Most personal injury lawyers in Massachusetts work on a contingency fee basis. This means the lawyer’s fee is a percentage of the settlement or verdict, and you pay nothing unless they win your case. Personal injury lawyer fees in MA usually range between 33 percent and 40 percent of the recovery, though some lawyers may charge closer to 25 percent in simpler cases. At DiBella Law Injury and Accident Lawyers, we follow this contingency model and provide clear, written terms so you know what to expect from the start. It’s a risk-free arrangement that ties our success directly to achieving the best possible result for you.
Understanding Contingency Fees in Massachusetts Personal Injury Cases
Contingency fees are the most common payment structure in personal injury law. When you hire a lawyer on a contingency fee basis, they’ll receive a predetermined percentage of the compensation they recover for you.
The biggest benefit of this structure is that you face no upfront costs for hiring a Massachusetts personal injury lawyer. The attorney’s fee comes out of your compensation, so you pay nothing out of pocket for their services. This allows you to get quality representation regardless of your financial situation.
If the attorney doesn’t win your case, you’ll owe them nothing for their services. This gives the attorney a stronger incentive to recover the compensation you deserve.
In some firms, the percentage may vary depending on the stage of the case—for example, the rate might increase if the case goes to trial. Our firm keeps fees transparent, and we’ll clearly outline our fee structure in a written agreement before we start working on your case.
Additional Costs Beyond Attorney Fees in Personal Injury Cases
Attorney fees are only one part of the overall cost of a personal injury case in Massachusetts. Additional expenses may arise, and we address these separately from our legal fees while keeping the process just as transparent. Common case expenses include:
- Filing fees
- Medical record retrieval costs
- Expert witness fees
- Deposition fees
- Court reporter costs
Our firm advances these expenses so you don’t have to pay for them out of pocket—once your case is resolved, we’ll reimburse ourselves for them from your final compensation. If we don’t win your case, you won’t be responsible for paying these costs.
How To Evaluate a Personal Injury Lawyer's Fee Structure
It’s important to understand how a lawyer’s fee structure works before you agree to work with them. Consider asking these questions during your consultation:
- What percentage will you take? Be sure to confirm the exact rate.
- How do you handle additional expenses? Find out whether they’ll deduct costs such as filing fees or expert witnesses from your compensation.
- Will the percentage change if my case goes to trial? You’ll want to know if the contingency rate rises for cases that require more time and resources.
Be sure to get all the terms of your fee arrangement in a clear, written agreement. This type of transparency is a hallmark of a trustworthy law firm, and we’re committed to providing it from the start.
Can You Negotiate a Personal Injury Lawyer's Fee?
In most cases, our standard contingency fee is non-negotiable. However, there are exceptions.
Negotiation is more likely in cases where the client has already gathered medical records and other key evidence, since this reduces the lawyer’s initial workload. It may also be possible to negotiate a lower fee if the case is particularly clear-cut.
Fee discussions don’t have to be stressful—they’re just part of making sure you understand your legal options. Our firm is always open about how our fees work. We’re ready to answer your questions to make sure you feel confident in our agreement.
Contact Our Personal Injury Lawyers Today
At DiBella Law, we represent injured clients on a contingency fee basis. If you or a loved one was injured due to someone else’s negligence, we invite you to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation. We’re here to hear your story, outline your legal options, and explain our personal injury lawyer fees with zero financial risk.
Don’t wait to get the guidance you need. Call us at 855-342-3552 (855-DiBella) or complete our online contact form to connect with our team and start moving forward.