Personal injury cases can be complex and time-consuming, which is why many people turn to personal injury lawyers to help them navigate the legal process. If you've been injured in Florida, you may be wondering how much a personal injury lawyer will charge to represent you in your case. In this article, we'll take a closer look at how personal injury lawyers in Florida typically charge for their services.
Contingency Fees in Florida Personal
In Florida, most personal injury lawyers charge what is known as a contingency fee. This means that the lawyer's fee is contingent, or dependent, on the outcome of the case. If the lawyer is successful in obtaining a settlement or verdict on behalf of the client, they will receive a percentage of the amount recovered as their fee. If the case is unsuccessful, the lawyer will not receive any fee.
Contingency fees are beneficial for clients who may not have the financial resources to pay for legal services upfront. Instead, they can hire a lawyer to represent them without having to pay anything out of pocket. This can be particularly helpful for those who are struggling with medical bills and other expenses related to their injury.
The percentage charged by personal injury lawyers in Florida can vary, but it typically ranges from 33% to 40% of the amount recovered. That’s because, in Florida, Rule 4-1.5 of the Florida Bar sets forth the contingency fee percentages that are allowable in Florida, which we will discuss more below.
Contingency Fee Percentages Allowed Under Rule 4-1.5 of the Florida Bar
Rule 4-1.5 of the Rules Regulating the Florida Bar sets forth guidelines and requirements for contingency fees in order to ensure that they are reasonable and fair. Rule 4-1.5 does not set out specific percentages that lawyers must charge for contingency fees. Instead, the rule requires that the percentage charged must be reasonable under the circumstances.
Under Rule 4-1.5(f)(4)(B)(i) of the Rules Regulating the Florida Bar, the fees that are allowed without court approval include the following.
Pre-Suit (Before Filing the Lawsuit)
If a recovery is made before a lawsuit is filed or after a lawsuit is filed but before the defense files an answer, lawyers in Florida can charge the following contingency fees without court approval:
- 33 1/3% of any recovery up to $1 million; plus
- 30% of any portion of the recovery between $1million and $2 million; plus
- 20% of any portion of the recovery exceeding $2 million.
These are the typical pre-suit contingency fees that lawyers charge in Florida personal injury cases.
In Litigation (Before Filing the Lawsuit)
If a recovery is made after the defense files an answer or after the defense fails to file an answer within the time period allowed:
- 40% of any recovery up to $1 million; plus
- 30% of any portion of the recovery between $1million and $2 million; plus
- 20% of any portion of the recovery exceeding $2 million.
These are the typical contingency fees that lawyers charge in Florida personal injury cases once a case enters the litigation phase.
Expenses & Case Costs
In addition to the contingency fee, personal injury lawyers in Florida typically charge for expenses and costs related to the case. These expenses can include filing fees, court costs, mailing fees, expert witness fees, and other costs associated with preparing and presenting the case.
The typical personal injury firm will cover these expenses upfront and then deduct them from the settlement or verdict amount if the case is successful. If the case is unsuccessful, the client will not usually be responsible for reimbursing the lawyer for any expenses.
Hourly Rates
While contingency fees are the most common way personal injury lawyers in Florida charge for their services, some may also charge an hourly rate. This means that the lawyer will bill the client for the actual time spent working on the case, regardless of whether or not the case is successful. This hourly rate structure is more often seen in lower value cases that are expensive to pursue.
Hourly rates for personal injury lawyers in Florida can vary widely, but they typically range from $250 to $500 per hour. This type of fee arrangement is more common for cases that are less complex or have a lower potential value.
It's important to discuss fees and billing arrangements with any lawyer you are considering hiring before signing a contingency fee agreement. Your lawyer should be upfront and transparent about their fees and answer any questions you may have about their attorney fees. With the right lawyer on your side, you can focus on your recovery and let your lawyer handle the legal process. That’s what we’re here for: to get you the money you deserve and take the legal burden off your shoulders.
Do You Need a Team of Florida Personal Injury Lawyers to Guide You to Justice?
If you have been injured and suffered permanent scarring because of the negligence or carelessness of another party, you should speak with an experienced Florida personal injury lawyer as soon as possible because you may be entitled to compensation. You can contact us online or you can call our Orlando, Florida law office at (321) 352-7588 to schedule your consultation.
If you need a South Carolina personal injury lawyer, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at (843) 638-6590. We have at least one lawyer licensed in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina.
