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LSDefine

Simple English definitions for legal terms

contingency fee

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A quick definition of contingency fee:

A contingency fee is a way that a lawyer gets paid for helping someone with a legal problem. Instead of getting paid by the hour, the lawyer gets a percentage of the money that the person gets if they win or settle the case. The lawyer only gets paid if they do a good job and help the person win. This kind of payment is often used in cases where someone is hurt and wants to sue for money. The lawyer might get between 20% to 50% of the money that the person gets. The rules say that the lawyer has to write down how much they will get paid and tell the person about any other costs. The lawyer also has to tell the person what happened in the case when it is over. Contingency fees are not allowed in some kinds of cases, like divorce or criminal cases. Some people like contingency fees because they can get help even if they don't have a lot of money. Other people don't like them because they think they might make lawyers take on too many cases or settle too quickly.

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A more thorough explanation:

A contingency fee is a type of payment that a lawyer receives for their legal services. Instead of charging a fixed hourly rate, the lawyer gets a percentage of the money that their client receives if they win or settle the case. This means that the lawyer only gets paid if they successfully represent their client.

Contingency fees are commonly used in personal injury cases, where the lawyer may receive between 20% to 50% of the recovery amount. For example, if a client wins a $100,000 settlement, and the contingency fee is 30%, the lawyer would receive $30,000.

Contingency fee agreements must be in writing and signed by the client. The agreement must state how the fee will be determined and any expenses that the client will be responsible for. The lawyer must also provide the client with a written statement at the end of the case.

Contingency fees are not allowed in domestic relations matters, such as divorce cases, or for the representation of a defendant in a criminal case.

Advocates of contingency fees argue that they improve access to justice for people who cannot afford legal representation, provide an incentive for lawyers to work hard for their clients, and allow clients to shift the risk of losing to the lawyer. Critics argue that contingency fees encourage frivolous lawsuits, incentivize lawyers to settle too soon and for too little, and that the fees are often too high relative to the risks that lawyers bear in a particular case.

Overall, contingency fees can be a useful way for clients to pay for legal services, but it is important to carefully consider the pros and cons before entering into a contingency fee agreement.

contingency | contingent

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Dkk
19:42
SEO is big money
2016 pushed the conservative party into populism irreversibly
Dkk
19:43
Maybe, but if this is populism, then every election is populist.
19:43
@Dkk: yeah register 1 website and every swinging tom dick and harry calls/emails/texts to 'help with seo'. like bruh, if YOU found it, what i am doing is working
Dkk
19:43
Indeed!
19:48
wasp, i think people are hopeful for a gov who at least attempts to care about the common man
MIAMI A
[] AromaticTroubledDormouse
20:55
How does one know if they are UR1 or UR2?
[] AromaticTroubledDormouse
20:56
CONGRATS MACAQUE!
TY
got a random stanford email and almost had a heart attack
ALSO CONGRATS!
Congrats1!
21:15
Miami A, yall I'm so excited I could cry.
21:15
Feel like I can finally stop holding my breath!! Whew!!!
[] baddestbunny
22:16
every time I get accosted by a strange man who follows me around because my male coworkers were too busy talking to walk me back to my car I get closer to saying we need to bring back traditional gender roles
Dkk
22:32
Nice! @Macaque
Dkk
22:32
@Aromatic, Have to guess.
Dkk
22:33
That sucks @Bunny do you have to go to the hospital?
[] baddestbunny
22:40
I said accosted not assaulted
23:35
guys. my notre dame address just went long is this good or bad
1a2b3c4d26z
23:37
Oooooo me too
23:37
omg is this good or bad
Dkk
23:47
Idk if gender roles are gunna fix that then.
23:49
it looks like most people who applied in october last cycle didn't get a decision until january... does it even mean anything that our addresses went long??
hows ED 2 compared to ED 1?
Dkk
0:10
No idea
windyMagician
0:34
reporting live to say my ndls address also went long
does it mean anything ^
Dkk
2:21
NDLS and Fordham took a very long time last year. It's good info for people to know.
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