Understanding Contingency Fee Agreements in Georgia Law

In a Georgia contingency fee agreement, you are under no obligation to pay an attorney unless they win or settle your case. Not every personal injury lawyer in the Peach State offers this type of agreement. By searching for an experienced Atlanta contingency lawyer, you can find an attorney who can help you secure a fair settlement — without having to pay a steep upfront cost. 

At John Foy & Associates, we understand the ins and outs of contingency fee agreements in Georgia. When you have The Strong Arm on your side, you do not have to pay a penny unless you get compensation in your case. For more information, please reach out to us.

What You Need to Know About Legal Fees in Georgia

It is illegal for a lawyer to “make an agreement for, charge, or collect an unreasonable fee or an unreasonable amount for expenses,” per Ga. R. Prof. Cond. 1.5. Thus, an attorney can set up a legal fee agreement with a client but cannot collect any amount that is deemed to be unreasonable. There are several factors that are considered to determine if a legal fee is reasonable, and these include:

• The time and labor required to resolve a case
• How much other attorneys charge for similar legal services
• An attorney’s experience, reputation, and abilities

When a lawyer works on contingency, they do not receive payment on an hourly basis. Rather, the attorney accepts a case contingent on the final result. Therefore, if you have a no-fee agreement with your lawyer, you do not have to pay them until you receive compensation from the at-fault party in your lawsuit. 

It is legal for an attorney to set up a no-fee agreement in alignment with Georgia laws. The team at John Foy & Associates can answer frequently asked questions about contingency fee agreements and other legal topics. To learn more, please get in touch with us. 

Get Your Contingency Fee Agreement in Writing

In Georgia, a no-fee agreement must be in writing for it to be considered valid. The agreement must state the percentage that an attorney will receive if their client wins or settles their case. Also, the agreement must indicate what legal fees the lawyer can deduct from their client’s settlement. 

At the conclusion of a legal matter in which this type of agreement is in place, a lawyer must provide the client with a written statement. At this point, the attorney provides the client with full details about the outcome of their case. The lawyer shares the amount of their legal fees and information about how they determined these fees. 

Contingency fee agreements are not allowed in criminal cases. If you are involved in a car accident lawsuit or any other personal injury case, you may be eligible for this type of agreement. To find out, it pays to pursue a contingency attorney who represents your best interests for the duration of your litigation. 

A Contingency Fee Agreement Is Dependent on Your Case

Just because you are filing a personal injury claim does not mean that you are automatically eligible to receive a contingency fee agreement. Every personal injury lawyer is different, and each has a unique approach to client cases. To decide if you can get legal services on contingency, an attorney will first evaluate your case. 

If you meet with a lawyer, it is in your best interests to provide them with as much information as you can about your case. The lawyer will likely ask you lots of questions. This enables the attorney to gather information that they can use to determine if they will accept your case. 

There can be times when an attorney will approve your case on contingency. At other times, a lawyer may be willing to accept your case but require an upfront retainer and hourly payments. No matter what payment structure options an attorney offers, it is paramount to review them carefully. 

Review the Pros and Cons of a Contingency Fee Agreement

A contingency fee agreement can be beneficial if you do not have money to pay a lawyer upfront for their legal services. The agreement gives you the flexibility to repay your attorney if you win or settle your case. If, for any reason, your personal injury lawsuit is unsuccessful, you are not held responsible for any legal fees. 

Along with these things, a contingency fee agreement incentivizes a lawyer to do everything in their power to help you get the most compensation possible. For instance, you can hire a personal injury lawyer, and this attorney understands that they are only paid if your case is successful. As such, this attorney is likely to commit the time, energy, and resources to ensure you get the result you want — otherwise, they will not get paid anything for their legal services. 

Of course, when you hire an attorney on contingency, there is a chance that you will end up paying more than you would if you were billed an hourly fee. If you are unsure about whether to go with this type of agreement, explore all of the payment options available to you. Then, you can decide on a legal fee payment structure that lines up with your budget. 

Look Beyond the Payment Structure When You Hire a Lawyer

Even if you hire a lawyer on contingency, it is important to remember that the legal system offers no guarantees. This attorney can work diligently to help you get the maximum amount of compensation. Despite your attorney’s best efforts, they can still come up short in their quest to achieve your desired case results. 

As you search for an attorney to represent you in your personal injury case, consider their payment structure in conjunction with other factors. For instance, it is generally a good idea to look at an attorney’s case results. Doing so can provide insights into how a lawyer helps their clients secure large settlements. 

If you have concerns or questions about an attorney’s pay structure, skills, experience, or other criteria, connect with the lawyer directly. By setting up a date and time to discuss your case with an attorney, you can understand how this lawyer will represent you. Next, you can make an informed decision about whether to hire this attorney. 

Get Started with Your Personal Injury Claim 

John Foy & Associates has been helping clients win and settle their personal injury claims for over 25 years. On top of that, we offer no-fee agreements for personal injury cases. To find out more or request a free case consultation, please contact us today.