what does my lawyer mean when it says if there is no recovery he recieves no fee

by Devante Terry 8 min read

“No Recovery, No Fee” or “No Attorney Fee if No Recovery” means that you will not be responsible for your attorney fees if we lose your case, or do not settle your case with the responsible party or their insurance company. We will charge you a percentage of the settlement instead of the typical retainer and hourly fees that attorneys charge.

That means: NO FEES UNLESS YOU RECOVER. We get a percentage of what you get. In other words, you will not be responsible for any fees for legal services provided unless we obtain a favorable result in your case, or unless otherwise agreed upon at the outset of the legal representation.

Full Answer

What does no recovery mean in court?

“No Recovery, No Fee” or “No Attorney Fee if No Recovery” means that you will not be responsible for your attorney fees if we lose your case, or do not settle your case with the responsible party or their insurance company.

What does it mean when your attorney ignores you?

If your attorney is not experienced or efficient, they may have missed a deadline or made another mistake and aren't willing to confess their error. There could also be some bad news that is entirely outside of the attorney's control.

What is it called when a lawyer doesn't charge you unless you win?

If you need a lawyer but can't afford to pay one, two terms you might hear are “pro bono” and “contingency fee.” While these are both ways to get legal representation without paying out of pocket, they are different arrangements with different implications.

How long do lawyers take to get back to you?

Even if your lawyer is working on another case, they should still get back to you within a day or two at the most. Your lawyer owes you responsive communication, even if you're not their only client. There's no excuse for an attorney who takes weeks to return calls or emails.

How do you know if your lawyer is working for you?

Check your lawyer on legal sites such as Avvo or nolo, as well as on general sites like Google Places and Yelp! to see what other clients have to say. Search peer-review online databases such as martindale.com to see comments and opinions from other lawyers. 5. Get another lawyer's opinion.

How often should I hear from my attorney?

There is no set formula for how often you will hear from your attorney. However, the key to a successful attorney client relationship is communication. Whenever there is an important occurrence in your case you will be contacted or notified.

What is the most percentage a lawyer takes?

No matter when the claim settles or how much, the legal representative usually cannot take more than the 33.33 percent of compensation awards. However, most of the fees and expense the lawyer will acquire through the completed case are in the fine print of a legal agreement between client and lawyer.

Will a lawyer take a losing case?

If your case isn't winnable, no lawyer will want to waste your time, or the court's time, pursuing legal action. However, if you have a case where the facts and evidence are in question, but the damages you could recover are high, an attorney with extensive experience in cases like yours might take the case.

When an attorney's fee is a percentage of the recovery?

To put it another way, with a contingency fee, payment for your attorney's services is "contingent upon" your receiving some amount of compensation. Your attorney will take an agreed-upon percentage of your recovery. This percentage is often around 1/3 or 33%.

What should you not say to a lawyer?

Five things not to say to a lawyer (if you want them to take you..."The Judge is biased against me" Is it possible that the Judge is "biased" against you? ... "Everyone is out to get me" ... "It's the principle that counts" ... "I don't have the money to pay you" ... Waiting until after the fact.

Can I sue a lawyer for lying?

No matter what name the agency in your state goes by, they will have a process you can use to file a complaint against your attorney for lying or being incompetent. Examples of these types of behavior include: Misusing your money. Failing to show up at a court hearing.

Is it normal not to hear from your attorney?

Throughout the process of getting your financial settlement after becoming injured, there may be periods of time that you do not hear from your attorney. Although this can be unnerving, it is a normal part of the legal process.

What is a no win no fee?

“No Win, No Fee” is also known as a “ contingency fee ,” which is defined as a sum of money that a lawyer receives as a fee only if the case is won. In other words, the contracted amount is contingent on the successful outcome of the case.

What does "no win no fee" mean?

If an attorney makes a promise to win the case, run. However, agreeing to a “No Win, No Fee” agreement with an attorney can provide the attorney with additional incentive to drive the case forward quickly, efficiently, and with eyes set on a successful resolution.

What happens when a retainer runs out?

When the retainer runs out, the client must deposit additional funds so that the attorney will continue his or her work. The attorney continues to work on the case until either. The case is over (win or lose) The money runs out and the client chooses not to (or cannot afford to) refill the retainer.

What happens if an attorney's hourly rate is high?

If the attorney’s hourly rate is high, the client may be saddled with thousands of dollars owed to the attorney. On the other hand, when an attorney requires a retainer agreement, the client deposits money in an account upfront, before any work has started on the case.

What is the purpose of a no win no fee agreement?

The purpose of a no win no fee agreement is to ensure that all people, regardless of their financial state or legal experience, can obtain the highest quality representation without having to pay legal fees out of their own pocket.

Do you have to pay upfront to hire an attorney?

No payment upfront and no requirement to pool money to hire an attorney. One of the most desirable aspects of a “No Win, No Fee” agreement is that the client does not have to have money to pay an attorney upfront. You do not need to take out a loan, pool money, or even break open your piggy bank at home to hire an attorney.

Can a client afford to refill a retainer?

The money runs out and the client chooses not to (or cannot afford to) refill the retainer. In both of the above fee arrangements, the clients are required to pay the attorney without the guarantee of a successful resolution to the case. A client may spend a fortune paying an attorney only to lose the case at the end.