Zachar Law Blog

What does it mean when a lawyer says “no fee if no recovery”?

In a personal injury case, if you do not recover, then the lawyer does not get paid either.  To “recover” means to be paid an amount for your injuries and damages.  If for whatever reasons, you are not paid or are unsuccessful with your claim, then the lawyer does not get paid either.  This encourages people to make claims for wrongdoing, seek damages for injuries they have suffered without the risk of “going bankrupt” if they lose.  The lawyer who takes your case takes on some risk that they may not get paid for his/her services, if not successful.  At Zachar Law Firm, we evaluate cases up front, give you a realistic expectation of the case and do our very best to meet that expectation and earn the fee in the end.

Remember, personal injury law in Arizona can be extremely complex. There are many variables involved, and it can cause confusion. Having the right law firm representing you will make all the difference in your case. 

 

What are contingent fee agreements, and how are they used in personal injury cases?

Generally, contingency fees are the most reasonable way for an attorney to handle a personal injury case. Contingency fees give an injured victim the ability to obtain legal representation without having to pay upfront, and without having to pay regardless of the outcome of their case.

When a lawyer accepts a case on a contingency fee, he or she agrees to take a percentage of the recovery.  If a small recovery, the lawyer may actually lose money based upon the amount of time put into the case. And the other hand, if a large recovery, the fee paid to the lawyer may seem excessive.

All persons seeking legal representation on a contingency fee arrangement should know that the amount of the percentage is always negotiable. Although the end outcome is not known, at the beginning when you are meeting with an attorney, you can always negotiate the percentage.

Understand, when an attorney accepts a case on a contingency fee arrangement, there is a risk. There is the risk the attorney will only get a small recovery (and make little for the time and effort) and there is a risk the attorney will never get a recovery (and never get paid anything).  Asking an attorney to take this risk comes with a cost, and that cost is the percentage of the fee you agree to.

Questions? Please feel free to contact one of the attorneys at Zachar Law Firm anytime to discuss your contingency fee eligible case. The call is always free.

10 tips to keep you and your loved ones safe this July 4th!

The Fourth of July marks a time where family and friends come together to take part in Independence Day festivities. This year, celebrate the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in a safe way. Our 4th of July safety tips cover a few key summer safety topics to keep you and your family safe this holiday.

1. Be sure fireworks are legal in your area before using or buying them.
2. Always have an adult supervise fireworks activities and never allow children to play with or ignite fireworks. Sparklers alone account for one-quarter of emergency room fireworks injuries.
3. If you set off fireworks, keep a bucket of water handy or a fire extinguisher in case of malfunction or fire.
4. If fireworks malfunction, don’t relight them! Douse and soak them with water then throw them away.
5. Never ignite fireworks within a container, especially one that is glass or metal.
6. Use your grill away from your home and deck railings, and out from under branches or overhangs.
7. Open your gas grill before lighting.
8. Periodically remove grease or fat buildup in trays below your gas or propane grill so it cannot be ignited.
9. Declare a three-foot "kid and pet-free zone" around the grill to keep them safe.
10. Avoid loose clothing and tie hair back that can catch fire when cooking on the grill.

Have a safe and fun July 4th!