Fees of an Alberta Accident Lawyer

There are several types of lawyer fees. Here, your payment option varies, according to agreed terms between you and your accident lawyer. You will have to iron this out first before agreeing to be represented by your lawyer. Make sure you are on the same page before proceeding with the details of your case. Variations in lawyer fees depend on the representation you require, billable hours, contingent fees and flat fees. (The sole exceptions here are lawyers who accept client pro bono.)

Kinds of lawyer fees

1. Retainer: The retainer is the upfront fee that you pay a lawyer. This “buys” you certain types of legal work and work hours. The tasks included here are consultations and handling of basic documentary needs. Sometimes, the lawyer negotiates another fee when the retainer has been used up.
2. Contingent Fees: Contingent fees refer to fees that are based on the amount of settlement that the represented parties get. In these cases, the lawyer does not receive any fee if the plaintiff loses. Some countries, like the United States, prohibit contingent fees for certain types of cases (criminal cases and family law cases).

“Loser Pays” lawyer fees

Many countries have adopted the “loser pays” system when it comes to lawyers. When a party in the court case loses the case, the lawyer fees of the winning party are included in the compensation package. This does not apply in the United States though. The losing party may still be required to pay but the judge will need to “decree” this in his/ her ruling.

Typical lawyer fees

Lawyer fees range depending on the experience and credentials of the lawyer, the prestige of the law firm, and the severity or the case. On the average, hourly lawyer fees range between $200 and $500.