It should not cost you anything up front to sue someone for a personal injury in Ohio. Most personal injury attorneys who handle accident and injury cases work based on contingency. This means they recover attorney’s fees only if they secure compensation for you in your case.
The money you pay your law firm for managing your Ohio insurance settlement or lawsuit will come from the money it recovers for you. You will not need to pay the lawyer anything out of your own bank account.
Understanding How Contingency Fee Pay Structures Work
When a law firm works based on contingency, it does not require clients to pay a retainer. In some areas of law, retainers are typical. For example, if you need an attorney in Ohio to help you file for divorce, they will likely ask for money up front to cover their initial costs. You will need to continue paying them as they work, covering their fees and related expenses.
Personal injury lawyers, though, generally ask for no money or upfront fees. Instead, they get their attorney’s fees from the financial recovery they secure for the client. They will discuss their percentage with you before you sign a contract. There may be one percentage for cases that settle without going to trial and another if your case requires them to sue the liable parties.
If they do not secure a settlement or verdict on your behalf, you will not owe them any attorney’s fees.
How Can I Learn More About the Fees at a Specific Law Firm in Ohio?
Personal injury firms throughout Ohio offer free consultations for potential clients. A case review gives the firm an opportunity to assess your case’s strength and allows you to ask questions. The information you will want to discuss during this conversation includes:
- Your rights based on the facts of your case
- Your legal options to pursue compensation
- Possible issues with your claim
- The timeline for your case and how Ohio’s statutes of limitations apply
- The firm’s services
- Its fee structure and percentage of your recovery (you can also ask the firm how much it costs to sue someone)
- If you owe any out-of-pocket costs if its lawyers do not win your case
Other important things you can learn about the firm include how its attorneys approach cases like yours. Your free case review should give you insight into how the firm works and if it would be a good fit for you. While some provide phone consultations, others meet with you in person. Some Ohio attorneys will meet you at your home, in the hospital, in their office, or another convenient location.
Do I Need an Attorney to Pursue Damages in My Ohio Accident Case?
Many personal injury victims try to navigate the claims or lawsuit process on their own in Ohio. While this is possible, and you may receive an insurance settlement, there are many advantages to having a lawyer on your side.
A law firm will use its financial resources and experience with similar cases to develop a strong argument and seek damages on your behalf. It will also:
- Manage all communications about your case
- Investigate what happened and gather evidence
- Identify all liable parties
- Prepare and file all necessary paperwork
- Abide by all rules and deadlines required under Ohio law
- Value your recoverable damages, including intangible losses
- Negotiate for an appropriate settlement with the insurer
Most Personal Injury Cases Settle Without Going to Trial
You may not need to sue someone to recover monetary damages for your Ohio accident and injuries, as most cases settle out of court. However, you run a significant risk of settling for less than you are due if you handle the claim on your own.
Even if you are not sure you want to work with a lawyer, you can speak to a team member about the case and learn more about the lawyer’s services during a free consultation. There is no obligation to hire any firm you meet with.
How Long do I Have to Sue the Liable Party in My Ohio Case?
Ohio has statutes of limitations that set deadlines for suing the liable party. If you cannot reach a fair settlement with the insurer as this deadline approaches, you may need to consider suing the liable party.
Generally speaking, these deadlines are two years from:
- The date of the accident in a personal injury case under Ohio Revised Code § 2305.10
- The date of death in a wrongful death case under Ohio Revised Code § 2125.02
Some cases have even shorter deadlines, though. You can learn more about the timeline that applies to your accident claim during a free consultation with a personal injury lawyer in the Ohio area.
We Will Be
There To Help
You All The Way
You Can Speak to the Fitch Law Firm LLC for Free Today
A team member from the Fitch Law Firm LLC will be glad to discuss your legal options, our fee structures, and other details with you during a free case review today. We are a contingency fee law firm representing personal injury accident victims in Ohio. We serve clients in Columbus, Dayton, Springfield, Marion, and Cincinnati.
Call (614) 545-3930 now to get started.
