When you’re injured in an accident, the last thing you want to worry about is how much you’ll actually receive from your personal injury settlement. It’s crucial for every person to have full transparency and see the entire breakdown of the settlement before it’s finalized. Why? Because understanding exactly what goes where—and what you’re left with—gives you the peace of mind that you’re getting a fair deal and the compensation you deserve.
Understanding the Breakdown
A personal injury settlement typically consists of various elements, including:
- Medical Bills: Payments to cover your medical expenses, including hospital stays, doctor visits, rehabilitation, and future medical needs.
- Attorney Fee: The portion of the settlement that goes to your attorney for their work winning your case.
- Liens and Expenses: Any expenses related to the litigation process (such as expert witness fees or court filing costs) may also be deducted.
- Your Take-Home Amount: The amount left for you after all other parties have been paid.
The most important part of this process is what you walk away with at the end of the day—your take-home amount. Without seeing a clear breakdown, it’s easy to feel unsure about where your money is going and whether you’re receiving a fair share of the settlement.
When Law Firms Take More Than the Client (Yes, Many Law Firms Do This)
Unfortunately, there are scenarios where clients may walk away with less money than the law firm receives in fees. This happens because many personal injury firms base their fees on a percentage of the total settlement, often around 33-40%. If the expenses in the case are high or if liens or unpaid medical bills take up a large chunk of the settlement, it’s not uncommon for the client to end up with less than the lawyer.
For example:
- Suppose you receive a settlement of $100,000. Your attorney takes a 40% fee. An additional $35,000 must be paid toward liens, medical bills, and case expenses. When all is said and done, you take home only $25,000 while your lawyer takes $40,000.
This can feel unfair, especially when the client suffered the injury and has ongoing financial or medical concerns. We have problems with this practice of many law firms, and it is not done this way here.
Our Bigger Share Guarantee
At Sam Aguiar Injury Lawyers, we believe that clients should always come first, including ensuring that they walk away with the most money from their settlement. We have a Bigger Share Guarantee, meaning our clients will never walk away with less than the law firm. This firm promise sets us apart from others in the industry.
If the breakdown of your settlement shows that our fee would exceed your take-home amount, we adjust our fee downward and increase your share to ensure you walk away with more. This way, we ensure that you, the client, receive the compensation you deserve for what you’ve gone through.
Our Bigger Share Guarantee isn’t just a slogan—it’s a commitment to fair treatment and ensuring that our clients get their rightful share, no matter the circumstances of the case.
Why This Matters
In a personal injury case, you are the one who endured the pain and hardship. You should never feel shortchanged by the process. At Sam Aguiar Injury Lawyers, we understand that the settlement is your chance to rebuild and recover. We work hard to secure the best possible result for you and always ensure you get more than we do, guaranteed.
Transparency is key when dealing with a personal injury settlement. Every client deserves to know exactly how much they’re receiving and where every dollar of their settlement goes. Unfortunately, not all firms prioritize their client’s interests, and many allow scenarios where the law firm takesmore than the injured party.
The Bigger Share Guarantee simplifies this process and provides peace of mind. Our commitment is to ensure that clients always receive more from their settlements than anyone involved, including the attorneys.
The Bigger Share Guarantee guarantees every client that you will always receive the most substantial portion of your settlement. By managing subrogation, contingency fees, case expenses, and medical bills, we ensure that your financial well-being is at the forefront of every decision. Trust us to handle the complexities of your case while you focus on recovery. If you have any questions or need further clarification, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We are here to support you every step of the way.
