What is an electrocution lawyer contingency fee and how does it work?
A contingency fee arrangement with an electrocution lawyer means payment is owed only if a successful trial verdict or settlement is obtained on your behalf.
Here are the typical attributes of a contingency fee agreement:
- No cost for an electrocution lawyer – The client will never pay anything up-front or out-of-pocket. Any cost or fee related to the case is handled after the case is concluded.
- Agreed-upon fee – The contingency fee agreement must be in writing, stating the method by which the attorney’s contingent fee will be determined after he or she has recovered a winning outcome for the client. (Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.5(c)) In Michigan, the maximum contingency fee that an attorney can charge is 33.3% or “one-third of the amount recovered” for the client. (Michigan Court Rule 8.121(B))
- No risk – There is no risk to the client in this type of arrangement. Rather, the electrocution lawyer bears all the risk because if he or she doesn’t win, then there are no costs because he or she won’t get paid.
Why do I need a lawyer for my electrocution injury or death case?
While hiring an attorney is not mandatory, working with an experienced electricity accident lawyer right after your injury can significantly increase both the size and speed of your settlement.
These cases are complex and require specialized knowledge. Defendants in electrocution cases tend to defend themselves aggressively, especially when the attorney across the aisle lacks expertise in this area of law. An experienced lawyer who specializes in electricity accidents and has a track record of success will almost always get better results because insurance companies and defense attorneys know when they’re up against a formidable opponent.
In fact, the insurance industry’s own research has shown that accident victims who are represented by experienced attorneys get up to four times more than those who are not.
How to choose the best lawyer for my case?
Ask yourself five key questions when considering an attorney for your electrocution case:
- Is the lawyer experienced? You want a lawyer who has handled dozens if not hundreds of electrocution and electric shock cases, and handles them on a daily basis.
- Does the lawyer specialize exclusively in electricity-related accidents? You don’t want a lawyer who simply “dabbles” in electricity-related accidents as part of a general personal injury practice. Rather, you want one who focuses their entire practice on electrocution litigation. This specialized knowledge can mean the difference between winning and losing a case, potentially leaving hundreds of thousands if not millions of dollars on the table.
- Has the lawyer won a million-dollar settlement or verdict? An experienced lawyer who specializes in this area of law should have a track record of winning million-dollar verdicts and settlements for his or her client.
- What is the lawyer’s reputation for going to trial? Are insurance companies and defense attorneys concerned when they know they’re up against this attorney? Do they know they’re in for a fight if they don’t make a full settlement offer? You want an attorney who is both respected and known to take a case to trial when a full and fair settlement offer is not made. This means bigger and faster settlements.
- What do the lawyer’s former clients say? An experienced lawyer will have 5-star reviews praising his or her legal representation and client-first approach.
How to win an electrocution case
To win an electrocution lawsuit, you have to prove that: (1) the electrical utility company or other responsible party owed you a duty of care; (2) which it breached; (3) causing your injuries; and (4) as a result, causing you to incur damages, such as medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
How long does a settlement take?
Your settlement could take anywhere from a few months to a few years, depending on a variety of factors, including:
- The severity of your injuries
- Your current and future medical needs
- Whether you are able to go back to work
- Your attorney’s track record of success and reputation for going to trial
- The defendant
- The defendant’s insurance company
- The defense attorney
- The defendant’s insurance policy limits
- The length of discovery
- Case evaluation
- Mediation
- Facilitation
- Settlement conferences and negotiations
