“What’s your fee?” is the second most common question I’m asked in a first consultation, right after “what’s my case worth?” Most firm websites answer it with slogans (“no fee unless we win”) instead of numbers. After more than 30 years handling injury cases in Georgia, I think you’re owed a real answer — before you sign anything, and in writing.
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The short answer
There is no Georgia-standard contingency-fee schedule. What you’ll see in the market is a range of percentages that vary by firm, by case stage (pre-suit, post-suit, post-trial), and by case complexity. What actually matters is how the fee for your specific case is set, what it covers, and what changes it — and that all of it is in writing before you sign.
Any reputable firm will confirm your exact fee in writing before you sign, and you owe no attorney’s fee unless we recover for you.
Why the range exists
Two variables determine where in the range a specific case falls:
- Case stage at resolution. Most agreements set a lower percentage for cases resolved before suit is filed and a higher percentage after suit is filed (or after trial). The reason is straightforward: filing a lawsuit multiplies the work — discovery, depositions, expert prep, motions.
- Case complexity. A rear-end fender-bender with clear liability and a single insurance policy is different work from a multi-defendant trucking case with contested liability and layered commercial policies. Complex cases sometimes command a slightly higher percentage.
Both variables should be spelled out in the written fee agreement before you sign.
Case costs are separate from attorney’s fees
“Fee” and “costs” are two different things:
- Attorney’s fee is what the firm earns for legal work — the percentage.
- Case costs are out-of-pocket expenses required to build the case: medical records retrieval, filing fees, court reporter and deposition costs, expert witness fees, accident reconstruction, mediation fees, trial exhibits.
Case costs vary by case size — from hundreds of dollars in a minor claim to tens of thousands in a catastrophic case with multiple experts.
Ask any firm directly:
- Do you advance case costs, or do I pay them as we go?
- If we don’t recover, do I owe the costs back?
Answers vary by firm and by case; there’s no single “right” answer, but the arrangement must be in writing.
What “no fee unless we recover” actually means
Every reputable Georgia PI firm works on contingency for a reason: it aligns the firm’s interests with yours, and it lets people who can’t afford an up-front retainer get quality legal representation. But the phrase has limits worth understanding:
- “No fee” refers to attorney’s fees, not case costs (unless your written agreement says otherwise).
- “Recover” means recover for you — not for the firm. A settlement offer you reject doesn’t trigger the fee.
- The fee comes out of the recovery when funds are received, before the balance is disbursed to you.
Red flags on fees
- Verbal fee arrangements. A legitimate contingency agreement is in writing, signed by both parties, before representation begins. Georgia Rules of Professional Conduct require it.
- Fees that change after you sign. Any change to the fee agreement should be in writing and re-signed.
- Fee percentages that seem unusually low. If a firm quotes 20% to get you in the door, ask what the fee becomes if the case files. Cheap up front is often expensive on the back end.
- Guaranteed recovery amounts. Georgia lawyers cannot promise a specific outcome. A firm that does is telling you how they treat the rules.
- “Hidden” case costs. All case costs should be tracked and available for your review. A firm that won’t itemize costs is a firm you don’t want.
How to compare firms on fees
Fee percentage alone is not the right comparison. When you’re interviewing firms, ask:
- What’s the fee if we settle before filing suit? After filing? After trial?
- Do you advance case costs? Do I owe them back if we lose?
- Will I see itemized costs before final settlement disbursement?
- Who signs the settlement check — you, or me?
- What’s the actual net I’d expect on a case like mine at each stage?
The last question is the most useful. A firm that will estimate a realistic net (before medical liens and case costs) is a firm being honest with you.
How to reach us
If you have a specific case and want a straight read on what our fee would be and what your realistic net recovery might look like, call our Sandy Springs personal injury lawyers at Singleton Law Firm at (770) 889-6010. The consultation is free, calls returned same day, no later than one business day.
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Each case is different and must be evaluated on its own facts.
