what is the attorney fee in puerto rico for a personal injury matter

by Sibyl Runolfsdottir 10 min read

Our personal injury lawyers Puerto Rico never charge a fee – unless the case is won. Don’t wait another moment! Take action, and call us today on 787-304-0455 for a free, confidential case evaluation.

Full Answer

How do lawyers get paid in a personal injury case?

Carlos Sagardía-Abreu. Puerto Rico Personal injury Attorney. Save. Not yet reviewed. Avvo Rating: 6.8. Licensed for 13 years. Carlos J. Sagardía-Abreu is a trial attorney with significant experience in civil and criminal litigation. Mr. Sagardía was an Editor for the UPR Law Review and graduated at the top of his class.

What is a contingency fee for a personal injury lawyer?

Carlos Javier Sagardía-Abreu. San Juan, PR Personal Injury Attorney. (787) 360-7924. University of Puerto Rico - Río Piedras Boston College 1st Circuit, District of Puerto Rico and Puerto Rico American Bar Association. View Lawyer Profile Email Lawyer. Claimed Lawyer Profile LII Gold.

How much will my Lawyer’s fees be?

Estate Settlement Fees in Puerto Rico. My father a resident of Puerto Rico passed away without a will. He leaves my mother and seven adult children. His estate consists of a house appraised at $90K and savings of approximately $20K. A local attorney has agreed to handle the estate for 10% of total assets.

What are the costs and expenses in a personal injury case?

The lawyer will receive 40% of the settlement amount as lawyer's fees, which is $12,000. The lawyer will also deduct $4,000 for costs and expenses from the $30,000 settlement. In this case, the lawyer will receive $16,000 of the final settlement amount. Get tips on managing costs and expenses in a personal injury case.

What is sliding scale in legal?

Many lawyers will draw up a fee agreement in which the contingency fee percentage varies depending on the stage at which the case is resolved. This is often called a "sliding scale.". For example, your lawyer might send a demand letter to the other side fairly early on. If you have a good case, the other side might make a counteroffer, ...

Do personal injury lawyers charge for expenses?

Most personal injury lawyers will cover case costs and expenses as they come up , and then deduct them from your share of the settlement or court award. It's rare for a personal injury lawyer to charge a client for costs and expenses as they become due.

What happens if you fire a lawyer?

If You Fire Your Lawyer Before the Case Is Over. If you switch lawyers or decide to represent yourself, your original lawyer will have a lien for fees and expenses incurred on the case prior to the switch, and may be able to sue both you (the former client) as well as the personal injury defendant for failing to protect and honor ...

Do personal injury lawyers get paid?

This ensures that your lawyer will get paid for his or her services. Many personal injury lawyers only take contingency cases and, therefore, risk not getting paid if they do not receive the settlement check. The lawyer will contact you when he or she receives ...

How to pay retainer fees?

Make sure that your contract includes the details of: 1 Contract – The agreement should list the total amount of any retainer deposit that you pay upfront. It should also state when you need to pay additional fees, if necessary. 2 Hourly Fee – Don't look only for the hourly rate of your lawyer on the agreement. Make sure you also see a description of the different hourly rates for each person who might contribute to your case. Ask for your payment schedule. Ask if you get a discount for early payment or if you pay penalties for late fees. 3 Contingency Fee – In a contingency case, the lawyer profits by the percentage they earn upon winning the case. The lawyer's contingency percentage and the payment-collection process should appear clearly outlined in your agreement. Sometimes, a lawyer will not collect any fees from you if they lose a contingency case, such as in personal injury disputes. In other situations, they may demand payment from their client only if they lose the case. 4 Costs of Suit – Check for clear terms to describe who pays for all of the different litigation costs involved. You should anticipate possible charges for court appearances and filing fees, hiring a private investigator, the cost of bringing in an expert witness, costs for officially serving and delivering legal documents, and travel fees.

How to avoid disagreements with your attorney?

Either way, most states require evidence of a written fee agreement when handling any disputes between clients and lawyers. You must have written evidence of what you agreed to pay for anyone to hold you accountable for what you have or have not spent.

What is contingency fee?

An attorney contingency fee is only typical in a case where you're claiming money due to circumstances like personal injury or workers' compensation. You're likely to see attorney percentage fees in these situations to average around a third of the total legal settlement fees paid to the client.

Do lawyers charge retainers?

Sometimes lawyers may charge a retainer if they find themselves in high demand. Other lawyers who work more quickly and efficiently may see no need for charging you a retainer fee. Call different lawyers in your area to see if retainers are standard practice for your particular case.

What is statutory fee?

A statutory fee is a payment determined by the court or laws which applies to your case. You'll encounter a fixed statutory fee when dealing with probate or bankruptcy, for example.

What to ask when hiring an attorney?

When hiring your attorney, ask for a detailed written estimate of any expenses or additional costs. They may itemize each expense out for you or lump their fees all together under different categories of work. Lawyers may bill you for: Advice. Research.

What is a contingency fee?

A contingency fee is a type of client-lawyer fee arrangement designed to help every day people access the courts and secure justice in many different situations.

When should I consider a contingency fee arrangement?

Contingency fees help to maintain a balance of available legal representation in our legal system. The contingency fee allows for an everyday person to hire and be represented by a highly qualified attorney with no personal financial risk.

What should I know about a contingency fee arrangement?

Under New Jersey law, there must be a written record for all contingency fee arrangements. This written record must contain certain information in order for the arrangement to be valid.

Is the amount a lawyer can ask for under a contingency fee limited in any way?

Yes, since the contingency fee is intended to increase access to the courts New Jersey law puts limits upon the percentages a lawyer may retain from an award or settlement. A lawyer may only retain 25% maximum of the settlement or judgment from a minor or incompetent plaintiff.

Contact Our New Jersey Personal Injury Attorneys

If you have been injured and are seeking legal representation, I invite you to contact me. Selecting the right attorney is an important process in being adequately compensated for your medical bills and suffering. I represent clients across Southern New Jersey in matters related to an injuries they have suffered every day.