How Do Personal Injury Lawyers Get Paid? Understanding Contingency Fees
by Nelson Jones | February 25, 2025 | Personal Injury, The Firm
Contingency lawyer writing out "No Win, No Fee"

If you’ve been injured in an accident, one of your first concerns might be "How much does it cost to hire a personal injury attorney?" Many people assume they need to pay upfront fees or expensive hourly rates to get legal help. The truth is, working with a contingency fee lawyer at Nelson Jones costs nothing out of pocket and you only pay if we settle or win your case.

What Is a Contingency Fee?

Most personal injury lawyers work on contingency—but what does that actually mean?

A contingency fee means:

  • You don’t pay anything upfront to hire a lawyer.
  • Your lawyer only gets paid after they settle or win your case.
  • The attorney's fee comes from the settlement proceeds or the jury verdict, not your pocket.

This system makes hiring a personal injury lawyer risk-free for you. You can get experienced legal help without worrying about paying anything out of pocket.

No Hourly Fees, No Retainers, No Upfront Costs

Unlike other types of lawyers who charge by the hour or require a retainer (an upfront deposit), personal injury attorneys on contingency get paid only after your case is successfully resolved. If you we don't settle or win your case, you owe nothing—simple as that.

How Much Does a Lawyer on Contingency Get Paid?

At firms like Nelson Jones, payment comes from a percentage of the settlement or verdict recovered for you. This percentage is agreed upon before moving forward with the case so there are no surprises, Something important to know, your Nelson Jones attorney will never take more in fees than you receive. The goal is to get you the maximum compensation possible while ensuring you walk away with the largest share of your settlement.

How a Contingency Fee Payment Structure Benefits You

  • Save Money – Since fees come from the final settlement, you can focus on recovery instead of worrying about legal bills.
  • No Financial Risk – You never have to worry about paying out of pocket, making legal help accessible to everyone.
  • Motivated Representation – Your lawyer is fully invested in winning your case because they don’t get paid unless you do.

We Can Help You at No Cost, No Obligation

If you’ve been injured in an accident and are unsure about your next steps, don’t let cost concerns stop you from getting the legal help you deserve. At Nelson Jones, we offer free consultations and will walk you through your options with no pressure and no upfront costs.

Call us today to discuss your case—we only get paid when you do, and we’re ready to fight for you.

Why Choose Nelson Jones?

Personalized Legal Service

We recognize that no two personal injury cases are the same, with a different impact and set of circumstances every time. That's why our attorneys craft a personalized plan for each of our clients.

Willing to Fight For You

We will aggressively pursue fair compensation for you, meaning we're not afraid to go to court if necessary. Our attorneys are seasoned litigators who will fight to protect your rights and secure the best possible outcome.

Hassle-free & Transparent

We make the legal process of resolving your personal injury case as stress-free as possible. You'll get one-on-one contact with an attorney as your guide, answering your questions and keeping you informed as needed.

Committed to Community & Ethics

As a part of the Utah community, we are committed not just to our clients but to the betterment of our community as a whole. We take pride in our ethical approach to law and our role in ensuring justice is accessible to everyone.

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