What Types of Cases Typically Can’t Have Contingency Agreements?

A contingency agreement is a type of arrangement for legal services in which the attorney is only paid if and when they win a case. It facilitates situations where a person is likely to receive a settlement at some point. But what types of cases typically cannot have contingency agreements?

If you are looking for a lawyer who works on contingency for personal injury cases, put your trust in John Foy & Associates. Our team of highly qualified attorneys will work exceedingly hard to help you get the compensation owed to you. You can have an Augusta, GA, contingency lawyer who only gets paid when you win.

Yet, not all types of legal cases can be contingency fee-based. There are many situations where the outcome of the case does not yield a settlement, like in personal injury claims. That means that attorneys cannot defer the cost of legal services until that point.

The Most Common Cases that Do Not Operate on Contingency Fees

As noted, in personal injury cases, there is often the end goal of getting a settlement from the responsible or at-fault party. A portion of those funds are used to pay the attorney’s fee, meaning the individual does not have to provide anything upfront in terms of payment. Only cases like this typically have this type of arrangement.

Many types of cases do not operate on this basis. Though each attorney is different in their decision to offer these types of services, most attorneys will require payment upfront at the time of providing legal representation. That includes situations related to:

• Criminal defense cases
• Divorce attorneys
• Family law attorneys
• Domestic relations cases
• Business-related cases
• Contracts and closings

Is a No-Contingency Attorney a Better Choice?

Ultimately, if you have a personal injury case, you can work with an attorney that charges you by the hour or one that operates on a contingency basis. When you choose a lawyer who only gets paid when you win, the key benefit is not having to make any payments to that attorney until you win your case. That means you do not have to worry about paying for legal help now.

That can be very important to many people who are suffering from disabling medical conditions brought on by personal injury matters like car accidents or work-related accidents. You cannot work to earn the money you would be paying for that attorney. Using a contingency-based attorney, then, is best because it relieves that financial pressure.

However, if you are in need of a simple legal service or your case does not involve a settlement paid to you, this type of arrangement is not likely to be made available to you. That could be a good thing. You may benefit from simply paying a one-time fee in those cases.

Are Lawyers Always Able to Use Contingency Fee Payment Structures?

There are some limitations to when attorneys can use a contingency fee because, the law believes, there is a risk of the client not receiving the support they need. There are several situations where contingency fees simply cannot be used. Here are some reasons why that is.

• Criminal defense does not lend itself to financial recovery, and therefore, a contingency win would not mean the person has the financial means to pay the attorney.
• Divorce and most types of family law cases do not allow for contingency fee structures because there is the risk that the outcome of the case would be financially based instead of on fairness or resolution.
• In domestic relationship cases, it is not ethical for an attorney to have a successful win that would create unfair financial loss to the other party.

The good news is you can ask. If you are considering hiring an attorney for any area of the law, ask them about the availability of payment plans. This can help alleviate some of the financial struggles you are having, and it may also help you to pursue the legal guidance you need now.

Finding a No-Win, No-Fee Lawyer

As you consider your legal options, if you are considering a personal injury case, then you should look for a lawyer who works on contingency. That could mean you do not have to pay them anything right now. Instead, you can focus on your recovery, including in cases such as:

• Medical malpractice
• Car accidents
• Motorcycle accidents
• Slip and fall cases
• Work-related injuries
• Bicycle injuries
• Truck accidents
• Product liability cases
• Premises liability cases

In these situations, many attorneys will offer a contingency fee structure. You can learn what that means when you meet with the attorney. Always clarify what is and is not included in the arrangements before going forward.

Why Choose John Foy & Associates

If you need an attorney for any of these types of legal services, you are likely to have to pay at the time of receiving service from that attorney. Many attorneys will work with clients who need help with a payment plan or need to use a pay-as-you-go service. Others offer a retainer structure to minimize hourly charges.

When you meet with John Foy & Associates, you will learn more about the specific fee structure and what you can expect upfront (if anything) and at the end of your case once you win. We do not charge a fee to our clients if we do not win their personal injury case. We are here to help you every step of the way.

Talk to a member of our team about your case today. We will answer all of your questions and explain how the process works via a contingency fee. The sooner you call us, the sooner we can begin your claim.

Find the Contingency Fee Attorney You Need Now

Are you filing for a personal injury matter? Do not do so without the guidance and support of your attorney. Let our team be there to help you.

Talk to us about which types of cases typically can’t have contingency agreements. Let us explore the type of case you have in privacy. We are happy to share with you our costs and fee structure with you at that time.

Call on John Foy & Associates now to learn more about the legal services we offer. We do not charge you anything unless we win your case. It all starts with a free consultation and case review.