Feb 09, 2026 | Bradley SEO
If you’ve been injured due to someone else’s negligence, you may wonder how you can afford to hire a lawyer. A contingent fee arrangement removes this barrier. A contingent fee is a payment structure where your lawyer only receives compensation if you win your case or reach a settlement. This means you don’t pay upfront legal costs, making quality legal representation accessible to everyone. Understanding how contingent fees work can help you make informed decisions about pursuing your personal injury claim.
Why Choose CHASENBOSCOLO for Your Personal Injury Case
When you need a personal injury lawyer, you want someone with experience and a track record of results. CHASENBOSCOLO has represented injured clients for almost 40 years, since 1986. Here’s what sets us apart:
- Large team of experienced attorneys – Our lawyers have extensive trial experience and regularly try cases before judges and juries.
- $750 million+ in client recoveries – We’ve recovered over $750 million for our clients throughout our history
- No upfront fees – We work on a contingent fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless we win your case. This is our “No Fee Guarantee.”
- Free initial consultation – You can discuss your situation without any obligation
- Comprehensive case handling – We handle auto accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, wrongful death, workers’ compensation, construction accidents, and many other types of personal injuries
- Multiple convenient locations – With offices in Greenbelt, Fairfax, and Waldorf, we serve clients throughout Maryland, Virginia, and Washington D.C.
Our commitment is simple: we take care of our clients.
How Contingent Fees Work
The Basic Structure
A contingent fee arrangement works like this: your lawyer agrees to represent you without charging an upfront fee. Instead of billing by the hour, the attorney is paid from the money recovered at the end of your case under the terms of your fee agreement. This structure ties your lawyer’s compensation to the outcome of your claim, so your attorney only earns a fee if you obtain a financial recovery.
What Happens If You Lose
One of the biggest advantages of a contingent fee arrangement is that you don’t pay attorney fees if your case doesn’t succeed. If your lawyer cannot win your case or reach a settlement, you owe nothing for legal services. Your lawyer absorbs the cost of handling your case, including time spent on research, investigation, and court appearances.
However, you may still be responsible for certain out-of-pocket expenses like court filing fees or expert witness costs, depending on your agreement. Always discuss these potential costs with your lawyer before signing a contingent fee agreement.
Benefits of Contingent Fee Arrangements
Contingent fees provide several important advantages for injured people seeking legal help:
- Removes financial barriers to justice – You don’t need money upfront to hire an experienced lawyer. You can pursue your claim even if you’re struggling financially after an injury.
- Creates alignment with your lawyer – Your attorney has a strong incentive to win your case because they only get paid if you recover money. Your lawyer will work hard to maximize your settlement or verdict.
- Reduces your financial burden during recovery – After an injury, you may face medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses. A contingent fee arrangement lets you focus on healing while your lawyer handles the legal work.
- Makes justice accessible – Contingent fees allow people to pursue cases they couldn’t otherwise afford. Many personal injury cases require significant investigation, expert testimony, and trial preparation. Without contingent fees, only wealthy individuals could afford these services.
When Contingent Fees Apply
Contingent fees work best for cases where you’re seeking compensation from another party. Personal injury cases frequently use contingent fee arrangements. These include auto accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, bicycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, and bus accidents.
Wrongful death claims also typically use contingent fee arrangements. If a loved one died due to someone else’s negligence, your family can pursue compensation for funeral expenses, lost income, and loss of companionship.
Product liability cases—where a defective product caused your injury—are also handled on contingency. Construction accidents and workplace injuries may be handled on contingency, though workers’ compensation claims sometimes have different fee structures depending on your state. In Virginia, any workers’ compensation attorney’s fee must be approved as reasonable by the Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission.
CHASENBOSCOLO handles all these types of cases on a contingent fee basis. We also handle other specialized injury cases for federal contractors and injured workers.
Understanding Costs Beyond the Contingent Fee
While you don’t pay attorney fees upfront in a contingent fee arrangement, other costs may apply. These are separate from your lawyer’s fee and are necessary to pursue your case effectively.
Court filing fees are required to start a lawsuit. Expert witness fees cover the cost of specialists who testify about your injuries or liability. Medical records requests involve fees to obtain documentation from hospitals and doctors. Investigation costs may include hiring investigators to gather evidence about how your injury occurred.
These expenses are typically paid from your settlement or award. Your lawyer should discuss these potential costs with you before proceeding. At CHASENBOSCOLO, we’re transparent about all costs and work with you to understand what to expect.
Frequently Asked Questions
What percentage do lawyers typically take as a contingent fee?
Most personal injury lawyers use a contingent fee that is set out in a written agreement with the client instead of billing by the hour. The exact fee depends on your case, the amount of work involved, and whether the matter settles early or goes through trial. Your lawyer should explain how the fee will be calculated and when it might change as your case progresses.
Do I have to pay anything upfront?
No. With a true contingent fee arrangement, you pay nothing upfront. You don’t pay attorney fees, and typically your lawyer covers initial costs. However, you should clarify with your lawyer which expenses you might be responsible for if your case doesn’t succeed.
What if my case settles vs. goes to trial?
Your contingent fee may be structured differently depending on whether your case settles or goes to trial. Many agreements set one fee structure for cases resolved before trial and another for cases that require more extensive litigation. Your lawyer should explain these potential differences before you sign any agreement so you understand how the fee will apply at each stage of your case.
Are there cases where contingent fees don’t apply?
Yes. Contingent fees work best when you’re seeking money from another party. They’re less common in criminal cases, family law matters, or cases where you’re defending against a claim. Your lawyer can explain whether contingent fees apply to your specific situation.
How does CHASENBOSCOLO handle case costs?
CHASENBOSCOLO works on a contingent fee basis with our “No Fee Guarantee.” We discuss all potential costs with you upfront, explain how case expenses will be handled in your agreement, and keep you updated on fees and costs throughout your case.
Ready to Discuss Your Case? Contact CHASENBOSCOLO Today!
If you’ve been injured due to someone else’s negligence, you deserve experienced legal representation. CHASENBOSCOLO has helped thousands of clients recover compensation for their injuries. We work on a contingent fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless we win your case.
Contact CHASENBOSCOLO today for a free consultation. Call (301) 220-0050 to speak with one of our experienced attorneys. We serve clients in Fairfax, Virginia, and throughout Maryland and Washington D.C. Let us help you understand your rights and pursue the compensation you deserve.
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