase if a lawsuit must be filed and the case proceeds to litigation. This is because preparing for trial requires significantly more work, including discovery, depositions, and expert testimony.

Fortunately, many personal injury cases settle before reaching trial.

Louisiana law requires contingency fee agreements to be clearly written and signed, outlining:

• The attorney’s fee percentage
• How legal expenses will be handled
• How communication between attorney and client will occur

This written agreement ensures transparency and protects both the attorney and the client.

When Do You Pay Your Personal Injury Lawyer?

In most cases, payment occurs only after your case is resolved.

Once a settlement is reached or a court judgment is awarded, the compensation is typically deposited into the attorney’s trust account. From that amount, the following are usually deducted:

• Case expenses
• Attorney fees
• Outstanding medical liens or bills

The remaining funds are then distributed to you.

This process ensures that medical providers and other obligations are resolved while allowing you to receive the remaining compensation as quickly as possible.

Serious injury cases involving long-term harm, such as traumatic injuries or fatal accidents that lead to wrongful death claims, often involve larger settlements and more complex financial distributions.

What Does It Cost to File a Lawsuit?

Although most cases settle before trial, filing a lawsuit involves several costs required by Louisiana courts.

Common expenses may include:

• Court filing fees
• Service of process fees
• Deposition costs
• Expert witness fees
• Investigation expenses

For example, filing a civil lawsuit in Louisiana typically costs several hundred dollars, and additional expenses may arise during litigation.

Most personal injury law firms advance these costs for their clients, meaning you do not have to pay them upfront. If the case is successful, these expenses are reimbursed from the settlement or verdict.

What Happens If You Do Not Win Your Case?

One of the main advantages of a contingency fee arrangement is that you typically do not pay attorney fees if there is no recovery.

This allows injured individuals to pursue justice without the risk of paying large legal bills during an already difficult time.

Why Hiring a Lawyer Early Matters

Insurance companies often move quickly after an accident. Their goal is to limit how much they pay in claims. Having an attorney early in the process can help protect your rights and ensure that your case is handled properly from the beginning.

An experienced lawyer can:

• Investigate the accident and gather evidence
• Identify all liable parties
• Calculate the full value of your damages
• Handle negotiations with insurance companies
• File a lawsuit if necessary

Working with an experienced legal team can make a significant difference in the outcome of your claim.

You can learn more about the attorneys representing injury victims across Louisiana on the firm’s attorneys page.

Free Consultation With Brandt & Sherman Injury Lawyers

If you were injured in an accident in Lafayette or anywhere in Louisiana, you should not have to worry about the cost of hiring a lawyer while trying to recover.

Brandt & Sherman offers free consultations and works on a contingency fee basis, meaning there are no upfront legal fees and no attorney fees unless compensation is recovered.

If you have questions about your case or how contingency fees work, contact the firm today to speak with an attorney about your options.

You can reach out through the firm’s contact page to schedule a free consultation and learn how Brandt & Sherman can help protect your rights and pursue the compensation you deserve.